Pre Garcia 30/06. Made the stock myself from a stump cut of a walnut. A man that was like a second dad to me gave me the board when he was dying of cancer. He had planted the walnut on his family farm when he was a young man in hopes of getting him a gunstock out of it later on in life. It took me a year to work the stock up. I did it all from the ground up, excepting the checkering, which I didn't have the patience to do. She shoots under an inch and has taken a number of nice deer for me. Thanks Sammy...hope I did you proud!
Pre Garcia straight from Finland. Our neighbor was stationed in the military in Finland and bought this, shipped it home and never pulled the trigger. Dad was at the family farm when the neighbors decided to sell it. My mom had to make the decision on her own: buy or let it go? She called me and asked if it was worth the $600 they were asking for the unfired, hang tags still intact, 30/06 Sako Deluxe! I told her to snatch it up and I'd reimburse her for it the next time I was in town. About a month later me, wife, kids came home and I picked it up dumbfounded. As I wrote her a check she asked for a kiss on the cheek. As soon as I did, she said "Paid in full". I never fired the safe queen, only replacing the collapsed recoil pad we see all the time on vintage Sakos. She died in September of 2007 and it was at that point I decided to smack a deer in her honor...but it had to be a good one. This was the first deer that appeared on the first morning I ever took that rifle out. I think I did OK don't you?
I love my Sakos....
You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.
You all have likely seen it before but I's still in love with it.
L579 Deluxe Forester from 1969 in 243. Brought back from Germany. No import marks. Rear tangent sight. I was told it was never fired before I bought it. It's a tack driver.
I prefer pre-Garcia, but do have a few later guns, but nothing from the past 15 years or so, they aren't the same. A couple Bofors Deluxes in 264 mag and 222 Remington mag...
This isn't fancy and I don't know much about Sako's but this one is special to me. My dad passed away the end of last year, this was his rifle. He bought it new I think in 1971 or 1972, its a .308 Forester with plenty of "character" on the stock. I doubt its has 250 rounds put through it, but its been carried a lot of miles. I'll probably replace the scope and take it hunting one day.
"Rather hunt Mule deer than anything else" "Team 7MM-08"
This isn't fancy and I don't know much about Sako's but this one is special to me. My dad passed away the end of last year, this was his rifle. He bought it new I think in 1971 or 1972, its a .308 Forester with plenty of "character" on the stock. I doubt its has 250 rounds put through it, but its been carried a lot of miles. I'll probably replace the scope and take it hunting one day.
I would change the scope to a nice but light weight model, bed it into an Edge and hunt the snot out of it. Nice rifle! I always wanted an 308 L579.
Some great rifles, and stories to go along with some of them. I love the earlier rifles, A series or earlier, and have a couple models/cartridges I would really like to get hold of. An earlier Forester in 308 or an A11 in 7-08 would be really nice to have, and hunt. I have had a few rifles (including an L61 in 7 rem mag, an A111 in 270, an AV in 270 and an earlier Forester in 243), but am without a Sako currently.
This isn't fancy and I don't know much about Sako's but this one is special to me. My dad passed away the end of last year, this was his rifle. He bought it new I think in 1971 or 1972, its a .308 Forester with plenty of "character" on the stock. I doubt its has 250 rounds put through it, but its been carried a lot of miles. I'll probably replace the scope and take it hunting one day.
I wouldn't change nuthin on that rifle, if it was good enough for dad, it would be good enough for me.
Pre Garcia 30/06. Made the stock myself from a stump cut of a walnut. A man that was like a second dad to me gave me the board when he was dying of cancer. He had planted the walnut on his family farm when he was a young man in hopes of getting him a gunstock out of it later on in life. It took me a year to work the stock up. I did it all from the ground up, excepting the checkering, which I didn't have the patience to do. She shoots under an inch and has taken a number of nice deer for me. Thanks Sammy...hope I did you proud!
