I stopped at a little pawn shop on the way home today, and this little sweetheart caught my eye from inside a glass cabinet. Was marked 'Ithaca Rifle, .308, never fired'. Hmmmm, thought I.

I'm no expert on Tikka or Sako rifles but I knew what this really was. The rifle is in excellent condition, and other than some small flecks on the bolt handle, I can't find any blemishes or issues. Detachable box magazine, open sights, 22" barrel marked Bofors Barrel Steel), slick action and nice trigger.

Needless to say it came home with me. So, what exactly do I have? Any idea on current value? I'm guessing it was made in the 70's but is there a way to find out? Any other suggestions?

It was made in Finland by Tikkakoski, no relation to Sako. It is a great rifle and should be a good shooter. Don't lose that magazine, you will never find another one.

They are a meat and potatoes gun that has nothing fancy about them. I always thought they could have done more to the stock by shortening the forearm and cutting the checkering after they finished the stock. It has a good trigger and should really be a top notch shooter.

I would guess it's value somewhere around $450.00-$550.00, a little more in the deluxe configuration...

Shrap pretty much nailed it. Of the three models that they shipped here for Ithaca (Standard, Deluxe and heavy barrel)the standard was the only model with iron sights.

Thanks, gents, I appreciate the info. Iron sights were a plus in my book, as I already have .308s with scopes. I'm looking forward to shooting it when time allows.

My little brother bought an LSA 55 c. '79 and killed a literal truckload of deer w it until selling it to a cousin in Chattanooga who's killed several dozen WTs w it in the last 3 decades. He will not sell it to me.

On an epic morn in '83, my brother slew three running bucks in about 15 seconds flat in a cove bear Eagleville, TN w 165 Sierra handloads. The Command Post scope is still a 100 percent death ray in Southern TN & North AL!

Nice snag. Looks to be in excellent condition. Way nicer and more interesting than most of the crap being produced today.

They were a nice rifle, made from about 1967 through to the eighties, prior to Tikkakoski being absorbed by Sako. Forged steel receiver, lapped and free-floated barrel and an adjustable trigger were features, and they did have an excellent reputation for accuracy.

FWIW Australian and British SAS used the heavy-barrel Sporter, in .22/250, as an urban/counter terrorism sniper rifle in about the late 70s- 80s.

only thing I see wrong it's that its a .308

Agreed, Pappy. Especially when you consider I paid $400 for it. I realize that's not an 'everyday' deal but you don't find them if you don't look. I nearly didn't stop at that little shop and actually turned around after passing by and changing my mind.

I don't even care for a 308, but I would have bought that gun for $400.00 in a heartbeat. You won't find the quality you got there for that kind of money in anything made toady...

Bet those made for spectacular meat pops and visuals on bad guys!