I posted before I thought this gun would make an excellent match to the .375 AV I just bought. Well, I went and bought it. It is a classic AIII with the wood stock - rosewood grip cap? - and excellent checkering. I cleaned it up and it looks very fresh - I can't see any wear on it. It has a cross bolt behind the recoil lug that is visible when you take it out of the stock.

Is there anything I should do - besides shoot it? Should I bed the action? I may put it in a synthetic stock so it matches the .375....do I need to? I have never personally owned a Sako before so any help would be appreciated.

StoneCold

Although it is somewhat rare, I would just shoot it. Congratulations! Too bad your 375 is an AV, otherwise you could swap stocks. The AV is identical to the AIII, except the AIII has a shorter tang.

If you want another stock just to save the classic, I would look for a used AIII or L61R stock. You can find those for a song, but it defeats the pride you get carrying something different. Enjoy! Lou

By all means shoot it and enjoy it.

Don't mess with the bedding unless you find accuracy problems that are DEFINATELY bedding-related (which is unlikely). Sakos normally do very well right "out of the box". The steel crossbolt behind the recoil lug normally makes for a very stable bedding fit. "Floating" the barrel is a tactic that should be reserved for rifles that just refuse to shoot.

If it fits you, hunt with it.