Which of Sako's actions would be considered the best? Toughest? Heaviest? I want to put a custom together on a Sako action, but can't really get the skinny on how each action stands up against the next. I know the origin of each action and the chronology as to how they evolved, but that is about it. I am coveting the L579 Deluxe Forester too. I would probably just have the action trued, bedded and rebarreled if I went that route.

Thanks.

What size action are you talking about?? I have a bit more experience with the small actions than with the large ones, so here is my take on those..

My 1st choice would probably be an L461. Mine (in .222 Rem) is probably the smoothest action I own. Together with the Cooper M21, it is probably also the smallest action I own - almost perfectly matched to the .222 Rem cartridge. The bolt has quite a bit of play, but man is it smooth.

During the years the L461 was made, Sako's importer in the US changed to the Garcia company (the fishing people). Some people think quality took a turn for the worse in that period. I personally have not got the experience to confirm or deny that.

I do know, that the follow-up action to the L461 - the A1 (and A2) was still a superb action. In fact, other than the bolt shroud and the protrusion of the firing pin, I have not spotted a lot of differencs between the L461 and the A1. Perhaps the A1 has grown just a tad bigger?? That would gel with some of the Garcia gripes: that actions were made in fewer sizes, and thus were not so perfectly matched to the caliber they were used for. (No mention of a SA M700 in .223 here...).

Possibly the most accurate of all Sako guns are the single shots. I have heard of single shot L461s, but I have personally only seen A1-type actions in this configuration. Funnily, the single shots I have seen, do not carry the A1 designation, nor do their serial numbers begin with A. They are most commonly seen in the PPC calibers. I believe Sako was the first to chamber a factory rifle for the 6mm PPC cartridge.

The single shot Sakos, but not only these, often come with the externally adjustable target trigger. As decent as the regular Sako trigger is, there is just no comparison with the target trigger. Short of the aftermarket triggers, there are few triggers like these available. Sadly, they are pretty scarce these days, and the rifles thus equipped demand premium prices.

I also have 2 Sako AV actions - in case your question was more directed towards the larger actions. They are nice actions, very smooth. I'm not particularly crazy about the safety for a big game rifle, but other than that, they are very nice actions. I just don't have the experience to compare them to other, equivalent Sako actions.

The X91 (e.g. 591) series start to have separate recoil lugs, a feature I believe they share with the 75 series. Often, these are considered less attractive actions. A lot of criticism has also been dished out at the 75 actions for having the firing pin lock. Although, I believe you can get rid of that with some after market parts??

- mike

I love the AV actions. I like the look, which is a subjective thing. Mine have always been nice and square.

I have one of the single shot 6PPCs. That trigger is quite nice.

One thing I really like about the AVs is the Whundhammer swell to the grip. I have large hands, so that is very comfortable to me. The Monte Carlo on those stocks works well with either scope or iron sighting. There is also a tough of cast off in the butt of the stock that helps the rifle point naturally.

Any model can be dropped into a McMillan stock, which is a nice feature.

The action nomenclature is confusing at times. By whatever designation, I would like to get some of the .308 length actions. One of those in a proportional Mannlicher stock would be the cat's ass.

Hard to go wrong with Sako's. Despite a few blips here and there they have turned out a good product for a lot of years.

I'm not crazy about the Model 75s, but the one I have works just fine.

LD

I want to build a .284 Win on one. Isn't the A series the one that has the bolt shroud that's just like the new 75s? Which actions have the two lug bolt? All but the 75s or are there other three lug bolts beside the 75? I've read more flattering info on the older two lug actions.

I had my .416 built on a 70´s L61 (? I think, we should ask boha) action that originally came from a .375. It´s smooth enough and it opened up nicely for the .416.

quote:

Originally posted by OldCenterChurch:
I want to build a .284 Win on one. Isn't the A series the one that has the bolt shroud that's just like the new 75s? Which actions have the two lug bolt? All but the 75s or are there other three lug bolts beside the 75? I've read more flattering info on the older two lug actions.

The bolt shroud of the A series looks somewhat like the current 75 shroud, but not quite. The 75 shroud is more rounded, and, I believe (?), a bit longer. The A-series shroud was a bit more angular. The firing pin protrusion is on the bottom of the shroud on the A-series.

The A series, and the series before them, all use a 2 lug locking system. Was the 75 the first Sako to go to 3 lugs??

For the .284 Win, you MIGHT just get away with an A2 action. Sako built their actions to size, and the A2 was sized for the .243/7mm-08/308 cartridges. So those are the size limitations you'd be dealing with in that action.

