SAKO 85 finnbear 7mm

[skywalker]

Well,
Got one on the way, an older model, but still excited to have it. I am shooting max 400 yrds for whitetail and hopefully mulie and pronghorn this fall. Anybody got any loads they care to share? I have handloading capabilities (friends house), but any out of the box loads that have performed very well for the game I am looking to harvest (kill)?

skywalker

 

[barreltwister]

A couple things.....not sure what you mean by "older model"......the Sako 85 was introduced in 2006....and it was never referred to as the Finnbear...what you bought is probably an AV(five)..a great Sako model that was discontinued in the 90's when the Model 75 was introduced.

Assuming your "7mm" is a 7mm Remington Magnum it'll take deer at 400 yards with little trouble...other than hitting them.

There are many factory loads worth trying.

If reloading, I'd try a good 140gr bullet with a slow burning powder like Rel22 or H4831.

 

[DocWat]

Wyoming Pronghorn, 450 yards, one shot, neck shot, Sako Finnbear 7mm Mag, clear day, rested on truck hood. 160g nosler ballistic tip, 80g 870, federal large rifle magnum primer. Bullet seated near, not on, rifling.

12 years of pronghorn hunting experience says they are not hard to find but you best be prepared for 400 to 600 yd shots. Knowledge of wind dopping helps too.

 

[skywalker]

thx! my gun came in today. now comes the scope. I have a Kahles Helia KX 3-9-42, but am looking at a Zeiss conquest 4.5-14-44.....

skywalker

 

[kiwi3006]

In my 7 mm mag I am using a two load system

under 350 yds

160 accubond, 73 gr ADI 2217/H1000, Fed 215 primer, Fed case


over 350 yds

162 a-max, 73.5 gr ADI 2217/H1000, Fed 215 primer, Fed case

both loads shoot 3060 fps from a 26" barrel.

The 162 a-max has taken 4 deer from 358 - 638 yds, all were DRT.

If you only want to use one load I would suggest either the 140 or 160 accubond. Inside 450 yds the 140 might have the advantage because of the higher velocity.

Stu.