Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Sako 85 Rate of Twist

For those sako 75 or 85 owners my question is "Does the 1-11" rate of twist in the .30 caliper offerings, particularly the 30-06 and 300 WSM create any problems getting heavier bullets to stabilize and shoot well? Such as a 180 gr. or 200 gr. I am a long time member and read most threads of interest on the hunting rifles and reloading forum. I don't post much but have had a interest in the Sako 85 300 WSM, any help or advise would be appreciated.

DZG, I have shot several different 180's and 200 grain Accubonds in my 300 WSM 85. No problems.

180 Partitions shoot extremely well in two different 11" twist Sako barrels.

Sam, I appreciate your response. I have looked at the Finnlight 300 WSM now for sometime and just love the weight, feel, and smoothness of the action, as well as design. I really would like to load for the 180 and 200gr partitions and the 200gr Accubond with a .588 BC. I just didn't know if the 1-11" created any issues worth considering in comparison to the more conventional 1-10" twist.

Again, thanks for the help. Don

No problem Don.

If you try the 180 Partition I would work up to the following:

180 Partition
64 grains of H4350 or 65 grains of R17
CCI 250 or Fed 215
Winchester brass
2.860" COAL

Both of those loads shoot great in my 85 and A7. Actually quite a few 300 WSM's(other members here) seem to shoot that combination quite well.

And if you are interested in a cheaper practice bullet, sub a 175 SMK or 175 Nosler CC and try 2.920" COAL. Same POI as the Partition out past 400 yards.

I tried Sam's load listed above in my Sako 85 Finnlight 300 WSM and it worked quite well in my gun too.

My gun is wearing a McMillan Edge and weighs 7 lb 6 oz with Swarovski 3-10x42

SamOlson, Reloder28, Thanks for the information, it's great help.

Ran Sako's 1:11 in .308, .30-06 and .300WM, never had any issues.

Blargon, I appreciate the information. Have you had any problems with your 85's i.e. feed, function etc.?

for some reason short actions work flawless, long actions have intermittent ejection issues with brass hitting scope.

I should note, I no longer have any 85's. Down to just my custom .260 on a 75 action.

I have a sako finnlight in 30-06. it likes 168gr TSX's best. With 200gr accubond I have to run it at least 2700fps before it is accurate ( 2725fps with 200gr AB leaves one ragged hole after 5 shots) this is with 54 gr of RL 17 which is 3grs over top book load. at 2550fps accuracy is acceptable, but not what I'm after.

Fuprick, Have you had any success with partitions or 180 gr loads?

I have not used partitions in the Sako nor 180's. In a previous Rem 700 in 30-06 the 180gr TSX worked real well at 2750fps as did the Hornaday Interlock