Sako 85 with a bad barrel. Value?

[Jkndy]

Hi folks,

I have a left handed Sako 85 Hunter (wood/blued) in 6.5x55SE that shoots well, but the barrel is pitted. I bought the thing second-hand off a guy in Cheltenham and he basically saw me coming. The barrel was cooked but I was too swept up in how pristine it looked from the outside to even notice this. I did eyeball the bore but obviously not well enough, and I didn't notice for many months as the thing shoots perfectly...

So my question is this: How would I go about selling this gun on the basis that it's only the action and stock that is worth anything, and how much should I be looking to get for it? Are there any custom gunmakers with whom I might get in touch that could take it off my hands for the action, or alternatively, is there anyone on here who wants a Sako 85 M for rebarreling?

Some have suggested I re barrel it, but I have decided that I'd be better off with a synthetic-stocked gun chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, and it would probably end up being several hundred quid cheaper to just get rid and start afresh.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Ivythorne Sporting are selling a similarly described Sako 85 Varmint in a wooden stock for £400 on Guntrader.

It has been for sale for a while and for a quick sale you would maybe need to price lower than the £400.

Guns For Sale | New and Used Guns | GunTrader

GunTrader the UK's No.1 marketplace for guns for sale. Buy or sell new and used guns and shooting equipment. Browse shotguns, rifles, air rifles and pistols.

www.guntrader.uk

 

[billgatese30]

If it shoots ok, what is the problem? Other than the seller not saying it was pitted but who's to say he knew if it shot ok too?

 

[Jkndy]

Ivythorne Sporting are selling a similarly described Sako 85 Varmint in a wooden stock for £400 on Guntrader.

It has been for sale for a while and for a quick sale you would maybe need to price lower than the £400.

Guns For Sale | New and Used Guns | GunTrader

GunTrader the UK's No.1 marketplace for guns for sale. Buy or sell new and used guns and shooting equipment. Browse shotguns, rifles, air rifles and pistols.

www.guntrader.uk

Oh, what are the chances! I suspect this gun was previously owned by my guy in Cheltenham!

 

[Jkndy]

If it shoots ok, what is the problem? Other than the seller not saying it was pitted but who's to say he knew if it shot ok too?

I suspect he knew. It's water under the bridge now anyway! No problem I suppose, I just want a new rifle!

 

[Ronin]

You must remember that is the “for sale orice”

As a trade in or buy in it would be 300 tops from an RFD

 

[Dave_45]

If it shoots well then there is no problem?

If you just want a Creedmoor for whatever reason then rebarrel and get a PSE stock or whatever that accepts Sako actions.
(Probably dearest option depending on stock availability)

Or trade it in at whatever your RFD will give you against a new rifle.
Possibly the cheapest option.

 

[Heym SR20]

Left hand actions are worthless to a large chunk of rifle shooters who don’t appreciate the value of a left hand action. An action is the key part of a rifle build. A controlled round feed action is liked by many who appreciate such things.

It will also depend on the stock and whether its a nice stock or a piece of firewood or Tupperware.

If you want to sell it then advertise it for what it is. State the condition of the barrel and be realistic on the price.

Or use it as the basis of a nice custom rifle for yourself.

 

[Mungo]

Hi folks,

I have a left handed Sako 85 Hunter (wood/blued) in 6.5x55SE that shoots well, but the barrel is pitted. I bought the thing second-hand off a guy in Cheltenham and he basically saw me coming. The barrel was cooked but I was too swept up in how pristine it looked from the outside to even notice this. I did eyeball the bore but obviously not well enough, and I didn't notice for many months as the thing shoots perfectly...

So my question is this: How would I go about selling this gun on the basis that it's only the action and stock that is worth anything, and how much should I be looking to get for it? Are there any custom gunmakers with whom I might get in touch that could take it off my hands for the action, or alternatively, is there anyone on here who wants a Sako 85 M for rebarreling?

Some have suggested I re barrel it, but I have decided that I'd be better off with a synthetic-stocked gun chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, and it would probably end up being several hundred quid cheaper to just get rid and start afresh.

Sako 85 is not popular as a base action for rebarrels and custom builds - it has too many design flaws.

I doubt you’d get £250-300 at most.

But as has been said - if it shoots, what’s the problem?

 

[Andrewslater]

If it still shoot well it clearly doesn't need rebarreling. I wouldnt have a clue on the internal condition of any of my barrels, and all the while they shoot well I will never bother myself with looking inside to find out. Barrell will likely be good for many many more rounds, likely more than a recreational stalker would ever shoot, so why the concern around a rebarrel just because you are aware of some pitting?

 

[long_range_rob]

Use it till it no longer shoots. You don’t throw your tyres away just because they’re a bit worn, you use them till they’re really worn out.

 

[HandB]

If it shoots well then keep it. All my rifles are second hand and most of them have pitting, in some cases lots. But they all shoot well and that's what counts. My secret is not to look down barrels any more.

 

[Stalker62]

My secret is not to look down barrels any more.

This.

 

[Acm]

I’d think this falls into the category of “Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers too! “

 

[kenbro]

As the op joined SD last Friday he might have difficulty placing an ad. in Classifieds.
Kb.
Ps. He’s found a way to advertise his wares though.

 

[Ronin]

As others have said in the thread - if the weapon is accurate then keep it and use it until such time as humane kills are not guaranteed


The value is basically irrelevant until such time

 

[Jkndy]

This has been good food for thought, thanks for the replies. At a value of £300 it does seem best to keep it until it won't group.

How much might I be looking at for a re-barrel including proofing etc. This would be a straight swap for another Sako barrel or whatever is most economical.

 

[moeggesit]

This has been good food for thought, thanks for the replies. At a value of £300 it does seem best to keep it until it won't group.

How much might I be looking at for a re-barrel including proofing etc. This would be a straight swap for another Sako barrel or whatever is most economical.

I bought a rifle which I use quite a lot, 20 years ago and after buying found it had a lot of pitting. It’s still one of the best shooting rifles I own.

You can greatly also greatly extend the service life of a worn rifle by using flat based bullets. Boat tail has a tendency to tumble in worn barrels.

Rebarrel can cost £100 if you find a gunsmith with a spare Sako barrel for a straight swap but usually it’s around £150+Sako 85 barrel.

There’s not many barrel makers in the UK but Border barrels used to be £800 for a fitted barrel. Don’t know whether they are still in business. If you want to build a custom rifle, you would need an action etc, unless you want to buy a new action which is more than a rifle in most instances, you would be better off using an action you like from a doner.

 

[Overlay]

As above, shoot it until it doesn't group, then new barrel, the 85 is a very nice action

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Hi folks,

I have a left handed Sako 85 Hunter (wood/blued) in 6.5x55SE that shoots well, but the barrel is pitted. I bought the thing second-hand off a guy in Cheltenham and he basically saw me coming. The barrel was cooked but I was too swept up in how pristine it looked from the outside to even notice this. I did eyeball the bore but obviously not well enough, and I didn't notice for many months as the thing shoots perfectly...

So my question is this: How would I go about selling this gun on the basis that it's only the action and stock that is worth anything, and how much should I be looking to get for it? Are there any custom gunmakers with whom I might get in touch that could take it off my hands for the action, or alternatively, is there anyone on here who wants a Sako 85 M for rebarreling?

Some have suggested I re barrel it, but I have decided that I'd be better off with a synthetic-stocked gun chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, and it would probably end up being several hundred quid cheaper to just get rid and start afresh.

Shoot it unitl it doesnt
then sell it to me for £300....