Sako AV?
- Thread starter Joel
- Start date
- Location
- Rockland, ON
I liked the only one I had, an AV Finnbear Deluxe 30-06 built in 1984 before Sako was using CNC machines. It was well built, good looking and accurate. I liked the heft of the rifle and even made it heavier by adding a Bushnell 6500 2.5-16x50 on top. I never had any issues with it and only got rid of it because something else shiny came along.
They are comparable . I've owned a number of both and would be hard pressed to choose between them . The AV series are very well built and , at least the ones I owned , accurate rifles . I had a Finnbear Deluxe that is the spitting image of the above pictured rifle , it was a consistent one MOA , or slightly less , shooter . As pointed out by others , they aren't light weight rifles , but it never bothered me that much .
patricksbb391
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ottawa & WMU 62
I will second the vote as Best Sako action ever.
Heavier than comparable brands, but build quality is there in spades.
Had several, sold several, but keeping a .30-06 Laminate AV with sights because it is a perfect rifle.
They shared same barrel profiles from what I know, hence, a 6.5 or .270 will weigh more than an "06, etc..
Good Luck deciding.
Heavier than comparable brands, but build quality is there in spades.
Had several, sold several, but keeping a .30-06 Laminate AV with sights because it is a perfect rifle.
They shared same barrel profiles from what I know, hence, a 6.5 or .270 will weigh more than an "06, etc..
Good Luck deciding.
I have both 2 AV Deluxe rifles and 2 Mannlicher carbine models.
Positives:
All give me 1 MOA or better accuracy with minimal load development.
All are beautiful and smooth operating. They put my Remchester bolt rifles to shame.
Cons:
All are too gorgeous for a clumsy old guy to take tomountains and thick brush. Forcing me to hunt with my Sako 70. One must make sacrifices once and awhile.
Positives:
All give me 1 MOA or better accuracy with minimal load development.
All are beautiful and smooth operating. They put my Remchester bolt rifles to shame.
Cons:
All are too gorgeous for a clumsy old guy to take tomountains and thick brush. Forcing me to hunt with my Sako 70. One must make sacrifices once and awhile.
Can't have it all! haha. Believe you on the smooth bolt throw and the accuracy. And if you have 4 they really must bring something to the table
Thank you! Appreicate it! And all the rest of the info everyone else provided. They sound like great rifles and probably will end up trying one at some point.
A Winchester 70 Classic Super Grade (5 digit I think) in 30-06 came along today so I had to bite. If I don't end up trading it for a Classic Stainless by fall, I'll likely hunt that this year. But can never rule out a Sako.
I have a sako AIII in .270 which some have said is the same action/rifle. When i got it (used) the bolt release knob fell off when i temoved the stock. The tiny screws were too short or something. I found some longer screws and if anyone might want some i still have some left. They are not black but stainless but tou cant see them under the stock.
Picked up this AIII Deluxe .270 many years ago, second owner. Really to pretty to drag around hunting, but it has some milage on it. It's a bit heavier than the average, about 9.25lbs scoped. Deep bluing and very smooth action. Shoots most loads into an inch from the bench.
I believe the only difference between the AIII and the AV action is a longer tang on the AV.
I believe the only difference between the AIII and the AV action is a longer tang on the AV.
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The weight can be dropped, the solid action remains
I would agree that the A/L series represent the best of the SAKO actions. I wish later push feeds had followed a similar model in terms of the fixed ejector.
In today's market these represent a very good deal as well. Compare the cost to mannlicher schoenauers, pre 64 model 70's, later series SAKO, etc. The quality is the same, the prices are drastically different
I would agree that the A/L series represent the best of the SAKO actions. I wish later push feeds had followed a similar model in terms of the fixed ejector.
In today's market these represent a very good deal as well. Compare the cost to mannlicher schoenauers, pre 64 model 70's, later series SAKO, etc. The quality is the same, the prices are drastically different
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Looks like the price for a blued sako 74 varmint was usd 285-300$ usd in 1975. Adjusted for inflation that comes to around 1750$ in 2025. The current price for a stainless sako 90 varmint in usd seems to be 2300$. Its not leaps and bounds more adjusted with inflation but there is certainly an increase. I would say the sako 90' is also outstanding quality.
