Thinking about getting a Sako rifle. Considering either the Bavarian or the 85 hunter in left hand. Anyone have any experience with them? My local store doesn't have them so I will have to order one.
Ive read online that some have had trouble with cases hitting the scope when ejected, but others say its a non issue ?

I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Target shooting sure, in a hunting situation make the first shot count like usual. They are works of art

Sako 75 here nice and smooth Tikka's Father

Have a Sako rimfire bolt action. Everything about it is smooth as glass. VERY accurate rifle

I have a Sako 75 in 300win mag, most accurate gun I have ever owned, no problems ejecting.

I had a Tikka in 300WSM. Smooth action and deadly accurate. Made by Sako which is even supposed to be better. Can't imagine improving on the Tikka, though.

You beat me to it. I've never shot one, but if they're better than my Tikka, they must be amazing

Thanks for the info, sounds like what I am looking for. I've had a Tikka and loved it, should have never gotten rid of it. My wife still has a Tikka and I was out sighting it in the other day and although I own a few rifles, not one will shoot with that gun. Thats what got me to thinking about condensing my gun cabinet down to one or two good rifles.

Bought a Sako Forester .220 swift bold barrel in the early 80's. Great gun, but burned the barrel about ten years ago after, I'm sure, 8 to 10 thousand rounds. Now it's a .243 and is equally accurate and is as fun to shoot as the Swift. It's a little rough on fur in both calibers at close range.

I have a sako action inmy 7mm
Never a problem , had it since the mid 80’s

I've got a pre 1972 Sako that I've had a new barrel installed on year's ago it'll be taken out hunting this season again.
What I was told by my gunsmith buddy is the time between the trigger being squeezed and the primer being struck is the quickest in the industry or so he said .
I doubt you'd go wrong with any of their rifles, I'd like a left handed action that would be nice .
Allan

Allan, heres a question for you. I just found a left hand Montana Rifle company gun at a store here in Canada. Its based on their 99 action which is a model 70 clone. Its the "Assent" model in stainless and 308 caliber. Super lightweight rifle. Its not cheap, but neither is the Sako. I did hear that the Montana Rifle Co has closed and is "restructuring." Since they are made in your neck of the woods thought you might have some info on the guns and the shutdown? Really like the looks of the gun and its hard to beat the old 98 style actions. Apparently the MRC even use the winchester pre-64 style trigger which was the best ever designed for rough cold dirty climates. Hope you are well down there.
Dave

Dave I'm not 100% sure but it could be made by a fella named Gentry out of Bozeman yes they're a good rifle my Sako was built by Bull Mtn In Billings I still talk to Randy every so often . He's got quite a wait time for his rifles this I know first hand but it's well worth the wait .

Because of the covid19 stuff I haven't been able to attend the gun shows I'm normally at or get to visit with that bunch of folks to keep up with all that's going on . It's amazing how well snares and snare supports sell at gun shows .
Allan

OP I have built a half dozen or so on customers 99 actions right and left handed they are a great hybrid of the model 70 Mauser 98 and Browning. The collar inside the front receiver ring curtesy of Mauser eliminates the need for an extractor groove cutout in the bbl shank. The two points of contact between the bbl and receiver , shoulder against the receiver face, and butt of bbl against the collar make for a very ridged match up. The trigger is pure model 70 and the bolt stop is from the Browning.

I have a couple of lefties I bought from them years ago. Both are stainless and one is the short action I barreled for .257 Roberts A.I. And the other a long action I barreled for the .280 Remington A.I. I got a couple of AAA fancy Bastoine Walnut blanks from Cecil Freidy about six years ago now all I got to do is put them together LOL
I put an ugly green camo laminate model 70 stock on the .280 to do some fire forming brass. I was pleasantly surprised that the fire forming loads were consistently turning in five shot groups under 1/2”. The full power loads with fitted brass and good bullets should be even better.
I would not hesitate to get another 99 if I needed another action, I consider them a great value for the money.

As to the Sako. Buddy of mine brought a new one to me said 1.5” was the best he could do with it and handloads.
I know he does all the accuracy stuff with his handloads and he can shoot. So I took it apart and was surprised to see the recoil lug was a separate “link” between the wood and receiver. It was held in place with two small wood screws and a keyway to the receiver . I had a WTHIT moment! So I put it back together and did the stability test to check for stress between the steel and wood. Sure enough with the rear guard screw tight loosening and tightening the front guard screw produced 3/8” movement between the bbl and forend!! Not good! I accraglassed
The link to the stock and at the rear of the receiver. Now his groups can be covered consistently with a nickel and a few with a dime. IMO this should not be necessary to do on a simi custom production rifle that costs well over a grand.

I used a Sako featherlite in .308 in Newfoundland last October. ( my Winchester model 88 in .308 didn’t survive the flights to Newfoundland)
I borrowed the gun from another hunter and it had a great feel to it, shot perfectly. My first trip moose hunting and was able to score on a bull. I shot him in the lungs 2 times before he made it to cover.
Smooth action. I’ll have one one day...
My model 88 - fixed by local gunsmith. He made it as good as new.

Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it. Al, yes this covid has messed ups lot of stuff. Hope you can't back out to the gun shows soon.

cmcf, sounds like you know your way around the 99 action. I didnt know much about the action, but like what you said. The MRC I found is a lightweight model with a fluted barrel and no open sights. I like the old style trigger and that type of action appeals to me so it might be the way to go. The dealer got back to me today and I guess MRC did close temporarily. Sounds like they are restructuring. Hope they get the problems fixed and produce more rifles.