The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles Used Finnbear...Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| Used Finnbear... | Login/Join |
One of Us |
Guys, I've been seeing a lot of used Sako Finnbears in my area ranging anywhere from $500-$800. Thinking about picking one up in either 30-06 or .270; anyone have experience with this rifle? Good or bad? I've noticed some are pre-Garcia...what does that mean? I apologize if I'm being lazy and not doing my own research, but you guys are such a good resource! I figured I would supplement my research with your opinions and experiences! Thanks in advance!  | ||
|
| One of Us |
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976576836.htm An example of the type of rifle I mean off of gunsamerica. | |||
|
One of Us |
The picture shown is of the deluxe model and is apparently in very nice condition. The pre - Garcia post Garcia issue is about when made and who imported the rifles, along with minor model variation. Generally this was a great era for Sako, and note that the rifles tend to be just a little heavy in the long action. What's nice is the adjustable firing pin, adj. trigger, and real metal fixin's.  Member NRA, SCI- Life #358 28+ years now! DRSS, double owner-shooter since 1983, O/U .30-06 Browning Continental set. | |||
|
| one of us |
The worst thing about Sakos is that you'll be disappointed with most other makes once you've owned one . All steel , quality / finish unmatched by your common U.S. manufacturers . Great reputation for accuracy . Great resale value here in Australia . Favourite make of many professional kangaroo shooters . That deluxe L61R looks in good shape from what you can see in the photo . Bolt shroud shape suggests mid 70's build or older .Buy it .  The hunting imperative was part of every man's soul; some denied or suppressed it, others diverted it into less blatantly violent avenues of expression, wielding clubs on the golf course or racquets on the court, substituting a little white ball for the prey of flesh and blood. Wilbur Smith | |||
|
| one of us |
Just like Bushchook said... buy it! If it wasn't such a PITA getting rifles into Oz, I'd buy it myself - the L61's were a really nice rifle, and that example is a beauty!! ******************************** A gun is a tool. A moron is a moron. A moron with a hammer who busts something is still just a moron, it's not a hammer problem. Daniel77 | |||
|
| One of Us |
I have a safe full of Sako rifles and they shoot!!! They are particularly good in the pre Model 75 guns. My gunsmith told me their actions are really true compared to Remington or Winchester when installing new barrels. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Hi, Just my two p's worth. Yes the gun looks to be very good. Were I in the market for a 30-06 I would give the gun some serious consideration, it looks as good an example as you might get. And they sure are good the older model Sako! | |||
|
one of us |
As a Sako collector, I believe the price for the aforementioned deluxe is a fair price. However, if you don't want a deluxe, a standard Finnbear or Hunter in 30-06 or 270 (to a lesser extent) are very easy to come by. You're correct, the price for a nice L61R in 30-06 will run from $500-$800. If you really shop around you can find them for around $450. You cant' go wrong with a good, used sako. You will get much more for your money if you buy a Sako over a new Remchester or the like. To my mind there is no comparison. The build quality of a Sako, especially pre model 75 is superior to anything you can currently buy for less than $1,200. Lou **************** NRA Life Benefactor Member | |||
|
| one of us |
What every body above said. I always keep $500.00 under the mattress for older Sakos that I stumble across. All of my Remchesters are for sale for the right price. None of my pre Model 75 Sakos are for sale. The only way to improve on a Sako is to put it in a McMillan Sako Hunter style stock. I am looking for a couple Sakos in 30-06. I will convert one to 9.3 x 62 and the other to 6.5-06. You will never regret buying a pre Model 75 Sako. Dr. Lou, I think an aquaintance of mine has a Sako that you used to own; a single shot target model with a 30-06 sized action. I forget what caliber it is; I think 30-06. lawndart  | |||
|
| one of us |
Pre vs. Post Garcia: Prior to about 1973, Firearms International imported Sakos. The FI Sako was trimmer in the stock and barrel, and on the Standard models the bluing was a little brighter. When Garcia (the fishing reel people) created Garcia Arms Corporation and took over U.S. distributorship, the dollar was rapidly sinking against European currencies and they were pushing Sako for some cost savings. As a result, the quality of the blue (on standard models) was scaled back a notch. I can't see that it saved them any costs, but they also thought that the Sako was too "trim" for American tastes, so the beefed up the barrels and "fattened" the stock contours. The L61R action also lost its redundant third (or "safety") lug at the rear of the bolt a la '98 Mauser. I prefer the pre-Garcias, but have never come across a Garcia that was not a shooter. The finish of the Garcia DeLuxe is up to the same standards as the pre- model. A Garcia will weigh about a half to three-quarters of a pound more than a pre. One slight advantage to the Garcias is that the stock combs were usually a little higher, ie. a better fit for scope usage. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I only have two, but they both are fine examples of the art of rifle building. I bought a Deluxe Finnbear in 7 Rem Mag for $130 at the Rod and Gun club at Lajes Field, Azores in 1968. It came with two sets of scope rings. Rings cost more now than I paid for the rifle. I hand carried it in the original Sako box thru JFK and on to the airplane as carry on baggage and stashed it in the overhead....guess that was a different time. I shot probably 20 deer and a couple elk with it and then when I discovered the .280, the Sako went into retirement. They shoot really well and are very high quality firearms!! It is still in great shape, but the rubber recoil pad is dried up and hard. Can't go wrong with a Sako. The year of the .30-06!! 100 years of mostly flawless performance on demand.....Celebrate...buy a new one!! | |||
