Thread: Sako 85 in 6.5x55 - should I?

Originally Posted by nak

See thats it, for every example of someone having a good 85 it's too easy to find another that's had ejection, feeding or accuracy issues. So, I've decided to pass up that finnlight as it would have meant buying it unseen and instead get my old L579 re-barreled in 6.5x47L

I've had more than few sakos mate.
Never had ANY of the issues you mention.


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Originally Posted by BRADS

I've had more than few sakos mate.
Never had ANY of the issues you mention.


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yeah I know there are those that have had no problems at all, I've got a couple of mates who are very happy with there's, but there are plenty of internet forums littered with those who have had issues with 85's. Maybe I read too many forums.....

Originally Posted by nak

yeah I know there are those that have had no problems at all, I've got a couple of mates who are very happy with there's, but there are plenty of internet forums littered with those who have had issues with 85's. Maybe I read too many forums.....

Id take my mates advice over forum strangers all day long

Originally Posted by Gibo

Id take my mates advice over forum strangers all day long

Yep, agree. They're both is short actions though (.308) and the ejection issues seem to be related to longer actions.

First, check out reloading data for the 6.5x55 SKAN which is designed to be compatible with 6.5x55 SE but uses higher pressures for modern actions. Marginally higher velocity.
6,5 x 55 Swedish Mauser/ SKAN - Rifle reloading - Reloading Data - Vihtavuori

Sorry to hear you've made a quick decision about the Sako 85. True, it is only 50% better overall than the T3 and costs 150% more. Not a problem for some but of course you might quite reasonably like to own two rifles or spend more on a scope ...

There are plenty of threads explaining those several small superior features of the Sako but lets look at the availability in 5 action lengths.
As @gimp pointed out, many shooters like to reload long projectiles, whether heavy for caliber or made of copper, and they can't fit into the traditional action lengths. I've found that with my 7mm08 in the Sako 85 Short sized action. I had to load about .070" short of the lands and who knows how far now its worn by 2500 rounds. I had discounted the 6.5x55 because you need a .3006 length action but now I wonder if it might be a good idea.

Here's a table of cartridge / Sako Action / brass length / Cartridge overall length (Nosler Reloading Guide 6 Ed) :

260 Rem / S / 2.036" / 2.800"
6.5x55 SE / L / 2.165 / 3.150
3006 Spr / L / 2.494 / 3.340
9.3x62 M / L / 2.441 / 3.290

As you can see, the maximum COAL in the L action range is 0.490 longer than in the S action range so you are carrying an extra half inch of receiver, bolt and magazine action plus every cartridge you take.

However, the 6.5x55 SE is the shortest of the cartridges in the L action, which should give the option of loading longer bullets, farther out, in front of more powder. Brian Litz states that longer magazine and action lengths are a "significant advancement" in long range hit probability (Modern Advancements Vol 1). This will also translate into a small flat shooting advantage at typical hunting ranges. The 6.5x55 has 0.190" more clearance in the magazine than the .3006. The brass is also 0.329" shorter than the .3006 so ejection could be easier.

@Bagheera I see a flaw in your info.....my 85 /S /260 is seated to mag length and its just over 2.900"

Originally Posted by Gibo

@Bagheera I see a flaw in your info.....my 85 /S /260 is seated to mag length and its just over 2.900"

yip I've had all 3 and the 260 get better speeds than a 47 and 55

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Originally Posted by Gibo

@Bagheera I see a flaw in your info.....my 85 /S /260 is seated to mag length and its just over 2.900"

A FLAW in my info ?
Those were just specifications. Compared to actual measurements, they're not even wrong.
You are quite correct. The internal length of my sako 85 S magazine is 2.967".
In fact, I had to shorten my 7mm08 rounds to 2.775" to be able to eject a live cartridge.
My brass is 2.020" but its the full live round that limits useability for me.

I was just playing with the idea that, if for some reason you chose a sako 85 L action, then the 6.5x55 would give the most leeway to use long projectiles, seated well out, compared to say a 150gr .270 or a 200gr .3006. As people have been debating here, an apparently smaller, shorter case might paradoxically give better ballistics in a given action. To get the best out of a 260 or 7mm08 you might need a bit longer action. With a T3x lite in .260 of course, you're carrying an action long enough to take the 6.5x55 or even a 7mmRem Mag so why not go straight to that ?

Originally Posted by Bagheera

Here's a table of cartridge / Sako Action / brass length / Cartridge overall length (Nosler Reloading Guide 6 Ed) :

260 Rem / S / 2.036" / 2.800"
6.5x55 SE / L / 2.165 / 3.150
3006 Spr / L / 2.494 / 3.340
9.3x62 M / L / 2.441 / 3.290



However, the 6.5x55 SE is the shortest of the cartridges in the L action, which should give the option of loading longer bullets, farther out, in front of more powder. .

Forgive if I'm wrong, it's late and I'm tired, but last time I looked at my '85 Sako 6.5 x 55 it had M for Medium length stamped on the side of the action.

L is for 7mmRM, 300WM, 375H&H ...........

B