Sakos. Names and models

[brybenn]

Hey all was wondering if anyone had a simple and easy to understand run down of sako models and corresponding quality. Looking at older used rifles and im finding alot of numbers and letters as well as names. Theres the Lxx and L### series then the a1 and a11 and a111 while others are listed as vixen forester and finnbear which i presume is a reference to action length but have found examples which dont follow that rule.
The later models 75 and current 85 are fairly straight forward but how do they compare to the older models.
Ideally im playing with the idea of a varmint caliber and a 300wm and coopers are just out of my price range for a pair of sporting rifles

 

[Sir Plus]

You’re right in that most numbers are just action sizes so don’t worry too much about them.
Just know that when you choose a caliber your action won’t be any bigger than it needs to be. I think the exception is the 995 that came in only one action size.

They’re all about as good, some people will tell you the L series had better bluing than the A series but I think the A series makes it up in other ways. Collecting old Sakos never ends because there is so many transitional models, you could have dozens of guns of the same action size, never mind different calibers.
Vixen, forester, finnbear are "nicknames" for action sizes and may or may not be stamped on the gun.

The 85 costs the most and has the most features but fit and finish don’t compare to older models.
Now is a good time to buy older Sakos, there is a massive discrepancy in the price they fetch compared to the newly manufactured ones for the quality you get.

 

[huntingfamily]

https://sakocollectors.com/forum/

 

[blargon]

I prefer the look of the L691 stock over the square forend of the AV.

 

[heybert]

I prefer the look of the L691 stock over the square forend of the AV.

I thought the AIII's were the square and the AV were the rounded ends. I've never had an AV with the squared end. Even my AV Mannlichers are rounded.

 

[Rembo]

I thought the AIII's were the square and the AV were the rounded ends. I've never had an AV with the squared end. Even my AV Mannlichers are rounded.

Early AV's had the same stock as the AIII, which was pretty much the same as the L61R stock.

It was a few years into AV production that they went to the more rounded Hunter pattern stock.

Sakos made after the L46, L57 and FN actioned guns and before the 75 can be put into 2 basic categories. The L/A series and the 91 series.

The L461 (updated L46) for the 222/223 size rounds became the AI, the L579 (updated L57) for the 243/308 size rounds became the AII, the L61R for the 30-06 and magnum rounds became the AIII, AIV and eventually the AV.

The 91 series actions were three different lengths with the same outside and bolt diameter dimensions.

The 91 series, S491 (short, 222/223 etc.), M591 (medium, 243/308 etc.) and L691 (long, 30-06 size rounds and magnums), made from about '91 until the intro of the 75 about 1997.

Then, there is the M995, AKA TRG-S. All one size action chambered in many different rounds.