Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Sako Finnbear - Model L61R

I'm looking from some info on a Sako Finnbear in .30-06. Model L61R. It is pre 1974. Gun is made in Finnland and has Garcia Sporting Arms stamped on the underside of the barrel. Gun is in good shape. Bluing is good, stock is nice.

Anyone have one of these? Are they shooters? What's good about them? Any drawbacks? Any value?

Thanks

Nice guns, all steel, usually shoot very well.
They weigh more than say a Remington 700.

Anything made of all steel in good shape has value in this age, but it won't make you rich.
Ooops. Pre-72's say Firearms International on the importer stamping.

That being said, still a nice gun.

I just did a double check on that and you are right. The info I was handed must be incorrect. S/N is in the 65000 Range and he stated that it was NOT a pre-Garcia gun.

The Sako Website has S/N 1 thru 90954 as being made from 1962 to 1973. I'll do some more digging.

Thanks for the info.

Ask here. Lots of knowledge, some from Finland....

http://sakocollectors.lefora.com/

Just a warning... Sako serial numbers are all over the place.... If it say garcia inports then it is not a pre-garcia. However, still a great gun... take care of it and it will last several lifetimes.....

Washburn:
I have the same model in .270 Win, bought new in 1968. This rifle is perhaps the most accurate big game rifle I've ever owned. The fit and finish on it is really something. Expert workmanship. You have yourself one fine rifle.

Tom

Thanks for the info guys. I haven't actually seen the gun yet, just a description from the current owner.

Washburn - have a L61R in .30/06 sn 511XXX with 24 inch blued chrome moly barrel marked "Garcia Sporting Goods", purchased new circa 1975. Very accurate with great manufacturing quality i.e. steel work and machining. Only problem after all these years was the original stock finish became gummy and sticky. Had it re-finished with no problems since then. Over the years I've noticed the bluing on the receiver and factory scope rings has taken on a "plum" colored hue to it.
My "Vixen HB" (L461 sn 152XXX).223 Rem, purchased at the same time, went thru the same sticky gummy stock problem as the 06 and also exhibits the "plum" coloring. A gunsmith friend said it was caused by the steel's nickel content. Hope this has helped you some. Regards, Homesteader.

Homesteader - Thanks for the information. I'm going to go look at it tomorrow and I now I have a few things to look for.

That sticky gummy stock was a Sako factory defect, a Sako sticky stock. Something in the stock finish that did not dry and remained sticky. I have one, appears to be unfired, just like yours was...sticky to the touch.

g

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that the Sako's are the best push-feeds on the market,from my personal experience....

I went and looked at it today. Stock was not sticky and the bluing was actually pretty decent. The gun was a bit heavier than I expected. The mounts on the top had been milled to accept a scope, but other than that decent for its age.

With all that said, I passed on it.

Thanks for all the info though folks.

Wahburn - the two SAKO's I have still show excellent blueing (despite South Florida humidity) after all these years and the "plum" coloring I mentioned should not be considered a defect. It's only noticeable when side-lighted. Curious about top being milled for a scope. Mine has tapered dove-tails on a finely checkered receiver top. When I purchased the rifle only SAKO factory scope mounts fit properly but expensive in 1975 dollars. Sorry to read you passed it over. Homesteader.

I have 2 pre-Garcia Finnbears. One in 30-06 and one in .270. I was lucky enough to purchase both with original Sako rings. They are a tad heavy but they sure do shoot well. You can find them for around $700-900 if you look around.

Husqvarna makes a great rifle too

Homesteader - I didn't pass on it because it wasn't a nice gun, but because I thought it would end up being a safe queen. Aside from the modification for the particular scope mount that he used, the gun was pretty nice. Besides, I was ruined when he showed me his unfired Sauer 200 Lux. I didn't have enough in my pocket to get that one

Washburn - really nice neighborhood there. Going from a SAKO to an unfired Sauer Lux. For that one I might be tempted to hijack a Brinks "mobile piggybank" for the required pocket change. Homesteader.

Push-feed? Can't say for the newer Sako's, but my L61R is most certainly a controlled round feed action. rifle; are the newer Sako's push feed?

Tom

I thought all Sako's were push feeds. No?

I wouldn't have bought a Sako with the dovetail receiver ruined.

Push feed, Sakos are controlled only because they are so well made, but not in the true sense of the term "controlled round feed"