wannabefisher Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Got an order in for an 85 Finnlight, but today I saw one for the first time in the flesh. I was shocked at how bad quality the stock feels - it is such a huge step backwards from the synthetic stock on my 75. How did someone at Sako not realise this when they were making it? Does anyone here have an 85 Finnlight? Please reassure me that it is a good gun!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trussman Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Alexm's got one. Ask him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Yep, I've got one and I'm very happy with it! I still can't get my head around the "85 is poorer quality than the 75" statements that people make. They never seem to be specific about what it is they see as being poorer. I had been borrowing my mentor's sako 75 and was admittedly looking for the same as that was what I was used to and happy with. However, mainly due to lack of availability of new 75's, I ended up buying an 85 instead. I hadn't read any of the negative comments about them before I bought it (if I had I probably would have been put off!) but when I saw one I liked it immediately. The stock quality doesn't look/feel any different to me, but then I suppose it depends what your measure of 'quality' is. If anything the finish on the 85 stock is better to my eyes, the rubber grips are tidier than the 75 and look less like stuck on rubber triangles. As for the rest of the rifle, the action is slick as you would expect from a Sako (supposed to be slicker than the 75 by design but I can't tell the difference) and everything else is the same excellent Sako quality from what I have found using it, and it shoots well too! The only niggle I had/have with it is the magazine release. I say 'had' because I am now used to it, but it can be tricky having to push up on the magazine in order to operate the release. This is supposedly a safety feature but like many things that make us safer, they also make us relatively more irritated! Yes, the stock does feel light (as it's been designed to be an especially light rifle, more so than the 75 finnlight) so you are constantly aware that what you are holding isn't finest walnut, but it's stiff, it looks tidy, the grips are comfortable and the stock fits me quite well with extra low mounts. I call that functional in respect of my own requirements. Others may call it 'plasticy'... but at the end of the day it is actually plastic! What is it specifically that you think is poorer quality? I can give you my own opinions in response if you wish... but at the end of the day everyone's tastes/requirements are different so if you don't like it I would advise you don't buy it, rather than hoping I will convince you to like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) Yes, they have redesigned the traditional, over-engineered lump that is the recoil lug and replaced it with something that is more elegant in an engineering sense. It is not true to say there is nothing doing the job of the traditional recoil lug, because there is, and it's more compact, light and still meets the strength requirements. Witchcraft you say! I say progress. But as I said above, people's tastes and requirements are different therefore my advice would be as follows... * If you want extra metal in places it isn't really needed for the peace of mind it gives you then this isn't the rifle for you - don't buy one. * If you want a light, well engineered rifle that shoots and handles well and you believe that the Sako engineers are better at stress calculations than 'fister' - buy one. Edited September 15, 2008 by alexm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabefisher Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 well I can't comment on this recoil lug business because i don't understand it I also don't have a problem with the action, and I am sure the accuracy is up to scratch. The mag release is irritating, but I would have thought once you are used to it then it becomes unnoticable. It really is just the stock, it looks and feels to me as if it is made from recycled bin bags, or that it has just come out of a 49p christmas cracker. Don't get me wrong, I'm not buying the gun on looks, but if I'm buying such a relatively fancy gun I want it to be something that will last me a lifetime, and so it should be a pleasure just to hold and use, nor just be functional. I wonder if it is a Beretta cost cutting measure, as the synthetic stock on the Quad is in the same league of terribleness Still very unsure.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) I confess I know next to nothing about bedding barrels so wouldn't have the first clue about how you would go about bedding the new design of 'lug', however I bought my 85 Finnlight as a stalking rifle so it comes back to what I said earlier about choosing it based on your own tastes and requirements. For me it fits the purpose. For you, obviously not so! I don't particularly want to get sucked into another "member defends his own choice of rifle to the death" type thread so I will just reiterate my advice to the original poster - if you don't like the stock for whatever reason then the best thing to do would probably be to cancel your order as I doubt my assurances that the setup works perfectly for me will mean much to you! Edited September 15, 2008 by alexm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macnab Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 This is my first day back following a week in the Highlands after red stags and a bit of fishing. I used my new 6.5 x 55 Sako 85 Finnlight, and was very happy with the results (fishing was another story....). Three beasts from three shots and all totally different. And after taking advice from this site I was very happy with the 6.5 - excellent stopping power and very mild to use with 140 gr Fed softpoint. I am not an expert and I don't really care about the technical differences between it and other rifles. It suits me and what I want it for, although with bipod, scope and mod I would use the word 'light' with caution. The stock is plastic. If you don't like plastic buy a different type of stock. The action feels smooth and precise. But just one point. When you are after reds with a mag of 5 rounds you don't really care about the release mechanism. In fact I prefer the new one as I have had trouble with the magazine dropping out of my T3 in .223 when shooting foxes off fence posts. Put me down as a satisfied customer. M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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