Sako Finnbear

[thoma018]

May i inquire; I am looking at an older SAKO Finnbear L61R in 375 H&H. The serial number dates this rifle back to about 1963/64. The stock need some work to look pretty and needs a crack fixed but I'm not to interested in looks just function and safety. I don't know if this rifle will ever make to Africa but would like to make sure it is Africa "ready". ....so what would need to be done t make it ready ? What needs to be checked and proven ? I think maybe the twist on the early SAKO in 375 was a 1:14, and maybe most current production 375 H&H are 1:12 twist. There's a reason for this i suppose do with bullet stabilization/flight/accuracy. Please comment on this also.
Thanks

 

[wesheltonj]

At the time those were considered the most accurate rifles. Repair or restock the rifle and you will be set.

 

[thoma018]

At the time those were considered the most accurate rifles. Repair or restock the rifle and you will be set.

thanks for replying. I note this rifle has one crossbolt in front of the magazine. Should another be added further back, front of trigger or such ?
Are these original stocks weak in the wrist needing a threaded rod epoxied down thru the inside of the wrist ?
I do find a rather long crack on the right side of the stock from near the bolt handle cut towards the crossbolt. i figure this can be repaired with some marine tex and perhaps some flat metal from the inside. IDK.

 

[Luvthunt]

Go synthetic and be done.

 

[Nyati]

I have one like yours in .338 WM I restocked it with a MacMillan.

 

[thoma018]

That’s a nice looking stock…if mine does work out with the repair I may go to a bell and Carlson, possibly a Boyd’s laminate to keep the price down and make it a bit heavier to mitigate recoil.
…..and if anyone else might chime it—I misspoke on the twist rate on the older Sako 375s. It’s 1:10 while most modern 375s have a 1:12. I suppose this may make it favor a heavier bullet—-idk.

 

[thoma018]

I'm not sure McMillan inlets for this model Sako anymore.....which stock did you get from McMillan ?

 

[Nyati]

I'm not sure McMillan inlets for this model Sako anymore.....which stock did you get from McMillan ?

It´s from 1990, code SSC-2, I believe it was called American Classic.

 

[thoma018]

Thanks for that reference number, I see they still offer a Sako classic.