|
| One of Us |
I can only second these guys' notions. I have a Deluxe Finnbear in 7mm Rem Mag as well and have treated it as my baby. I currently have it set up as a long range/carry rifle for groundhog hunting and what not. With 120 gr Nosler Ballistic tips, it averages in the .3's at 100. I couldn't be more happy with it. The trigger is fantastic, looks great, and is probably one of the highest quality factory rifles that i own. I would not hesitate to buy another. Ruck | |||
|
| One of Us |
The only bad thing I can say about Sako is that the stocks seem to break in the pistol grip area. I am and will forever be a mauser fan, but there will always be room for an early Sako in my home. | |||
|
| One of Us |
OH I did love the Rod and Gun Club in Lajes!! LLS  | |||
|
One of Us |
I have a SAKO AV that is a shooter. I would go with the finnbear!! | |||
|
| one of us |
I have a Sako in 375 H&H it is a very accurate rifle. Very nice to look at also. Sako makes nice rifles. | |||
|
| one of us |
I don't agree with the sentiments of the other posters about the Sako 61. If the rest of the rifle appeals to you then get it but my comments are about the action. The action is just a push feed with a smallish extractor and a safety that does not block the firing pin. It does hold the bolt closed at least. I have had one made up into a .375 Improved and I wish I had picked almost any other action. At least my stock does not look like a Buck Rogers cartoon. On the positive side the bolt handle is on the long side and is easy to grip but the bolts guide can be reversed and then the bolt will fall out of the action when you draw it back. If you do get one don't try the old Redfield mounts as they won't hold the scope if the gun kicks. The old Sako mounts that I finally got are very good. Join the NRA | |||
|
| one of us |
 Join the NRA | |||
|
One of Us |
Well, Teasip, I've never heard any valid complaints about those particular Sakos!~ "Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen." | |||
|
| One of Us |
^^How dare you call me a Teasip in my own thread! --->Happiness is nothing but health and a poor memory<---Albert Schweitzer --->All I ever wanted was to be somebody; I guess I should have been more specific<---Lily Tomlin | |||
|
| one of us |
Wanna sell it? Not that I care, but is it a 375 Whelen improved, or a 375 H&H improved? Send me some pictures, tell me how it shoots, and name a price for me to ponder. I also have lots of rifle in other actions for trade goods . I have a brand new Dave Kiff reamer in 375 Weatherby (with the short freebore and gradual leade taper - shoots well!)lawndart | |||
|
| one of us |
The rifle was made up for me by the late Floyd Butler and it has sentimental value. It also shoots well. You would have to have know Floyd to appreciate how I feel about his character. I had suppled a blank of Turkish walnut and he made the stock and when I went to get it he said that he ruined it as the forend was too thin. It did not look bad to me so I insisted that the rifle was good as it was. Floyd said that it was no charge for barreling, bluing and finishing the stock. Now Floyd did not have a lot of money. I insisted that I pay him and finally I forced some cash on him. The chamber is by Douglas and it's a .375 H&H Improved with a long throat. After decades of fooling with fireforming I found that it chambers .375 Weatherby brass and the barrel was never marked so I may call it that. It's a good shooter. I fired it with a cold barrel at 100 yds a couple of winters ago and made called shots at 100 yds in front of an AR member and it was right on. It was a two shot group and the shots touched each other!  Join the NRA | |||
|
| one of us |
You are right, you need to hold on to that rifle. It is accurate, and shoots a very versatile cartridge. The fore end is not too thin; that is about how the Sako Hunter Lightweight stocks are proportioned up front. You could hunt the world with that rifle and always be suitably armed. I guess God called Floyd home because heaven needed an honest gunsmith. lawndart | |||
|
| one of us |
| |||
|
| one of us |
The L61 is not CRF. A 375 should be CRF. My mistake and I admit it. The safety is not as good as a M70's as it is not as safe nor does it allow working the bolt with the firing pin locked. Right after this rifle was finished I got a like new pre 64 M70 in 375 H&H which, of course, immediately became my primary 375. One does not have to "dissasemble" the bolt guide to reverse it. Just oil it and set it on the bench for a moment and they spin around 180 degrees.  Posted by MacD37 "Kalle, They are all strong enough for this conversion, all but the SAKO are well suited for a DGR rifle system. The Sako is a push feed! The model 70 also needs to be one of the pre-64, or the late models that have CRF actions, as well." Join the NRA | |||
|
new member |
I have a Sako chambered in .270 It is a tack driver! It shoots really well. Buy it, you won't be disappointed Cody | |||
|
One Of Us |
I have a Sako 7mmRem Mag with a Leupold 3x9 and it has been my main hunting rifle for the past 15 years. Zero never moves and very accurate. mine was imported by Stoger,NJ | |||
|
| one of us |
well I can't comment on pre-garcia stuff, But I bought 3 sako L691actions 2 yrs ago when they were on sale "in the white" in Jerry's sports catalog. These were porduced for magnum research and their line of "mountain eagle" rifles with kreiger barrels. I built my 6.5-06AI on the action with a PacNor select match in 1:8 and an HS Precision stock, farrel base, prw rings, and an 8-32x44 signature. This rifle has gone .6" at 200yds with 140gr a-max pills. The actions are finnbear actions. These actions are very square and true and the one rifle so far is super accurate.  2 more magnum actions sitting in the boxes and ready for barrels  Difficulty is inevitable Misery is optional | |||
|
| One of Us |
I have a Finnwolf and think it is the best off hand shooting hunting rifle ever made. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Here's the infamous Sako 8x60mm on a FN action. Shoots great, but handloading is a mess. LLS Sako Mauser | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia