I was looking at a sako rifle. All sways for a model is A-V (a-5) 7mm mag. Can any one tell what model this is and any other info about it? I would certainly appreciate it.

Its the same at the L61R or the Finnbear. Depends on the market on how it is labelled. Its one of the good ones before the L691 where the cost cutters got to it and still had the integral recoil lug.

I've got the L691 in 375H&H whilst its the accountant's model still very good & shoots 3 shots into 1/2 inch at 100m stock std except for a HS precision stock.

If the barrel is in good nick and the stock fits get it. Its a goody.

Regards
JohnT

JohnT
Thanks for your help.

The gun (probably barrel) should be stamped with the importer into the US. Some people try to avoid the guns imported by the "Garcia" (the angling gear) company, as during the Garcia period, some Sakos suffered in quality. This is not a hard and fast rule, though, as a lot of rifles were built from "pre-Garcia" components during the Garcia reign.



Being an AV, your rifle is most likely imported by Stoeger (post-Garcia). The rifles from this period, up till the introduction of X91 (491, 591) are generally highly thought of. The X91 actions, unfortunately did away with the integral recoil lug (take gun apart to assure yourself).



Mind you, even the modern Sako rifles (M75) have non-integral recoil lugs, and some (most)of those are very accurate. So even though the intgral recoil lug is normally considered a plus, again there is no hard and fast rule as to where you can expect good accuracy.



In any event, most Sako rifles are of very good build quality. You'll most likely appreciate the difference just by working the bolt. My original AV (.30-06) is as smooth and as tight as anything, has a good trigger too.

- mike



P.S. There are a ton of these and other Sakos for sale on GunsAmerica and GunBroker. Take a look to compare prices and availability - always interesting...

If it has the monte carlo stock, it's the Hunter; if it has a straight comb, it's the Classic. It was imported by Stoeger. Or, if synthetic, it's the Fiberclass, which came with either the straight/Classic (earlier) stock or monte carlo/Hunter stock(later). Lou

Don't buy it. I've never met anyone who could stop with just one Sako. I certainly haven't.
JCN

Don't I know. I am still looking for a twelve-step program for my Sako addiction. Lou

Ditto!

If we start a twelve step group we can raid the coffee fund and buy another - Sako.

Nothing wrong with an AV (A-five). As oppoosed to an L61R, it will have a shrouded bolt sleeve (with a cocking indicator protruding beneath it) and (I think) a slightly shorter tang. Like later L61R's, it will also have only two lugs and be missing the (probably perfunctory but traditional) rear safety or "third" lug. I suspect that the action is a small fraction heavier than the L61, but not enough so to make a difference. Barrels and stocks on the AV, however, were somewhat beefier than the early L61R's, so the finished gun is noticeably heavier. If memory serves me correctly, the changeover to the "A" series occured about the time that Stoeger took over from Garcia as the importer.

AV's didn't necessarily come in just "Hunter" or "Classic"; they were also available in Mannlicher, "Standard", and "Deluxe" and can be found in both oil and lacquered finishes.

In the late 70s and early 80s, Sako transitioned from the L series long action(L61R) to the Long action A series; the first version was the AIII. It maintained the L61R's short tang but with the new bolt shroud. The AV came along a few years later and is the same as the L61R and AIII except it has a longer tang. The A series does not have the perfuntory third lug. Most AIIIs will have the Finnbear stock; the AVs have the Hunter(standard and deluxe)/Classic stocks. These changes also are reflected in the short and medium length actions/stocks. Lou

Thanks guys, for all the info. I haven't nade up my mind yet. I'm not familiar with Sako's but I'm learning in a quick hurry. Thanks again.

Hey Dr. Lou,
I've got a factory Sako in 375 Weatherby waiting for me at a fellow AR poster's home. (Emptied my piggy bank on another Sako and am waiting for it to refill) I heard they made a run of about 500 of them. Do you know what series actions those were on? I'm not a real collector. I just have lots of them follow me home.
JCN

JCN, I know alot about Sakos, but you defintely have me on this one. I have never heard of such a creature. When you find out, please let me know. However, if I had to make a guess, it must of been a special, uncatalogued run for an organization. Also, if you don't mind, how much did you bleed? I am sorry that I couldn't answer your question. Lou

p.s. I am sure you don't want to sell, but if you feel the need call me first.

eljefe@volcano.net

DR. Lou: Re, the A III vs. the AV. I've seen a number of AIII's in "standard" ('06 head) calibers, as well as a lot of AV's in "standard" calibers. But I've never come across a magnum chambering in an AIII. This may just be happenstance, but has led me to think that the AIII was never made in the magnum bolt face. Can you shed some light?

Thanks,
Stoney

As soon as it arrives I'll send some pictures and all the particulars. I'll do some more research. I'll bet some big wholesaler ordered a special run. Don't think I'll ever sell it, but if I do you have right of first refusal for the same price I bought it. I refuse to make a profit on dogs or Sakos. They both have souls.
JCN

Stonecreek, they chambered the AIII in magnum calibers. I had a 7 mm rem mag in an AIII. Also, you asked me some time back about the m72. I knew they were made in 1972, but I didn't know how long they made them. Well I believe they made them until 1974. Lou