Sako 85 Hunter Stainless 6.5x55 Swedish

byronix · July 29, 2014, 11:07 AM

I have a 6.5x55 Swedish Sako 85 Stainless ordered and in route to me. Beretta said that a Break in Procedure is not required since the barrel is hammer forged and not cut like the Bartlett Barrels. My Browning 2006 Commerative .30-06 BAR Safari suggested the ten shot one at a time cleaning with a copper cleaner although today Browning does not say that is necessary because the barrels are hammer forged. Should i clean my Sako this way or just go with it out of the box?? I will reload with H-4350 and shoot 6.5mm 130 grain Nosler Accubonds for a Hunting Round. Thanks for anyones advice. Byron Nix.

CarJunkieLS1 · July 29, 2014, 06:06 PM

I had the same question with my tikka T3 Lite .270 Winchester that uses the same barrel as a Sako. I called Tikka (Beretta) and the rifle tech I spoke with told me to quote "shoot it with any brass cased ammo you can find" I did just that.

I cleaned it thoroughly as it was a new rifle and I picked up a box of 130gr Federal Fusion. I shot 4 shots taking my time to keep the barrel cool and get it sighted in. Shots 5-7 were less than 1 inch at 100 yards. I took it home and cleaned it now with handloads its a consistent 1/2 MOA shooter. I currently have less than 60rds through the rifle.

loic · July 29, 2014, 07:27 PM

I will say do what makes you comfortable. I am not convinced at all we gain anything with the "break in "
But I dont think it will hurt anything if you do it.

6.5swedeforelk · July 29, 2014, 08:24 PM

Have you had previous experience with the 6.5?

I'm wondering as you have your load fully chosen.

Usually the rifle has something to say about its' optimum cartridge.

Mine is sub moa with 140gr core-lokts which work just fine for big game.

Good hunting with that fine rifle!

reynolds357 · July 29, 2014, 08:56 PM

I am firmly convinced that barrel "break in" is perfect waste of time and barrel life.

hammie · July 29, 2014, 09:19 PM

@bryon the 9th: I pretty much agree with reynolds357. Load your rifle up and shoot it. My 6.5x55mm rem 700 likes 130 and 140 grain bullets and slow powders, although just about any reasonable powder/bullet combination seems to work.

As for your new Sako 85: I've been told that it's a sin to covet, but I sure am envious over your "soon to arrive" Sako. I know you will enjoy it.

trigger643 · July 30, 2014, 05:36 AM

Reynolds, I tend to generally agree that break-in is a waste of barrel life. Bartlein Barrels has a pretty good article on barrel break-in on their webpage and worth a read.

Basically it boils down to; Just shoot it. When accuracy is compromised due to fouling, clean it. Then shoot it some more.

byronix · July 30, 2014, 12:40 PM

Thanks. We have done a recipe for my friends 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser Rifle. It was a Sniper Rifle and he had the Barrell cut down from 28 inches to 24 inches. We used H-4350, CCI #34 Primers, and 6.5 Nosler 130 grain Accubond. We followed the range posted by Nosler and fired four shot groups at the different powder ranges. Checked it twice and came up with 41.5 grains of powder. Although 42.0 grains looked just as good. Thanks again. Bn

mete · July 30, 2014, 04:56 PM

Since you'll play with various loads to get the best one that will be the "break in " clean fairly often.
I favor the 140 and powder that has an excellent burning rate was always 4350 with a 140. When my custom made M98 was fired with iron sights first group was 7/8"

. It was my deer rifle for 25 years !
Now that we have American dimensioned cases along with European 6.5x55SE Make sure you match cases to chamber dimensions !!!
Finn Aagaard said the 6.5x55 was the perfect deer rifle ! I agree !

Colt46 · July 30, 2014, 05:32 PM

This will probably become your favorite/go to rifle.

There is something about the swede that screams 'perfection' as a game cartridge.

absolute0 · July 30, 2014, 07:57 PM

OP - You have excellent taste in rifles!

byronix · July 30, 2014, 10:01 PM

Matching to chamber dimensions is taking fire formed brass and bump sizing to be 2 or 3 thousands less. Setting up my resizing die to give me that. I will save my brass and by minimizing the brass growth there will be more of a powder charge to firing the projectile. Was this what you were speaking of? If not give me some more suggestions. I will always use Lapua Brass in this rifle.

My current Go To Rifles; A-Bolt .300 Winchester Magnum-Stainless Steel Stalker with a Boss- 4x12x50mm Swarvoski with Talley Fixed Rings and Mount. Bullets touching at 100 yards for two shots- the third waivers somewhat with a hot barrel. Next: Browning BAR High Powered Rifle 1984 purchase of a 1980 rifle from Sportco in Marietta, Georgia for $389. High Powered Rifle was the nomenclature in 1984 rather than Safari which it became later. .270 caliber with a Bushnell Scope Chief 3x9x40mm which in 1984 was the best that Bushnell made. Exceptionally clear.

