This is an A11 in .243 I recently acquired, in like new condition.

Fairly scarce L-469 heavy barrel in 222 Remington magnum....

Bofors Steel 338 I took an elk with a month ago:


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 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.

Very nice!

Sako Vixen .222 Rem.

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.

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.

Nicer than any of Shrapnel's..

I wouldn't change nuthin on that rifle, if it was good enough for dad, it would be good enough for me.

It is to laugh! What a maroon you are...

That would look good in a mcswirly..

Here's the only one I have left! An M591 in 243 (varmint)

A few in 222 Remington magnum, Bofors Deluxe, l-461 and a L-469...

That #2 and 3 rifle sure would take a hold of someone and never let go. Great memories

Boy Howdy. Some fine rifles gentlemen.

Here is another scarce heavy barell L-57 in 243...

Here is one in a 280.

Pre-hispanic. .222 Rem Mag.




Travis

You wanna' sell that old thang?

Pre-brownskin. Forester in .243.



First group. Shot @ 330yds. I know, I know... I'm FOS.




Travis

I can't quit you.




Travis

Where did you get that shooter?

Some guy walking around Bozeman curing lepers.





Travis

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:

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.

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.

A gaggle of heavy barrels; L469 in 222 Remington mag, L461 in 222 Remington mag, 6 mm PPC serial # 20, 220 Swift, L-57 243...

7 mag



I've not been able to find another in this config, regardless of caliber, .243 heavy barrel varmint:

Top is a '65 vintage 222Mag Vixen and the bottom is a '78 vintage 223Rem.

CR

^This

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

In the field, 222 Mag pre-Garcia, Bofors...

is that a mcwoody stock?

You guys are not helping! I've suppressed the urge to get another sako, or two, for a couple years, but am really struggling now!

Sako 85 Finnlight 300 WSM

Kills: Red Stag

Now THAT is a nice rifle.

75 Finnlight with fluted bolt/McMillan.........



And vanilla:

Vixen. Deuce Mag. Nuff said:

Old "Meat in the pot" deluxe 30-06...

How bad was the damage on that suburban?

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.

A few that have followed me home over the years...........




Thanks to a friend, I was able to snag these two recently.

top rifle: Sako L461, 222 Rem. Mag

bottom rifle: Sako AII, Mannlicher stock, 7mm-08






Riihimaki from circa 1955, 222 Rem.





Custom S-491, 223 AI





Sako 85 Bavarian Carbine, 308 Win.

Sako 75 LS Varmint, Set Trigger, 260 Rem.





Sako L61r, Varmint, 7mm Rem Mag.





Sako l-461 Vixen,Varmint, 222 Rem.

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/DSCN5978.jpg[/img]

Sako L-579, 257 Roberts



IMG]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/DSCN7538.jpg[/IMG]

Sako 75 Hunter, 9.3 x 62

JAPMF

GWB

H&R variant of L-461 in 17 Remington...

GW -
this one have a palm swell?

Sako l61r deluxe, 270 Win.




Sako 75 Hunter, 7mm WSM



Sako AII, 220 Swift



Sako AV, 375 H&H

JAPMF,


GWB

Gies340,

No, it does not.





JAPMF,

GWB

Finnbear 264 mag

JAPMF,

GWB

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?

No,
IIRC, that is Richard's Microfit thumbhole stock.

http://www.rifle-stocks.com/

The previous owner had glass bedded it for the same S-491 action, and I was lucky enough to pick it up from him.





JAPMF,

GWB

Dammit GW, I just drooled all over my key board

w4b,

That Blaser R93 you made such a deal on was no slouch.........












Thanks again!

JAPMF,

GWB

Sweet. I should have held out for a sako trade

We need to re-name you Mr. Sako

You guys are going to make me breakout the stainless/synthetic pics.....

Dink

Alright, no woody's allowed. An L-461 Vixen in .222 The newest scope is the top pic Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x. The others are an old Leupold M8 16x

Left to right
Here is a few
Left to right
Model 72 hornet
579 swift
Colt L61R 06
Colt L461 223. (Info needed)
Micky stocked L61 R in the hated 270

Beautiful fellas, just beautiful.

Speaking of beautiful....

Cock rifle.

Uber muzzle break...

My only Sako(for now)....


IMG_6176 by mtcurman

6PPC Repeater:

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.

This site has gotten so screwed up. Only one or two pictures loaded from the entire thread.

Some great looking Sako's guys. Here's a few more:

Custom Sako Al 222 Mag



L461 222 Mag



L461 222



All Classic 243



Top to bottom:
L61R 30-06, McM classic edge
85 270, McM classic edge
All 308, McM Sako hunter edge
85 260, Oregunsmithing Kevlar stock

222 Mag, 222, 222 HB's

222 Mag HB

6 PPC

300 Win, 7RM, 338

300 Roy

25/06

222 Mag Sporter
[img:center]http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff127/nkhoff/IMG_0047.jpg[/img]
17 Ultra Wildcat
[img:center]http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff127/nkhoff/100_2164.jpg[/img]
223 (left)
[img:center]http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff127/nkhoff/IMG_0098.jpg[/img]
17-222 Mag
[img:center]http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff127/nkhoff/DSCN0002_zpsdaacd903.jpg[/img]

220 Weatherby, 7 STW, 308, 243, 375HH

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...

