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I took home a Sako Forester yesterday from a local show and I think I did pretty well, but I'd like some opinions on the deal because I'm not totally sure about it. Sako Forester .243 - "Bofors Steel" marked - Pre-Garcia - Standard model (not deluxe, not varmint / heavy-barrel) - Has hooded front sight, no built-in rear sight - No grip-cap - Estimate it is about 95% due to 1) very minor stock dings, 2) one small blood-spot on barrel, 3) one small patch of worn finish on top of milled-in scope-base under where the rings go and 4) blood-rusted top butt-stock screw (half the head of the screw is rusted) - Generally excellent blue - Very nice dark and figured stock - Excellent barrel/bore/crown - Very sharp checkering Leupold VX-IIc (excellent condition) Sako Rings Sako Peep Sight Total Cost - $1,150 Did I pay too much? Shael | ||
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Since you asked, yes. xxxxxxxxxx When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere. NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR. I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process. | |||
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May I have more detail, please...... What would you expect to pay for this rig where you are located? Shael | |||
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It appears this was on your "want" list, and given the scope and peep sight, I think you did ok. Not a great deal, but not bad. Got shoot it and enjoy. Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum | |||
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You paid very high, top end. I probably wouldn't have gone above the $$750 - $850 range. Lou **************** NRA Life Benefactor Member | |||
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don't worry about it - if thats what you wanted. the dollars will be long forgotten about if you enjoy that rifle. high low or inbetween you're not going to find one on everybodys shelf | |||
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IN the condition you describe, real numbers that are fairly easy to purchase at, I'd put the rifle at $700 max, the scope at $150, the rings at $50, and the peep at $75 for a total of $975. Your cost of about 20% more than that is why I said it was too high. OTOH, like Butchloc said, if you wanted it, then the joy of ownership will last much longer than a few extra dollars. Sakos are very nice rifles. I killed my first deer with a Sako Forester .243 while they were current production  . Unfortunately, it was stolen a few years later.xxxxxxxxxx When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere. NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR. I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process. | |||
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Something doesn't add up. Sakos of that era in the standard grade were universally furnished with a grip cap. I suspect that you may have a replacement stock from a later model gun. With that said, one never says "never" when it comes to Sakos as they had some surprising variations through the years. Does yours have an importer's mark underneath the barrel? It may or may not, but if so it should be something like "Firearms International, Wash. D.C." The bare gun should be worth $700. It might be worth more in some calibers, but .243 is among the most common. The rings are worth $50, the scope closer to $200 (if pristine), and the peep sight about $50. So I get a thousand for the package. However, this just illustrates that an older Sako in excellent condition is a bargain compared to much more pedestrian guns of current production. You could have paid as much for a scoped Remington or Ruger and have not nearly such a refined weapon that will hold its value into the future. | |||
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Dont worry, I think you did OK. Just remember that everyone else is looking to buy a DEAL. Just remember in the gun trade all your stuff is sh*t and all my stuff is stuff! Enjoy your rifle and congrats, Ed DRSS Member | |||
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Gidday Shael, You did well mate. Don't sweat the dollars paid. You are going to forget the amount very quickly now that you own one of the best rifles ever produced. I would pay double that and not worry to get my hands on one. It is such a pity that your government won't let us import firearms from your country otherwise I would have heaps. Enjoy your new rifle. Happy Hunting Hamish | |||
