My boss ordered said rifle from Cabelas last year in about April. He was told it wouldnt be long now, 4 months later he was told it wouldnt be long now. After 6 months they told him they were in contact with Berreta, which owns Sako, and were told any day now. In December he was told to call back around the end of February. Well...he called back and was told they dis-continued that caliber in the model 85. He already has money invested in scope mounts, dies, and components. NOW hes POed!!!
Cabelas says they tried to find one ANYWHERE on the internet but only found closed sales of a few of them. Anybody know of a Sako model 85 in 338 layin around collecting dust?
Casey - If I were him, I would call Beretta directly and speak to the national sales director. If he raises some hell with them quickly, there has still got to be a few .338 cal in the pipeline somewhere. Beretta stands a better chance of finding one, because Cabelas doesn't give a shit.
Do not call Beretta and let some phone clerk put you off. Insist on the natl sales mgr and don't say why. Give your full name only, or if neccessary, leave you phone number and no reason. If this goes on for several phone calls, the sales manager will call back if nothing more than curiosity about who in the hell wants to talk to him and why??
In the meantime his search should also include a new Mod 75 as well. There really isn't any appreciable difference between the two. There could still be a rifle or two somewhere in that caliber. I have handled the Mod 85 and actually like the 75 better. But not by much. ha
Somehow, I feel there is a bit more to this story. The business relationship between Beretta and its distributors vis a vis the gun store might be a
hidden factor. Lets face it - not all gunshops have the same reputations with the distributors/manufacturers so some get better treatment than do others. Also, who is selling the most of a given product enters into the picture. Stores in locales selling these rifles at a pretty good clip will most likely be favored in terms of allocation.
I really doubt there has been a multi-month hold on manufacturing .338's in this model.
Thanks for the replies, I'll advise him of your ideas. The reason he wants to stick with Cabelas is he has coupons, a couple of gift certificates and credit card bonus points to use so the purchase would be really inexpensive for him.
I'm more of a buyer than a shooter. I have 2 Sako's, both mint. The 1st is a 1966 Forester 243 from the original owner, very lightly shot & pristine. The 2nd is a Mod 75 in 243 also, again it looks new. I paid $700 for the 75 & $740(with ammo & accessories) for the Forester. Both local FTF. I gave each a good off the stock going over/cleaning & in the safe they have sat. I have not fired either. I'm not 'saving' them, I just have other guns more suited for the 'working' catagory. The 75 came with bases & rings, the forester with a 60's vintage Redfield scope mounted.
I'm more of a buyer than a shooter. I have 2 Sako's, both mint. The 1st is a 1966 Forester 243 from the original owner, very lightly shot & pristine. The 2nd is a Mod 75 in 243 also, again it looks new. I paid $700 for the 75 & $740(with ammo & accessories) for the Forester. Both local FTF. I gave each a good off the stock going over/cleaning & in the safe they have sat. I have not fired either. I'm not 'saving' them, I just have other guns more suited for the 'working' catagory. The 75 came with bases & rings, the forester with a 60's vintage Redfield scope mounted.
Nice. I owned a Forrester .243.(1972) Shot under 1 in with factory ammo.
Shldn't have sold it. Make sure to shoot em for you will em. The next guy will. ha ha. Now my go to rifle is the Mod 75 (1998) not keylock in .308. Scope is Leupold 2.5 X 8. I have messed with building accuracy loads for 168 Sierra match, and this is the most accurate hunting rifle I have ever owned.
