I just nabbed this really nice old pre-Garcia Sako L61R in .300 H&H off of GB, but it's got the recoil pad rot common to many old Sakos. Who can you guys recommend that can do a good job replacing the pad without buggering the stock, AND can turn the job around in 6 to 8 weeks or better?

Also, I'm looking for a McMillan Sako Hunter in Edge, or McWoody, or about any Sako Hunter style of McMillan for this rifle.

See pics below:

Any competent smith should be able to do that, and it shouldn't take six weeks.

If you look around on ebay and gunbroker, you may even be able to find an original pad, if that's important to you.

Nice rifle BTW.

Custom shop inc has original pads in stock...the Gunfather folks on tv.

I checked out the Customshop site. Once I receive the Sako, I might let them install a new period correct pad for me.

Thanks guys.

Check out Mike's Custom Shop in Hamilton, Montana. He is the original Sako guy, Louie the Gunfather is something of a parasite and took advantage of working with Mike before he went out on his own. It would be worth the wait to get it done right, they didn't make many 300 H&H in Sako.

I would also check that chamber and make sure it still is H&H, they did get reamed out many times...

Checking the chamber is a good idea. I've told the story a time or two on here about the pre-64 ".30/06" my son bought when he worked for a big sporting chain that turned out to have been magnumized, but not marked as such. The consequences for improving a .300 H&H might not be quite as severe, but it can't hurt to check.

Beat me to it..

There were a bunch of original pads advertised on Sakocollectors.com awhile ago. Don't know if they're still available, but if you want to keep the gun original, it's worth a shot....

I think the Custom Shop Inc sells original pads too...not reproductions. They all run about $125 or so.

The Pachmayr White line pads are a close match. I had to replace an original pad on my L61R.

Top quality modern pads function better and can be had for less than half of that amount.

Certainly understand, and agree with your point. Some folks just want their Sako to be "correct" with an original pad. I wish someone, Sako, Pachmyer, etc would do a run of original Sako pads with modern rubber compounds....I'd buy a half dozen at a minimum.

That's a beauty. As some mentioned above, try to keep it original.

Louie supposedly was at the Tulsa Gun Show last weekend. I was predetermined to steer clear if I had seen him.

Look on mcmillans website. I've bought a few, one Sako 75 at a good deal. Go to the stocks for sale page and click on Sako tab.....