Just bought a very nice Sako AV in 7mm Rem magnum. I’m planning on mounting a leupold vx5 3-15x44. What mounting system is the best for these rifles? Can I get away with just using leupold rings that mount to the integral base? What would you suggest?

I think, but don't know for sure, that the Leupold rings work the same way SAKO rings would work... so yes.

Very elegant mount system, to my mind.

-Chris

The Leupold rings for the Sako are an excellent choice.
Bob

Leupolds work but are not as robust as Optilock one piece ringmounts..

Very Nice AV. Fiberclass I assume ? . On a heavy recoiling cartridge I would rather have the optilock pin in the rear recess holding everything together.

That’s not mine. I don’t have it in my hands yet, but here’s a couple of pics from gunbroker. I know this one comes with rings, but I don’t believe they’re 30mm.
[img]https://imgur.com/gallery/nyENrwX[/img]

I think I don't know what I'm talking about. Those Leupold rings don't look like mine. In addition to the dovetail clamp, mine each have "aft" extensions that drop a "recoil stop" (?) behind the forward and aft bridge flats.



The rear ring is on top, and that extension places a downward-facing stud behind the rear receiver ring. The front ring is on the bottom, but it's facing the wrong direction in this pic so the smaller extension on that one -- which overhangs a downward-facing "lip" (?) behind the front receiver ring -- isn't actually visible.

-Chris

Optilock, Leupold and Talley's have all worked for me. I have one AV that wears a 30mm scope and it is in Talley mounts. I would give them a call and order a set of Lows.

I've tried them all. I have 3 Sako rifles all with Talley mounts.

I've got a Sako 30-06, I think its an AIII an use Leupold Ringmounts. It seems sturdy and shoots great. I'd like to top it with a Nightforce SHV 3-10, but the tube seems too short. Does this call for a rail mount or is there another way? Is anybody doing this? Thanks.

Get Near Sako Bases and add your choice of 30mm rings. If you are determined to go with tactical style rings or streamline HD rings that is the most elegant solution.

Ranger444, are you sure those rings are not Millet instead of Leupold? RJ

Yep, could well be... although I obviously didn't know that on my first post.

-Chris

They are indeed Millet rings. I have a set on a SAKO 358 Norma Mag.

A bit complicated and finicky to install, but rock solid once on there.

Ted

I would avoid any ring base combo that uses the large windage screw at the rear base. These are normally Redfield, Leupold, or Burris. these screws can be easily over tighten crack and you might not even know it cause the recess in the rear base for the head of these screws retain them and you won't know their cracked into until you fire the weapon and it shoots poorly. I don't trust "ring mounts" on any heavy recoiling rifle and I've herd the screws holding Sako Optic Lock ring upper and lower half's are undersized and not heat treated very well and can only be torqued at no more the 15 inch pounds and even at that you risk snapping them. I would go with Conetrol I just used these on my new Sako 85 Stainless Varmint Laminate in 243 Win. I've installed around 8 sets of these now each time gets a little easier. The Control are expensive and a bitch to install but they look great and the scope is welded to the rifle. Another good option for Sako are the Tally ring and bases for Sako. These are very rugged and reliable. Photo of the last install on my new Sako below.

I'll 2nd the Conetrols as well..........used them on several Sako's, great mounts, just a little tricky to intall until you've done a few.

MM

Conetrols, Talleys and Optiloks all work.

Sako rings as well.

Sako base mounts need applied with a brass punch and mallet.

Done so, no mount that accomodates that install procedure has any issue.

Ive got Sako rifles from 17 to 375 caliber without issue of scope security.

Bob/Steve, are the attachment bases on the Leupold and Talley rings angles to match the SAKO angles? IOW, are they directional? Maybe even designated one for front, one for rear? Or...?

-Chris

Leupold Ringmounts are easy to install and work fine. I have them on a 300 mag and a 338 - no issues. They are different widths so it's easy to see which ring goes on the front and rear dovetail. The Talleys and Optiloks I've tried are too high even with extra low rings for a 40mm objective lens. Mediums would probably be perfect for a 44mm.

The Optilock ringmounts are lower in height than the extra low Optilock base and ring combo. Optilock ringmounts can also tighten anywhere along the rail unlike Leupold ringmounts which will only catch toward the widest end of each front and rear section of milled in dovetail on the receiver. This sometimes helps with short tube scopes even if removing the rear mount's recoil pin becomes necessary.

Thanks. Are the Leupold and Talley bases angled too, to match the angles of the SAKO angled dovetail?




I don't see Optilock ringmounts (alone) in the 2019 SAKO catalog or website, only the combination of "Optilock bases and adjustment rings." Got a link?

-Chris

Chris, Yes, they're angled. And they do have some fore and aft adjustment. Here's a pic of my Model 75 with medium ringmounts. I like my scope as low as possible. The Talley bases with X Low rings were a 1/4" higher.

Thanks!

The Talley "extra low" rings were 1/4" higher than the Weaver "medium" rings? Geez....

-Chris