Tikkabuck,
I have a Sako 75 (Stoeger) and prefer it's stock design over the 85 as well.
In my search for another Sako 75, a lot of all the dealer listing's include "by Beretta"... and they certainly look the same as my "Stoeger" rifle. I'm thinking the quality of the Sako 75 was not changed by Beretta... only the fact that Beretta took over from Stoeger as the importer to the U.S. And any Beretta changes (i.e. cost cutting measures) were introduced in the Sako 85.
I know the Sako 85 is a different story... just haven't warmed up to the looks of it.. hence my search for a 75.
Thanks... Rob