Contessa Picatinny Rail for Sako 85 XS (Extra Short)

About Picatinny Rail

The Picatinny rail system features slots spaced at precise 5.23 mm intervals, enabling consistent and versatile use along its entire length. This system is designed for ease of mounting and is universally compatible; accessories designed for a Picatinny rail will fit seamlessly, irrespective of the manufacturer or the date of production. Known for its affordability, durability, and reliability, the Picatinny rail is a popular choice among professionals and military personnel, making it a dominant player in the scope mounts market in recent years.
The Picatinny design marks a significant advancement over the older Weaver standard. Unlike the Weaver system, which offers only a few predetermined slots, the Picatinny rail boasts continuous slots across its surface. This feature provides the flexibility to mount devices at any preferred location. Additionally, the slots on a Weaver rail are narrower, at 3.8 mm, allowing mounts designed for Weaver rails to fit on a Picatinny rail. However, mounts specifically made for Picatinny rails do not fit on Weaver rails due to the size difference of recoil stoppers. This compatibility and versatility make the Picatinny rail a superior mounting solution in various applications.

About the Contessa

Contessa, an Italian manufacturer renowned for its high-quality scope mounts, combines decades of experience with advanced 3D technology and precision handcrafting. Recognized internationally, its mounts are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, featuring soft, rounded edges. Contessa Picatinny rails are machined to strict tolerances, and  feature one of the best fit and finish. Each rail bears the distinctive golden Contessa logo, symbolizing quality and craftsmanship.

About the Sako

Sako, founded in 1921 in Finland, started as a rifle repair workshop and evolved into a premier manufacturer of high-quality hunting rifles and cartridges. Known for innovation, its products became especially popular in the USA post-World War II. The 1980s saw Sako merge with Tikkakoski, adding the Tikka rifle line. Now under Beretta Holding, Sako continues to influence global firearm technology.

About the 85 XS

The Sako 85 XS rifle model, introduced in 2006, features a unique cone-shaped dovetail on its top, designed specifically for the Optilock mounting system. The dovetail is angled with a ratio of 1:17 (3.37°), with the wider part at the front and narrower at the back. This model also includes a two-way safety lock that secures both the trigger and the bolt handle, enhancing its safety features​​. There are no mounting holes. Barrels are drilled, honed and cold-hammer forged. Sako 85 features a recoil stop at the rear mounting surface.

Variants

Sako 85 XS is available in the following variants:

• hunter
• bavarian
• hunter stainless
• hunter laminated stainless
• varmint
• varmint laminated stainless

Calibres

Sako 85 XS is chambered for:

•  .204 Ruger
• .222 Rem.
• .223 Rem.

Design of the Rail

The Contessa Picatinny Rail for Sako 85 XS (Extra Short) is constructed from steel, known for its superior hardness and durability compared to aluminum, ensures a higher degree of repeatability with less wear over time. The picatinny rail features 13 slots. A distinct central canal on the rail allows for the concurrent use of the rifle's iron sights, offering a reliable backup sighting solution without the need to remove the picatinny rail when there is nothing mounted on it. There are no mounting holes. Two unique canonical dovetail bases under the rail fit on the top of the rifle receiver and clamp SAKO tapered dovetail mounting surfaces.

The Contessa Picatinny Rail for Sako 85 XS (Extra Short) has adjustable front base, accommodating the tolerance variations in Sako's tapered bases which occur in manufacturing process. Previously, one-piece rails might fit one rifle loosely but another too tightly, with the front base often tight and the rear unable to lock onto the taper. Adjustable front base on this rail addresses this by allowing independent positioning of each base before securing the rail. While not perfect, they have significantly reduced these fit issues.

This rail can also be mounted on:

Usually, a Picatinny rail can be mounted on multiple different rifles if they share the same mounting surface, which we commonly refer to as the mounting standard. The Contessa Picatinny Rail for Sako 85 XS (Extra Short) can be mounted on the following rifles, which share the same mounting standard:

• Sako 75 I
• Sako L579 Forester
• Sako MA 05 XS
• Sako S491
• Sako Tapered Dovetail

Mounting Instructions

Remove all the stains (grease, oil etc.) from the rifle's receiver with a cleaning fluid (acetone). Once the surface is clean and dry, check whether the screws match the rail and the holes on the receiver. Before mounting the rail permanently, apply a minimal amount of thread-locking fluid 278 or 648 on screws. Be careful not to get the fluid in or near the mounting holes. Carefully clean the remaining excess fluid around the rail with a cleaning fluid. Using a torque driver, screw the screws appropriately (up to 3 Nm/26.5 in-lbs).
If you require any mounting tools, you can find them on our Rifle Scope Mounting Tools page.

What's in the box?

Each package comes complete with one steel rail, one rear base, one front base, three wrenches for precise adjustments, and all fitting screws required for secure installation.

Warranty

This product comes with a 30-year warranty.