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pyscodog

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Been eyeing a Sako Finnbear at a local store. The rifle looks unfired just by the looks of the bolt face.Very very nice condition. Serial number is 791xx so best I can tell its a 71-72 model and I'm not sure about that. The rifle also has a 2x7 Redfield scope in Sako mounts. They are asking $1199. and tax I'm sure. Is it worth it??
 
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Im not a huge fan of the 2 lug Sako rifles and as such dont know as much about them but I would say thats higher than a normal price should be. I had a pre-garcia BOFORS steel marked on in .243 Win and it had a redfield as well. Nice shape. Original front sight. Sold it locally for $900. Felt I did pretty well. I usually pay $800-$1200 depending on scope and caliber for the Model 75 Hunter's that I have started to collect. The 3 lug guns are known to be a bit more consistent as far as accuracy and I just adore the action.

I have found many people to not understand the model numbers on Sako rifles and as such, you can sometime find a great deal. (Paid $800 for a Model 75 that was marked as an AV). Quickest way to tell generations is to look at the bolt shroud, bolt release and the number of lugs on the front of the bolt.
 
I believe a fair price for those old two lugs, caliber and variation dependent is $600-$1200 with the hgiher numbers going to the especially nice guns in hard to find variations or calibers. I wouldnt pay that for it, figuring the scope might be worth a fair $75
 
I did a little searching and as usual, the numbers were all over the place. One as low as $600 all the way to $1400-1500. This rifle is super slick but like you, I think its on the high side. Its at Bass Pro so price is normal for them I guess.
 
The older Sako L-Series rifles still have a very strong following as they are outstanding rifles if you can find one in good condition. Much like pre-64 Winchester Model 70's, they are not for everyone.

I'd buy a good L-Series rifle long before I'd crack my check book for some of the "new/modern" stuff that Sako peddles now.

Just my opinion.
 
A friend said with the Sako mounts and the Redfied scope that their asking price wasn't to bad. I'm not sure how much value I put on the scope but do know the mounts aren't cheap and around here, a little hard to find. I'm going back tomorrow and see if they will haggle a little on the price. I by no means any where close to being a Sako guru. The only other Sako I had was a 78 HB rimfire. It was a fantastic rifle. Traded it straight up for a Cooper in 17 Remington. Knowing what I know now, I'd still own the 78.
 
Originally Posted By: Winny Fan
I'd buy a good L-Series rifle long before I'd crack my check book for some of the "new/modern" stuff that Sako peddles now.

Just my opinion.

Winny, do you say that mostly because you like the old Sako's better and it's more of a collector thing or do you think the old ones are a better gun? I ask because even though I've never really been all that big of a Sako fan I certainly can't deny the stuff coming from Sako now days is some of the most accurate rifle you can buy over the counter.
 
Went back and looked at the rifle again. It has three bolt lugs and I can't find a blemish on it. I missed the guy who prices them so I have to make it earlier tomorrow. It doesn't have Borfor on the barrel. Good thing or bad or not a big deal??
 
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Originally Posted By: B23Originally Posted By: Winny Fan
I'd buy a good L-Series rifle long before I'd crack my check book for some of the "new/modern" stuff that Sako peddles now.

Just my opinion.

Winny, do you say that mostly because you like the old Sako's better and it's more of a collector thing or do you think the old ones are a better gun? I ask because even though I've never really been all that big of a Sako fan I certainly can't deny the stuff coming from Sako now days is some of the most accurate rifle you can buy over the counter.

I'm saying that if you can find a good one, a good, well-kept L-Series rifle is likely a better over-all quality gun than the newer stuff. Unfortunately most of the L-series guns are long in the tooth and finding a good one is not always easy to do today. The L-Series Sako rifles that I have get shot - but they are still cared for - because they don't fall off trees like ripe fruit. but they are not collector items for me. The only thing that I "collect" as a serious gun collector are older Winchester lever action guns beginning with the 1866 model rifles up through the 1892 models and some Model 70 bolt action pre-64 rifles.

Sako has a long history of building accurate rifles, so that is nothing new. But accuracy is not the only criteria in my comment. For example, the M85 series of Sako guns has a terrible record for ejecting cartridges efficiently even though they are recognized as being accurate shooters. And in recent years Sako has hit the "we need a new model" trail frequently because the one currently on shelves is likely priced far higher than they are worth practically. That is not all Sako's fault.

Having Beretta in their business the past 20 years or so has not helped Sako in recent years. Both in terms of products and pricing. If I was going to spend money today on a Sako product, it wold be a basic Tikka long before it would be a newer model Beretta-era/Beretta designed Sako. Why? Because Beretta has not introduced their "pleasing/modern" features on the Tikka rifles at this point in time.

No collector issues involved on my part when it comes to Sako rifles.
 
The mounts on those older rifles can be had for as little as $40 up to $150 depending on what somebody is wanting for them and depending on brand and design. I personally wont pay more than $75 for Optilock rings and $60 or so for the bases. Full retail for the set would be about $150 but I consider that a standard on a used rifle, not an addition.
 