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Something doesn't add up. Sakos of that era in the standard grade were universally furnished with a grip cap. I suspect that you may have a replacement stock from a later model gun. With that said, one never says "never" when it comes to Sakos as they had some surprising variations through the years. Does yours have an importer's mark underneath the barrel? It may or may not, but if so it should be something like "Firearms International, Wash. D.C." The bare gun should be worth $700. It might be worth more in some calibers, but .243 is among the most common. The rings are worth $50, the scope closer to $200 (if pristine), and the peep sight about $50. So I get a thousand for the package. However, this just illustrates that an older Sako in excellent condition is a bargain compared to much more pedestrian guns of current production. You could have paid as much for a scoped Remington or Ruger and have not nearly such a refined weapon that will hold its value into the future.[/QUOTE Stonecreek I've got a Sako Forrester purchased in 1963 that has no grip cap and doesn't say BOFORS on the barrel, but does say Firearms International. I believe ,in those days, there was a standard and a deluxe model along with a Varmint rifle with a heavy barrel and a single shot target model. As far as whether the man paid too much, You can overpay,get what you really want and cry once or go cheap and cry many times. With the scope, factory mounts and peep, I think he is somewhat at the high end of what these rifles can actually be purchased for , but definitely in the ballpark. Covey16 Funny,After a rotten war like this,how hard it is to leave- Duncan Grinell-Milne | |||
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You wanted the rifle, appear to have been able to afford it and now have it - ipso facto you did well. Book value appears to have been some 10-20% less than you paid but book value is in a book and your rifle was in the real world, that said Stonecreek really knows his beans when it comes to Sakos! The equivalent new Sako 85 would be how much? If you were a dealer this would be a case for commiseration - if you're not it's not. Spare a thought for us in the UK, I just spend $775US on a 308 sako classic with no scope or mounts with a 1/2" shorter barrel (presumably a pitted crown) reblued, slightly oil stained stock with unoriginal butt pad (didn't spoil the stock in it's instalation) and pitted bolt. Take it from me I did well in our market........ IMHO older sakos are a cheap way of getting what would now count as custom quality. | |||
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Gotta say, I feel a bit better after the last couple of posts... 10% - 20% above book is WELL within the range of retail prices I see in my area for ANY collectible firearm... usually dealers (and no, I am not one) charge at least 30% above that baseline. My rifle has NO import markings whatsoever. I was under the impression (obviously could be wrong) that the grip-caps were NOT a regular feature of the standard edition, just of the deluxe edition (along with the rosewood forestock tip, scrollwork, etc.). Dunno if maybe the the varmint model had a standard edition with a grip cap... Anyway, thanks to all for the great input. I really appreciate it. I am going to really enjoy getting to know this rifle......... Shael | |||
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I think that 505ED is about right .... I never seem to be around when guns are priced the way somebody else thinks they should be priced, but I don't mind. I'll probably keep paying what I must, so I can continue this addiction of mine. ____________________________ .470 & 9.3X74R Chapuis' Tikka O/U 9.3X74R Searcy Classics 450/.400 3" & .577 C&H .375 2 1/2" Krieghoff .500 NE Member Dallas Safari Club | |||
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Shael, You can do like I have done. Look for a really smoking deal on a particular rifle for 15 years and never find it ..... | |||
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Where I live that rifle would have been priced easily at 1200$ + or more likely no scope no peep no rings and priced at 950$. It takes a lot to get a deal in this area, everyones shit is gold plated for some reason. I think you did well and if you are happy with it even better, I'd like to hear a range report! | |||
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You paid right at what a scoped SAKO goes for around here. Those peep sights are getting hard to find so that was a nice bonus. | |||
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Sounds like my price isn't so off the mark for certain parts of the country... I guess I'm wondering where the folks live who can lay their hands on a similar rig for hundreds of $$$ less... so I can go to shows there!!!!!!  Shael | |||
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Where to find such prices? East Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Dallas, Houston, Tulsa.....you have to be patient and make offers with cash in fist. Pretty hard for me to believe that such a rig sells for that much in Colorado. They must have a helluva lot more money out there than us poor old Texans. Especially since I can buy Foresters often off of the various auction sites for less than $800. I just bought on AR a Colt Coltsman .308 which is a Sako Forester with better wood for $500 delivered. $950? Well, everyone spends their money how they want to. BTW, I want to stress, I said he paid a bit too much, not that he got killed. If he's happy, I'm ecstatic. If you don't want to know what I think, don't ask (unless you're my wife, "Why sure, darling, that dress makes you look younger and lighter." ).Finally, when your looking for a certain rare gun, and one finally becomes available, if you want it, then price is a secondary consideration. I just bid 50% over what I thought an engraved Winchester 42 was worth, and, luckily, was outbid by another dummy. He and I were the only bidders for that last 50%. I think I won.....  xxxxxxxxxx When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere. NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR. I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process. | |||
