Hi Guys..just purchased a Sako 375 for a steal. It was cheap because no one wants push feed these days, it had a horrible homemade muzzle break & instead of some lovely wood it's stocked with a synthetic item. The good news is the metal work & barrel is in mint condition, someone has glass bedded & steel pillared the action & ive taken off the muzzle break & hurled it in the bin. No sights are furnished and the barrel measures about 23-3/4". The action is beautifully slick to boot and the rifle is scaryingly light! Turning up shortly off Ebay is a Sako peep sight that fits the rear scope mountind dovetail so I'll look at one of NECG's banded front sights to complete the back up open sights.
The question is now what scope rings & scope do I need to complete the package? I will probably never get to africa but it will see use here in New Zealand on Wild Srub Bulls in heavy bush cover and larger deer (red & wapiti)out on open bush tops. Quick detachable would be nice but not neceassary, I see sako list some nice looking Quick detachable optiloks but looks like even their lows are designed for scopes with objective lenses up to 2". Scope wise I'm thinking Leupold VX3 1.5-5 with #4 reticle or possibly the illuminated reticle version but I want to mount it all as low as possible.
Guys what should I be doing here?

Ive used Warne and liked them. Talley I´ve only heard good of also.

Second the Warne!

You didn't mention what model of SAKO and Warne has dropped the L series rings. They do have them for the Model 75.

Sorry, I just noticed the header that you said L series.

If it fits the 75, it also fits the L-series.I took my mount from a 75 i sold and put it on a Forester.

I first tried the Leupold mounts on my .375 and they were a disaster. not only did the scope creep in the rings, but the mount slowly "walked" forward off the receiver! Tightness and loctite didn't seem to matter. I went to Talley mounts with no complaints BUT my heavy Zeiss scope has a very slick surface so it still slips very slowly, but holds zero! The whole rig is at their shop now to rectify. Not their fault, but they have committed to make it work.
Gary

Sounds like I'm best served to stick with the factory sako optilok rings. I've heard nothing but good things said...just a pity that their low rings are really medium height. I priced a set of their quick detachables and just about fell off my chair with their price. I paid $1500 New Zealand dollars for the rifle & they want $800 for the rings!!! Their standard optilok items are about $200 so I think I'll just have to skip the quick detachable idea and carry an allen key in my pocket if needed to remove the scope.

On my 20" Sako 375 H&H Handy Rifle I broke 3 sets of factory Sako rings, one set flew off the rifle causing the scope to hit me in the face, break my glasses and cut me badly.

I went to Warne. They have a recoil shoulder on both front and rear rings.

Hi NE 450 No2... were these the original type type sako rings or the newer optilok type with scope protecting inserts? Doesn't sound like it was a fun experience. I'll have to do a search on Warne on the internet regarding their rings. Did you ever chrono any loads out of your 20" barrel?? I'm curious to know as I'm contemplating in shortening mine to this length.

fordnutter
They were the older rings not the optilock.

My brother has ther SAKO now.

I have cronoed some loads in my Blaser r 93 with its Tracker 19 3/4" bbl.

All Federal factory loads:

300gr Nosler Partition 2372fps

260 Accubond 2536fps

250 Trophy Bonded Bearclaws 2532fps

The short bbled Sako and Blaser handle and shoot very well.

NE 450 No2
Wow the short barrel looks like it has only cost about 200fps loss in the velocity department. How bad is the muzzke blast with the short barrels?

I wear earprotection when practicing, not when hunting, do not notice it at all when hunting.

My rifle has warne scope mounts, and it has worked fine for this combination of model and caliber

I have used the factory optilock with a heavy scope(S&B 2,5-10*56)on my 7mm.rem.mag sako 75 for several years,and those have been good.But!!,on my 416 rem.mag sako 75,i broke four of the new factory optilock qr.mounts within 25 rounds(leupold 1,5-5*20)i did not only break my glasses,i also had to see the doc.,the dealer gave up,and after consulting with some well reputated gunsmiths he suplyied me with a german swingmount(recknagel -ERA)with magnunrings,those are exspensive,but they are very fast in use,and i have never had any problem since.my point is,if you want factory mounts,do not go for the qr.one a "heavy kicker"...

Sako 75,
Thanks for the advice...my Sako is rather light
so was concerned about scope mounts failing under recoil. The ERA items are about the same price as sako items here in NZ so I'll have to check them out. With the swing off type mount does it place the scope too high...that is my biggest concern with that style of mount?

I have a .416 built on a L61R action and the scope is mounted with an Apel twist montage, scope is a Leupold 1.5x4 but I can´t remember if it´s a VXI or II. Has worked nicely and doesn´t need to be rezeroed after removing the scope. I have these on several rifles (.375, 9.3x62, 8x68, 6.5x55) and so far no problems.

I have a 375 L61R and it has the old Sako rings on it. Before that I tried the Redfield mounts and the scope flew off.

Those Sako rings are good.

Hi Guys...thanks for all the advise. I did a lot of research and decided against the quick detachables and have just ordered a set of Conetrol custom grade daptar bases & low rings. These are beautifully made and seem to have nothing but good reports about them. When the practise starts I'll soon know how they'l handle the 375HH recoil. I'm hoping this isn't going to be an expensive mistake!