Sako 85, Bavarian Carbine, 308 Winchester


GWB

Very nice!

Really sweet looking rifle Geedubya, Congratulations.

Love manlichers. I have a Ruger and two CZs. Beautiful rifle GW!

Purty!

SWEET! How does she shoot?

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Very nice!

I'll add some envy to that too!

Congrats on your score! Mannlichers ooze CLASS! Send me an email address and I`ll send you a picture or two of one I picked up at Kenya Bunduki back when.
Aloha, Mark

quote:

Originally posted by pacecars:
SWEET! How does she shoot?

Sir,

I don't usually purchase new rifles. I prefer to let someone else pre-enjoy the new price tag. However I have a certain weakness for Sako rifles. If I understand correctly only six distributors in the US are getting the Bavarian Carbines. The shop where I trade could not get me one. So, considering my options, I stepped up and towed the mark. I haven't wrung it out yet, but I do believe its gonna be a shooter.

I don't do a barrel break-in per se. I usually run a 100 to 200 strokes with a bronze bore brush coated with a JB bore paste/Kroil mixture through the bore, cleaning the brush and rod after 50 strokes or so. I did this before I tried to zero the scope and get it on paper.

It took me two shots to get the preliminary zero.
Two more to get close at 100, then a three shot group.


I cleaned the barrel and then shot two groups for foulers.





The next five groups were shot off a rest at 100 yds. in the same session with about 5 minutes between each group.











As most of the killin’ I do is 200 yds or under, so this should work fine.

GWB

Very nice Glen, she certainly looks like she likes that IMR load.

When will you blood her?

Amir,

If things work out, I may get to go to my lease next Tuesday. If not, it will be the 23rd of March. Hopefully will encounter some hoglets.

GWB

Very nice rifle! I need to talk you into a nylon bristle brush bore brush.

GW,

How much does she weigh? My Ruger 308 (6.5 lbs) and my 9.3 CZ(7.5 lbs) are perfect for caliber. My 6.5 CZ is hefty girl for cartridge (8.2 lbs).

Scott,
spec sheet says 6 lbs.,14 oz. I've had two full stocked CZ's in 6.5 x 55 and 308 Win. Both were very accurate.

just-a-hunter,

I've owned only four "mannlicher" or full stocked rifles. Two CZ's, a custom Mauser 98, and this Sako. They were chambered in 6.5 x 55, 308 Win. and 35 Whelen. Each would shoot +/- 1" at 100 yds with loads I developed.

I started out collecting heavy barreled varmint rifles in the early 90's and have continued that trend until recently. Consequently most of my experience is with heavy barreled varmint or "beanfield" type rifles.

Do I think this same rifle in a sporter would have the same accuracy? Well that encompasses a lot of territory. I've a friend that acquired a Sako Bavarian in 6.5 x 55. He says it shoots every thing factory he feeds it into itty bitty groups. I've not seen the targets, but have no reason to doubt him. I've owned 7 different Kimbers in the 8400, or 84M line, 4 Classics and 3 Montanas. They would not hang with my heavy barreled rifles. But on the other hand I've had sporter weight Sakos that would shoot groups approaching 1 ragged hole. Go figure.


GWB

Yo Glen,

Very attractive rifle your Sako.

While the typical European styling doesn't seem to appeal to everyone in North America; I think your rifle is really well done - the stock style superb as Full-Length stocks go.

Yeah, I've got a sweet spot for Full-Stocked rifles but currently only have one in my stable.

Have fun with your new Boomer, looks like it's gonna be a real shooter, too.

I like your bullet choice, too - I think .308 Winchesters and 150 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips is about as good as it gets - they're made for each other.

I have the same addiction as does most of us here: perhaps we should start a 12-step program - or maybe not.

Now that would be sweet in 9.3x62!