I am wondering about the difference in the SAKO actions prior to the current "model 75" (?) action.

I see references to the "A" actions and I see references to the action model numbers such as L461,L591, L691, etc...

Can anyone point me to a reference for this or provide some information.

Thanks
GPT

Quick guide:

1950's: L46 (short) and L57 (medium)

Early '60s: L461 (improved L46 with a fixed magazine and floorplate), called the "Vixen"; L579 (ditto, medium), called the "Forester"; and L61R called the "Finnbear" (long, for both '06 and magnum size case heads)

Garcia imports beginning in 1972: Same, but L61 R lost it's rear "safety" lug a la Mauser '98 (the other two never had the third lug).

Sometime in the 70's: Same actions came with shrouded firing pins (rear bolt cover)

Sometime in late 70's or early 80's: L461, L579, and L61R were replaced with extremely similar AI, AII, and AIII/ AV. I think this happened under the Stoeger imprortation regime. I think, but don't rely on this, that the A-series will fit or can be adapted to the same stock as the L-series.

Sometime in the early 90's, the A-series was replaced with 469, 581, and 691, which had a shorter rear tang and relied on a barrel washer, a la Remington 700, for the bedding lug. These will NOT fit the stocks for the older actions.

Late 90's: Sako 75 series with a three-lug, 60 degree bolt was introduced. Similar in appearance to the older models, but actually quite different, and available with either a fixed or detachable magazine.

In addition, a Model 995, also called the TRG-s, was offered in synthetic stock only and was (is) based on the TRG sniper rifle with a three-lug, 60 degree bolt and a detachable magazine.

Some late 1950's Sakos were built on an FN-made Mauser action, prior to Sako coming out with the L61R. These are most commonly found in .300 H & H and other "long" cartridges.

Sako also made a gear-operated lever action, quite reminiscent in appearance to the Winchester 88, and chambered in .243 and .308. It was called the "Finnwolf", or, I believe, VL63.

Yeah.......like Stonecreek said...

Stoney.....I just so happen to be putting together another calling rifle on an L461 action.
It'll be a tight-necked 17 Javelina(chambered by a friend), using a 22" stainless medium-heavy Sonny France 1:9" twist barrel(that another friend gave me). The barrelled action will go into an ol' F.I. sporter stock(that a third friend gave me).

I'll call it my "gimme" rifle.....for obvious reasons.....err...friends.

Friend Of The 17
Kevin Gullette

Stonecreek,
what your opinion of the Model 995 compared to the Sako 75 series and vice versa?
I can purchase a TRG/M995 in 7mm STW for $390.00. The stock is kinda of rough and was planning on replacing the stock & barrel anyway but could not find any custom synthetic stockmakers for this model of Sako and I'm concerned about this and was thinking perhaps the M995 is not feasable or worthwhile.

Hey GPT,
If you are interested in a Sako L 61r actions,I know where a new one in a box at a good price,is located.Email me,if you are interested.
1geejay
www.shooting-hunting.com

Norseman: I like the 995, but it does not lend itself very well to customization. I understand that there is now an aftermarket stock offered by MPI for it, but the price exceeds that of a new complete 995, if my information is correct! Some are trying to build new bottom metal for the 995, so as to replace the synthetic trigger guard. It appears to also be an expensive undertaking.

For the time being, I would recommend leaving a 995 as it is (except for rebarreling, if needed or wanted). It is highly utilitarian, but not fancy. The bolt is the smoothest of any I've ever tried. You lift the bolt handle, tilt the rifle muzzle up about 25 degrees, and the bolt slides out on it's own. The magazine holds four magnum rounds and is centerfeeding. You can buy a couple of extras and carry them loaded in your pocket for those rare occasions when you need more shots than available in your magazine.

If building a heavy-recoiling rifle, I think that I would beef up the recoil lug system. It is only a slot in the bottom of the receiver which a "lump" of the synthetic stock fits into. I haven't had any trouble with it on a .375 or .338, but then I don't put too many rounds through either of these rifles. Some frequent shooters are reporting action movement after a while in the heavy calibers, whether real or imagined.

Kevin: That "gimme" rifle sounds nice. I can't recall, is the .17 Javalina built on the .221 case? Is it the cartridge once marketed by the O'brien Rifle Company built on the little Sako, or am I confusing it with something else?

Norseman: One more thought. That's a fairly attractive price on that 995. You might see what a new Sako factory stock goes for. Jim Lutes of Whitewater, Kansas and Accuflite Sports in Pennsylvania both carry a lot of Sako parts and might have a 995 stock.

Synthetic stocks aren't too easy to beat up. What did the previous owner do to it?

Another alternative: There are several wood companies that will turn a blank with a stock duplicator. You might restock with wood by having the factory stock duplicated. If you did so, you would definately want to glue a metal bedding block into the wood stock to fit the bedding slot in the receiver; either that or install a Remington 700-type bedding washer between the barrel and receiver.

You also asked what I thought of the Model 75. I don't own any examples of the 75, but my neighbor has two, and they seem very nice.

A few years ago I bought a Sako 591M (medium action) for a custom project, just before the 75's came out. It does NOT have a barrel lug. Rather, it has an L-shaped lug, that is fitted over the front action screw stud. It was an ill-fitting aluminum POS that I replaced with a steel lug that I had made. That lug was then pillar bedded into the McMillan stock, with the front pillar running through it. It works just fine, but I can't believe they got so cheap as to necessitate this knid of aftermarket work.

Stonecreek,

You're real close.....the 17 Javelina is based on the 222 case, shortened/necked-down/slightly blown-out. It was originally the brainchild of Bill Atkinson and Paul Marquart...A&M rifle Co. And yes, Vern O'Brien built rifles on that cartridge(I have three), and the 17-222 Magnum, and also the 17 Mach IV(this is the cartridge that's based on the 221FB case.....I suspect this is the one you're thinking of).

In some circles, Vern O'Brien is given credit for the 17 Mach IV......but I think it was originated by others. Just not sure of my memory....gett'in older.

Shoot me an e-mail sometime, and shoot the breeze about small Sakos....old good ones.

kevinroyal@aol.com

Friend Of The 17
Kevin Gullette

SST,

I've got that same action sitting around waiting for me to think of what project to use it on. What chambering is your rifle? I'm thinking to stick to 308 Win for my rifle, but was wondering whether the action/magazine is long enough for 257 Roberts/7x57/284 Win?

The bolt diameter of the little Sako is too small to handle the new WSSMs even if you could get the magazine to feed them, right?

Stu C,
I built a 7-08AI on my 591. It wears a 22" Shilen #2 barrel with a 1:11 twist, sitting in a McMillan stock. With a Leupold 2.5x8 Vari-X III, it weighs exactly 8 pounds. Very straight shooter.

I bought the action new in-the-white from Simmons (Jerry's), and was a little dismayed as to how rough the bolt cycled. I've heard a lot of people say how slick their action was, but maybe our definitions of "slick" varies. I also wan't pleased with the "Rifleman's Delight" trigger. It has now been reworked to a crisp 31 ounces.

As for chambering a rifle based on this action for a .284, 257 Roberts, or 7x57, I wouldn't. The magazine is only 2.82+" long at best. That pretty well eliminates the possibility of loading anything other than the medium or light bullets for caliber, unless you want to use up a significant portion of your available case capacity with a deep seated bullet.

I love the rifle, but probably won't build another custom rifle on a SAKO.

[ 01-31-2003, 08:57: Message edited by: SST ]