My father-in-law gave me a Browning 243 that was actually a Sako action. He and I and his younger son went on a hunting trip for which I lent his son the rifle. Long story short, I gave him the gun to sort of commemorate the trip.

But I want another one, and I see Marlin used Sako actions, as did Browning. Were there any other companies that used the Sako action back then?

Anything that would increase my luck in finding one, such as any other companies that used them would help

They don't turn up in the used racks very often.

On the subject, what companies used actions that were not their own- I mean actions that were worth a damn?

thanks.

tin can,

There were actually several other marquees that featured Sako actions besides Browning and Marlin. H&R had the 317 Ultra Wildcat, Sako L461 actions, which were mostly 17/223's and 17 Remingtons, but some highly desirably 222's and 223's were made as well. H&R also had a Model 322, Sako L461 action, which I think were all 222's, and looked just like a Sako except for the markings, and if I remember correctly, had round top receivers.

There were also several variations of Colt's "Coltsman", both Standard and Custom grades, made with Sako actions. I've had examples made with the L46, L579 and L61R actions. These are very nice rifles. I also had a Western Field 243 once made on a Sako L57 action. There may be others!

brother, that will keep me busy

many thanks.

I can never spell it ... Anshultz (did I get it right?) also used the L46 action at some point.
Cheers...
Con

Mudstud gave you a pretty good list.

More recently, Magnum Research has used Sako actions, but I think all were the long variety, likely the S-691, and with a round top receiver.

My recollection of the older makes using a Sako action or barreled action are:

Browning (short and medium)
Wards (medium)
Marlin (short)
Colt (short, medium, and long)
H & R (short on model 317, and long on model 330?)
O'Brian (Javalina, short)

There were also a few other semi-custom gun makers like O'Brian -- maybe some Winslows -- that used a fair number of Sako actions, but most of them would be pricey.

A Japanese-made exact copy of the Sako L 61R was the Dickson-Howa. I've only seen them in the long action, and then only in .30-06.

As another poster alluded to, some Anschutz were apparently built on the Sako prior to Anschutz producing it's own short action for .222.

Lazaroni has used the Sako TRG-s, but although it's a good action, it is quite unlike the L579 you're attempting to replace, so you would likely not be interested.

I've got an H&R medium action L579 round top, now a 6/284, was an Ultra Rifle in .22/250 at birth.

Stonecreek,

If memory serves me right, the O'Brien rifles were actually the forerunner to the H&R 317's. I think H&R bought the rights to this style from O'Brien, or bought out O'Brien, or whatever. I once had an H&R 317 in 17 Mach IV, which was sold to me as a factory test gun, when H&R went tits up in '86, but may actually have been an O'Brien. Supposedly there was at least one like it in 17 Javelina, as well. Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!

Another, which slipped my mind the first time, were the Berettas made in all three action lengths, Models 500, 501 and 502 respectively, in the 80's. In typical Beretta fashion, made in several grades. I never did see one, but believe these were on Sako actions.

I also had one of the Dickson-Howas. A close copy, but not to the quality of a Sako. Mine may have been a 30-06, I don't remember, I didn't have it long.

I thank each of you kindly for all this information, I've cut and pasted it into a file so I can refer to it as I go along and look for a Sako.

Plus I learned a lot, never a bad thing.

thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by mudstud:
Stonecreek,

If memory serves me right, the O'Brien rifles were actually the forerunner to the H&R 317's. I think H&R bought the rights to this style from O'Brien, or bought out O'Brien, or whatever. I once had an H&R 317 in 17 Mach IV, which was sold to me as a factory test gun, when H&R went tits up in '86, but may actually have been an O'Brien. Supposedly there was at least one like it in 17 Javelina, as well. Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!

Another, which slipped my mind the first time, were the Berettas made in all three action lengths, Models 500, 501 and 502 respectively, in the 80's. In typical Beretta fashion, made in several grades. I never did see one, but believe these were on Sako actions.

I also had one of the Dickson-Howas. A close copy, but not to the quality of a Sako. Mine may have been a 30-06, I don't remember, I didn't have it long.

Mudstud:

I also recently found a reference to H & R being the successor to O'brien. I do know that the H & R 317 was very similar in size and style to the O'brien.

I also found a reference to Sears marketing a Sako-actioned proprietary gun, but I don't believe that is accurate. Sears marketed FNs, Winchesters, and Mossbergs as "Sears", "J.C. Higgins", or "Ted Williams", but I've never seen a Sears Sako.

I think you're correct about the Berettas, which were marketed prior to Beretta using the "Mato" action.

I bought a Dickson-Howa just a few weeks ago. Paid a "Savage" price for it, so I am impressed with its relative quality, though obviuosly not up to that of an acutal Sako. I ran its bolt into a pre-Garcia L61R and vice-versa and the bolts fit perfectly. It's trigger is astoundingly good, and although the stock is refinished, it has some beautiful walnut figure. The only drawback is its alloy floorplate. With a little work, it looks like I can get it grouping under an inch. Not much to criticize in a $300 "Sako".

The Sears / JC higgins model 52 was a Sako Riihimaki .222 L46

Here's link to one that is for sale over on GA.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976701142.htm

I saw one at the last gun show , but it had been rechambered to .223.
Weagle

Right you are, Weagle! I'll bet that it was put together for Sears by Marlin using a Sako action and is a clone to the 322.

How much you willing to spend for a real Pre 72, Sako, 243? You can sit on a bench and make baby clover leafs all day with handloads.

well, as I bought 5 rifles in the last year-and-a-half, at the moment, I'm lacking in the cash department. However, if you ain't in a hurry, throw me an email and we'll chat a bit.

fourbuttons2003@yahoo.com

You've got mail.