Sako L61R in 7mm Mag

[orchemo]

Local Cabela's has a Sako L61R in 7 Mag.

Nice rifle, has a textured synthetic stock with a Monte Carlo check rest and a Pachmyer recoil pad. Cabela's guys tried to say it was factory. Need no comments about the experts at Gun stores.

It also looks to be coated with a matte black Cerakote finish and is Mag-Na-Ported.

Aside from all that, the barrel looks great, butter smooth action. The stock handles and feels great. Like a Remington 700 stock. Nice balance.

These old Sako's seem to have a cult following but this one seems to worked over to have any collectors value.

Sound worth $600?

 

[Blkram]

Sounds like collectors' value is long gone.
At the end of the day, the Sako is a great rifle and they are butter smooth.
At $600, it sounds like a decent price for a a used Sako. The action alone is worth that. Even if it doesn't shoot, you won't be out much with a new barrel in 7mm or any other magnum case you may desire.
The barrel, if not Cerakote, could be powder coated or tefloned. Powder coating leaves a thicker finish that can chip. Teflon, like Cerakote is a thinner finish that has its own lubricity that won't chip, but can wear over time and use. I have several rifles with teflon and it does a great job of weatherproofing the metal.

 

[Guy Miner]

Seems like a fair price for a quality used hunting rifle.

Like Blkram said - even if the barrel is shot out (which is seldom the case) it wouldn't be hard to have it re-barreled.

Guy

 

[sako2]

At that price grab it. Original wood stocks for them are selling for $300-500.

 

[walkinhorseman]

The L61's were never offered in the synthetic stocked version. That was the "Fiberclass" which would have been an A-series action. McMillan has two Sako stock patterns that both mode :?: led on the factory "Hunter" and Classic stock patterns. They both have checkerring and a textured black finish. These McMillian replacement stock patterns were available for the "L-Series" rifles. I think that Bell and Carlson also offered Sako inletted stocks but these are not up to the quality of a McMillan. Sounds like that rifle had a lot of tinkering going on with it, so I would pass. There are a lot of L-Series and A-series Sakos out there in top condition, if that is what you want. If it were me, I would look at this as a donor for a good action. Guns International always has a ton of Sakos advertised on that site. Cabela's sells on GI.

 

[Guy Miner]

Ah, somebody who knows Sako far better than I.

Thanks for that input, 'cause I was more or less "shooting in the dark" as my knowledge of Sako rifles is limited.

Guy

 

[orchemo]

Thanks for the input. I passed, also have a Sako 280AI that is a shooter and a few of 75 and 85 Finnlights (6.5 Swede, 30-06 and 338 Fed). The 7mm mag doesn't really add anything for me.

Find myself settling more and more into the Swede and the '06