Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which Sakos are the most sought after? And why?

I'm no expert on Sako rifles, obviously, so I would appreciate some feedback from you guys who are in the know.

Of course, a lot of this is subjective so one man's junk is another's treasure. With that said, which of the Sako models are the most highly prized by rifle enthusiasts? Not necessarily collectors, but guys who hunt with their rifles and care about quality.

I read about "Bofors steel" and "pre-Garcia". Just going off memory, it seems that Garcia began importing the rifles to the States around the early 70s. Some claim that quality fell off for a while after the transition. I haven't a clue if this is true or not.

And when did the recoil lug cease being an actual part of the receiver? Was that all the models after the L61R? And more importantly, does that really matter?

To this day, many rave about the quality of Sako rifles. There are a few, however, who insist that the older models, if in good condition, are the way to go. What do you guys think?

No experience with the newer ones but I've had a few L and A series (mostly long actions, one medium) and they were all nice. Main gripe I have is the long actioned rifles I had were heavier than I like for standard calibers.

Shrapnel's Sakos.

No explanation necessary.

To me the new ones seem just as good as the older ones, but I would be interested in the answer as well, since I'm not aware of the differences even though I own a couple. As far as the most sought after, other than the bolt guns, the finnwolf lever action sako I would think. Unfortunately I let one pass me by several years ago because I didn't know it's desireability or rarity.

I'm sure there are sako aficionados on the 'fire who may know the details. You may want to check out these guys, who have been hugely helpful to me in the past.

http://www.sakocollectors.com/

I personally like the short action L461 Vixen in .222 caliber. Snagged this beauty not too many months ago and it is a tack driver.Heavy barrel and beaver tail forend.

I forgot about this thread, which may help with some of your questions

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8311733/1

Not a fan at all but do believe that the Safari they made years ago was about the nicest factory 375 H&H made.

I have two of the older Sako L579's, one rifle in .243 and one carbine that was a .243 but has been rebored to .358.

I like them a lot for their size, smoothness of operation and balance.

I've only been able to shoot a few of the smaller Vixen rifles, but came away feeling that they are the pinnacle of small bolt action rifles. They're scale is perfect in my eyes.

The standard length action is no doubt great, but I find it to be heavy and bulkier than I prefer - I've only shot a couple (.270 & .338) but that was my feeling at the time.

The current wood stocked offerings today need to go on a diet. IMHO...

My advice is to buy everyone you can afford. It is the finest production rifle made no matter what model.

The recoil lug changed with the 85's.

For a pure hunting rifle nothing beats a 85. They are lighter and mine are slightly more accurate than my 75's. I do prefer the 75 stock though.

All the A series guns I own are also extremely accurate but they are in varmint calibers.

Dink

Are you sure about the recoil lug? It seems that I remember seeing a a drawing of a model previous to the 75 which had a pass through bolt that attached the recoil lug to the receiver. L691?

The old Mauser action rifles are the only ones that interest me.

Landrum,
You are correct.

What do you mean by A series? certainly the AV's and AIII's were offered in standard long calibers. I've seen plenty of 7mm and 270's in both.


If I were looking for one, I would go with a pre Garcia L579 in 308, especially since I have one in 243

The older pre Garcia's, most any with an L starting the action designator. Deluxe ups the price. Finnwolf's out of the park in price for me.

If I were looking for one, I would go with a pre Garcia L579 in 308, especially since I have one in 243

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Yeppers! That's just about perfect right there!

Mine are beater huntin rigs and would be embarrassed to be seen with yours!

They weren't Mauser actions. It was a dummy bolt guide and not a true control action feed.

As for the 75's I reviewed one when they were introduced and it had the non integral recoil lug. I hated the design and thought it moronic and certainly "not" and improvement but the test rifle was bought by a mate of mine, so I bedded it and played around with some loads and it was typical Sako...spectacularly good reliable accuracy for a factory rifle.

That 7mm Remmy went to Africa soon after and took a bunch of animals and became a prized rifle by its owner.

I was referring to the recoil lug is no longer attached to the action.

Dink

R_H_Clark,

Certainly the A series gun were chambered in long action calibers. All my personal A series guns are in varmint calibers. I have never owned one in a large caliber to verify that they shoot well (though I would bet money they do.

Dink