Old School Sako 338Win (finally - pic is posted)

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Whelen B

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I'm not a Sako guy so need some input here. I have a chance to buy an older Sako ("Finbear" on action) in 338Win in "very good" condition. It's got the blued steel/walnut stock with what appears to be a 24" tube. It is without rings. With taxes gonna be around $800. Seems like a real solid gun. Is that a steal or pretty much the going price?
 
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Is it a deluxe model? If so then $800 is a really good price. It is a pretty fair price for a regular one too.
 
Does it have the Rosewood forend, and pistol cap with the bear head outline?
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Has a black grip cap I think but I didn't notice a bear head outline. I believe the walnut stock has no forend nose piece attached - I think I might have noticed that since I'm a cabinetmaker. It looks basic plain Jane but a solid and well made piece IMO. No iron sights.
 
Whelen B said:
Has a black grip cap I think but I didn't notice a bear head outline. I believe the walnut stock has no forend nose piece attached - I think I might have noticed that since I'm a cabinetmaker. It looks basic plain Jane but a solid and well made piece IMO. No iron sights.
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I would say $800 would be about the going price. It's been a long time since I've owned any full size Sako's, but don't recall seeing any with the black grip cap. I had a deluxe in 338 years ago, one of my best shooting rifles for sure, but the weight just didn't do it for me hiking in the mountains, and foothills at the end of the day I just wanted to throw her in the creek :D, but they are awesome guns, and shooting in 338 was far more pleasant then touching off a T3. I shot several 1.5" groups at 300m from the bench, using 225g Hornady Interlocks. It would be a fun gun to scratch your 338 itch with, and you wouldn't loose much if any down the road when you get your next itch ;)

Let us know if you pic it up, and a few pics never hurt either.
 
Follow up - The old Sako 338Win I'm considering purchasing looks identical to this one pictured I found on long range hunting site. It does have the black pistol grip cap with white line and no forend nose cap. No palm swell I could detect either.

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Lots of folks are saying it is the going rate, but I haven't seen too many in .338 WM for that price. Maybe the chambering is more desireable here in BC.
 
Still calling me but I'm passing on it at present. Looked it over again yesterday. Barrel reads "Bofors Steel" and action says L61R . It's a good one I think - sigh.
 
I crumbled.

Well I crumbled and put down a deposit on that Sako. I'm a sucker for quality. However I got a pair of old original Sako rings thrown in as part of the deal. Gonna take a while before I actually acquire it - pics forthcoming.

The rings look pretty low - the scope tube will be about 5/16" or so over the receiver flats. The height seems to be about right for my eye looking thru the empty rings. Nice having the older rings to match the rifle - with the recoil stub and windage adjustment too. To keep eye relief generous I will need a scope with a small eye bell length I guess. The rear ring is all the way rearward and can't go forward because of the recoil stub.

Were those old school Sako rings once made with an extension rear ring - placing the rear ring more forward - but still using the recoil stub?
 
I know you are a big fan of the .35's, and I am willing to bet that Sako in that chambering will make you a fan of the .338 too! Congrats.
 
Should be just fine with the old rings, I believe I had the same ones on my AV. Just watch out for the soft screw heads. I had on older Leupold Varix II on mine and it suited it just fine. eye relief a+
 
Pathfinder appreciate your scoping tips. I like the VariX ll and variX lll line too.

I know you are a big fan of the .35's, and I am willing to bet that Sako in that chambering will make you a fan of the .338 too! Congrats.
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Thanks and I think you may be right. I certainly have no doubts about the 338 Win's stellar capabilties - even though it's bore is .020" under perfection.;) But I'm looking forward to getting some 338Win dies and bullets to give a good try out. Gotta get it paid for first.

But I must say buying a 338 felt a little unusual - like it was against my religion or something :confused:. The gunshop counter help expressed suprise I had bought a 338. He quickly wondered aloud to me if I was considering a rebore to 358Norma or something. How'd he get inside my head like that?
 
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