I just came across a nice Browning bolt action .22-250. Only thing is, the gun is marked "Made in Finland". The rifle is not an A-Bolt action. It looks more similar to a Mauser action. I am guessing it may be a Saco.

The rifle looks very well made and is beautifully finished. Does anyone know if it is indeed a Saco made gun, when they were imported, and if they are any more or less desireable than a Japan made A-Bolt?

Thanks for any help.
Jason

That is a Sako action, most likely pencil barrel rifle. Way more desirable than a Japanese made rifle.

Sako, not Saco.

The short and medium calibers of the Browning Safari started using the Sako actions (L461 and L579) in the early to mid 1960's. Prior to that, the "medium" calibers (.243, .308) were built on the FN Mauser. Production of the Safari ceased in about 1973-74.

Sako-made actions were used for .222, .222 Magnum, .22-250, .243, .308, and a limited number of .284's. The sporters are know as "pencil barrel" models due to the very slim contour of the barrels (incidentally, a three-step contour reminicent of the military 98 Mauser barrel). The .222, .222 Magnum, .22-250, and .243 were also available in a medium-heavy varmint barrel.

By the way, when the .22-250 was first chambered in the Safari it was still a wildcat, non-factory loaded cartridge. That may have been a "first" for a major firearms manufacturer.

The basic (but very nicely finished) model was the "Safari" grade. There were also higher grades called "Medallion" and "Olympian".

I suspect that the barrels on the Sako action models were also made by Sako, but I have never been able to confirm this.

The stocks were definately a Belgian product. In the late 60's and early 70's they had a problem with a batch that was stored in an old salt mine. Unintentionally, the salt-laden atmosphere transfered salt to the wood, which later had a tendancy to corrode the metal of the gun.

Thanks for the great information guys. Thankfully, the rifle is a non-salt wood gun.
Jason