Hmm. So far just a bunch of plain ol' righthanded rifles. This thread is worthless without lefties!

AV 6.5x55 up top
AV Finnbear Deluxe 375 H&H on bottom

264 Mag in a tree...

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...

Latest acquisition, AII Deluxe in 22-250. It was hell on prairie dogs this weekend...

Good on ya' Shrapnel...........


The deuce is wild!

Sako Riihimaki, 222 Rem.



in a tree.......





on a rug........





What's better than a Riihimaki and a gobbler.........





a Riihimaki and 2 gobblers.





in a pack





with it's 17Mach IV cousin.



[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/IMG_9562.jpg[/img]

perforating a porker



[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/latestgunstuff/IMG_8884.jpg[/img]

vixens need not apply!



JAPMF,

GWB

Sako Riihimaki in 223...

Firewood.

Finnwolf...

mighty fine rifles there Shrapnel..........






Sako 75 Varmint, 260 Rem.

JAPMF,

GWB

Sako deluxe 300 WBY ...













[img]http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/Deer/113_1968.jpg[/img]

Good stuff. I do love my local stompin' grounds, but sometimes I wish we had big critters.

Oh, well, at least we have hoglets.........


L61R, 7 MAG



A twofer



How �bout three



But four??????

JAPMF ( just another pig murderin' fool)

GWB

L-57 in 6mm Remington...

Like em' all.........


257 Bob



Sako 75 hunter, 9.3 x 62







Well, I�m about tapped, and with that, I�m callin� it a nite.

Best,

GWB

One more L-57 in 220 Swift...

Love that one..

Sako AV 300 win

Now that is a big critter,
And a fine rifle,

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..

Those rifles may look nice, but think of all the money you've wasted on gun cases.




Travis

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.

JAPMF,

GWB

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

How many attempts to did it take to get those Conetrol's mounted?



Travis

I love the look, hate the work to get them mounted. February is a good time to do it. Even then it takes most of the month to get it done...

I put mine together on the first try.

With no scope.

I keep them on my desk as a constant reminder that uglier, is easier.



Travis

L-461 Pre-Garcia Bofors 222 mag...

You let yours ride IN the truck???

I'll play tomorrow in better light. I'll dig deep in the depths of my safe.

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.

Misc. groups from some Sakos that have followed me home, in no particular order........















[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/group%20pix/IMG_0207.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/DSCN0063.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/DSCN2238.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/glenn1221/IMG_0351.jpg[/img]

JAPMF,

GWB

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.

Oh my, Dude. That's a fabulously gorgeous rifle !!

MM

L61R in 30-06 with Sako rings

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.

sweet rifle

Sakoluvr,

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!

Pre-Garcia deluxe in 243. They are light enough to let you run fast and get close to your quarry...

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"

You got so close I think you could have thrown down your rifle and choked him with your belt.

220 Swift Varmint...

I'm with you Poobs, always a good idea to keep a spare rifle strapped to the headache rack.

.243 Win; .25-06; 7mm RemMag; .30-06

From this weekend, among others,

Sako Bavarian Carbine, 308 Win.

JAPMF,

GWB

One of you Sako guys may be interested in this one. I'm not the seller or affiliated, but thought it was a great deal on a great stock:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/sako-stock-L61R-mcmillan-stock-new-/331383614161

Sako Deluxe 22-250 and a rabbit...

Sako l61r, 7mag.


Best,

GWB

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.

That thing looks like it should be in a museum. Nice grab.

Your a good killer!

85 FL in 30-06

85 Classic 7mmRM

75 Hunter 30-06

Beautiful whitetail.

Thanks. That was shot a week ago in SE Neb. Single digits and 20-30mph winds. Still warming up!

Good stuff!!!!

Best,

GWB

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.










[img]http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x400/cruiser111/P1030369_zpsbbfbf30b.jpg[/img]

L461 in 222 Remington and 222 mag in Bofors Deluxe...

Speaking of repeaters.............


GWB

GW you must have cracked another safe. Mr. Sako indeed! You need a custom knife for each.

You're a baaaad man Ricky Bob.........




Soon as that Ivory Micarta skinner gets here,.........


between you and Shrapnel, I may be short a Sako or two.

Good thing I got a couple Coopers layin' around with which to console myself.

Best,

GWB

1956 vintage L46 Riihimaki in 222 Rem; nice little shooter; one of the few I have seen with a jeweled bolt.

Beautiful rifles!

Thank you....they mean the world to me.

Mr Sako is right. Of course, I'm still hooked on that 7mm-08. Don't start draggin' out the coopers, I'm not sure I could take it. Nice Aoudad btw.

Nice

Very nice collection of rifles

Latest acquisition, 222 Remington Magnum, Pre-Garcia Mannlicher...

Damn Shrap; you and GW are hard to hang with. I am running out of guns to post; and money!

Shrapel the sakos throughout this thread are breath taking. How does the .264 shoot?

1958 vintage L46 Heavy Barrel Varmint,.222Rem, excellent shooter

You are killin me. That could make me part with the colt....

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.

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...

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.

30-06 Pre-Garcia Mannlicher. Triple Lug