In fact, the classic lines make the Sako 85 Hunter one of the nicest looking stalking rifles on the market, coupled with the Sako stamp of quality and accuracy. The walnut Hunter, however, appeals to the purist and is a very elegant and well-handling rifle. The stock on sako is made that bit better! Are Sako barrels lapped?īecause the Sako and Tikka barrels have been lapped several times at the Sako factory, you will find that your barrel should not foul easily – therefore this running in procedure really is not as necessary as with other brands of rifles. Think you are paying extra on the sako for the finishings like the magazine is made better (steel)instead of plastic on tikka. Well-Known Member Both guns use the same barrels and are made in the same factory. If you are going to use it unmodified then the Sako would be my 1st choice due to the action being (in my mind) a cut above the Tikka due to the 3 lug design and caliber specific size.
So your decision will come down to your application. The accuracy on both is defiantely a cut above most any other factory rifle. SAKO FINNBEAR MANNLICHER CARBINE 300 WIN MAG 20 INCH ” BARREL Calhoun, KY 42327 1975 W/BOX NEAR MINT NR! 24 INCH ” BARREL Minneapolis, MN 55424 You have a fine rifle that should be a very good shooter.SAKO FINNBEAR L61R 7MM REM MAG BOLT RIFLE CA. Most of this matters more to collectors than shooters/hunters. Heavier and less svelte stock without pistol grip cap or fixed sling mount. Heavier barrel contour and no Bofors stamp.ĥ. Scope base dove tails were smooth not checkered.Ĥ. The metal was not as highly polished before bluing so the bluing was not as nice.ģ. No 3rd locking lug at the rear of the boltĢ. S ome of the differences from pre-72 models were:ġ. Sako rifles are distinguished as Pre-72(Pre-Garcia) or Post-72 because a major change to the Sako lineage was made in 1972. In 1978, Stoeger began importing Sakos until Beretta bought controlling interest in Sako and began doing its own distribution in the U.S. In 1972, Garcia took over importation of Sako rifles.
It's also possible your rifle was rebarreled. A barrel may be stamped with an import stamp but have some of the traits of earlier rifles due to depletion of parts in inventory. The rifles of 1969 through the end of 1971 have shown most variations of any other era of Sako production. serviceman serving in Europe.)Ī "Transition gun" was one made before 1972. by an individual (most frequently, a U.S. Those without an importers mark were usually brought into the U.S. that came after 1968 will either have an importer's mark or will not have an importer’s mark.
All Garcias and Stoegers bore a similar import mark.Īll Sako rifles in the U.S. Those barrels had "Firearms International, Wash. In late 1968, Firearms International (FI) began importing Sako's until the end of 1971. The import stamps were required after the Gun Control Act of 1968.
SAKO FINNBEAR L61R BOFORUS SERIAL NUMBERS
Sako serial numbers are a disaster after 1968 and jump around pretty indiscriminately due to the different importers (Firearms International, Garcia, Stoeger). Here's some info about the Sako rifle lineage that I've learned over the years.