Difference between Sako 75 and 85 finnlight?

[Singleshot]

I just purchased a used finnlight and was wondering how you tell if it’s a 75 or 85?


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[HiMtnHntr]

Perhaps the serial #, but I do believe there are subtle differences in the stock look between the 75 and 85. Also, 85's seem to be notorious for the clip release vs the 75, as not being as user-friendly as the 75. What caliber?

 

[Singleshot]

300 wsm


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[Lxhuntinpa]

Post a picture if you can. The stock is completely different on them. If you can just push the lever on the mag release it's a 75. If you have to push up on the mag while using the mag release tab then it's an 85. There's more differences but that's probably the easiest way to tell

 

[SDHNTR]

The 85 in long action has notorious ejecting issues. And Sako refuses to admit its a design flaw. They went to a crf-esque bolt design in the 85 and changed the position of the ejector so it kicks spent shells more up than out. That can hit scope turrets. Some have the issue, some don’t. Roll the dice?

 

[SDHNTR]

Is the bottom of the bolt milled out for “crf” - 85. Or does the bolt face completely encircle the case head- 75.

 

[Wapiti1]

The 75 is a pure push feed with with bolt face fully enclosing the cartridge rim. The 85 has a cut at the bottom of the bolt face that allows the cartridge rim to slide under the extractor during feeding. Not quite CRF like a Winchester, but close.

Otherwise there are only minor differences between the two. The bottom metal is different, so the stocks don't interchange, but the inlet is nearly the same for same length actions.

They can have an issue with extraction. Feeding, I've never seen one that didn't feed fine. Just like all rifles with an extractor that sits at an angle relative to the ejection port, it can eject the case into the scope turret, or sometimes into the bottom of the scope. It isn't a Sako thing. Tikka's do it and any Remington with a Sako or M16 extractor mod can do it too. It's an issue with extractor placement.

Jeremy

 

[Singleshot]

Here is a picture of the bolt face, so this is a 75?


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[HiMtnHntr]

Looks just like my 75's bolt.

 

[SDHNTR]

Yep 75. See how the ejector is at the 4-5:00 position? In the 85, it’s at the 6:00, hence the problem.

 

[Wapiti1]

Yep 75. See how the ejector is at the 4-5:00 position? In the 85, it’s at the 6:00, hence the problem.

The extractors and ejectors are in the same position on the 75 and 85. They just cut away the lower section of the rim enclosure. 75's can have the same issue as 85's with ejection.

Not that the OP's will. These are still very well made and finished rifles. I would be happy to have another if I were in the market for a new rifle.

Jeremy

 

[Singleshot]

The only thing I’m not real crazy about so far is the stock, everything else I really like. It also seems to like a variety of factory ammo.


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[HiMtnHntr]

I've used the same rifle for many years. It'll shoot just about anything. Action is like butter. Don't lose the mag - you will play hell finding a replacement.

 

[Singleshot]

Luckily it came with 2 extras, I looked at a price for replacement and nearly had a heart attack. $140 for a mag is a little steep.


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[SDHNTR]

The extractors and ejectors are in the same position on the 75 and 85. They just cut away the lower section of the rim enclosure. 75's can have the same issue as 85's with ejection.

Not that the OP's will. These are still very well made and finished rifles. I would be happy to have another if I were in the market for a new rifle.

Jeremy

It’s my understanding the ejector was moved a few degrees on the 85. Look at this pic of an 85 bolt on the left and compare it to the OPs pic of his 75 above. If you put the extractor in the 9:00 position you’ll see that the ejector on the 85 is at 6:00. On the 75 it’s a few degrees over to the right at 4-5:00. That makes the 85 kick the shell straight up. Neither are ideal, but this is why the problem appears to be more common in the 85.

 

[Wapiti1]

Trust me, the extractors are in the same spot as is the ejector slot. They literally just milled away the bottom rim and left the bolt face the same. I've worked on enough of them. Most of the time, you can fit a new extractor and get it to throw brass more out than up.

You are correct in that it is a design problem. It's the blade ejector on the bottom. The side plunger ejector like on the A7 isn't nearly as problematic with ejection.

Jeremy

 

[SDHNTR]

Right. I know it’s an easy fix with a new extractor spring, but it’s just a dumb design. Any shade tree engineer can see the problem. I’ve looked at both bolts closely, albeit briefly, and it sure appears the ejector slot got moved a bit on the 85, but I’m no pro. I’m a big fan of fixed ejectors, but surely not at 6:00!