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Posted: 2/10/2013 4:56:46 AM EDT
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Just bought a new Sako 85 chambered in .338 federal. Had major accuracy problems. After many hours at the range, it turned out the be the (composite) stock and recoil lug. It cost me over a $1,000 for a Kevlar stock to help fix the issue. Was pretty upset to have to shell out that kinda money, after paying a premium price for the Sako brand.
It took a Master gunsmith in PA (Jim from Accuflite ) to correctly diagnose and fix the problem. He indicated that Baretta "forced their stocks" on Sakko after they bought them out. Was wondering if anyone out there had similar issues. Especially with the .338 Federal? Please limit discussion to the Sako brand and your experience(s) Thanks in advance for your feedback. Although accuracy is better, still have some more shooting to do.................I will post results after next range session. |
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Did you call Sako and explain the problem? I know the TRG's I own and the Tikka's (Sako barrel) all come with a one MOA guarantee. All of them exceed that bench mark easily with factory ammo. I honestly can say I never heard of Sako having accuracy problems. With anything I am sure there is always a turd in every batch.
Like I said before I have honestly never heard of anyone having a problem with their Sako rifles so I don't know if any interaction with customer service was good or bad. The advice I could give you is call customer service, I bet they would stand by there warranty. |
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Could you be a bit more descriptive? What were the major accuracy problems as described in MOA, vertical stringing, POI shift, etc.
What was wrong with the stock? Why could it not be fixed with a bedding job vs. a new stock. Pics. Your post, while possibly cathartic, doesn't describe much of anything. |
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Thanks Beardog..............after spending a few weeks diagnosing problem and speaking with Jim from Accuflite, I came to the conclusion that they know about the Issue(s) and I did not want their "company line". Jim indicated that they were "patching" the issue and not fixing them (shims, ETC). I trust him very much, he is the best GS I have ever met.
Jim also said they were the best production rifle made. He said this issue came up a few years ago and it was really upsetting, given Sako's reputation for accuracy. Instead of taking the time to send it off, and go "back and forth" with them, I decided to just have him fix it. He said his solution would help the problem and it did. I did a search on the net and couldn't find too many upset Sako owners. So I guess I was the unlucky one that got one of their "duds". I was excited to get A Sako, but would probably be hesitant to get another one. We shall see. I have to say though all things being considered, it is a very fine rifle, and the addition of the Kevlar stock made the gun feel awesome. It is "hunting" accurate now. |
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Thanks Skunkeye for the feedback...................especially the "Cathartic" comment. I will take the upper road and let that one pass :)
The problem was 3-4 inch groups @ 100 yards with different ammo, shooters and several combinations of scope rings and mounts. Took it back to the dealer (twice) and gave another gunsmith a shot at it. The second GS did do some bedding work to no avail. Sorry about the original post lacking all the specifics. I just was lazy and didn't feel like typing a newspaper column !! Simply put the recoil lug was (in my humble opinion) was poorly designed/embedded in the composite stock(s). My gunsmith stated the probs only existed in the composite stocks. I appreciate your feedback...............Thanks "I wont be wronged, I won't be insulted, I wont be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I require the same from them".--- John wayne |
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This is the first I have heard of that problem. A quick search of message boards show a couple results. That being said those rifles that had problems were fixed by Sako. I am not sure what you mean by "patched"?
I can understand where you are coming from. You spend big money on a gun and you expect the gun to function. I would however withhold judgement until I heard from Sako. I would take advice from a guy selling you a new stock with a grain of salt...his view may be a bit slanted. Also didn't your gun come with a target that had a 5 shot group at 100 yards? |
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Thanks again for the feedback Beardog..................
I will Elaborate. Jim from Accuflite (Gunsmith) stated their fix for the problem was basically a patch or bandaid. He said after the factory fix he had customers comming back to get his solution. I have to admit I was very skeptical of his solution, given he had a possible conflict of interest to sell me a new stock. He said his solution would help the problem. Ha also stated they have had accuracy problems with the.338 fed. He is very well known (older) man in the PA area and is expertise was very enlightening. I cant state enough with over thirty years of owning many types of firearms that he was the most amazing gunsmith I have ever met. He really likes the Sako brand but honestly highlighted the issue as he saw it. It is important to state that Jim said this issue is with their composite stocks only.Furthermore I did not give Sako a chance to fix their issue as I viewed Jim's assessment as truthful and accurate .I just wanted it fixed fast and correctly. Money was not a consideration. Just my valuable time. I believe he was correct, because the instant he changed the stock with the upgraded recoil lug, the grouping got tighter..................I need more time @ the range to judge accuracy. I must say in closing, that I didnt start this topic to bash Sako, just did not want someone with the same issue(s) not to go thru the time and expense to diagnose. It is ok now , and a great rifle !!! Thanks again for everyone's feedback |
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I got a Tikka before the Sako. It is a .22-250 (Stainless Camo version from Cabela's). Its action and accuracy are incredible. In fact I think it is the most accurate (out of 30 or so) rifle I own.
It was the reason I bought my Sako .338 federal Model 85. Very Ironic I thought. Overall I'm pleased with both of them. The reason I started this topic was to help someone else out, if it happens to them. I appreciate everyone's responses so far.......thanks |
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Update:
After reviewing some other forums on the net and specifying the .338 Federal in my searches, I may have some more info on the subject. When I starting looking for other problems like mine, nothing enlightening came up. But when I specifically mentioned ".338 federal accuracy issues" the searches revealed some interesting issues. Seems from the info gathered so far............ the problem lies specifically with the .338 and composite stocks/lugs only. Attached is a link with someone else reporting same prob: http://www.shootersforum.com/rifles-rifle-cartridges/54347-re-follow-up-tikka-338-federal-needs-help.html Also when American hunter tested the .338 federal they stated they must of had a bad one: "In the field, shooting prone off sandbags and bench tripod rests, the Sako delivered groups between 1.37 and 3 inches (see accuracy table) with three varieties of Federal factory ammunition. This is not on par with Sako’s MOA guarantee. (I expect better from a rifle of this quality; past experiences with Sako rifles make me think this particular rifle was an anomaly.)" See http://www.nrapublications.org/tah/sakom85.html for full article ( this link has been disabled........hmmmmm , very interesting ) Chuck Hawks: "The Sako 85 Hunter in .338 Federal that we reviewed did not live up to its accuracy guarantee" |
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