Daniel Cary
AH legend
Discontinued, off the site.
You are correct.I'm quite sure that all the Sako M85 rifles have been discontinued. Our local gun stores can't order any more, and are waiting for the replacement model to be announced.
Just had a look. Only shame is the biggest they do is a 375 H&H. It might mean you can get a cut price 500j though. Just had another look and would seem we can still get the brown bear in EuropeThe last NIB 85 Brown Bear in 500 Jeffery sold on GunBroker for $3000.
The Sako 100 is the replacement. Switch barrel like the R8.
![]()
I was told that it was the replacement twice by the Beretta Gallery in Highland Park, Texas. They still had some fancy $13k .450 Rigby 85’s at the Chapuis event.Sako 100 is not the replacement for the Sako 85 line. 100 is different product just like the S20 is.
Word on the street here in Finland is that the 85 line will be replaced with new "Sako 95", to be announced some time in the mid 2023. Of course, the first rifles are not going to be 500Js and 416 rigbys but definately no reason to start paying old 85 rifles their weight in gold when purchasing.
p.s. Also, people who have been working with/for Sako for years and have not liked the S20 or 100, are legitimately excited about the upcoming rifle.....
I really hope they are incorrect. I was really excited to read VTT’s post because I was so disappointed to read they are ending the 85s. They are my favorite rifle.I was told that it was the replacement twice by the Beretta Gallery in Highland Park, Texas. They still had some fancy $13k .450 Rigby 85’s at the Chapuis event.
When it is time for me to get a .500 Jeffery, it will be an AHR.
Nice reference lolGood choice, action made from forged billet, built like a band vault. As Boris the Blade said "Heavy is reliable"
It became a weird thing, speaking of. The wait was so long .. it was an afterthought by arrival. Ideal for a well working, semi-affordable .500 you wouldn't worry about getting beat up, etc.@Daniel Cary , have you done anything to your Sako 85 in 500J to make it heavier? What’s it like to shoot?
Im hoping the importers in the UK have one or two on the shelf. You never know I might be able to get a real bargainI dropped by at a local outdoor/hunting store (in Finland) and they had all Sako 85s discounted. Around 20 to 30%. NO heavies there, though.
(trying to resist the urge to get a particular carbon stocked .308 Win)