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Originally Posted By: B23Originally Posted By: Winny Fan
I'd buy a good L-Series rifle long before I'd crack my check book for some of the "new/modern" stuff that Sako peddles now.

Just my opinion.

Winny, do you say that mostly because you like the old Sako's better and it's more of a collector thing or do you think the old ones are a better gun? I ask because even though I've never really been all that big of a Sako fan I certainly can't deny the stuff coming from Sako now days is some of the most accurate rifle you can buy over the counter.

Most guys will tell you that modern sakos can be hit or miss. I personally have not found one yet that didnt shoot but and I much prefer the 3 lug 60 degree bolt throw over the 2 lug design. If im buying a 2 lug gun, it will be a 700. The lines on the 3 lug actions I think are sexier and the stocks are impressively ergonomic. Everyone that has held my 75 Classic .338 Win Mag has remarked on how good it felt due to the cut of the stock and the palm swell.

It seems to be one of those thing like with Winchesters, some guys will tell you the only good winchester is a Pre-64 and some will tell you the Portugese guns are some of the best they have ever made. I agree that some Sako rifles have their faults, namely extraction issues that people run into. I personally have not seen this but they are out there, just like the "lemons" that guys claim wont hold 2". My question to those are, is it user error or manufactures error?
 
I have a Sako 75 .260 that is every bit as accurate as my custom barrels. It shoots any load well. The only negative is that it runs on the slower side.
 
Well I got $100 knocked off the price. Got it for $1193 out the door. What a PITA buying a rifle from Bass Pro Shops. I had four forms of ID but none with my middle name. It was holding up the sale. Finally my voter ID had my middle name and the sale went forward. An hour later I was walking out the door. Three of the four forms had my picture on them. Never been a problem anywhere else.
 
Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnotOriginally Posted By: pyscodog Got it for $1193 out the door.

and you even have a couple hundred biden bucks left over for gas and cheese burgers.

Ain't got no Biden bucks yet. Mines always late coming. Bought this one with Bill bucks. Had to dip into the gun funds. Now its a little low.
 
Originally Posted By: pyscodogWent back and looked at the rifle again. It has three bolt lugs and I can't find a blemish on it. I missed the guy who prices them so I have to make it earlier tomorrow. It doesn't have Borfor on the barrel. Good thing or bad or not a big deal??

If it has 3 lugs, it will be a Finish made rifle. IMO, good thing. That is what I prefer. If you PM me a phone number for pictures OR post em here in the thread, I can tell you exactly what model it is.

For what its worth, if its a 3 lug, its either a 75 or 85 action in which case it likely has Optiloc rings. That is $125 right there and the scope is likely newer so it will be worth more than I previously stated.

Ya done okay from the sounds of it
 
Its a three lug action. Says Made in Finnland on the barrel. I was concerned about no rear sight. LOL, didn't have hole or a dovetail for a rear sight. Most of the earlier ones used a peep that fit the rear scope base, so a rear sight didn't really come installed. There are a few on Fleabay for sale. I may buy one just to have. Doubt I will ever use it but it would be nice to have it.

On second or third look, I don't think my rings are Optilocks. The rings fit right on the dovetails on the action. They look like they could possibly be adjustable for windage though.
 
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Originally Posted By: pyscodogIts a three lug action. Says Made in Finnland on the barrel. I was concerned about no rear sight. LOL, didn't have hole or a dovetail for a rear sight. Most of the earlier ones used a peep that fit the rear scope base, so a rear sight didn't really come installed. There are a few on Fleabay for sale. I may buy one just to have. Doubt I will ever use it but it would be nice to have it.

On second or third look, I don't think my rings are Optilocks. The rings fit right on the dovetails on the action. They look like they could possibly be adjustable for windage though.

Sounds like you may have something there I am not totally familiar with. Does it have a ramp front sight then or just a regular sporter barrel with no sights?

The optilocks will have a polymer split ring that goes between the tube and the rings themselves. Helped to eliminate the need for lapping and keeps from marring the scope.

Here is a good link on Sako rings, some I am not even familiar with.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/7137547/all/Sako_Scope_Mounting

I tried to find a good picture to embed here but cant. Id pull one out of the safe but I am not home yet. Certainly curious to see what specific model and variation it ends up being.
 
Best I can tell from the serial number (729xx) it was made in 71. Has a ramp front sight with a hood and no rear sight. No holes or a place for a rear sight. A peep sight was offered that fit on the rear scope mount. They offered a 100yd and a 200yd version. If I read correctly, only the early European rifles had rear sights,(that stayed in Europe). The USA models were shipped with a front sight only.
 
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It would appear I am mistaken on the 2 vs 3 lug. So the L61 model and possibly the AV that came after or around the same time have a rear lug on the bolt commonly refered to as a 3rd lug. When I was refering to 2 vs 3 lug actions, I was strictly refering to the front of the bolt face. The Model 75, which is the first model to my knowledge that had 3 lugs on the front of the bolt, didnt come about until 1997 so it would seem that you likely have a L61 based on the year. That would also stand to reason why only the front sight is present, it runs in my mind the .243 L series I had was the same way. I Cannot recall if it had a 3rd lug on the rear of the bolt though.
 


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