Glass-Bedding a Sako 85

[South Pender]

I've done a search on this forum to see whether it had already been discussed. Nothing came up.

I'm wondering whether anyone has attempted this--what with the strange recoil-lug assembly on the 85s. Looking at it on my 85, it looks as though it could be strengthened somewhat by judicious application of Devcon or other glass compound.

Anyone with experience with this?

 

[P04R]

I have done a couple. In my opinion the main benefit in the case of 85 is taking out all the side to side sloppiness from the stock inlet.

Strength hasn't been a concern. More important to stock strength is the rear cross bolt. Occasionally they come loose on their own I guess due to wood shrinkage, or perhaps they weren't that tight to begin with.

 

[Susquatch]

I've done a search on this forum to see whether it had already been discussed. Nothing came up.

I'm wondering whether anyone has attempted this--what with the strange recoil-lug assembly on the 85s. Looking at it on my 85, it looks as though it could be strengthened somewhat by judicious application of Devcon or other glass compound.

Anyone with experience with this?

I am interested in bedding my 85 too. It has a nasty habit of throwing flyers. I'm a little reluctant to touch it but can't live with it the way it is.

Did you ever do any more with yours?

 

[South Pender]

I am interested in bedding my 85 too. It has a nasty habit of throwing flyers. I'm a little reluctant to touch it but can't live with it the way it is.

Did you ever do any more with yours?

Hi Susquatch. No I haven't tried to glass bed my Sako 85. P04R's comments above may well be relevant if you're experiencing flyers.

 

[Susquatch]

Hi Susquatch. No I haven't tried to glass bed my Sako 85. P04R's comments above may well be relevant if you're experiencing flyers.

Not really. I've shimmed it enough to know that isn't the cause. There is a little vertical stress in the action that I see with an indicator mounted at the end of the forearm. Pretty sure that is what is causing it. But I'm reluctant to touch it.

 

[P04R]

Model 85 receivers are often bowed more or less. If the action screws are trying to pull the action straight it adds spring tension to the system and it's not good. Having the action glass bedded will give the action matching (bowed) surface to lay on, so the springiness is eliminated. Can't promise that is the fix for your issue, but it is one thing to try.

 

[Susquatch]

Model 85 receivers are often bowed more or less. If the action screws are trying to pull the action straight it adds spring tension to the system and it's not good. Having the action glass bedded will give the action matching (bowed) surface to lay on, so the springiness is eliminated. Can't promise that is the fix for your issue, but it is one thing to try.

Do you think shimming could be used to good effect? Bedding is so permanent. The Sako bedding system is already a big shim, so I'm just thinking about expanding on that.

 

[P04R]

Do you think shimming could be used to good effect? Bedding is so permanent. The Sako bedding system is already a big shim, so I'm just thinking about expanding on that.

My experience with shimming is very limited. Only thing I have used them for has been raising the receiver out of a overly deep factory stock to get the bolt clear the wood and barrel free of the barrel channel. I wouldn't consider it a replacement for proper bedding.

 

[Susquatch]

My experience with shimming is very limited. Only thing I have used them for has been raising the receiver out of a overly deep factory stock to get the bolt clear the wood and barrel free of the barrel channel. I wouldn't consider it a replacement for proper bedding.

I wasn't thinking of it as a replacement. Only as a temporary measure to evaluate the potential improvement.

Bottom line is that I don't want to make a permanent change unless it is warranted. I do know the bedding is off a wee bit. I don't know if it matters. I also don't know the impact of that flaky recoil plate. I was thinking perhaps some shims would help decide if it's worth it. So I'm looking for some feedback from others as to whether or not it works temporarily enough to know how to proceed permanently.