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Shael: You certainly paid less than you would have from most dealers, who would have had to obtain the package at nearly $1,000 and would have added at least $300-400 to that, so no, you didn't steal it, but you have it at a reasonable price. As to grip caps, pre-Garcia standard grade Sakos are almost always found with plastic grip caps with a white line spacer. There is even an internet myth about the screw holding the grip cap being slotted or Phillips having some special significance (it does not). Deluxe Sakos had a contrasting wooden grip cap with a stylized contrasting symbol of a fox (Vixen), tree (Forester), or a bear (Finnbear). The plastic grip caps disappeared shortly after Garcia began importing guns in the early 1970's. Your barrel marking (Bofors Steel) is indicative of a gun made before about 1969-70 or so when the marking was dropped. However, your stock is more in keeping with a gun made after the Garcia changeover. The lack of an import mark on the underside of the barrel is not uncommon with pre-Garcia models. It is also the norm with guns sold originally in Europe and imported by individuals -- mostly U.S. servicemen stationed in Europe. Sako stocks were sometimes marked in the barrel channel with the last four digits of the serial number. You might check to see if your stock is so marked. If your stock is original, then my best guess is that it is a variation that was sold in Europe. This would be consistent with the lack of an import stamp. But as I said in an earlier post, never say "never" about Sakos. There are always variations you didn't count on. Just because I've never seen a pre-Garcia standard grade without a plastic grip cap doesn't mean anything other than "I've never seen one". They certainly can exist. | |||
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Great info! I will check and see if therea re any barrel channel markings as soon as I have an opportunity to take the rifle down. Shael | |||
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Okay... I took it down and the only marking on the barrel channel was a single letter "G"... Does that mean I've got a swapped, "G"arcia stock on my hands? Shael | |||
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Stone Creek Go Have a look at Collectors Firearms website. There is a Sako L579 (Forrester) that looks like mine (except for recoil pad which is non stock). Every Forrester I have ever seen looks like this one. The Finibears I have seen always had the fancy stock. Again, min was purchased at Sears&Roebuck (yes, that Sears&Roebuck) in Beaumont,Texas September 1963. Definitely pre Garcia. Not trying to be argumentative , as I respect your opinion, just adding what I know to be true. Cheers Covey16 Funny,After a rotten war like this,how hard it is to leave- Duncan Grinell-Milne | |||
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Covey, as I said above, I ain't doubtin' you. Some of the earliest Sako L579's had "checkering" on the upper surface of the cocking piece housing that was simply groves running with the axis of the barrel (no crosshatches to make actual checkering). Some early L579's also had a half-moon magazine release that protruded inside the trigger guard at the lower front of the bow. (These guns also had a bolt handle with a curve that protruded further from the side of the stock.) Does your gun exhibit either of these features? Shael: I can't say what the "g" marking means. Your guess that it means "G"arcia is a reasonable one, but I have no information to verify that. I once bought a rather rare caliber Sako that looked fully original. When I removed the stock I found it was marked "Sile". Sile was a gun parts after-market distributor that sold factory-type stocks for a number of guns. The stock was such a good copy of a factory Sako that I did not recognize that until finding the marking. Since it was a rare caliber, and I did not pay all that much for it to begin with, I'm still happy with it (as you should be with your newly-acquired Sako, whether the stock is original or not.) | |||
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My rifle's stock is identical to the one pictured on the Collector's Firearms site (http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=16574) with the exception that mine has the original plastic Sako butt-plate. Shael | |||
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StoneCreek Sorry I missed this post. Mine has the checkered cocking piece, but the magazine release is on the outside of the trigger guard touching the floor plate. Bolt handle is checkered and appears to be in normal location . My stock doesn't have the crossbolt like the .308 at Collectors Firearms. I had only seen this on Finnibear stocks prior. I think Sako is like Winchester used to be. They never threw a danged thing away. It all eventually gets used. Covey16 Funny,After a rotten war like this,how hard it is to leave- Duncan Grinell-Milne | |||
