gerry
Ammo Smith
- Mar 1, 2007
- 6,849
- 1,633
A couple of weeks ago there was a great 1 day sale on Sako rifles at a store down in Vancouver including a few left handed models so I called them in the morning but could not get through. Just before they closed for the day I called back and got through, they had a 30-06 and a 300 Win Mag still left so had to make a choice. I had been wanting a LH Sako 85 in 270 Win for a long time so decided to buy the 30-06 for $500 off their regular price, those kind of sales on LH rifles rarely happen so had to take advantage of it. I thought about getting the Benchmark 277 barrel sitting in the drawer put on it but decided it would be a shame to take it apart before shooting it (which hasn't happened yet), besides a 30-06 is a very useful round to have. I'll use one of my Rem 700's for the 270 Win project instead.
Just before Christmas the gun showed up and it is a beauty. We were gone to visit family over Christmas and just got back last night so now only now have a chance to show it to you. I got the last one they had and it is a real beauty. It was bought sight unseen but honestly I wouldn't want to change it for a different one, the pictures don't do it justice it is a very nice gun. I love how the stock fits and it points and handles very well. The gun is put together very nicely and I like the refinements they made to the 85 over the previous models. Took the Burris 2-7x35 in Leupold mounts off of the old Sako (which will be sold to help finance this gun) and clamped it in place.
The only box of bullets in town that wasn't grossly overpriced was an old box of 220 gr Partitions so I grabbed them along with a box of Nosler 30-06 brass. While in Calgary we stopped by Bass Pro and bought some 180 gr Accubonds and 180 gr Hornady BTSP bullets for a lot less than they would be here. The gun will be my "long range" elk and moose gun (out to 500 yards max but in reality much closer), Those 220 gr Partitions will be used closer to home in our densely forested area for moose and grizzly. Would like to run one of those Hornady BTSP's into a black bear this spring and see how they handle it, which will be great I'm sure.
Anyway here are some pictures. It is hard to get good pictures of the gun at this time of year but will try to get a few more when it finally gets out to the range.
Just before Christmas the gun showed up and it is a beauty. We were gone to visit family over Christmas and just got back last night so now only now have a chance to show it to you. I got the last one they had and it is a real beauty. It was bought sight unseen but honestly I wouldn't want to change it for a different one, the pictures don't do it justice it is a very nice gun. I love how the stock fits and it points and handles very well. The gun is put together very nicely and I like the refinements they made to the 85 over the previous models. Took the Burris 2-7x35 in Leupold mounts off of the old Sako (which will be sold to help finance this gun) and clamped it in place.
The only box of bullets in town that wasn't grossly overpriced was an old box of 220 gr Partitions so I grabbed them along with a box of Nosler 30-06 brass. While in Calgary we stopped by Bass Pro and bought some 180 gr Accubonds and 180 gr Hornady BTSP bullets for a lot less than they would be here. The gun will be my "long range" elk and moose gun (out to 500 yards max but in reality much closer), Those 220 gr Partitions will be used closer to home in our densely forested area for moose and grizzly. Would like to run one of those Hornady BTSP's into a black bear this spring and see how they handle it, which will be great I'm sure.
Anyway here are some pictures. It is hard to get good pictures of the gun at this time of year but will try to get a few more when it finally gets out to the range.
