Sako Rings
With these rings comes real Commitment
Anyone who owns or has seen a Sako has immediately noticed the dovetailed bases. When did that start and why and how come others have not followed? The answers are not easily obtainable as are most things within Sako. The engineers of Sako Oy simply listen to a different drummer. If they see a good idea that incorporate it if not they let their own designs evolve to a higher standard. This is apparently the case with Sako Rings.
During World War II Finland was neutral but depended on Germany for their very survival. They had to fight the Russians who were invaders like the Germans elsewhere. World War II as we all know was costly and much was lost. Even the spoils of war that went to the victors were a burden. The Finns learned something in this war and their very heritage is based on it. The are a tough people living in an artic environment, they are fishermen and outdoorsmen that work hard and survive against all odds. The Russians won territory in Finland for a little while but they to would learn that the Finns are reliant and finally Finland was Free.
After the war Sako began to covert the Mosin Nagant military rifle for civilian use but this also was the beginning of their new sporting rifle the P46 later the L46. Scopes were not new to the hunters and rifleman, in the American Civil War scopes were used by both armie™s and later by buffalo hunters. During the First World War Scopes were becoming more common but usually only issued to Snipers. But During World War II snipers became famous as they lay in wait in their deadly game. In Finland the Hero of the War was a Sniper using a scoped Mosin Nagant. Sportsman soon returned home looking for more than just open sights, they were at least thinking about scopes. The scopes of the day however proved to be less than reliable in cold wet weather. The question was how to offer the best of both worlds? The answer apparently was a simply dovetailed receiver that allowed a scope to be mounted on a rifle quickly and it could be returned to zero.
The Early scopes again were not reliable enough to depend on so at some point Sako offered a Peep Sight that fit on the rear base that could be used instead of a scope and the result is package no matter what the weather. The Early rings were designed for the early scopes, simple they were rings that were shaped steel where then scope was disassembled and then slid into the rings and then reassembled. Nitrogen Scopes were not yet widely available so the practice of removing the eyepiece was no big deal. Soon after in the mid 1950�€™s Weaver, Lyman/Leupold, Pecar, and others started offering Fog Proof Scopes.
A new design was needed and here we see the Sako Rings most of us recognize and desire. I direct you to the photo gallery where you will notice the Old Style rings. These rings were made in three heights Low 3/32€�, Medium 5/16€�, and High 15/32. They were also manufactured in 26mm, 28mm and 30mm and 1 Inch diameters to meet the standards scopes of the day. They provided windage for those scopes that did not have windage adjustments or ones that needed a little more. The Scope could be easily removed and placed in your coat pocket and a peep sight attached. The rear scope ring was a small tab on the bottom that fit into the rear base that assured proper alignment, springs and pins within the mounts kept the left side of the scope mounts in perfect potion. By using a coin the scope was on or off in seconds. Unlike the U.S style rings and bases that claimed to be easy take down the Sako rings we truly an engineering marvel. When you removed the rings they were truly gone. Your sight picture was completely restored and no mount was in your way. The scope mount had just been revolutionized.
While the original Steel old style rings were made in Finland, later versions were made in Spain, Austria, and Australia. The were less polished and while having the basic design they gave up some to their polish and attention to detail but not their strength. Other manufactures also added Sako bases to their product line but not until the 80s does it appear that a major manufactured offered a Ring to fit the Sako base. Today Tasco, Weaver, Leupold, Warne, and Buehler now offer rings that fit the Sako Bases. Oddly enough the Sako rings suffered in the U.S. market because of the high cost and the fact that they were hard to locate. Sako though stuck with the old style ring well into the 80�€™s and even offered Sako screw on bases for the Finnwolf�€™s round receiver.
In the interim Sako developed the Strong style ring that was built in Australia is a beefier version of today�€™s ring wherein the Ring is not part of the base itself. It is bolted to the base through the bottom. The set is very bulky and not as attractive as the old style but just as tough. The New Style {see Photo Gallery} is yet another evolution in technology. The Bases are rock solid and the ring like the strong series is two piece. The major difference is the polymer ring insert. This OpiLock system aligns the scope even in the bases are slight crooked. The end result is less stress on the scope and better overall accuracy. I have used virtually all the styles available while I like the all the old and new styles are my equal favourites.
As many of you know I hunt with my Sakos and I hunt hard. I have found the old style to work well in all types of terrain and punishment. I have a 4 digit 264 Win Mag with old style rings that has suffered tremendous punishment with no loss in accuracy. I have two Sako Target Rifles with the new style and I also use the new style with my Sako Fiberclass. I have Leupold, Warne, and Buehlers as well but Sako�€™s are still my choice. My fiberclass in 338 has suffered the roughest punishment I have ever but through a rifle but it has never lost it�€™s accuracy. Strong scope mounts are the key.
Now Sako Safari has the most inclusive collection of Sako Rings I have every seen. He may have every model ever made but one never knows with Sako.As soon as Sako Safari and I can get a digital camera we will add photos add some more photos�€™ of the rings we have collected. While today�€™s Sako is really a rifle built for a scope you will occasionally see a new rifle with sights probably a Euro Version. The Europeans still prefer the option of removing a scope in case of problem. Other rifle manufactures followed Sako�€™s lead on the grooved receiver, Ruger, BSA, and Blaser to name a few a few. While they did other the flexibility of windage the idea is much the same. Sako old ways were once new ways and the world was watching. Maybe the model 75 will prove to do the same. Like the Sako Rings the P46 has evolved over time to become the new Model 75 rifle. It has kept the basic idea of a Sako Rifle extreme accuracy, dovetailed receiver, and fit and Finnish. The Tikka is built along the same product lines. Yes I know it can be a pain to find rings for your Sako and your Tikka rifle. They are expensive and why not just make a standard base like a Remington model 700. Simply because Sako does follow the rules they invent them.
Since Sako has been around they have strived to improve their designs in form and function. When you are looking through your scope at a big Muley or a charging Cape buffalo the last thing on your mind will be that grooved receiver and those rings. No with the sweat on your face, the pain in your legs and body, the shortness of breath you will be not be thinking about scope mounts. You won�€™t have to someone in Finland already did.
Sako Finnbear
