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.

Lot's of pro's and cons for both but you can't leave a Floorplate back at the truck and it can't drop out while your walking around in some rough stuff.

Their site sucks, so does their advertising. But I like their rings.

I have never owned a Sako, but those M75s look nice!

How do those Conetrol rings compare to the Sako Optilock? Do they slide in and stop like the Opti's? The plastic insert in the Sako looks like a good idea.

No height specs for Conetrol either...

Can someone please explain to me the difference between the model AII, AIII, AV, and 75 please? Thanks
Jordan

Shroud change, body style, A-models had two locking lugs...75s have three, etc.

The Conetrols do not have a limiter pin like the Optilocks. They fit very tightly onto the dovetails, however, by way of friction (it's a tapered dovetail, so it's only going to go so far) and a small set screw on top of each base. The set screw really doesn't do much at all, the mechanical friction between a taper that's getting smaller (the base) against a taper that's getting larger (the receiver) is what does the trick.

The Optilocks are very nice also. I use those on my Stainless Sako (see below). I've never had a problem with either brand. The thing I like about the Conetrols is the looks and the height, medium Conetrols being lower than low Optilocks. The thing I like about the Optilocks is the insert, which eliminates alignment problems and scope marks. What I don't like about the Optilocks are the rings screws, which are too delicate (soft) IMHO.

Men,
I looked at a Sako today and am wondering what I saw. It had LV etc. just before what I think was the serial number. I was told it was the deluxe model, nice dark wood with forend tip, blued barrel in 30-06. Looked like an older gun (was certainly used)as it was priced at %1069.00. So, was it most likely a Model 75 Deluxe or does the LV mean something different? I certainly appreciate all the responses and pics. Thanks........

Update - The Sako I looked at has the following serial number - L61R508XXX. I was told just now (via phone) it is a Finnbear and the barrel is 24". Nice wood stock with rosewood (or something) forend tip). The condition is said to be 90-95 % and they are asking $1069.00. So tell me men:

1. When was this rifle manufactured. I looked on the Baretta web site but couldn't find anything?
2. Does the serial number indicate it is in fact a Finnbear?
3. Is the asking price a little or a lot high?
I appreciate your responses..Thanks

1. Don't know when it was made.
2. Yes. The grip cap will have a bear's head in it on the deluxe. Does it look like the rifle I posted above?
3. Price is about right for 95%. I have seen them run as high as $1500 for mint to NIB.

Based on the 6 digit serial number, it is a Garcia era deluxe made between 1972 and 1978. It could have either the open (older) style bolt shroud or the newer closed style. It is a Finnbear, as are all of the long actions Sako made (L61R, AIII, AV, and L691) up until the 75 series. Price is fair - most good condition deluxes of that era are in the $900-1200 range.

I'm a big fan of walnut and stainless - here are a couple of pix of my stainless 75 in a deluxe stock.

Okay someone asked a little while back difference between models:

L49R is the Sako Vixen - short action for .222's
L57R is the Sako Forrester - medium action for .243, .308 so on
L61R is the Sako Finnbear - Long action for .25/06, .270, .30/06

All the same rifle and actions , just long, shorts action lengths...

Untill 1979, when they decided to make five action lengths instead of three and number them A11, A111 A1v AV and AV Magnum...

The A11 were still Sako Vixen's, A111 were Forresters and so on, its just a numbering for the action lengths much the same as Sako do with the Sako 75...The rifles were the same action and models, with some very minor differences with the older Sako's...

...in 1992 I think they started up the L691 591 models which were not received that favourably and in 1997 they completely redesigned the action and called it the Sako 75.
The Sako 75 action bears no relationship to the "classic" Sako's of the previous decades.

(As for "Garcia" rifles and "Stoeger" rifles, it doesnt matter if its pre Garcia post whoever or whatever they were just the distributers in the States.)

A few morer questions for those in the know:

1. Can one expect a 70s or 80 Sako (still in 30-06' with premium ammo) to also shoot an inch or better at 100 yards, or is this a somewhat recent selling point?

2. I have found the Model 75s in SS (NIB) from $1039.00 to $1299.00. Why the price difference other than the shops want to make even more money on the sale?

3. A new Model 85 (wood/blue) in a local shop is going for $1449.00. 200 smacks more than the 75 SS. Is the price difference primarily for the wood or are there differences in the actions that warrant the higher price?

I appreciate all the posts here as I am about to drop some serious coins on one of these and want to make an educated decision.
Thanks.........

