Sako AV?
- Thread starter Joel
- Start date
I have a 375 Magnum Sako AV. Very rugged and reliable albeit a little heavier at 9.0 lbs. I put on a compact Leupold 2X7X33 scope to keep the weight down.
Shooting is around the ~ 2 MOA (5 shot off prone rest) with most bullet weights (both factory and hand loaded). Holds an extra shot in the mag compared to other Manufacturer's offerings.
Finish is more to the dull stained oil finish as opposed to the semi gloss found on other rifles. A very dependable rifle that has never let me down. Took a Russian wild boar and moose with mine.
Shooting is around the ~ 2 MOA (5 shot off prone rest) with most bullet weights (both factory and hand loaded). Holds an extra shot in the mag compared to other Manufacturer's offerings.
Finish is more to the dull stained oil finish as opposed to the semi gloss found on other rifles. A very dependable rifle that has never let me down. Took a Russian wild boar and moose with mine.
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Ah man those are the worst.
Must be about the same weight as a newer Win 70 CRF Safari Express then.
I understand its a PF rifle, but with the ejector being frame mounted like a Mauser sorta, and not a spring/plunger assembly in the bolt face as usual?
unstableryan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Beautiful Okanagan Valley
I have a .375 H&H and I like it a lot. I reload and shoot it quite a bit. Mine has a brake on it that I assume is factory, so recoil is pretty reasonable.
The only problem I have ever had is one time I was shooting mild loads and the bolt was stuck down. It didn't make sense and I tapped it open. I shot a couple more because the cartridge looked perfectly fine and just slid out. The bolt stuck again and I hit it a few times before I thought I would stop and learn more. I found it's a common problem with the bolt guide. you put a small pin in the hole, slide it back and it unlocks fine. Found out there is a silly little flat spring underneath that was broken. Got one through Stoeger but it ended up costing me about 50 bucks. Works fine again. Was technically "shootable" when broken by manually sliding the guide back every few shots, but not ideal.
The only problem I have ever had is one time I was shooting mild loads and the bolt was stuck down. It didn't make sense and I tapped it open. I shot a couple more because the cartridge looked perfectly fine and just slid out. The bolt stuck again and I hit it a few times before I thought I would stop and learn more. I found it's a common problem with the bolt guide. you put a small pin in the hole, slide it back and it unlocks fine. Found out there is a silly little flat spring underneath that was broken. Got one through Stoeger but it ended up costing me about 50 bucks. Works fine again. Was technically "shootable" when broken by manually sliding the guide back every few shots, but not ideal.
I have an AIII which is sessentially the same gun..One of my favs
If you have a 2moa AV the problem may not be the av
It has a fixed or as some say "frame mounted" ejector which is a plus in my books
Issues: heavy, without offset rings/bases you will need a long scope, does not come in 300 blackout or 6.5 creedmoor
If you have a 2moa AV the problem may not be the av
It has a fixed or as some say "frame mounted" ejector which is a plus in my books
Issues: heavy, without offset rings/bases you will need a long scope, does not come in 300 blackout or 6.5 creedmoor
stoeger is horrible dealing with for stuff being made currently.
Minty safe queens are one thing (Sako collectors are odd) using/working guns are another.
Keep buying and trying different brands/models till you find your huckleberry.
Not to hijack this thread but if anyone has bolt guide issues let me know. I have a couple Stoeger updated bolt guide kits they sold back in the day. Both new in original bags. Would have to dig them out and figure out what they are worth. I think most or all??? of the AV guide ribs have one retaining spring/clip and the upgrade kit guide rib is milled out for 2. All associated parts are in the kit.
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have one in .35 Whelen and a second in .375H&H (and both are lefties!). The Whelen will shoot sub MOA with handloads. I’m getting around 2-3MOA with the .375, so I’m still working on
a load that it shoots really well. Three hundred grain bullets from the bench are spicy, though. Both rifles wear a muzzle break. The stock on my .35 is a gloss finish as compared to the dull satin finish on the .375. I’ve carried the Whelen while hunting and haven’t found it objectionable in terms of weight or balance.
I like these rifles as I find the action to be quite slick. I’ve not experienced any technical issues with either of them to this point. However, one thing I may do is consult the YouTube oracle for a how to video to slightly increase the trigger pull weight on the .375 as it’s a tad on the light side for my liking.
a load that it shoots really well. Three hundred grain bullets from the bench are spicy, though. Both rifles wear a muzzle break. The stock on my .35 is a gloss finish as compared to the dull satin finish on the .375. I’ve carried the Whelen while hunting and haven’t found it objectionable in terms of weight or balance.
I like these rifles as I find the action to be quite slick. I’ve not experienced any technical issues with either of them to this point. However, one thing I may do is consult the YouTube oracle for a how to video to slightly increase the trigger pull weight on the .375 as it’s a tad on the light side for my liking.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I've owned several of the Sako AV's over the years, and still own two. And a couple of AIII's too. I like them a lot! They are very well made, reliable, accurate, with very few quirks or problems. The guide rib issue has been mentioned already. If that's a concern ( I've never had any problem with guide ribs ) a spring kit is easily ordered and installed. Stoeger has them. I did that "upgrade" in a .375 that I had. For my peace of mind, not because there was any problem.
I like the scope mount system. No bases to come loose, and extension rings are easily found if one needs them.
Sako triggers are excellent. Never found a need to replace one. Adjustable and crisp.
I've never, ever had a Sako that was poorly machined or mis-aligned in any way.
I tend to have all my bolt action rifles pillar bedded, but it's not strictly necessary with Sakos, just something I do.
Compared to Remington M700, Winchester M70, Ruger M77, and most of the other common USA brands, the Sako A series rifles are clearly superior in my experience.
I like the scope mount system. No bases to come loose, and extension rings are easily found if one needs them.
Sako triggers are excellent. Never found a need to replace one. Adjustable and crisp.
I've never, ever had a Sako that was poorly machined or mis-aligned in any way.
I tend to have all my bolt action rifles pillar bedded, but it's not strictly necessary with Sakos, just something I do.
Compared to Remington M700, Winchester M70, Ruger M77, and most of the other common USA brands, the Sako A series rifles are clearly superior in my experience.
That is seriously cool of you
Will do...there's a lot out there to try, and have liked a lot of it, but think coming back to New Haven Win 70 Classics is a certainty at this point
