Sako 75 Finnlight in 6.5x55

[MAC Hawkins]

The wife knew I wanted a 6.5x55 for some time now so she found a display model Finnlight for sale.  Now I need ideas on scopes, ammo and rings for it.  For scopes I was looking at a 3.5x10x50 Leupold Vari X III illuminated since we will be transferred to Washington state when I get back from this deployment.  The other scope would be a Leupold Vari II 2x7x33 target dot.  I have one of the target dot scopes on my .257 Ackley improved and it groups 3/4 groups out to 200 all day long.  The ammo I was considering was Norma 153 or is it 156 grain Alaskan ammo.  It says it's doing 2559fps.  The other offering would be the 120grn nosler ballistic tip Norma at 2880.  I like the Alaskan just incase a Moose or elk hunt combo with deer comes along because I will hunt British Columbia while in the area.  What would be a reasonable range for the Alsakan ammo?  For rings what do you sako fans prefer.  I was looking at the Opitilock which are like Ruger rings for a Sako but all I can find is X-low and the illuminated scope is a 50 on the bell and will be too big or will it.  The website said people always buy too high of rings for their scopes.  How is the accuracy on these 75 finnlights?  I get mixed reports on that.  Thanks for your time.

[Brithunter]

First congratulations on the rifle 

However I do question the scope choice  why do you need a 50mm objective? and are you sure it's legal to use a lighted reticle to hunt with? some states don't allow that I understand. Further more a target dot is not the best reticle for hunting, that's why there are hunting reticles. Finally as I have read on the web and even on this site Leupold is not quite the comapany it once was so bear that in mind that their new scopes might not be US made however there seems to be some confusion over this  .

I do have a friend who had trouble with a new Leupold and then had trouble getting Leupold to even admit there was a problem. He sold the scope they eventualy sent to him back repaired and now uses Zeiss Conquest or  as he has recently acquired a Bushnell 4-16x-50 4200 Elite with rainguard and the firefly reticle. No I don't know why he got a 50mm objective  but he seesm to be pleased with it

   . I have a couple of scopes with them and to be honest they are more trouble than their worth and I don't really notice much improvement over a 42mm, 44mm or 45mm objective objective they just need higher mounts and often look ungainly on the rifle  .

I tend to pick up good used scopes when I come across them and this is how I acquired the Meopta 7x50A scope I did buy the Nikko Sterling 4.5-14x50AO new and wish I hadn't  I am also not impressed with lighted reticles and have two that I brought to try. OK they are budget scopes but the lighted reticle for me is a gimmick and waste of time, money and space. Mostly I try to get good quality optics like the Meopta, Pecar, Lisenfeld, Khales, Zeiss or Schmidt & Bender although I do have two older Leupolds all but the S&B 6x42 scope were found used but good.

[GatCat]

First off, thanks for your service!!
Sound like you will have a really great rifle.
For a scope, for hunting, I would go with something like a 2-7 or 3-9, to my mind, not much need for more power for big game. Maybe a 40mm objective lense, at most. Keep it light and compact.
My son ( 19D, one tour ) has used his 6.5X55 in BC on a couple of moose in the past. He used the 156 ( I think ) grain Norma Oryx. They worked ok. I think 130 or maybe 140 gr. Nosler X's pushed hard would be better, though. Just an opinion.
For a hunting reticle, I would say a typical plex would be fine. I suppose the illuminated reticle wouldn't be bad, might come in handy, maybe.
FYI B.C requires aliens ( and maybe non-residents ) to use a guide for big game. I have an extra BC hunting regs if you'd like me to send it to you, makes for good reading and dreaming!! Let me know.
Mark

[GatCat]

. I think 130 or maybe 140 gr. Nosler X's pushed hard would be better, though. Just an opinion

In re-reading my post, I meant, of course, the BARNES x bullet,;thats what I get for typing at the horrible hour!
Mark

[charles p]

I have about a dozen Leupold scopes starting back when they had friction adjustments up to one that is a few weeks old.  Ten years ago I thought I needed their50mm openings, but now I've found that 40mm scopes are more convenient, easier to handle, and if you ever get on a horse, the 40 will fit properly in most scabbards.  Since you have a lightweight rifle, I suggest you watch the weight and length of your scope choice, to truly keep it light in weight.

You can't do all things with one rifle.  Start convincing your wife right now, that you will soon need additional rifles and that she will need a few too.

What branch of the military are you in?  Is this your first enlistment or are you making the service a career?  Thanks for service.

[MAC Hawkins]

I was thinking of going with the Leupold 2x7x33 with the dot reticle.  I also like the new Bushnell.  They have the 2.5x18x44 or something like that with rainguard and all the jazz.  I am a Master-at-Arms Chief in the Navy.  I have 12 years in.  I do have two other rifles like a .257 ackley improved with the paperwork from Ackley back in 1973.  I have the receipt for the scope also which shows it sold for 90.00.  My other rifle is a .358 win ruger action with a Houge stock, timney trigger and match grade shilen tube on it.  It hits the 10 ring just about every shot at 200 yds.  I just have always wanted a 6.5x55 and think I found the right one without having to build it.  All of these guns work for me.  I would not be afraid to hunt with me ackley and a 120 grain nosler partition.  The Bear issue is what bother me on caliber choice.  By chance you encounter a griz what caliber would you want out of the three?  The .358 win and the 6.5 probably run the same but the 6.5 has a little more range.  Either way I have both, just setting up the 6.5 at the moment. 

[mcwoodduck]

I guess with the scope it would depend on what your planning on shooting?
The target dot scopes are great but I loose them in the dark woods.  i like a plex and have been looking at the Trijicon scopes with the illuminated triangle dot.  The do make a 3-9X40 scope and a larger 3.5 -10X50 (I think.)
As for ammo.
I shoot Seller and Bellot 131 grain soft points ( Deer and Black bear)  Douplicates 270 with a 130 only with better BC also the cheapest stuff I can find and that means lots of practice.  I get desent groups with the stuff.  But I practice off hand when I shoot.  I have never yet shot a deer off a bench and practice like I hunt.
Win 140 grain soft points for deer ect when I can not find the  S&B stuff
and
Norma 156 grain soft points for the swamp when I want big heavy slugs.  Expensive stuff and tend to go 308 with 180 grain round nose soft points by Rem when I get to the swamp.