Sako’s new 85 Carbon Wolf is a real eye catcher. But what really surprises about the rifle . . .
is just how comfortable it is to have and to hold. The 85 Carbon Wolf’s palm swell feels like it was modeled after a cast of my hand.
The rifle’s fashioned from RTM carbon fiber.
RTM stands for Resin Transfer Molding, a form of injection molding using liquid composites in which the resins are thermally activated and other stuff I don’t understand. This precision process produces potentially perfect pricey products picky people purchase.
Sako finishes the stock with a soft rubbery coating. I couldn’t confirm the company’s claim that the material takes wet weather handling to another level — until they told me the price. At $3,600 my palms started to sweat.
The Sako 85 Carbon Wolf features controlled cartridge feeding. The bolt handle falls into a natural position, allowing for the kind of fast operation that pig herds dread. And rightfully so.
The Wolf’s 24″ fluted barrel is cold hammer forged. You can choose chamberings from.308, 30-06 SPRG, 300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
The shooter can use the two large metal buttons on the side of the butt stock to adjust comb height and length of pull. The buttons engage with the solid THUNK precision of a Porsche door.
A two-way Sako safety locks the trigger and the bolt handle. The bolt release button lets you to load or remove a cartridge from the chamber while the safety is engaged. (Right answer.) The single stage trigger’s pull weight is adjustable from 2–4 pounds.
Did I mention that the Sako 85 Carbon Wolf costs $3,600? For the same price you can buy 6.80529301 Ruger Precision Rimfire Rifles. But why would you?