I'm looking at picking up one in a 270win that is mint but not sure how they rate out of all the Sako actions. Are they good? Should I wait for a different model? Are they really heavy?

Any help would be appreciated.

I have previously owned two Left Hand MRI Mountain Eagle rifles based on the Sako L691 action. No complaints. No issues. No heartburn. Foolishly sold them off for something I can not remember. Would not mind having another LH MRI L691 action in the future for a build.

Biggest mod for the MRI L691 rifles was that they milled the top of the receiver to accept Rem 700 scope bases. Other than that, just solid, reliable Sako...

Like he said. Best imported rifle ever, the entire "L" series.

I had one in 7 mag.It was very well priced so home it came.Wood stocked and very nice bluing.Shot well.Magnum contour barrel,a bit heavy to me but I hunt with lighter rifles.Thought it to be very well made.I'd buy another.

How is the recoil lug attached in them? Is it one piece with the receiver, attached with screws or not attached at all?

Here is a couple is Sako L-61's. First year rifles, one is a 3 digit, the other a low 4 digit. Both are 264 Win mag with 26" barrels. They only made the 26" barrel the first year. These are hard to find in this condition. You can't beat Sako's.

BIN!

Recoil lug is a boss on bottom of action that fits into a right angle piece of metal that loosely fits into stock.When rifle is assembled it seems very secure .Scott

Nothing to be worried about?

That might've been something that MRI did because I've had 2 also (still own one) and it has the typical Sako dovetails.

I have had an L 691 for a long time, they are heavy but accurate. The separate recoil lug hasn't been an issue, I have bedded mine into the stock though. Mine is a 7mm Rem Mag bedded into a Brown precision stock and weighs about 8 1/2 lbs scoped, the wood stock added about 1 pound or so to the weight.The non magnum guns should be somewhat lighter. If has been used a lot like mine you may need a new spring under the extractor but those aren't too hard to find. I do prefer my 85 to it but the L 691 is a quality gun

I'm surprised to hear someone prefers the 85 to it...

My plan is to put it into a McMillan Edge stock

Yes. Milling the top of the receiver was an MRI modification to open up the selection of scope bases available for the MRI Mountain Eagle rifles. All other Sakos that I have owned have the typical Sako dove tails.

My MRI L691 actions had a round collar that protruded down around the front action screw. Sako/MRI shipped a separate recoil lug that engaged the round protrusion on the bottom of the action. It would be no issue to bed the separate recoil lug into a fiberglass stock. I "might" even have one left over in a parts box somewhere if needed. However, both of my rifles went into HS Precision stocks. The bedding blocks in the HS stocks were designed to eliminate the separate recoil lug. VERY close tolerance on the HS stocks. I got sub-MOA accuracy without glass bedding either one.

Not an expert by any means. Only two data points. But, positive experience with both of my L691's.

The 85 has some features I like better that's all, nothing wrong with the L 691 rifles. If you put that 270 into and Edge I bet you could get it 8 lbs or less with a fairly lightweight scope. They are solid guns with a great trigger, I bet it will shoot great too.

Those sako dove tails don't work on the 416 the scopes blew off .I.had one sako.416 beautiful gun but cheek piece punched you like a boxer and scope fell off after a few shots .They work on.smaller calibers I.heard .If you want a 264 win mag barrel to.last longer shoot 140 grain or heavier bullets only and clean it with a rope cleaner when needed .

I had a Sako AV chambered .375H&H for several years. Leupold 1.75x6e mounted on top with the tapered "slip-on" dove tail bases. Shot a couple boxes of factory cartridges and a world of hand loads thru it with nary a problem. Data point of only one. However, no issues with secure scope mounting at the .375H&H power/recoil level.

If I was to plunge back into a Sako, it would be an AIII or AV (slightly longer tang)
Looking back I wish Id kept them instead of going for the new M70 classics.

Sako, the Rolex of hunting rifles.

Well took the plunge and bought it. Looking forward to getting it. Should be a nice rifle.

Great, can't wait to see pics. I've got a little something en route myself!

Hope you let us know how it shoots for you, I bet it shoots well quickly based on my experience with them.

Maybe to you but not to me. If I was to analogise a rifle with Rolex it would be the pre-64 M70.
OK but rather common and way overrated, but that doesn't stop people thinking its a status symbol in the gun world
" its a pre64 you know early SN xxxxxx " ...chuckle.

Three AV's, one M591, two A7's with a third one on the way.

I've had a couple of AV's, an AIII, and a couple of L61R's.

Only complaint I ever had was they were plenty heavy.

An AV in a classic stock is about as good as it gets.

Well it arrived today and what a nice rifle. The quality is second to none...beautiful wood, metal and a smooooth action. Ordered up some Optilok ringmounts for it and scope is waiting to go on it!

I'm looking at a magnum left hand mountain Eagle right now that is sitting in an HS precision stock. so this means that the seperate recoil lug is a non issue? I was not aware the HS stocks came with a bedded block? Can someone Explain?

You can’t beat a Sako, love them

Correct, the extra bedding block is not needed.

The stock has an aluminum bedding block and part of it replaces the floating block.

I had a bunch of Firearms International L691 Finnbear’s, beautiful guns, but they’re pretty heavy.

I've had all of those too & all were great rifles.

A 270 AV in a McM stock bought new in the mid '80's was my go-to rifle for 15 years; still have it. still shoots extremely well, just heavy as you say.

Wish I still had the L-61R Deluxe in 338 Win though.

Sako's are all very accurate rifles; never seen a bad one.

Never go wrong with one if you want a solid work rifle.

MM

The MRI L691's are great rifles. Excellent trigger and Kreiger barrels. Mine was in 300win. It was pretty heavy with no alternative stocks. So I sold it. But I do regret it now. I should've just had Kampfeld take a whack at it!