Looking at a second hand rifle in 338WinMag.

It's a Sako AV, blue, in a plastic stock.

Asking price is $589.

No scope, no rings, rifle looks new.

Good deal?

AllanD

If it's a factory stock, then it sounds like the model that was called the "Fiberclass" and should be worth the asking price. There are a couple of guys who post on this board that are very fond of this model.

If it is simply a replacement fiberglass (or molded) stock, then its value would depend on the brand and quality of the stock. For example, if it is simply a Bell and Carlson or similar after-market replacement stock bolted on, then I would say that it should be priced some bit lower.

It looks like a moulded stock, but the recoil pad is factory Sako...

If it was stainless I wouldn't even ask, the rifle would already be in the safe....

As for the plastic stock? it leaves me cold, but I was planning on replacing it with a pillar bedded and cross bolted grey laminate stock at some point...

If it were Spider-web or pebble finish fiberglass stock it'd already be in the safe...

AllanD

Considering that a pedestrian Remington 700 with a pot metal floorplate will cost you around $600 these days, the Sako doesn't sound all that expensive. If you consider the stock a throw-away, then offer the owner $500 and see if that buys it.

If that is the factory stock, I believe it is a McMillan, not a molded stock). I would buy it in a heart beat.

If you buy it and don't like the stock, I'll give you $250 for the stock, if it's a factory Sako.

at the end of the aIV run sako made a light weight version of the rifle which had a stock that looks & feels like the Remington 700ks. It had a rough finish stock while the mcmillians had a slick finish. The light weight stocks were greenish in cloar. This is a deal you should jump on if you need a 338.

This stock is black and is fairly smooth, but doesn't feel
like the Remington plastic stocks.

Also you cannot see the imbedded fibers that remington (and others) use to reinforce the thermoplastic.

a MacMillan you say?

Hmmm...

I take it the AV is a discontinued model?
I don't see it on the Sako website.

Anyone want to give a short lesson in sako model history?


AllanD

quote:

Originally posted by Allan DeGroot:


I take it the AV is a discontinued model?
I don't see it on the Sako website.

Anyone want to give a short lesson in sako model history?


AllanD

I can't resist.

The original L-series consisted of the L-46 (.22 Hornet through .222 Magnum) and the L-57 (.243-.308). These were produced in the 1950's and were replaced in the early sixties by the L-461, L-579, and the added long/magnum action L-61R.

There were a few minor modifications in the L-series (eventually had shrouded cocking pieces) until they were replaced (approximately early 80's) with the very similar A-series: A-I (mini) A-II (medium) and A-III (long and magnum). For some reason, the A-III was shortly replaced with the A-V (A-five). The only difference I know of between the two is the length of the tang.

The A-series was replaced with the similar S-series. The S-series wasn't around long until it was superceded by the current three-lug, sixty degree Model 75 (which confusingly is numbered I, II, III, IV, and V according to the length and magazine). DO NOT confuse the 1980's A-V (which is apparently what you are looking at) with the current Model 75-V.

Most Sako enthusiasts regard the older L-61R as the most desirable, but there is nothing at all wrong with the very similar A-V. In the standard grades the A-V blue might not have been as lusterous, but then very few 40+ year old L-series guns have the full luster left after so many years.

My advice: If you need a .338, buy it!

I have actually seen some factory sakoes in what is now borden rimrock stocks, they look like a Remington plastic stock. I think all other Sako fiberglass stocks did not have molded in checkering. You might want to go to the Borden & Mcmillian web sites & look at their stocks.The checkering pattern on a Rimrock stock is different than the remington plastic stocks.

The stock on this AV looks an awful lot like the black Rimrock stock on the Borden website...

I'm gettin a real happy feeling about this rifle!

AllanD

Of course in the "life's a bitch" catagory the rifle is sold...

but in it's place is a Remington Sendero in 25-06...

I'm without a 25-06 at the moment and really don't need TWO 338Mag's, so I suppose it's fate

AllanD