Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Info on a Sako L61R

Bedding? Pressure points? Any Sako info info would be great. Any tips would be great.

It's a long version of the L579, for longer cartridges. Treat it the same

Lots of good info here:

http://www.sakocollectors.com/forum/forum.php

I'm still waiting for the Sako collectors club to approve my account do I can get some info there.

Ackman, I have no experience with any Sako's much less a rifle with a cross bolt recoil lug. So I'm clueless with any of Sako's actions.

The couple that I have owned needed nothing other a scope and ammo. The inletting on mine were perfect.

It just may be the best production rifle ever made, if the weight is not a concern. They aren't heavy for their era, but the trend today is toward lighter rifles, which isn't always a good thing. I've owned 2 Sako 75's and an L579. All would shoot better than MOA out of the box with factory ammo.

Take it out and shoot it. If it does that well, leave it. If it shoots all over hell, give it a pillar bed, and float the barrel. If that doesn't work, then start shimming the front end for pressure point. If that doesn't work, then you'll have a rifle worth a ton of money, as it would be the only Sako ever made that didn't shoot.

R.

Similar to Mauser 98 in that front action screw goes into the vertical part of the recoil lug. Some say not to have the bottom of the lug contacting the action. I did not do that but shoots fine.

Some photos from the mid length Sako AII/L579 - in .308 win

[URL=http://s4.photobucket.com/user/johnt34/media/Sako%20A%20II%20Bedding/DSCF3337.jpg.html]Front bedding[/url]

[URL=http://s4.photobucket.com/user/johnt34/media/Sako%20A%20II%20Bedding/DSCF3331.jpg.html]Rear Bedding[/url]

Great rifles - not many Sakos are non shooters.

regards
JohnT

True, but I had one, a M75 that wasn't.

Jim

Sorry Jim, I was referring to the older L series & the A series. Have never owned a Sako 75 but do have a 85 in 9.3 x 66 - it is scary accurate and functions perfectly in every way (although I have heard about the issue of ejecting shells hitting the scope & falling back in but not on mine). But still like the older Sakos as I firmly believe the new ones good as they are were made/designed to cut manufacturing costs. Progress I suppose?

John T

I have to admit I acquired another one, a M85 Finnlite in 30-06 and it is very accurate. Occasionally it will drop a case back into the receiver instead of kicking it clear. It doesn't bother me too much since I don't do much serious hunting with it. Have never found a 30-06 to be a lucky cartridge for me no matter what gun it is chambered in. Have never taken an animal with a 30-06. Still I enjoy shooting it due to its accuracy.

Hate to say it, but too soon old and too late flush enough to keep guns just to play with.

Jim

With several Sakos, I've found that having the recoil lug bedded & the barrel floated works consistently best.

MM

Know the feeling Jim, am in the same boat. Still better to have played than not at all!

All the best,
John

I have 11 sako rifles 5 of which are l61rs a production rifle will never be built better. you cant improve perfection. as for barrel pressure. none. I have herd of putting pressure point but all mine responded to freefloat. havnt had to bed one yet. all were good shooters out of the box and got better with a little work to the forend. let the rifle tell you what it needs.. most rifles will shoot better with recoil lug bedding but mine will all shoot under 1/2. and that is plenty good enough for a hunting rifle.

wow it couldent be any different for me. I have missed my share of deer. but when I cary my l61r 30-06 schit dies. that rifle has never missed a deer....ever..and never take a step..that rifle has some magic vodo

the shell falling back in the mag is a product of the 3 locking lug design.. they had to index the extractor further up and it causes the case to hit the scope. I have herd of this a lot. 1 guy called sako about it and there response was that this is the first they have herd of it.. hog wash. ill keep my old sakos thank you