Pre Garcia straight from Finland. Our neighbor was stationed in the military in Finland and bought this, shipped it home and never pulled the trigger. Dad was at the family farm when the neighbors decided to sell it. My mom had to make the decision on her own: buy or let it go? She called me and asked if it was worth the $600 they were asking for the unfired, hang tags still intact, 30/06 Sako Deluxe! I told her to snatch it up and I'd reimburse her for it the next time I was in town. About a month later me, wife, kids came home and I picked it up dumbfounded. As I wrote her a check she asked for a kiss on the cheek. As soon as I did, she said "Paid in full". I never fired the safe queen, only replacing the collapsed recoil pad we see all the time on vintage Sakos. She died in September of 2007 and it was at that point I decided to smack a deer in her honor...but it had to be a good one. This was the first deer that appeared on the first morning I ever took that rifle out. I think I did OK don't you?
I love my Sakos....
That #2 and 3 rifle sure would take a hold of someone and never let go. Great memories
Re stocked and re barreled 222, shoots far better than a lightweight has any business shooting:
Pretty decent and straight wood grain might be helping that:
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
Bench shooting at gophers and rockchucks rifle. Newish 3 groove Lilja barrel in 223. My only thumbhole stocked rifle. Sako L-461 action:
Bought it for the wood and action, barreled and scoped it as needed:
extra wide and flat forend rides nicely on sandbags:
Probably have to sell both of these Sako's, but I have sure enjoyed them these past 15 or so years.
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
Look for 50s guns made on commercial FN Mauser actions with medium profile barrels. Those were trim and light and came with quality iron sights including folding leaf rear marked 100m or 150m and 200m.
This isn't fancy and I don't know much about Sako's but this one is special to me. My dad passed away the end of last year, this was his rifle. He bought it new I think in 1971 or 1972, its a .308 Forester with plenty of "character" on the stock. I doubt its has 250 rounds put through it, but its been carried a lot of miles. I'll probably replace the scope and take it hunting one day.
I wouldn't change nuthin on that rifle, if it was good enough for dad, it would be good enough for me.
375 H&H, loaded with 80 grains of WW760 under a 270 grain hornady and a 215 federal primer has worked for timber hunts for elk in my sako carbine for decades my carbine could be a near clone of this picture, except my wood is significantly darker
Here's one of my Sako's; 1969/70 vintage L579 Forester chambered in .243. I acquired it from the U.S. servicewoman that was the original owner and brought it back from tour of duty in Europe where she hunted boar with it; so it carries no importer stamp. Optics are the original Pecar Berlin 2 3/4-7 scope in Sako 26mm rings. Almost sold the scope, but decided to keep the package together. The scope is VERY good for its age; better than my VARI-X III's.
GW, is the thumbhole stock on the top gun a factory stock? The reson I ask is that other than being laminate VS heavily striped light colored Walnut the stock shape and stylization of that stock look to be the same as my Sako L-461 223 rifle. I always thought that the stock on mine was a later addittion or replacement. My thoughts were based partly on the thumbhole design and partly due to the exceptional wood on mine. But, maybe it is/was a factory handle?
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
My latest manufactured Sako and one of my favorites; Model 75 Hunter Stainless in the boring but effective .270 Win. If I had to pick one to go hunting; it might be this one.
2 more I dug out.. Top is a 20 tac. Started life as a 222 mag. The rifle rode around in a boat in puget sound and was used for shooting seals. That was apparently try ok then. The stock was pretty nice but had som tiny rust pits throughout. Including inside the barrel. The action cleaned up fine but the bore was too far gone. So perfict candidate for a rebarrel.
Second is my second sako ever. l61r. In the ultra rare 30/06. This rifle has put lots of meat on the table..matter of fact it is the only rifle I have that has never missed. Not counting the ones I don't hunt with.. Funny thing is it is not paticulary accurate. About 1 1/2 at 100 yds. Pretty beat up but is my favorite...
I need to dig out my L579 Deluxe Forester in 22-250. All metal is 100%, best blueing on any gun I own. It was unfired until I ran a few rounds through it a few years ago. Only problem with it is the stock clearcoat has some spider cracks and hazing which I have read is a problem with older Sakos. Any ideas on how and/or who can fix this?
