Sako Issues....

[BKMFR]

I have a new Sako 85L FinnLight in 7mm Rem Mag. Have tried many different loads.... factory, Sako factory, many different handloads....bullet weights from 139, 154, 170.....
Groups 1.5-3"  very disappointing, plan on sending it back... but would like to make it work... has anyone else had similar issues, any ideas???
Thanks!

[jay.sharkbait]

Have you checked the bedding, bases and rings?

[carpsniperg2]

Check your rings and bases first.

Your twist rate is 9.5". So more then likely it's not going to like anything for lighter bullets. I would say 150+ I have had the best luck with 168's in the 7mm's.

[BKMFR]

Bases rings, all nice and tight....

[buckfvr]

What rings and bases ??  With a 7mm, I would be sure and use a steel rail and high end rings......like Warne.  Make sure and use an inch pound torque driver and torque bases and rings ( and some blue loctite )..........action should also be torqued.

My 7mm is 9.25 twist and loves 154gr SSTs........

[BKMFR]

Leupold rings. Gun will sometimes put two touching then a flyer 2" out, but nothing consistent maybe second shot the flyer, maybe the third....
Wondering if the amount of flex in the stock is a issue.... I know Ruger had a lot of issues with Hogue stocks....

[buckfvr]

Is the barrel free floated ??  Are you letting the barrel cool between shots ?

[BKMFR]

Barrel is free floated, back real close to action,  have shot three shots from a cold barrel, three shots in succession, dang near everything...

[buckfvr]

How many shots since scope was mounted and was it torqued with loctite ?  Just trying to help......Ive had similar issues in the past with different guns and it usually ends up being rings and or bases............

[BKMFR]

Just seems odd to me that I can get two touching and always have a flyer... thought it would be a bedding problem but all seems ok?

[buckfvr]

Does the owners manual or web page spec a torque value for the action screws ? 

[Griiz]

Just seems odd to me that I can get two touching and always have a flyer... thought it would be a bedding problem but all seems ok?

I have a browning 25-06 that shoots like that unless I shoot Barnes through it and I have spent a lot of time playing with loads, powders, and seating depth. I do push the velocity limits with it though. It always shoots the Barnes great,5/8 inch 3 shot groups and 1.5-2 the best with other loads.

[BKMFR]

Thanks for all the input guys...

[ROCKWHEELER]

If bases, mounts, and action a torqued to spec try shooting one shot let barrel cool and repeat. My Montana in 30-06 does the same thing but it will do under an inch if I do that.

[Alchase]

Your Sako should have come with a a five shot group with load information and who the shooter was.

I would be checking rings and bases.

[coachcw]

I had a sako 7mm that only shoot 150 nosler partisions ballistic tip well . I tried about 15 different types . you may want to de copper the barrel and bed the action . if it shoots first cold bore shot well then flys id be looking for contact. .

[Bob33]

Don't take this wrong, but ask a friend to shoot it and see if the results match. I've done that before in these types of situations, just to eliminate the possibility that I'm contributing to the issue.

If your rings and bases are tight it does sound like a bedding problem, or possibly a bad scope. Do you have another scope you can swap and try?

[safehunter]

 Have you tried calling Beretta? What exactly is your mounting set? Can you post a picture? Warne did have a few issues with their ring mounts when I spoke with them a few years back.

[kukusya]

Any update on issue?

[bod]

Do all your tightening and go buy a box remington corelokts in 150 grains bet it shoots them great.

[slm9s]

Another possible culprit I didn't see mentioned is a nick in the crown.  Good luck.

[sirmissalot]

A nicked crown is possible, so is a fouled barrel. Bedding the action could and should help. Have you made sure and adjusted your parallax, if your scope has it? This can be frustrating... I know

[mountainman]

Or the simple solution..back to the factory 

[sirmissalot]

The girlfriends grandpa didn't have much luck with sending his new sako back to the factory after he was having similar results.

[RadSav]

I have a new Sako 85L FinnLight in 7mm Rem Mag. Have tried many different loads.... factory, Sako factory, many different handloads....bullet weights from 139, 154, 170.....
Groups 1.5-3"  very disappointing, plan on sending it back... but would like to make it work... has anyone else had similar issues, any ideas??

You trying to group with Hornady Superformance?  My 7mm absolutely will not shoot them better than 1.5"!  Loves the Winchester and Nosler rounds though!  Similar results with 270 too.  Loves Nosler/hates Hornady Superformance.

[Reidus]

I had the same problem with the same gun in 300 wsm. Grouped around 2" with most loads. Sometimes I could get close to 1-1/2. Even I after bedding it I couldn't get any better. I loved the feel of the gun wasn't quite happy with how it shot. Bought a savage 116 in 300 wsm. It shot sub moa out of the box with factory ammo so I sold the finnlight.

[sakoshooter]

Don't take this wrong, but ask a friend to shoot it and see if the results match. I've done that before in these types of situations, just to eliminate the possibility that I'm contributing to the issue.

If your rings and bases are tight it does sound like a bedding problem, or possibly a bad scope. Do you have another scope you can swap and try?

Very good advice Bob.

[RadSav]

Don't take this wrong, but ask a friend to shoot it and see if the results match. I've done that before in these types of situations, just to eliminate the possibility that I'm contributing to the issue.

If your rings and bases are tight it does sound like a bedding problem, or possibly a bad scope. Do you have another scope you can swap and try?

Very good advice Bob.

Good point.  I had issues with my first ultra-light magnum.  Found out I had to hold it on the bag differently than my 8-10# guns.  Once I figured it out I realized it was just me and had nothing to do with the gun.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Don't take this wrong, but ask a friend to shoot it and see if the results match. I've done that before in these types of situations, just to eliminate the possibility that I'm contributing to the issue.

If your rings and bases are tight it does sound like a bedding problem, or possibly a bad scope. Do you have another scope you can swap and try?

I started thinking... Then started reading.. The absolute same thoughts came through my head.

-Steve

[Alchase]

That rifle is still under warranty as well