Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Which Model Sako Do You Suggest?

I am seriously thinking about getting a new or "like new" Sako, but know very little about them other than their reputation for accuracy (and that they weigh a little more).

Does Sako make a 30-06, 24" barrel, Blued, walnut stock with a cheekpiece?

What model would this be?

And what model would have the same components EXCEPT with a synthetic stock?

Thanks for any responses...........

You would have to buy an a Sako AV to get a 24"barrel, earlier then AV models may have also been 24" . New 75's nd 85's are 22 5/8 in a 06.

AV's came with wood or fiberglass ..Fiberglass model was known as a "Fiberclass" Mcmillan stock. They came with a hinged floorplate

If you want to buy a Sako 75 or 85 with a hinged floorplate you pretty much have to buy a Deluxe grade. There were certain Ultra Mag models on the 75 V action that came with floorplates.

I would just as soon get a 75 or 85 and pay similiar money if it were my decision to make.

The slightly earlier AIII's were also 24" barrels, but these were made for only about 4 years before being replaced by the AV's. At least some of the early AV's were still 24", but later non-magnum calibers were 22". Fiberclass models that Oldelkhunter refers to are somewhat scarce and the stocks were straight-comb without the Monte Carlo cheekpiece. You could do the same thing by just getting a current McMillan stock which has the high comb, checkering, and a palm-swell. That palm-swell is worth its weight in gold - very easy to get spoiled on them.

Good luck!

Thanks Men!

I'd be looking for a Sako Finnbear myself.Great guns

A Model! Deluxe Finnbear! Take the cool stock off and put it in the safe. Get a McMillan to replace. The original stock is too pretty to get banged-up!

OCC
At the gun shop there is a Deluxe finnbear in 30-06.Might just have to put a deposit on it.I've got 3 finnbear rifle's and a magnum action waiting to be put to work...Must admitt to loving the Finnbear...

I want one of each: The Vixen, Forester, and Finnbear. All with the deluxe stock with the cool rosewood, figure-insert grip caps.

A models!!

As long as it says Sako you can't go wrong.

Personally I would get a NIB 75 while you can still get them at bargain prices.

The palm swell will definitely spoil ya!

Plus one!

I enjoyed the pictures. beautiful rifle!..............547.

Now, this begs the question,
I was under the impression that the A series rifles were still Vixen's Forresters and Finnbears, and that they just started numbering the action lengths A11 A111 AV Av magnum and so forth. The A series sako's still came in boxes marked "Forester" and "Finnbear" for example.
Can anyone shed any light on that?
What exactly is the difference between a L61R Finnbear and an AV action length Finnbear?
It seems that Sako still considered them to be the same model, but most people refer to the A series as if they were a different model...when I thought it was just an new action length designation...once they started making tailer made action lengths in 1979...

I have the L series it is a pre garcia .243 Forester, maybe the A series was after Garcia bought them? I hate this gun, ever since I bought it..it shoots everything I put through it and I don't have to screw around with it to make it shoot, it shoots multipe factory loads to the same point of impact, then on top of everything else everything I point it at gets a hole shot into it..the last time I had it out it really pissed me off, shooting from the side of a pine tree and busting clay pigeons at our 120 yard improvised range....just not any fun at all..nothing to work on damn it.

I feel your pain You do have to tighten the screws on the rings and bases and set the scope right..doesn't that count for work ?.

OCC
That rifle is awesome.Thanks for posting the pic.

I'm just curious back to oldelkhunter's post as to wy the desire for a hinged floor plate vs a detachable magazine?

When I was thinking larger caliber I was lusting after the Gery Wolf. I ended up with a Varmint laminated Stainless ST in 204 Ruger for a starter.

I know you mentioned 30-06, but it seemed to me that the WSM models were plentiful and coming down in price. I thought I saw them closing out around $1100-1200 some places.

I like hinged floorplate over magazine anyday and a steel floorplate to boot but the 75/85 probably has the finest system in existence. The 85 has an idiot proof latch which I like over the 75. IN any event you can load them top and bottom just like a floorplate..

OCC, that's a beautiful rifle, but I don't think those Millet rings do it justice. BTDT myself. A set of Conetrols on that rifle would look awesome IMHO.

I guess I'm the opposite in that I can't see why a guy would want to spill bullets into his hand or on the ground to unload? I'd rather drop out a magazine and slap it in when ready to go again. I guess to each his own.

The Conetrol rings and bases look pretty sweet, but they really need some artwork and specs on their site.