There is no fix for that. The lacquer on those guns had a tendency to do that, just as the recoil pads would crush on the butt. Small price to pay for an otherwise perfect rifle...
Good stuff. I do love my local stompin' grounds, but sometimes I wish we had big critters.
GWB
Bring one of the big guns with nice wood and I can find room for the elk invitational this weekend. It would be nice to see someone with good taste in guns..
Well, I�m about tapped, and with that, I�m callin� it a nite.
Shrap wasn't even through his first gun safe.
Travis
Difference between a man and a boy is the price quantity of his toys.
Evidently Shrap is Da Man!
I remain a professional small boy.
And, Shrapnel,
I appreciate the invite more than you know. However there be numerous commitments through much of the remainder of the year.
Plus, I've been trying to get a bead on this lil' hoglet..........
Set out for him about half a dozen times but evidently he's smarter than I am. But I'm persistent. Heading back after him Thursday.
and BTW,
Got to thinking, between the Sauers, Coopers, Merkels etc., I've neglected shooting some of my Sakos.
Took the old 7 Mag to the range this morning.
My go to load has been 140 gr. Accubonds. Decided to try some 160 gr. Sierra HPBT's, !75 gr. Sierra Spitzer and some 160 gr. Accubonds. Hadn't cleaned the barrel in quite a while so I did the JB Bore Paste/Kroil/Bore Brush thingy.
The Sierras didn't group as well as I wanted. Or it could have just been fouling the barrel.
But when I got to the accubonds......
First three at 100 yds.
Made some adjustments and this is where I left off.
1shot 1hole group @ 200 yds. (amazing how that works)
100 yds. w/200 yd. zero.
Now if the wind will keep blowing about 15 mph, S/SE, it should do fine for the pigs I chase.
Probably the best of the group for shooting offhand is this Riihimaki in 222 with a Zeiss Diavari 3-9X36. This gun is hard to beat in this trim size and weight
Acquired this L61R Deluxe, .270 last year, another military return w/ no importer mark and the Euro style sterling silver grip cap; a bit of extra bling and it shoots.
I believe this is a '68 223 bofors steel Vixen. Serial no. 767XX. My Dad bought this in the early '70s. First Rifle I used to deer hunt with. was used as payment for dairy debts in the later '70s. I bought it back and redid the stock and bedding. I need to get a front sight. any help with this would be appreciated.
Last edited by 1911a1; 11/11/14.
Figures don't lie, But Liars figure Assumption is the mother of mistakes
One that I kept: 1968 Bofors carbine in .308 with a Black Bear that my son shot the other day. My wife used it on her first buck and we have killed a bunch of deer and hogs with it. Great woods rifle.
I looked for one after I used to read John Wooters' articles in Petersens Hunting magazine. He posed with one a few times, and I had to get one. RIP John W.
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
I remember the John Wooters' pic's and stories from the '80s. with the 308 carbine. Seems like he was always mentioning a Win. 88 in 308 he had sold, even calling out the serial number in one article in hope of buying it back.
Fantastic thread by the way. Really enjoying the great pics of Sakos!
Last edited by 1911a1; 11/12/14.
Figures don't lie, But Liars figure Assumption is the mother of mistakes
Now that the big boys have had their glossy fun, let the killers have some quarter.
.221 Fireball, set back and rechambered from that bastard of a cartridge, the 222 magnum. That "magnum" is one sorry fit for that tiny little Sako action, and should be shunned by knowledgeable rifleman everywhere. The Fireball, is perfection in design and function, for a lightweight calling rifle. On the plus side of the ledger, with the faster powders, it doesn't singe hair on the close call-ins like the bigger-uns.
I call this one, "Properly Incentivized and Managed Range Dogs"
"One flew over the cuckoos nest, but it didn't save him"
Last edited by Fireball2; 11/12/14.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
The prize of my modest Sako collection is this 95% condition 1969 Pre-Garcia L61R Finnbear Deluxe in 300H&H w/ original peep. I stopped by a gun show on my way back from making a killer deal on a Weatherby MK V with a couple of 44mag handguns to try to trade for something. Came across this gun in a booth and continued to wander around and realized what I had seen. Went back and the guy with the gun was the past president of the now defunct Sako Collectors Association and it was his personal custom ordered gun with his initial in the sterling silver grip; same as mine. Had to have it.
