The 85 Carbonlight is a very good rifle, virtually custom grade from a factory.This is known as "semi-custom". Another very similar rifle is the Browning X-Bolt Pro. I feel they are equal in quality of materials and quality of manufacturing. I first mounted a Warne aluminum 20 MOA Pic rail on my X-Bolt Pro but now will put separate Talley rings (no Pic rail) I purchased the Browning X-Bolt Pro in 6.5 Creedmoor because it had features missing on the 85 Carbonlight, namely: 1. 22" barrel on the X-Bolt Pro v.s. 20" for the Carbonlight (too much lost velocity with 20" barrel) 2. bronze Carakote in X-Bolt Pro stainless barreled action mutes the light color of stainless steel 3. included muzzle brake and thread protector cap 4. fluted bolt body and handle 5. factory lapped barrel 6. 8 screw scope base mounting, 4 forward, 4 on rear mounting area 7. high impact polymer rotary magazine presents cartridge in line with chamber for easy feeding 8. the X-Bolt Pro is about $900. to $1000. less than the 85 Carbonlight I feel the carbon fiber stocks on both are equal in quality though I do prefer the SAKO cheekpiece. So here you have two top quality very similar hunting rifles in the light mountain rifle weight category. Decisions, decisions...
The magnum Sako 85s don't shoot good and Browning will guarantee sub moa the guy in the store guarantee sub quarter MOA with any factory premium ammo but that is not the case it may shoot half MOA or it may shoot one and a half MOA in the magnum Sako 85s tend to shoot 1.5 through 2.5 moa even with load development and burger bullets a very nice guns but if I wanted to ethically kill an animal past 400 yards even as big as elk I would sooner have a $250 Savage or a $500 Ruger
