So a buddy has a Sako AV, walnut stock, chambered in 270 win. Unfortunately it has been filmed dipped in snow camo-YUK! He is thinking about selling it, I would like to buy it and at least strip the camo off, refinish it, and possibly rebarrel it to 284 win or 280AI. Is this action worthy of rebarrelling, or is it not worth my time? Thanks in advance.
School me on the Sako AV
- Thread starter Crashman
- Start date
M12shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- East St. Paul, mb
The Horror...The Horror...Who who would do such a thing to a fine rifle like that! Rebarreling...depends. Sako AV were a good solid action before all the meddling started. If you can get it for a song then spending 6 or 700 bucks rebarreling would be worth it .
I should give a reason for the rebarrelling thought process, first and foremost I am not a 270 win fan...in the least. I know they kill, and I know they are near the top of the charts for ammo and reloading dies sold, but I just can't warm up to it. Secondly, he tells me it did not shoot that well, and he is certainly capable of good shooting. I have witnessed some pretty awesome shooting from him with both his Tikka T3 Sporter and his hunting rifles too. He is the second owner and he told me the first owner shot it a lot, it is or was well cared for, just shot a lot so possibly the barrel is near the end of its natural life anyways.
I just rebarreled mine after about 30 years. Money well spent, they don't make em like that any more.
Grizz
I've owned a few Sako AV's, great action. Heavy for a 270 but great for larger magnums. Too bad it's messed up with the dip.
284 or 280AI won't do anything that a 270 won't do. A good one to rebarrel to would be 35 Whelen, make use of the weight.
284 or 280AI won't do anything that a 270 won't do. A good one to rebarrel to would be 35 Whelen, make use of the weight.
The A-series were the last of the high-quality Sakos that built the Sako reputation. The 75 and the 85 that followed were a huge step down in quality, fit and finish...still nice guns, but relatively speaking (compared to the A's), junk.
I know the 270 is a great cartridge, but if I am going to rebarrel, I will go to something that turns my crank. I have two 284s already, one a heavy target rifle, the other my son's hunting rifle. And since I am set to reload for it, that makes the most sense to me. I have a 358 win already, I know it is not quite the equal of the 35 Whelen, but it is close enough for what I do that there is no sense going that direction.
Circa 1850 will get rid of the film in a hurry, however it will also take the finish under it aswell - so you will need to refinish the stock afterwards. I have had a handful of the av's over the years aswell and they are nice. Not as nice as the 75's but nice all the same.
As for rebarreling: 6mm-06, 338-06, 9.3x62 would all be nice.
As for rebarreling: 6mm-06, 338-06, 9.3x62 would all be nice.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
An AV in 9.3x62 would make a fine rifle for most everything.
Well I made the mistake of telling my buddy what I had in store for the rifle, so he decided to keep it and do the work himself! Dammit! Should have kept my big mouth shut! For now, the discussion is over unless I can find another decent Sako to donate to the cause. Thanks for all the information gentlemen, maybe next time...
The Whelen is too similar to the 358win you've got, but doing a 3rd 284 isn't too similar to two other 284s you have? lol
Too bad your project died. Wish I could afford a fine rifle like an oldschool Sako...
Well the other two 284s, one is HEAVY target rifle, one is my son's...yes I can use it, but only when he is in school or playing basketball, or on the mat at the dojo. I was thinking a nice shorter weight 284 for me for hunting with. I know there is little logic in my thought processes, but that's just me!
