I saw a nicely made rifle with which I am totally unfamiliar except to recognize the name and learn the pronunciation. Sako Model 75.

It has 3 locking lugs for 60 degree smooth as glass operation. Two button trick safety. A detachable box magazine. Scope only no sites. Comes with a 1.5-6x scope. Brand forgot. Two cross bolts. The stock has palm swell and cast off. What a nice fit and feel - really really sweet.

After perusal of Sako website, I am thinking this stock has the matt lacquer finish? No grain visible at all, it almost looks like dark stained birch. Ugly finish. Can I strip this finish off and maybe find even so-so walnut underneath? The stock shape is great - it looks about 100% too dark and featureless.

Setting the push feed aside, this is obviously a quality firearm, but I wonder how desirable these are should I regret this and want to sell later. What are they worth, well hunted but not abused? And, even if I try to refinish it?

I have a Sako 75 in 375,have had it going on 10 years. Has been a good shooter with a great feel. However my experience says don't get the model with detachable magazines( that was an option when I got mine) at about 1200+ rounds thru it the springs that hold the parts that hold mags in place wore out and mags would come out when I fired. At 2000+ rounds the mags now actually come apart at times when it is fired. My gunsmith said it was a bad decision on Sako's part to build them like that. Was going to get the parts from Sako to change the rifle from detachable to box magazine, but between the parts costs and getting them I just went ahead and had a new 375 built on a MRC action. Still use the Sako for practice, just put tape around the stock to hold mags in. I have 2 other Sakos that I love, wouldn't hesitate to own another 75, just wouldn't have the dtachable mags on a 375.
Hope my experience helps.

Thanks, I though the box magazine was a plus, but not so. I guess it could be pinned in place, but parts availability should be easier. Better to buy American as far a parts and support then. They should have a support site in the US the way CZ does. Then CZ needs good support, I hoped a name like Sako might represent higher quality.

I dont have a good sense are these on a par with say browning for cost or value or better/worse?

Why does the stock look so dark? Almost black. The asking price seems low. I assume the problem is the dark finish, or bad rep stated above. Any one ever see one of these almost black, dull stocks. The gun looks 100 years old.

I know, but the gun is at the dealer locked on hold and I did not get pics. I dont have a website to host pics either. Yes, I know - You are so right, only a pic will explain the dark/dull finish look of that stock.

But, only words can explain the feel. Its the most comfortable best fit stock I ever experience. If not, the last thing I need is another 375. The palm swell and cast-off (offset), eye to scope alignment. This gun stock could ruin me for my other guns. it is a Sako stock. I see the checkering style and Sako medalion insert in the grip cap.

This is a really pertinent thread for me because the local shop had one of these new about 4 years ago, and I've been kicking myself for not buying it because I liked it so much. Now it's back on the used rack for $1000. (I think it was about $1400 new???) It's still practically brand new. But I've been wondering about the detachable magazine.

Has anyone seen a review of the 75 in this caliber? I can't find one.

LWD

LWD, Was the stock real real dark and featureless?

A member of AR was kind enough to send me a PM and I am assured this Model is an accurate and well made gun. I believe him.

As for a review, a more revealing review might be one of the replacement Model 85. Then you might get some honest mention of the improvements (ie problems with older 75)

My friend has a 1,000 yard Bench gun built around a SAKO L61 repeater action with hinged floorplate that he wouldlike to sell. It is currently a full bull 6.5-300 Weatherby. I don't know if it is practical or even possible to swap the actions out and end up with a good hunter and a beast of a door stop.

The wood did not have much figure or grain but was a "typical" color for a stained walnut stock. Overall, fit and finish was excellent. It even had a fixed iron sight that appeared to be quite stout. A nice rifle. My concern was the magazine. It just didn't seem real sturdy.

LWD

I stopped by the shop on the way home and fondled the rifle again. I like it very much---still. The magazine itself is stoutly constructed of metal and seems to latch in quite positively. It seems a pretty solid lockup. But I am still a little skeptical.

375fan is your magazine metal?

LWD

I have owned hundreds of Sakos over the years, two of them were 75s. One was a stainless/synthetic and the other a blue/walnut 416 Rem. It,too, had the ugliest walnut stock I have ever seen, looked like those found on a Savage. It looked like it was finished with a Hersey bar.

LWD,
Yes ,the detachable mags for my rifle are metal.
They kind of snap together for assembly, I think they should heve been tiged after assembly to make them stronger.

The 85 model magazine is much better in this department.