What goes on my Sako will be a Zeiss Conquest HD-5- 5x15x 42mm. Parallax. . Z-800 Reticle. Thanks. Bn

July 29, 2014, 11:07 AM	#1
byronix Junior Member Join Date: April 25, 2014 Posts: 5	Sako 85 Hunter Stainless 6.5x55 Swedish I have a 6.5x55 Swedish Sako 85 Stainless ordered and in route to me. Beretta said that a Break in Procedure is not required since the barrel is hammer forged and not cut like the Bartlett Barrels. My Browning 2006 Commerative .30-06 BAR Safari suggested the ten shot one at a time cleaning with a copper cleaner although today Browning does not say that is necessary because the barrels are hammer forged. Should i clean my Sako this way or just go with it out of the box?? I will reload with H-4350 and shoot 6.5mm 130 grain Nosler Accubonds for a Hunting Round. Thanks for anyones advice. Byron Nix.

July 30, 2014, 12:40 PM	#8
byronix Junior Member Join Date: April 25, 2014 Posts: 5	Swede For Elk Thanks. We have done a recipe for my friends 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser Rifle. It was a Sniper Rifle and he had the Barrell cut down from 28 inches to 24 inches. We used H-4350, CCI #34 Primers, and 6.5 Nosler 130 grain Accubond. We followed the range posted by Nosler and fired four shot groups at the different powder ranges. Checked it twice and came up with 41.5 grains of powder. Although 42.0 grains looked just as good. Thanks again. Bn

July 30, 2014, 04:56 PM	#9
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Since you'll play with various loads to get the best one that will be the "break in " clean fairly often. I favor the 140 and powder that has an excellent burning rate was always 4350 with a 140. When my custom made M98 was fired with iron sights first group was 7/8" . It was my deer rifle for 25 years ! Now that we have American dimensioned cases along with European 6.5x55SE Make sure you match cases to chamber dimensions !!! Finn Aagaard said the 6.5x55 was the perfect deer rifle ! I agree ! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

July 30, 2014, 05:32 PM	#10
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	I might add This will probably become your favorite/go to rifle. There is something about the swede that screams 'perfection' as a game cartridge.

July 30, 2014, 07:57 PM	#11
absolute0 Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Location: Zimmerman, MN Posts: 242	OP - You have excellent taste in rifles! __________________ "Ice to See You" -McBain

July 29, 2014, 06:06 PM	#2
CarJunkieLS1 Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 686	I had the same question with my tikka T3 Lite .270 Winchester that uses the same barrel as a Sako. I called Tikka (Beretta) and the rifle tech I spoke with told me to quote "shoot it with any brass cased ammo you can find" I did just that. I cleaned it thoroughly as it was a new rifle and I picked up a box of 130gr Federal Fusion. I shot 4 shots taking my time to keep the barrel cool and get it sighted in. Shots 5-7 were less than 1 inch at 100 yards. I took it home and cleaned it now with handloads its a consistent 1/2 MOA shooter. I currently have less than 60rds through the rifle.

July 29, 2014, 07:27 PM	#3
loic Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2014 Posts: 162	I will say do what makes you comfortable. I am not convinced at all we gain anything with the "break in " But I dont think it will hurt anything if you do it.

July 29, 2014, 08:24 PM	#4
6.5swedeforelk Member Join Date: April 14, 2014 Location: N. Canada Posts: 92	Have you had previous experience with the 6.5? I'm wondering as you have your load fully chosen. Usually the rifle has something to say about its' optimum cartridge. Mine is sub moa with 140gr core-lokts which work just fine for big game. Good hunting with that fine rifle!

July 29, 2014, 08:56 PM	#5
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I am firmly convinced that barrel "break in" is perfect waste of time and barrel life.

July 29, 2014, 09:19 PM	#6
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	@bryon the 9th: I pretty much agree with reynolds357. Load your rifle up and shoot it. My 6.5x55mm rem 700 likes 130 and 140 grain bullets and slow powders, although just about any reasonable powder/bullet combination seems to work. As for your new Sako 85: I've been told that it's a sin to covet, but I sure am envious over your "soon to arrive" Sako. I know you will enjoy it.

July 30, 2014, 05:36 AM	#7
trigger643 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2011 Posts: 322	Reynolds, I tend to generally agree that break-in is a waste of barrel life. Bartlein Barrels has a pretty good article on barrel break-in on their webpage and worth a read. Basically it boils down to; Just shoot it. When accuracy is compromised due to fouling, clean it. Then shoot it some more.

July 30, 2014, 10:01 PM	#12
byronix Junior Member Join Date: April 25, 2014 Posts: 5	Mete Matching to chamber dimensions is taking fire formed brass and bump sizing to be 2 or 3 thousands less. Setting up my resizing die to give me that. I will save my brass and by minimizing the brass growth there will be more of a powder charge to firing the projectile. Was this what you were speaking of? If not give me some more suggestions. I will always use Lapua Brass in this rifle. My current Go To Rifles; A-Bolt .300 Winchester Magnum-Stainless Steel Stalker with a Boss- 4x12x50mm Swarvoski with Talley Fixed Rings and Mount. Bullets touching at 100 yards for two shots- the third waivers somewhat with a hot barrel. Next: Browning BAR High Powered Rifle 1984 purchase of a 1980 rifle from Sportco in Marietta, Georgia for $389. High Powered Rifle was the nomenclature in 1984 rather than Safari which it became later. .270 caliber with a Bushnell Scope Chief 3x9x40mm which in 1984 was the best that Bushnell made. Exceptionally clear. What goes on my Sako will be a Zeiss Conquest HD-5- 5x15x 42mm. Parallax. . Z-800 Reticle. Thanks. Bn