Sako High Power Mauser Sporting Rifle in .375 H&H

[slinkylegs]

Looking for some more expert advice as to the worth of a gun I came into. Picked up this Sako .375 H&H with a Mauser action recently because I thought it was too good a deal to pass up on. I didn't really know much about the gun (and still don't), but I'd like some more information before I decide to sell or not.

The gun appears to be all original except the recoil pad, which is a Decelerator pad. The steel is in really nice shape still, with the only real imperfections located where the bases for the scope were mounted (the bluing is worn down there). The stock is solid but has some scuff marks, mainly located on the butt (specifically around the cheek piece). Everything seems all fine beyond that, as everything I've checked out still functions as it should.

The previous owner was an old fella who just couldn't shoot it anymore. He used it for moose and elk from my understanding, but beyond that I have no history on it. Is there anyone out there that could tell me more about the rifle? An approximate date, condition grade, and worth are all things I am specifically looking for.

 

[wesheltonj]

Looks like it might be an L597. 1960 to 1973.

 

[slinkylegs]

Interesting. I was certainly told that it is a FN Mauser action, which ought to predate the Sako actions, correct?

 

[Red Leg]

It is a true Mauser action, and they were indeed based on the FN action. They quit producing them in the late fifties. As you might imagine the similarities to the Browning Safari of the same period are not surprising. It has the extremely high cheekrest of many quality late fifties rifles reflecting the new California style. Very nice rifle, I bet it shoots, though that high comb may have encouraged the decelarator pad.

As to value, these are uncommon rifles, particularly in this caliber. I would prowl through Guns America and other on-line sights to see if I could find a twin. I can’t access blue book from this device, which would certainly list it.

 

[slinkylegs]

Ah yes, I had read that the Browning Safari rifles were very similar to this particular model. I'm glad you mentioned the high cheek piece, I thought I had forgot how to shoulder a rifle when my regular hold couldn't line the sights up!

As to the value, I had read on a Sako Collector's forum that the Blue Book values for old Sako's was low across the board, but there was never prices listed. Seems like there are diverging values attributed to the old Sako's, so I was hoping to narrow down a bit more of a price so I know what to ask. As pointed out before, the raised cheek doesn't feel quite right to me, so it likely wouldn't be a rifle I hold onto long term. Plus there is a nice BRNO 602 I've had my eye on, but I would need to sell this before acting.

 

[wesheltonj]

Interesting. I was certainly told that it is a FN Mauser action, which ought to predate the Sako actions, correct?

If you look on the SAKO corporate website, that serial number says L597 which is why I guessed that model.

 

[Ray B]

The idea behind the high cheekpiece is that it slopes down toward the front- so when the rifle recoils and moves back, the cheekpiece will be moving away from your cheek. My dad had an old US made Weatherby FN that had the sloping forward cheekpiece and as I recall having the rifle bruise my cheek was not a problem, but (it was a 300) I had to make sure my cheek was tight against the stock so that my head would go back with the rifle so as to not get hit by the scope.

 

[slinkylegs]

If you look on the SAKO corporate website, that serial number says L597 which is why I guessed that model.

Ah, that makes sense then. I'll need to look into that a lot more to nail something down. I found an old advertisement for the High Power that sounds exactly like mine.

Ray, that sounds like a useful design... but it still isn't comfortable haha. Mind you, a bruised cheek is even more so