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I ran across this early '60's finnbear in 7mag and couldn't resist, so I bought it. It has a vintage B&L Balvar 2.5-8x "not sure". Anybody know much about this mount and scope setup? I don't have it in possession yet, but it's heading my way. I can't imagine keeping it like that, so I'll ask you guys to get me rigged up with optics, rings, and mounts. Help me spend some more money! 
Last edited by JGRaider; 08/30/11.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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I'll always contend that the L61 is the best action ever produced.
Nice rifle you have there.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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JG:
Nice rifle! That old external adjustable B&L was actually held in pretty high regard by some in its' day....the adjustments are in the mount,so some folks used to have the mounts on more than one rifle, just switch the scope around.
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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I'll always contend that the L61 is the best action ever produced.
+1 it has no peers.
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While you are at it, pull the stock off and see if the wood is sealed inside. I am betting it isn't, and now is the time to do so. Look for some vintage Sako mounts, medium or highs. The correct ones will have a very high polish, like the floor plate and receiver on that rifle. Does it have attached sling swivels? If so prolly "Bofors Steel" stamped on the barrel. I can't see the pistol grip, but if it is a 60's gun with Bofors Steel and sling swivels, it will have a black plastic pistol grip cap. Thinking mid to late 60's as opposed to early 60's if all mentioned. Is the recoil pad in good shape? They usually dry rot, and are often crushed by leaving the rifle standing. I would store the rifle muzzle down to avoid this.
Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is.
dogzapper
After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb
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I have the same model Sako in .270 Win with an older Redfield Tracker 3X9 on it.That Sako is without doubt, the most accurate big game rifle I own. Nice find JGR.
That old Tracker is from 1978. Crystal clear and tracks just fine.
Last edited by rifletom; 08/31/11.
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"if it is a 60's gun with Bofors Steel and sling swivels, it will have a black plastic pistol grip cap."
I have a Sako Finnbear .270 that I purchased new in 1969 (my first rifle) with the fixed sling swivels and Borfors Steel barrel that doesn't have a plastic grip cap. Just used it in Africa to take a nice Impala and Springbuck.
Look for some real Sako mounts on Ebay, Gunbroker etc. to go with that rifle. Whatever you do, don't drill and tap that beautiful receiver. I saw one at a gun show recently that someone had drilled and tapped so they could use Weaver style bases. YUK.
Last edited by Labman95; 08/31/11.
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Labman95, you are correct in regards to my Sako; it indeed has a plastic pistol grip cap.It was bought new in 1967-'68.
Sakoluvr, you too are correct about the recoil pad. The fella I got it from had it standing on the pad for a WHILE! Its a bit crushed, not too bad.
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Campfire Tracker
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Nice congratulations on the find.
"If dogs don't go to heaven, when I die I want to go wherever they went." -Will Rogers
"If you have a lot of self control you don't need a lot of government control" - Thomas Sowell
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While you are at it, pull the stock off and see if the wood is sealed inside. I am betting it isn't, and now is the time to do so. Look for some vintage Sako mounts, medium or highs. The correct ones will have a very high polish, like the floor plate and receiver on that rifle. Does it have attached sling swivels? If so prolly "Bofors Steel" stamped on the barrel. I can't see the pistol grip, but if it is a 60's gun with Bofors Steel and sling swivels, it will have a black plastic pistol grip cap. Thinking mid to late 60's as opposed to early 60's if all mentioned. Is the recoil pad in good shape? They usually dry rot, and are often crushed by leaving the rifle standing. I would store the rifle muzzle down to avoid this. Good idea to check to see if stock is sealed. I'll do just that. Yes, it has attached sling swivels, bofors steel is stamped on the barrel, and yes it has a plastic pistol grip cap. Recoil pad is original and I can't see any cracks, but I'll inspect it closer when I get it. It is not crushed like some I've seen. Serial # is 13xxx. I also like the old Sako original ring idea. Here are a couple more pics.... 
Last edited by JGRaider; 08/31/11.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Yep. Nice sporter. Front sight hood too. Sweet set up. Guessing it will have a loooong throat, but you will find a sweet load. Try TSX's. I have had them make a good jump and be very accurate. You will know right away if the pad is dry even without cracks. Glad to see it is not crushed. Store muzzle down in the safe. Guessing it was made around 1967.
Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is.
dogzapper
After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb
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I have the same model Sako in .270 Win with an older Redfield Tracker 3X9 on it.That Sako is without doubt, the most accurate big game rifle I own. Nice find JGR.
That old Tracker is from 1978. Crystal clear and tracks just fine. Anybody know anything about the scope mount/base itself? Kasperky/Kubarsky or something like that? I'm sure that's not exactly it but if memory serves me correctly it is close to something like that.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Not sure who made the mount. They were popular back when. The scope is Bausch and Lomb made and was top drawer at the time. Depending on your intended use you might want to try using it as it is. The 7 mag Sako is not a lightweight. Should be really accurate and make a heck of a stand/bean field gun. It will improve your muscle tone to carry it very far. The pad appears to be "set" on the upper 1/3 from sitting somewhere for a long time. NICE. I sure would like to run across one (at a decent price) in .223 about that vintage. jack
"Do not blame Caesar, blame the people...who have...rejoiced in their loss of freedom....Blame the people who hail him when he speaks of the 'new, wonderful, good, society'...to mean ,..living fatly at the expense of the industrious." Cicero
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As JT suggested, leave the scope on the rifle. Thats a B&L base/ring set-up very similar to the Kuharsky & you'll find the scope is very high quality, even by todays standards.
A beautiful vintage rifle & scope combination to be very proud of for sure.
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I owned a scope set up like that back in the early 70s. The scope rings are spring loaded some way, so all you have to do is pull back on the scope and lift out. The only thing I disliked about the scope was that as you turned the power ring to a higher power, the crosshairs would not stay centered, would move off to one side; not change impact of bullet on target, just move to the side. Nice looking Sako
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