Finnlight......

The new Sako 85's have a bit different action to the 75's..a semi controlled feeding feature....also a new 'look'.

The 70'- 80's rifles will shoot MOA and are justifyably famous for their accuracy, as are the others. With modern rifles its a berreta 'selling point' but previously its why Sako is known in the first place, for thier accuracy.

Any of these rifles will shoot better than you need them to, will function flawlessly and are better made than most factory rifles...buy the one you like...personally I like the older models, but then most of my rifles are 'older'...I guess if I had the money i would buy a Sako 85, but theres nothing wrong with the older Finnbears and if you can get one with a excellent condition barrel, then you have saved some money and got yourself some Finnish elegance...be aware, the older Sako's are heavy rifles...all Sako's are generally. Even the 75 Finnlight is a heavy rifle for a "light' model....

I've decided on a M75 stainless/synthetic in 30-06. Anyone have one they would like to comment about. Accuracy - bullets/loads it prefers, fit and functionality of the synthetic stock, and any other comments would be appreciated.

Lastly - the dealer in your are who seems to have these at a very good price?

Thanks for looking......

Finnlight.....

Had one in .308 Win. Very nice rifle! Enjoy, you got a top-shelf firearm there!

Don't miss the boat, you'll thank me later......

Need some advise. I am considering the purchess of a Sako AV mannlicher in 7mm magnum that is NIB. It has some outstanding color and grain to the wood and the gun has the palm swell and barrel band sling swivel. I have always liked full stocked rifles and have a Styer and Ruger international. I ahve always thought that Sako made a heck of gun and this is really pretty. THe most information that I can come up with is that this gun was most likly made in the 1978 -1980 period. Can anyone give me any more information on this rifle. I has a 19.5 inch barrel and has the box. Some one told me it is the Anniversery model but I have no idea. THe anniversary model lists in the gun values blue book as 7mm magnum only and has a value price of $2700. I would like to know what a fair price opinion for this rifle might be. As I said, it is NIB and a pretty mannlicher style AV with a box. THanks to all you Sako fans.

Welcome to the Campfire texasjames,The Anniversary model isn't a mannlicher,it is a 7mm Mag with a very ornate wood stock with an engraved leaf pattern.I can't give you an exact worth for the rifle your intrested in but is is worth substantially less than $2700.00

hotsoup, one of my 3 sakos is a 30'06 ss/syn, although I put it in a mcmillan edge. It shoots 180 partitions and tsx both under an inch consistantly so I stopped looking. Sakos are IMO the best production gun made.Mine are all model 75's and I like that model the best so far.

My suggestion is a new Sako model 75 in the Hunter model for a blued barrel or Hunter Stainless model if you can find one. Sweet rifles. I personally prefer the GRey Synthetic models or the Greywolf.

The model 85 stock I do not care for. I have a few model 75 rifles- SS 300WM / 243 / missed out on a gently used SM action 270WSM. Plus I want a m75 Greywolf in 30-06 and rechamber it to a 338-06. I already have a Leupold VX3 gunmental grey scope for it. I seen a few pics of a Sako m75 rifle custom import from Finland in 300WM for sale - sweet looking . Stainless with custom wood and a Zeiss scope.

Here are my Sako rifles
300WM with custom fluting and teflon coated.


My 243 - not working


SAKO ALL THE WAY!!!!!

They are rather 'pimpish'.

Everybody has their opinions on which Sako rifle is best. Mine is the AV is tough to beat. I've owned a couple of Finnbears, and they are nice, just don't trip my trigger like the 2 AVs I still have do.

Here is my 300 winnie in a McMillan classic that I painted myself. It'll put 180gr Partitions into 3/4" groups pretty easily.





The .270 I have shoots just as well.

Last week I was at this Cabela's:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/community/aboutus/retail-detail.jsp?detailedInformationURL=/cabelas/en/content/community/aboutus/retail/retail_stores/richfield/richfield.html&cm_re=retail*left*richfield


It's the one in Richfield, Wisconson. They had a late production M-75 Stainless in 30-06 with a clearance tag on it. It was somewhere between $800-900. If I didn't already have 2 30 cal M-75's I'd have grabbed it at such a low price. It's a late production M-75 because it has the green stock trim on it - very nice looking.
I'd call them and see if they still have it and make arrangements to have it shipped to an FFL nearer too you unless you can somehow find one cheaper..........................DJ