I've had a bunch of A-series Sakos over the years, including two AV's in .375H&H. I've also owned a couple of 75's and 85's since then. IMHO the A-series was the pinnacle of Sako quality, which seems to have dropped with each new model brought out since. Not sure about the latest S20's et al, haven't even handled or seen one.
I never weighed a rifle back then, but mine (they were all wearing the Hunter style stock) felt very well balanced and not at all heavy. Beautiful wood and metal fit and finish. Accuracy of every Sako I've ever owned was excellent with any decent ammo; I don't think I ever saw a group open up to 2MOA and most were half that or better. I had an AI in .222, with the pencil barrel, that printed sub-0.5MOA groups if you took your time and kept it cool. My second .375 did the same with some ammo...and a half-inch group looks much more impressive when each hole is .375-inch.
Weak points? The original recoil pad on several of mine grew hard and somewhat deformed from sitting on its heel in gunsafes, and did it a bit faster than most other rifles. The stock design was very comfortable for me, but its style was not as graceful in appearance as some others.
The Sako integral-groove receiver demanded the use of rings designed for it. The front ring could be slid forward or backward a short distance, which allowed some slight windage adjustment in the mounting of the scope, but unless the rings had polymer inserts that could swivel slightly and allow for this adjustment the scope would and could suffer some torquing if too far from perfectly centered. I forget which rings did and did not have those inserts, but I consider them a must if using rings that clamp directly to the grooves. You can always use the OptiLock bases and rings, but IMHO bolting a separate base onto a receiver grooved for direct attachment of rings just seemed wrong...inelegant.
My last Sako was an AV-actioned .338WM; sold it only because I finally found the perfect .338WM Win70 Super Grade that I had always wanted. I've gotta say that the Win is, to my eye, far more attractive in appearance, but in terms of mechanical function, trigger, accuracy, etc. I still think the Sako was a slightly superior rifle.
I never weighed a rifle back then, but mine (they were all wearing the Hunter style stock) felt very well balanced and not at all heavy. Beautiful wood and metal fit and finish. Accuracy of every Sako I've ever owned was excellent with any decent ammo; I don't think I ever saw a group open up to 2MOA and most were half that or better. I had an AI in .222, with the pencil barrel, that printed sub-0.5MOA groups if you took your time and kept it cool. My second .375 did the same with some ammo...and a half-inch group looks much more impressive when each hole is .375-inch.
Weak points? The original recoil pad on several of mine grew hard and somewhat deformed from sitting on its heel in gunsafes, and did it a bit faster than most other rifles. The stock design was very comfortable for me, but its style was not as graceful in appearance as some others.
The Sako integral-groove receiver demanded the use of rings designed for it. The front ring could be slid forward or backward a short distance, which allowed some slight windage adjustment in the mounting of the scope, but unless the rings had polymer inserts that could swivel slightly and allow for this adjustment the scope would and could suffer some torquing if too far from perfectly centered. I forget which rings did and did not have those inserts, but I consider them a must if using rings that clamp directly to the grooves. You can always use the OptiLock bases and rings, but IMHO bolting a separate base onto a receiver grooved for direct attachment of rings just seemed wrong...inelegant.
My last Sako was an AV-actioned .338WM; sold it only because I finally found the perfect .338WM Win70 Super Grade that I had always wanted. I've gotta say that the Win is, to my eye, far more attractive in appearance, but in terms of mechanical function, trigger, accuracy, etc. I still think the Sako was a slightly superior rifle.
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My McMillan is recent production bedded by a gunsmith. I could be wrong but I think the issue is generally with the old fiberclass stocks and factory bedding
I always liked the handy rifles, so I built my own with a 20 inch barrel.
It will put 3 275 grain speer semi spitzers loaded to book maximum into half an inch.
I always liked the handy rifles, so I built my own with a 20 inch barrel.
It will put 3 275 grain speer semi spitzers loaded to book maximum into half an inch.
