The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores What to do with my SAKO L61R Finnbear in .375 H & H?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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This rifle shoots really well as is to start. It has a 24" plain barrel around .630 dia. at the muzzle. What are some thoughts on adding a banded front sight, express rear with one folding leaf, barrel band swivel, 3 position safety, to make it into a more suitable DG rifle? It currently wears a Lupy 1.75 X6 scope in Warne QD's that would stay along for the all purpose thing. Any thoughts or suggestions on this "make over" will be appreciated. Larry Sellers SCI Life Member | ||
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I would invest in a spare scope and mounts and not bother with the iron sights. I doubt if very many AR members have ever removed their scope from a 375 especially with a 1.75x6 scope unless elephant is on the agenda. I've made 9 trips and never felt the need to take my scope off to use iron sights and I have been involved with close followup on buffalo. Should you have a scope problem simply switch to the backup and move on. I can shoot a lot better at close range with a scope than iron sights. The safety issue is strictly one of choice. It should be a 3 position otherwise it is a lateral move. I would leave it as it is. | |||
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Larry, Don't touch it. If you have to have a "bona fide DGR", buy an M-70, CZ 550, or other CRF in .375, .416, or .458. The L61R is a fantastic rifle (my experience was with left-hand 7mmSTW, .338WinMag., and .375H&H rifles), and in my opinion, the very BEST of the push-feeds. George  | |||
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The Sako will work just fine for you. Contrary to what many will say concerning push feed VS controlled round feed, Harry Shelby got along just fine with a "push Feed" 458 Win Mag for many years, as have others. _____________________________________________________ A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. - Winston Churchill | |||
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Thanks George and others. I actually have a CZ Safari Magnum Classic in .404 Jeff and a CZ550FS in 9.3 X 62 so the "have to have a DG rifle" out of the Sako is not the case. Just thought it might be worth considering the add ons to "soup it up" a little. You bring up another issue, push feed?? This rifle is control round feed!! I have had this rifle for 12 to 15 years and got the L61R model number from it's box. Is there a chance I maybe have a different model? ????? Larry Sellers SCI Life Member
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Seems a shame to whittle up an L61R in any caliber, much less a .375. They're getting pretty scarce. It would be kind of like putting sex lights and spinner hubcaps on a Bentley. Sell it to somebody who'd appreciate it, and buy a Winchester to bubba. | |||
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Larry, The age is correct for an L61R (it should also be marked 'Sako AV' on the receiver), but I don't believe it came with CRF from the factory. Can you post a photo of the boltface and the receiver markings? George | |||
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Larry, as George said, your Sako isn't a CRF unless it's already been modified in some way or other, which seems to me unlikely. That thing on the right side of the bolt that looks like an extractor is only a bolt guide. It makes the action as smooth as a Krag but doesn't serve any other function. Still, I would not hesitate to use a Sako .375 on DG. I do own one, an AV-actioned Mannlicher, but I have not yet got around to using it on game. Too many rifles! As for your modifications, if you want irons, I would say go ahead and put them on. I generally like them and most of my rifles have them, so I know where you're coming from. The addition of a three position safety to replace the slide safety might be problematic. It would leave a pretty unsightly slot and gap on the stock at the rear of the action on the right side where the slide safety is now located. Restocking would be a solution for that, but I don't know if you would want to go to all that trouble. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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Wow - You guys are absolutely right as usual. I can't believe that all these years never checked this rifle close enough to tell the difference? That thing, bolt guide, as you pointed out completely fooled me I guess. That's what one gets for assuming. Feel a bit stupid at this point!! Thanks for your input and setting this dummy straight. All my other push feeds, Rem. and HS Precision don't have the bolt guide so that's the best excuse I can come up with for the oversight. And to think I have used this rifle for taking a couple of Buff and other game in Africa. Guess that somewhat proves it doesn't have to be CRF to get the job done. I also see what you mean by the safety switch. This rifle has some really nice wood so most likely wouldn't want to go the restock route. Larry Sellers SCI Life Member
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores What to do with my SAKO L61R Finnbear in .375 H & H?
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