Help identify Sako Fiberclass?

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stickhunter

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I used to own a Sako Fiberclass in 30-06, and have been looking for another one. Can anyone tell me if the following rifle (it's a Sako AV action) is also a Fiberclass? The shape of the stock and buttpad make me believe it is, but I don't have enough detailed photos to know for sure. I'm a bit thrown off by the iron sights; they look like Sako sights, but I wasn't aware that any Fiberclasses came from the factory with sights. The scope bases look like factory Optilocks.

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Unless I am mistaken all Sako Fiberclass rifles were built on the AV action. I don't know about the sights. My .338 WM Fiberclass - which I bought new - didn't have open sights.
 
If it's an AV in a factory fiberglass stock it IS a fiberclass. Whether or not that barreled action left the factory in that stock, is another question, but I don't see what difference it would make. It's not like there is some "numbers matching" collector value. Put an AV barreled action in a factory fiberglass stock and "POOF" you have a fiberclass!!
 
c-fbmi said:
If it's an AV in a factory fiberglass stock it IS a fiberclass. Whether or not that barreled action left the factory in that stock, is another question, but I don't see what difference it would make. It's not like there is some "numbers matching" collector value. Put an AV barreled action in a factory fiberglass stock and "POOF" you have a fiberclass!!
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Very true! The one difference, though, would be in the Sako-branded recoil pad on the factory fiberglass stocks. But I agree with you, it is academic --- a rifle is a rifle. I am curious, though, as a firearms collector, to know in what configurations the Fiberclass were produced (e.g., did any have factory iron sights like the above rifle).

The 30-06 I had was in unfired condition, and I already had a Tikka M65 30-06 that was my main bolt action hunting rifle, so I moved the Sako along. The above rifle is in a cartridge I don't currently shoot (338 WinMag) and is in a more hunted condition (read: I don't have to be the first to mark it up), so it's piqued by curiosity as a potential buy.
 
My Sako Fiberclass in .338 WM was the mildest recoiling (obviously subjective) .338 WM that I have ever fired. I regret selling it.
 
stickhunter said:
The above rifle is in a cartridge I don't currently shoot (338 WinMag) and is in a more hunted condition (read: I don't have to be the first to mark it up), so it's piqued by curiosity as a potential buy.
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That pic is from Williams Arms, but its not listed. Private sale?
 
I had one in a 338 as well, (mine did not have sights either) loved the rifle but have no love for the cartridge. This was before I learned how to turn them into a 340.........unfortunately.
 
C-FMBI, why no love for the .338? I think it is one of the nicer medium bores for North American use. Not too bad recoil and enough jam to get the job done on anything. This combined with good trajectory.
 
.338WM is my favorite big game round these days. I'm on my 3rd or 4th one now, Sako 75 Hunter in a McMillan, kind of a faux fibreclass...:)

IMO it offers a good mix of weight and speed without excessive recoil.
 
On the question of the open sights, it was always an option on any sporter's made by Sako before Berreta bought them that you could order as an option the TIKKA/SAKO style open sights.

You can order as an option on some TIKKA/Sako rifle even know! Most USA imported SAKO's have a Williams style rear blade rear and front ramp.

If the SAKO's were made for Finish domestic sale before the late 1970's alot have a Mauser tangent rear sight, and blade front sight, with optional peep sight, wich there are 3 differrent style over the decades.

A very nice CNC AV actioned fibre class, it has no real collector value, but is worth alot more as a practical all weather hunting rifle wich makes it more valuable as a hunter than collectable.

Never had a fibre class rifle, but now will keep my eyes open for one!

cheers Dale Z!
 
The 338 IMHO is a poor cartridge, I personally have witnessed 3 failures with the 338, to open up on medium sized game and pinhole causing little to no damage. Requiring multiple other hits to finish the game. It lacks trajectory and killing power in my opinion and this is based on owning 4 of them and watching way too many animals wander off well hit. JMHO
 
C-FMBI - let me guess, Barnes X, TSX or TTSX, right?

I think you are the only person I have ever "met" who didn't think the .338 WM killed well.
 
I so hope u are wrong Doug I just bought a 338 wm,its no 340 roy but I think she will get the job done. I'm starting too like it better than 300 wm,less muzzle whip.225 gr. ttsx should get her done.If this global warming ever kicks in I might try it out on a big ole boar.
 
1899 said:
C-FMBI - let me guess, Barnes X, TSX or TTSX, right?

I think you are the only person I have ever "met" who didn't think the .338 WM killed well.
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Negative on bullet choice, 1899, 2 failures were with the old Speer 275 gn hot core and 2 others were with 250 gn Parts. In my opinion the 338 win mag doesn't produce enough velocity to reliably open up bullets beyond 150 mtrs. It is best served with bullets from 180-225 gn and if this is the case I'd rather shoot 30 cal bullets in this weight range at the same or better velocities.
A friend of mine swears by his, but he shoots everything with 200 gn Speer hot cores. I would rather use 200 gn Accubonds from my 300 Wby for the same shots.
After extensive shooting and hunting with 4 different 338 WM I have decided, for my own purposes, it is a worthless cartridge. The 340 Wby on the other hand is probably one of the most universal cartridges ever made, that is the difference 2-300 fps make. Again Gentlemen, JMHO. There is a SIGNIFICANT difference in game reaction when hit with a 338 WM 250 gn bullet at 300 mtrs and a 340 Wby with a 250 gn bullet at 300 mtrs, that's all I know, for sure. You best be able to hit the 338 shot animal again............and again..........and again. But with the 340 it's bang/flop. Just my experience!!
 
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hamhock said:
I so hope u are wrong Doug I just bought a 338 wm,its no 340 roy but I think she will get the job done. I'm starting too like it better than 300 wm,less muzzle whip.225 gr. ttsx should get her done.If this global warming ever kicks in I might try it out on a big ole boar.
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hamhock; My issues with the 338 WM are on game shots beyond 250 yds say. If you're planning on thumping a big boar up close, I think it will serve just fine.
 
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