I was curious if anyone has heard anything negative about the key concept bolt lock that is now on the model 75's?

THANKS

When we tested a Sako 75 for "Outdoor Life" magazine's Gear Test 2002 issue, the Model 75's keylock design drew negative reviews from the entire test team.

It isn't that the keylock concept is so very bad in and of itself. For example, Smith & Wesson's keylock system for its current revolvers is simple, unobtrusive, and doesn't get in the way of anything. You hardly know it's there until you choose to activate it.

The major problem is that Sako has over-engineered the bolt sleeve/firing pin assembly for the Model 75. In almost an admission of guilt, they even (out of necessity) include a doughnut-shaped plastic tool to aid in disassembly/reassembly - a proceedure that can be a real hassle. This design represents the most cluttered and complicated firing pin/bolt sleeve design of any bolt action system that I'm aware of. It's unnnecessarily over-done in my opinion, and I loath it.

Compared to a Mauser 98 or Winchester Model 70, as examples, which can be quickly and simply taken down without tools or any kind of gimmick proceedure, the Model 75 suffers by comparison in this department.

It suffers compared to the pre-Model 75 Sakos as well....

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and i don't understand why 1 turn in 11 inches twist i 30 caliber (both in Tikkakoski and sako)while modern bullets liks fail safe barnes and lapua naturalis and so on are made of copper and are longer than usual 1 turn in 9 would be much better to stabilize these longer bullets.
regards
danny

Fail safes are not all copper bullets.They have a lead core.As for barnes x's and other all copper bullets they should be used in lighter weights to keep the overall lengths close to that of lead core bullets.If this is done they stabilize well.

I have an .30 1-11 twist Obermeyer 5R barrel on my HP match rifle and it does quite nicely with 190 grain Sierra MKs...at 300 yards it'll put twenty shots into just over 2 inches.

I also have a Sako 75 with the key....While I dislike the fact that's its there, its a non-factor. I simply never touch the thing. If you take your bolt apart more than once a year you are wasting your time anyhow.
Its better than a "j-lock" or a cross-bolt safety on a lever gun. And I do agree my older Sakos were made better in every respect. (though Sako's idea of a wood stock leaves alot to be desired....always has IMO)

[ 12-08-2003, 22:03: Message edited by: Kentucky Nimrod ]

The "key concept", like Kentucky Nimrod has said, is a NON-FACTOR.
I have one, and though I feel it's totally unneccessary, it sure doesnt make the 75 any less of a rifle. And it is still a better rifle than Rem, Win, and Savage IMO.

My "1 in 11 twist" barrel, .300 WM will shoot 150gr.-200gr. bullets within hunting tolerances.
Some SMK's handloads will shoot under 1/2" at 100yds.

The tool needed for the bolt??? I use my hands. I dont it find complicated.

WOW, there are more negative reviews of the 75 here, than I have ever seen.

I do respect, and appreciate everyones opinion.
I just dont understand some of the knocks on what I feel is the best out of the box hunting rifle, in the world, in it's class.

But, I have the flu, and maybe the NY-Quil is making me crazy..sakofan..

I agree with Kentucky Nimrod - I have a Sako 75 in 9.3 x 62 with a Key Concept and never touch the dam thing. Don`t know that I would have purchased the rifle with it on as an option but it is there anyway.

One hears so many rumors about the 75 action, but by god it shoots well, feeds well and ejects well in my experience anyway.

Any doubts, read what Gregor Woods has to say about the Sako 75 in his book "Rifles for Africa" page 360.

Sako,s better than Rem.No sako is better than Rem,s Sendaro it is better in every department from stock to action to barrel. Own both.Some people will never admit that sako went backwards with there disapointing 75,s...