An A3 (transitional) or AV would be fairly long for what you need, but would certainly hold your cartridge. I don't know about feeding issues from the long box, though??
- mike

P.S. I looked on GunsAmerica, to see if there was a picture to illustrate the A-series bolt shroud. It was tad difficult to find anything good, but this might give you an idea. You should take the time to check out the adds on GunsAmerica or GunBroker, always interesting to get familiar with what you are looking for.

Oldcentrechurch ,
All but the model 75 have 2 lug bolts .
The L491 , L591 and L691 have separate recoil lugs and are not favoured .
The L461 , L579 and L61 actions are basically very similar to the A1 , A11 , A111 and AV from what I have seen . The A series superseded the L series and had more rounded lines to the stock .
The bolt shrouds changed to one similar to the current style in the late 70's so later L series rifles have the (similar to) current style of shroud .
You will need an L61 or A111 to be able to seat bullets out with a .284 based cartridge . L579 is marginal for that cartridge length . Action rails may need work to get a good feed witjh .284 .Think you'd be better to look at a .280 Rem. if you want a Sako .Easier to find brass , no feed hassles and will do anything a .284 will too .

I like the L series the best, don't think there is really any difference in the pre & post Garcias, also like the As. And the more archaic look of the Riihimakis and L57s. Every Sako I have owned was/is a tack driver, especially the small bores. My L57 308 with factory peep:

Also Sako TRG-S had three lug bolt (action M995 super mag.). As far as I can remember it was also the first three lug bolt produced by Sako.

OldCenterChurch, just FWIW, SAKO is launching a new action at the 'shows' this year. It is the M-85, that's about all I have found out so far. I continue to search for info myself.

Take Care--Don

quote:

Originally posted by Bushchook:
The L491 , L591 and L691 have separate recoil lugs and are not favoured .

If you are going to rebarrel the action, the separate recoil lug isn't an issue. Just chuck it and put a new one on with the barrel (like Remington's recoil lug). I had that done with an L591 and it shoots < .2's.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by OldCenterChurch:
I want to build a .284 Win on one. QUOTE]

The L-579 was used by Browning for its short run of .284's in the Safari rifle. It worked fine, but LOA is limited and this is definately not the action you want to use for long, heavy target type bullets (assuming you want to use the magazine and not as a single shot). If you envision your .284 as a light game rifle, then the L-579 (or A-II) would be excellent.

The L-series and the A-series are both excellent actions. In the long action, the early ("pre-Garcia") L-61R's had a third rear or "safety" lug like the '98 Mauser. It was dropped as superfluous (and it was) in the later actions. There are two long actions in the A-series, the A-III and the A-V. The difference is apparently only in the length of the tang.

The factory Sako trigger is among the best for sporting rifles. With few exceptions, they can be adjusted as light as you would want a field gun. If you want a dedicated target trigger, there are some good after-markets available.

The TRG-s is a three-lug, 60 degree action and is being used by some for custom rifles. It's a great action, but most retrofit it with a washer-type recoil lug. It uses a removable clip magazine, which may not be particularly adaptable to a .284, however.

I only have experience with the Model 75 shooting a friend's rifles. Don't see anything wrong with it, but it's going to be more expensive to find a donor for your project.

I have a 7-08AI built on the Sako M591 action. It should be fine for the .284 Winchester. I seat my bullets for an OAL of approximately 2.825", which gives me another .010" to spare in the magazine. The rifle holds 5 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. One may never need that much ammo at one time, but I find it easier to carry extra ammo in the rifle than in my pocket. I bought my action new "in the white" from Jerry's/Simmon's. As mentioned earlier, the 591 has a separate recoil lug. It was an ill-fitting aluminum lug that I replaced with a tight fitting steel lug I had made. The new lug was installed directly onto the front pillar when I pillar bedded the stock. It works wonderfully.

in addition to the L691 and similar actions having the removable recoil lugs are concerned, the new stocks are inletted to ELIMINATE that lug and the front pillar is supported by a recess for it, made into the stock. My HS Precision I installed on an L691 action was made with the aluminum bedding block recessed for the front action screw pillar and has been SUPERB in the accuracy dept. The lug is in a drawer in the house somewhere.

Not to mention a gunsmith could install a BR recoil lug and inlett the stock for it and the point is mute. My L691 action hangs with my BR prepped rem700s,..and that is saying something based on the labor that went into getting them ready for match work.

any good sako action will be more than you need unless you wish to compete.