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For all you guys in Colorado and other places, here's what a decent buy on a Sako looks like. If I wasn't neck deep in 7mags and ALSO the seller wasn't in Texas which costs me another $57+ in taxes, I'd be all over this. I have zero knowledge of the seller or this gun..... Sako 7mm Rem Mag xxxxxxxxxx When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere. NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR. I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process. | |||
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Gato: This isn't a bad buy, but its SN makes it a Garcia, and it doesn't describe as clean as the .243 discussed in this thread. Like the .243, the 7mm Rem is a rather common chambering and doesn't seem to bring as much as several other calibers. Curiously, this one has a pre-Garcia style grip cap. Go figure. At $700 plus shipping, it's a decent buy. But if you say this one is worth $700, then the .243 would have to be worth $50 to $100 more. But like you, I'm surprised this one isn't getting a bid at the moment. | |||
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At the gun shows I've been to in the last few years around here, there seems to be considerable variation in Sako prices developing. The ones I would expect to be dear, have in fact sold rather inexpensively. For instance, I've seen at least 3 L-46's in the last year in as-new to flat new condition, for under $700, complete with original rings, but not scope. I bought one L-46 which was totally new and unfired in .222 for well under $700. On the other hand, the ones I would anticipate being rather easily available, such as medium caliber Foresters, Garcias, etc., seem to have almost dried up, and are bringing prices I would not even consider paying. And I haven't seen a Safari-Grade for sale at a local show in 10 years. So it is not only hard to know what a Sako is worth in a particular geographic area, it is getting doubly hard to predict what it will be worth in another year. My advice is simply....if you are either a Sako fan, a Sako user, or an investor, don't fool around. If you see one you like at a price you can afford, just buy it. It is highly unlikely you will lose money on it, and you just might make a bundle by the time you actually want to sell it. My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still. | |||
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Which is why I bought an AI 6mm PPC sporter repeater without much regard to price........ | |||
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FWIW... I noticed that two Forester Varmint model on sale at Cabelas, one pre-72 the other "circa"-72, both have the same style of grip as my gun show find (i.e. no cap)... http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/gun...sp?hierarchyId=10473 http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/gun...sp?hierarchyId=10473 Shael | |||
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I know that guy. I have talked to him on many occasions at guns show for the last 25 years. I have bought a few things from his shop when passing by his neighborhood on I-35. I never bought anything major because his prices are right at the top of the used gun market in this area. | |||
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Shael----You didnt tell us where you are located--that's a factor in the worth of a gun. You didnt say what the gun will be used for or if you reload. If you do reload and it's to be used on deer--You are going to hear from some that a .243 is marginal at best and it requires premium bullets. For years I have reloaded for myself,son in law and grandson and have used 100 grain Winchester bulk packed(cheap---not premium) bullets and they work great. If you did happen to pay a little too much,in a few years you might be wishing you had bought a couple more of them. | |||
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carpetman - I'm in PA, will be using it for deer and maybe some bench, I don' reload yet but have some inherited gear and plan on starting this winter. I know about the whole 243 question but I've seen deer shot with 243s and I'm confident in the caliber for what I intend to do. Shael | |||
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Here's some useful information regarding SAKO's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAKO BTW: I own two FORESTERS, one a carbine and the other a rifle. Both were .243's but I had the carbine rebored to .358 win. Serial #'s are 36,xxx(carb) and 46,xxx(rifle) and both models have the pistol grip cap. Like many companies, when new owners / importers come on line and product changes are made...many companies will use up all of the old components "like the grip cap" before a standarized model appears. BT Elk, it's what's for dinner..  | |||
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