Sako’s 85 Grizzly by Con Kapralos Con Kapralos puts the Grizzly through its paces in the fi eld. In .30-06-calibre, it’s very well suited to most Australian large-game species. here is no denying that Sako of all models have been accepted with very Finland manufactures some of positive reviews worldwide. What’s more the fi nest sporting fi rearms in the reassuring is that these superb rifl es can be T world. From the Model L42 rifl e used in all aspects of medium- to big-game chambered in 7x33mm that Sako released hunting - they are not the sole province in 1942, this company has certainly come to of North America’s bear hunters, and will represent high quality for fi rearm owners in fact be right at home in Australia’s high worldwide. Having ‘a Sako’ is something country, Gulf savannah and anywhere in many of us will aspire to. between. The Model 85 range of bolt-action rifl es The Australian Sako distributor Beretta was introduced in 2006 and has already Australia kindly supplied for review the become fi rm favourites worldwide. The 85 Grizzly model in the ever-popular .30-06 series had many changes over the 75 series Springfi eld cartridge. The Grizzly differs and all of these improvements have been from the other three models by having for the better. The 85 range caters for all a very high quality walnut stock with tastes and persuasions, from sporters to polished blue metalwork, whereas the other varminters and lightweight rifl es to big- models use laminate or synthetic stocks game stoppers. and either stainless or matte blue metal- Several years ago, the designers at work. The Grizzly is available in seven Sako decided to take the 85 series to a short- and medium-action calibres, whereas completely different level by introducing a the Brown Bear and Kodiak are only avail- range of rifl es specifi cally targeted towards able in .338 Winchester Magnum and the a niche market - the bear hunters of North venerable .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. America. The Sako Black Bear, Brown Bear Also included for the review was a set of and Kodiak were released in 2011 and the Sako Optilock Quick Release bases and The Sako emblem was beautifully inletted into the base of the pistol grip. The rosewood was a touch Grizzly was released in 2012. From reports, rings and a nice Burris FourX scope in > of class. 38 Australian Shooter Sako’s 85 Grizzly 1.5-6x42mm. The Sako 85 conical dovetail rail will accept various scope base and ring attachments. Upon opening the trademark black Sako However, the Sako Optilock rings and bases are carton, and removing the yellow transport beautifully made and mate with the dovetails cover, it was obvious that this Sako 85 was perfectly. altogether in a different class from other Sako 85 rifl es. Immediately noticeable was and barrel channel was as expected - all the beautiful, high-grade walnut stock. cleanly cut and perfectly sealed from the Finished with a lustrous hand-rubbed oil environment. This stock also had two fi nish, the grain in the stock was certainly cross-pins in the receiver area, which help a sight to behold. It’s pleasing that Sako reinforce and strengthen the stock in the continues to source quality walnut blanks thinnest area. The cross-pins were expertly for its rifl estocks. installed by Sako and externally fi nished off The stock adorned a pancake cheek- very well. This is what shooters expected piece and had a beautiful but functional from Sako and what was duly delivered. A chequering pattern applied to the grip and thin, leather-covered Sako recoil pad was fore-end area, which complemented the fi tted to complement the stock and provided rifl e very well. Another lovely touch was a 370mm length of pull. the rosewood on the fore-end tip and at the The barrelled action is what sets this base of the pistol grip. The trademark Sako particular rifl e apart from other rifl es in the emblem was neatly inletted into the rose- Sako 85 line. Essentially, the receiver is wood grip base and just oozed class. the much-lauded medium-length 85 action The stock was removed from the (for the .30-06 Springfi eld), but what’s barrelled action for inspection and the inlet- immediately noticeable are the open sights, ting around the receiver/magazine housing which are referred to by Sako as ‘adjustable fast acquisition iron sights’ and comprise a series of longitudinal fl uting on the barrel and the integrated barrel band swivel. The