Any vintage Sako guys here?

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Diggler

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I want/need a .270 in my collection again and am thinking of getting more collectable/rare stuff that can't be found by Joe Schmoe waltzing into any local gun store.

I've heard the accuracy stories about the Sako rifles (I'm an accuracy fiend), and found a pre-Garcia Finnbear L61R Deluxe in "excellent" shape for about $1250. No scope rings on it.

Is that a decent deal if the condition is as stated? I'm kind of nervous buying a used gun, where condition counts, over the 'net... I've never done that before.

Am I in the ballpark with this price? They don't seem to pop up ALL that much, so it might be months before a similar piece shows up. If it's a good deal I don't want to lose it. Thoughts?
 
Very difficult to price these rifle.

Going through the same process myself so I joined http://www.sakocollectors.com/forum/forum.php this may help you.

I have just paid the equivalent of $ 1 800 for an AV chambered in .375 which is essentially the same as the L61R. This included Bausch and Lomb scope, silencer and there have been only 15 rounds down the barrel. Our markets are different and rifle prices here are much higher.
 
I just bought a Finnbear A V (L61R) in .373H&H Mgn. with SAKO mounts/rings and a Nikon "African" scope for $1700.
It came of an estate sale and had never been fired! I changed that.
Plan on African safari next year.
For now, reduced loads for Rocky mountain Mule deer this fall.
 
Mines not quite that vintage but a couple of years ago I picked up an AIII with full length stock in 30-06, decent shape but obviously used, for $600, but I did have to refinish the stock. I don't think $1250 is a bad price in todays market for a Deluxe, particularly if it's in excellent original condition.
 
I actually joined sakocollectors Sunday... went through the email activation but I'm still waiting for them to give the final approval. I really want to ask a few things there before buying but don't want to miss out on a rifle because of it... I can't even see photo attachments in threads. So I'm trying to get the info anywhere I can!
 
I actually joined sakocollectors Sunday... went through the email activation but I'm still waiting for them to give the final approval. I really want to ask a few things there before buying but don't want to miss out on a rifle because of it... I can't even see photo attachments in threads. So I'm trying to get the info anywhere I can!
Also waiting, they take forever to activate it would appear.
 
I just bought a Finnbear A V (L61R) in .373H&H Mgn. with SAKO mounts/rings and a Nikon "African" scope for $1700.
It came of an estate sale and had never been fired! I changed that.
Plan on African safari next year.
For now, reduced loads for Rocky mountain Mule deer this fall.
Can we compare notes then, this is mine, fired 15 times. Don't have it yet but this is the picture the seller sent me should have it in three days. The AV's would appear to be of 79/80 vintage and was reading somewhere that they are considered to be the last of "well made" Sako's. Serial 474XX.

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"last of the well made Sako's"? BULLS**T! I have 10 Sako rifles some old and some new. All are exceptionally accurate with good factory ammo and the newer ones are just as well made as the older ones. Get the Sako and you won't regret it.;)
 
Not to rain on you guy's parade, as I obviously had a rifle that was exceptionally bad. But, I had a pre-Garcia L61R in .30-06 that was the worst rifle I have ever owned. Still have the original Sako rings. Bolt lift required superman strength, and shot large groups. Later put a muzzle wear gauge in it, and found the bore at the muzzle to be .303". Have a 1980 built Winchester Model 70 now, and much happier with it.

Don
 
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Not to rain on you guy's parade, as I obviously a rifle that was exceptionally bad. But, I had a pre-Garcia L61R in .30-06 that was the worst rifle I have ever owned. Still have the original Sako rings. Bolt lift required superman strength, and shot large groups. Later put a muzzle wear gauge in it, and found the bore at the muzzle to be .303". Have a 1980 built Winchester Model 70 now, and much happier with it.

Don
The bolt issue sounds like abuse... and it was apparently shot out? I have 3 day inspection on this gun if I get it, and I will DEFINITELY be taking it to a gunsmith to have all tolerances checked out for that price!
 
Sako vs. Winchester ...... you could never rain on my parade. Early Winchesters are great and you had a bad Sako, one poor example of a great rifle is NOT a statistic, be it a Winchester or Sako or a Brno etc.
 
Ha, do three M39 Sakos count as vintage?

They should, but I've noticed over the years that almost no avid SAKO fans realize how the company got started, or that there are fantastic military rifles made by SAKO available for surprisingly reasonable prices.
 
Have both the Finnbear A V in .375 H&H and L61R in 30-06. Both are fantastic rifles. The 30-06 will shoot 1/2" MOA with Match type ammo,the .375 can shoot 3/4 1" MOA with quality ammo, 1.5" on a bad day.. I found the triggers decent right out of the box and I have done nothing to the rifles except put slings and Sako rings on them.
Sakos have some of the finest barrels on them from the factory,Tikkas too.

Saw the Sako 85 Safari in .416 Rigby(and others) at SHOT and can say it is a beautiful rifle,Sako still builds high quality rifles,this one was the best Ive seen.But at nearly $10k:eek: it didn't come home with me.
 
I also owned an older Sako in 222 Remington on the L461 action. Like USSR I have to say it was the worst rifle I ever owned. It was pretty but acceptable accuracy was impossible.
 
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