Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New to me Sako .280

Partial repost from the classifieds.
Yesterday, on Mother’s Day, my wife and I were cruising through the Cabelas and just before leaving I thought I’d walk through the gun library, that was a mistake. While looking over the racks of guns, I came across a Sako L61R Finnbear chambered in .280 Remington. This rifle had been rebarreled at some point, but everything else was right and the barrel job looked good too. Price was too cheap to pass up. To top it off the rifle would come with a Leupold vxii 3-9 scope. Mother’s Day special!

That’s a nice looking rifle. Nice grab.

Gorgeous! Love the old Sakos

Enjoy!


Best,

GWB

Sweet

good deal sir. TY for sharing

Let us know how she shoots!

A beauty……… congrats!

Very nice !
I took the liberty of posting a close-up of the action area.
The scope mounts look clean and don't encroach on the ejection opening.

Right on!!!!

Thanks guys, I’ve got some die’s and brass coming in soon and I’ll have to find a load that works well. I’ll let y’all know how it shoots as soon as possible. Thanks for your comments.

Die’s are in. I’ve got some 150 partitions coming in. I have several other 7mm bullets on hand as well including some 162 eldx’s. I’ll take your best loads using these bullets or any other combination of bullet and powder. I know there’s a pet load section, but what’s your pet load that has worked in most .280’s if you’ll share?

Mine have all really liked 7828 with 150s & 160s... dont know about SC, haven't tried it yet. Still burning the original long grain stuff from a metal can.

Acc4350 or IMR4831 or N160 are all good with 140s or 150s.

Try RL22 with 140-150s or ***especially RL26*** with 140-160s if you have some.

This all in RP or WW nickle brass from the early 90s. The WW nickled is some of the most uniform brass I've ever seen. Just got some Peterson & it's good too.

Try RL22 with 140-150s or ***especially RL26*** with 140-160s if you have some.

This is good because I’ve got plenty of RE-22

I bought a 280 Kimber not long ago, shoots well with 120 Barnes. I shoot 140 grain ballistic tips in my 7 mags. Hope it shoots well. I have a few old Sako’s, my favorite bolt rifles.

Very nice gun...

Very nice rifle. Been using RL-19 with 140 grainers in mine. Very consistent shooter for me. Good luck.

RL-19 and 140 Accubonds or Ballistic tips shoot in several 280's owned by me and friends of mine. Mine stacks 160 Accubonds as well, just don't remember the powder off the top of my head. Good looking rifle!