medium contour barrel on the Grizzly on test measured 540mm and the profi le measured 28mm at the Knox form, tapering down to 17mm at the muzzle. The barrel was fully free fl oating. Overall, the rifl e measured 1070mm in length and weighed in at 3.379kg. The adjustable fast acquisition iron sights complemented this particular rifl e perfectly. The very well crafted and positioned barrel Being designed for shooting in dense band will accept standard QD sling swivels. vegetation (ideal bear habitat), where close- in shots would be expected, the sights were The medium contour barrel with the adjustable, fast-acquisition iron sights, barrel band and beautifully designed. The muzzle sight distinctive barrel fl uting. This is the trademark consisted of a vertical post with white dot > of the Sako 85 Bear series of rifl es and what sets it apart from other Sako 85 rifl es. The Sako 85 Grizzly is the pinnacle of Sako’s Bear series of rifl es. It was a pleasure to shoot. 40 Australian Shooter Sako’s 85 Grizzly The Sako 85 Grizzly taken down for review. covered by a round hood. The rear iron 85 - the silky-smooth bolt with three locking manual, a pair of 1" QD safari sling swivels, sight was fully adjustable and had a shallow lugs, 70-degree bolt throw, controlled-round a T25 Torx key and a cocking wrench, V-blade and a white central marking. feed, mechanical ejection of fi red cases and which is very useful for carrying out main- Shouldering the rifl e and using only the iron the detachable steel magazine holding four tenance or cocking/decocking the bolt. sights, I found they lined up perfectly as rounds. It’s great to see a rifl e such as the The metalwork on the rifl e was of a lovely expected. Sako 85 still being made with a steel detach- polished blue and complemented the walnut The fl uting on the barrel was also able magazine, whereas many manufacturers very nicely. precisely machined and consisted of two have decided to produce polymer magazines. 150mm sections of six fl utes separated by Well done, Sako! Range testing the barrel band. The fi rst series of fl utes The trigger on the test rifl e was of The Sako 85 Grizzly in .30-06 Springfi eld- start 110mm from the receiver and run for single-stage confi guration. Fully adjustable, calibre was tested at the range in its two 150mm. The 21mm barrel band, incorpo- it broke at 3lb with no hint of creep. The confi gurations: using the open iron sights rating a sling swivel stud, is then positioned safety on the 85 Grizzly was the standard only, and then with the Burris FourX on the barrel, before another series of six two-way safety, with a bolt release lever 1.5-6x42 scope fi tted. As the test rifl e was 150mm fl utes terminating 65mm from the that enables the bolt to be cycled when the brand-new, it was given a thorough clean muzzle. safety is on. The receiver naturally was prior to use to remove any factory preser- The positioning of the barrel band and equipped with the Sako 85 conical dovetail vatives. Shooting was to be carried out sling swivel is done in conjunction with the rails, enabling owners of the rifl e to mount slowly, so as not to overheat the barrel. 540mm barrel. When the rifl e is carried any optical sights they require. I had on hand a quantity of factory .30-06 over the shoulder with a sling, the position Beretta Australia supplied Sako Optilock ammunition from Winchester, Federal and of the barrel band ensures the muzzle is quick detachable bases and rings and a Remington in 150-grain loadings, which I located so as to avoid snagging on head- Burris FourX 1.5-6x42 variable scope for the use to very good effect in my own rifl e. I high branches and overhead vegetation. test. This rifl e is made to be used with the am a fan of the 150-grain load in the ’06 for This is a simple but brilliant innovation that Sako Optilock QD bases, as it enables the all the hunting I do and I have never felt will be appreciated by owners of the Bear user to have an open-sighted rifl e for close- the need to move up to the more popular rifl es. up shooting and then be able to quickly fi t a 180-grain load. The barrel is cold hammer-forged and in scope on the dovetail rail with the Optilock Using the rifl e with the open sights was the test calibre, had a one in 11" rate of twist. QD bases and rings and be assured of the a real joy. Using the bench and suitable The receiver, bolt and magazine arrange- scope maintaining zero every time.