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Originally posted by allen day:
We tested a Sako 75 in .243 Win. for "Outdoor Life" magazine's "Gear Test Issue" last year. It was a disappointing rifle in terms of accuracy, and I thought the whole package was over-priced for what you were getting.

But that was just one rifle.....

One of the major gripes I have with the Sako 75 is the bolt sleeve/bolt lock assembly, which is entirely too complicated, and a major pain in the neck any way you look at it. Sako (in an admission of guilt, obviously) even includes a doughnut-type disassembly tool as part of the package. Why engineer a rifle so that it requires a "doughnut" gimmick or some other tool to get the bloody bolt apart with? Even with this gadget, that bolt sleeve system is way over-engineered, and this in and of itself would preclude me from purchasing one of these rifles. It's not in league with the Winchester Model 70 system or the Mauser 98 system by any stretch of the imagination, that's for darned sure, or even the pre-Model 75 Sakos (all versions) for that matter.

Here's another gripe: The Sako dovetail scopemount system works well enough under selected conditions, but it's also vulnerable and poorly-engineered in my book as a system for all seasons.

I distinctly remember an old 1970's era Sako that we had in elk camp one year. The guy who owned it went to shove it in a saddle scabbard on opening morning, and when he did, the scope side off the rifle's dovetails and landed right in the snow! Surprised and miffed, the owner repeated again and again about how he'd checked the screws beforehand, and that as far as he knew, everything was tight...........

The older Sakos (especially those before 1972) are better-engineered, better-built, and better-finished rifles than the Model 75, and they can usually be had cheaper as well. Even with one of these, I'd opt for a different scopemount system - one that secures the rings in position with screws or something.

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Originally posted by sakofan:
Accuracy is a problem for the Sako????
Not my experience, or several friends.
Fickle??? Yes, more so than most rifles. Accurate when you find the right combanation of powder and bullet....Definitely!!!!
My scope mounts have never moved either...sakofan..

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Originally posted by sdgunslinger:
Sako didn't drop the older models and go to the M-75 to increase quality . They did it to cut costs. It is obviously a cheaper rifle to build .

For the price , I would much prefer to get my hands on an older Sako . Although it it well known that the scope mounting system is problematic with heavy kickers . Another case of mechanical engineers screwing up .........

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Originally posted by Delta Hunter:
I can't agree with Allen on the bolt sleeve or scope mount system. I think the bolt is really simply and quite easy to disassemble. The dovetail scope mounting system is very robust and the Optilock rings are very nice. If I had one complaint, it would be that they don't use Torx screws with their bases or rings.

I've got two pre-lock 75's, a .300 Wby and 7mm Mag and have been more pleased with these rifles than any other I've ever owned. For factory rifles they have been quite accurate.

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Originally posted by sdgunslinger:
"Some people think rifle development stopped in 1964 with Winchester and cannot or will not accept that many have moved on."

Please explain how or in what manner the Sako 75 DESIGN is superior to that of the Winchester 70 ; for a hunting rifle ??

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Originally posted by Orion 1:
The Sako devetail is tapered to tighten the scope bases during recoil.

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Interesting. Exactly how does this work? Simply via the taper? Is this suggestive of optic movement during recoil? Does said movement, and the arrest of the same, result in metal removal within the taper or at the base? Hmmm....

As I recall, American engineers gave us the Ford Pinto, the Chevy Vega, etc., etc. Does your engineering degree justify your incessant personal attacks? Your credibility suffers from such behaviour.

IMO, the Sako is one of the finest off-the-shelf hunting arms. Our manufacturers could certainly take a lesson in quality control from the Sako folks.

Now, if they would just discontinue their scope mount system in favour of those silly little fragile base screws!