I found a sako 338 win mag av finnbear with a factory fiberglass stock .The only thing I hate on a sako rifle is the scope rings heard they blow off easy on heavy calibers .I sold my 416 sako just for that reason and that it was too pretty to hunt with in Alaska .I usually shoot mostly ruger 77 in 338 win mag but this one caught my eye.I think they are super smooth rifles but those dang scope mounts worry my even on 338 win mag has anyone owned one of these in
338 win mag .I bet it's lighter than my
Ruger 77 338 win mags.

So, my first experience with Sako rifles has been pretty positive. I bought an AV in 416 Rem. last year. It's beautiful, accurate, and feeds like glass. I used the Talley rings and bases to mount the scope and have found them to be rock solid. My recommendation for any magnum caliber is to use their rings with the two screws at the top for some extra holding power. They haven't budged in somewhere north of 100 rounds and I don't expect them to.

As for the weight, yes, I find them to be too light. Scoped and loaded, my 416 weighed about 9 pounds which made it "lively" to shoot. Too much for my taste, so I added about a pound of lead shot to the buttstock. Now, I'm at 10 lbs, the balance is better, and it's definitely calmer to shoot.

In my opinion, no, the Sako AV isn't too "light" for a .338. In fact, the AV is somewhat heavier with a heavier stock and barrel than the earlier L61R Sakos.

As to the scope mounting, the Sako Tapered Dovetail is one of the strongest and most dependable available, and it's been around since 1946 in exactly the same form to prove it.

It is possible, especially with some aftermarket mounts, to improperly install them in such manner that they perform poorly, but once you understand the design and function of the taper (which makes the scope mount tighter the harder the rifle recoils) then you'll better understand how to properly mount them.

The lightest and presumably "weakest" mount made for the Sako dovetails is the Leupold ringmount. I have those on several Sako rifles and have never had a hint of a problem. That includes a Sako .375 H&H which has worn that same set of Leupolds for almost 30 years.

Check out the Sako Collectors Club forums for discussions and instructions on properly mounting on the tapered dovetails. Among the advice you'll see is to never, ever use the set screws which come on some mounts. Placing the mounts or bases further aft than where they properly grip the dovetails and depending on the set screws to keep them there is a recipe for disaster.

I can't find my SAKO rings, but the base is tapered, and I can't image them blowing off due to recoil. The things would tighten up.

I have Sako rifles in calibers up 500.

Never had a scope come off any of them.

Its a V tapered base an it should tighten up with every shot, never come loose..Ive never had that problem, thats something some nitwit came up with methinks...Ive only used the older L series Sakos so that limits my experience..Some guy in Montana has all manor of Sako rings and bases..encluding the peep sights and other neat stuff..

I use both Talley and Sako'd with confidence. Beware of the Hyperboil about Sako mounts, Like said above learn them then love them.

I've used the same 338 Finnbear for 40 years and never had a worry with the mounts. For 33 years it had Redfield JR extension mounts (to take the short Kahles Helia S 27) and only lost zero once when I slipped down a 'dry' cascade and used the scope for a brake.

I've since used Sako Optilock bases and then gone back to the Redfield ones - but at no time did any base look like coming off.

In the original wood, my rifle is quite heavy, though, at nine pounds with scope. Having gone into 'time on' (as we say in Aussie-rules football) I'm now more inclined to take my 7.5-pound 9.3x62 hunting.

UNless of course they were not tighten enough..

I think the AV .338 is perfect in any configuration.