There are 2 Sakos posted here I would like to add to my own collection. That 243 is really a nice example of that era of Sako Deluxes. The second is that 300.
I just ordered a Pre-Garcia Bofors, Mannlicher in 222 mag in 98% condition. It wasn't cheap but will almost round out a complete set of 222 mags.
For the sake of an offer, I do have a nice Pre-Garcia Bofors Deluxe in 264 Win Mag that I would trade for that 300 H&H. It is a nice gun with 2 Deluxe stocks...
The prize of my modest Sako collection is this 95% condition 1969 Pre-Garcia L61R Finnbear Deluxe in 300H&H w/ original peep. I stopped by a gun show on my way back from making a killer deal on a Weatherby MK V with a couple of 44mag handguns to try to trade for something. Came across this gun in a booth and continued to wander around and realized what I had seen. Went back and the guy with the gun was the past president of the now defunct Sako Collectors Association and it was his personal custom ordered gun with his initial in the sterling silver grip; same as mine. Had to have it.
Pre Garcia 30/06. Made the stock myself from a stump cut of a walnut. A man that was like a second dad to me gave me the board when he was dying of cancer. He had planted the walnut on his family farm when he was a young man in hopes of getting him a gunstock out of it later on in life. It took me a year to work the stock up. I did it all from the ground up, excepting the checkering, which I didn't have the patience to do. She shoots under an inch and has taken a number of nice deer for me. Thanks Sammy...hope I did you proud!
Pre Garcia straight from Finland. Our neighbor was stationed in the military in Finland and bought this, shipped it home and never pulled the trigger. Dad was at the family farm when the neighbors decided to sell it. My mom had to make the decision on her own: buy or let it go? She called me and asked if it was worth the $600 they were asking for the unfired, hang tags still intact, 30/06 Sako Deluxe! I told her to snatch it up and I'd reimburse her for it the next time I was in town. About a month later me, wife, kids came home and I picked it up dumbfounded. As I wrote her a check she asked for a kiss on the cheek. As soon as I did, she said "Paid in full". I never fired the safe queen, only replacing the collapsed recoil pad we see all the time on vintage Sakos. She died in September of 2007 and it was at that point I decided to smack a deer in her honor...but it had to be a good one. This was the first deer that appeared on the first morning I ever took that rifle out. I think I did OK don't you?
I love my Sakos....
That #2 and 3 rifle sure would take a hold of someone and never let go. Great memories
Thank you....they mean the world to me.
You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.
I prefer pre-Garcia, but do have a few later guns, but nothing from the past 15 years or so, they aren't the same. A couple Bofors Deluxes in 264 mag and 222 Remington mag...
Shrapel the sakos throughout this thread are breath taking. How does the .264 shoot?
Yes, that's a beauty. I bought the two L46's from an estate and the owner had an L46 Mannlicher I regret(somewhat,it was pricey) not having acquired. It had a beautiful satin finish stock, which I had never seen on one before.
I prefer pre-Garcia, but do have a few later guns, but nothing from the past 15 years or so, they aren't the same. A couple Bofors Deluxes in 264 mag and 222 Remington mag...
Shrapel the sakos throughout this thread are breath taking. How does the .264 shoot?
The 264 shoots O.K. I couldn't find bullets for it when I got it and ended up finding a bunch of 85 grain hollow points at a gun show and have only shot prairie dogs with it. It is a bit much for prairie dogs...
You are killin me. That could make me part with the colt....
I got a PM from a Campfire member telling me that there was another 222 mag on Gunbroker. I looked and it was one similar to what I already had, but scrolling down the guns, I saw this one and it didn't come cheap...
Shrapnal- I know it would be boring, but with 129 partions in the top one and 50-55 baltips in the bottom one; i could hunt everything. ( Doug Burris mule deer kilt with .264. 228 typical) Beautiful pair there.