I played with a new Sako 85 yesterday and it felt fine. However, when I shouldered it, the stock geometry was horrible for me. I didn't like the new "accents" on it either. I want a rifle not a handbag. Am I getting old and starting to not like changes?

Question:
Which stock design do people out there prefer? The 75 or 85?

Choices:
Model 75
Model 85
Other

 

I abhor stocks with palm swells, cutsy cheekpieces, and spongiform inserts.

Sako has never made exactly the perfect stock (Warning: opinion being expressed!), but if I could combine the gracefully slender lines of the pre-Garcias with the higher and more scope-appopriate comb of the later Garcias and early Stoegers (which were bulkier than necessary in the forearm and grip), then I would have MY perfect Sako stock.

I prefer the 85 stock and much prefer classic style stocks to Monte-Carlo's. Other people are just the opposite. Try them both and shoot what fits you best.........................DJ

All the Sako stocks suck! The older Sakos are among my all time favorite actions however the only stock shape I have liked was the old fiberglass from years ago. So as I have just today completed with my Sako L61 .300 Win Mag; I take a upright belt sander and reshape the forend to a round as opposed to the almost square cornered stocks. I take about an 1/8" off the rest of it; cut the buttstock to correct length for my short arms, and install a decelerator recoil pad. Stain the light wood much darker, then apply about 15 coats of Custom Pro Oil. Then you have a good looking stock on a Sako. IMHO. But then again, I have a tendency to alter all my rifle stocks to my liking and to fit me.

My favorite is a mcmillan edge in the sako 75 pattern for synthetics, and the wood model 85.

This stock fits me perfectly. Drop at toe and heel are right on the money and the grip fits my hand.

Although the stock on my FN 98 action SAKO 375 fits me better,





I prefer the Classic style on the Safari Grades.

The classic for me.

Rich J - nice rifle! From my point of view it would look better if you kept the scope position the same but moved the rear ring as far forward as it will go and the front ring very nearly as far forward as it will go. The scope turrets will end up being centred between rings and the loading port which makes IMHO a rifle look much better balances

Is it only me that's as picky about details as this?

quote:

Originally posted by richj:

This may not be the prettiest or most classic shape, but it fits me better than any other stock I have tried. The last custom stocks I have had made, have borrowed heavily from this stock design:





For a heavy recoiling rifle, I'd probably choose a stock with a straight rear stock, though.

- mike

For a heavy recoiling rifle, I'd probably choose a stock with a straight rear stock, though.

- mike[/QUOTE]

Talking about recoil....I just bought a Sako 85 Gray Laminated in 300 win. mag. 2 weeks ago. I went to the range last weekend to scope it in, and I must say Wwoooww .. what a surprise...it’s a real pussycat to shoot with the 180 gr.max load ! I also have a Sako 75 in .338 win mag. which weighs almost 1 lbs. more and I must say that it recoils a lot more, and as much as I like the looks of the 75 stock the new 85 stock really works for reducing felt recoil.

I am with Richj. My favorite stock is the Sako Hunter. The Fiberclass came in both the Hunter and classic styles and I have and like both. Lou

I have a 75 and absolutely love the fit. I tried an 85 when they first came out but just didn't like the feel of it. If I were ever buying another Sako, I'd seek a used 75 before considering an 85.

Well, I have several Sako 85's wearing Sako 75 Geometry stocks. I don't care one way or the other on the palm swell, but otherwise, I really like the 75 geometry. I don't necessarily dislike the 85's, but do dislike the 'patterning and materials' on the 85 synthetic.

If you look on the McMillan website at the Sako geometry's, you will see their write up, which many far more knowledgeable people than me agree on, that geometry is one of the best stock designs ever. IMNSHO it is.