Did Beretta ever use Sako actions?

[weathergsr]

I'm in the process of buying a Beretta Monarch 30-06 bolt-action rifle. I believe it's a Model 502S. The action looks like a Sako AIII.

I didn't see the Sako name anywhere on the action, so I'm not sure. Does anyone know if Beretta ever used Sako actions for their rifles?

 

[deergoose]

Yes. the 502 is a Sako action.

 

[stonecreek]

Yes, indeed. The Beretta 500 series (500 short, 501 medium, 502 long action) was built well before Beretta and Sako were associated under the same ownership. The actions Sako sold Beretta had round tops and were marked with Beretta's name and logo, but otherwise were identical to the regular Sako production actions . The barrels and stocks were not from Sako. They were apparently done at Beretta's manufacturing facilities in Italy. The guns bear the stamp "Made in Italy" and have numerous proof marks which Sakos do not have.

As you would expect with a Beretta product, the 500 series was well made. Stocks came in a couple of different configurations, but typically had a European "hogback" design instead of the more common "Monte Carlo" cheekpiece. They were produced and sold for a relatively short time until Beretta replaced them with its Mato series using a Dakota action. The Mato series was in turn replaced with Tikka and Sako rifles once Beretta became financially involved with those entities.

 

[weathergsr]

I'm sure mine is a 502S, but I need to know if it is actually the deluxe version (DLS) or just a limited edition with upgraded wood. It is marked "Whitetails Unlimited" on the floorplate and "W.T.U. 86 of 125" on the receiver. It also has P. Beretta on the receiver in gold-filled engraving.

So - can anyone tell me if this is an enhanced 502 S or a 502 DLS?

Here are some pics:

 

[stonecreek]

I can't tell you the exact model, but it is a very nice looking rifle. I'm not sure if it fits neatly into the factory grading scheme since it is a limited special edition for the Whitetails Unlimited group (much like Ducks Unlimited has special editions of various guns made for fundraising purposes.)

Here's the plainer version of the 502 for sale at one of our SCC sponsors, SakoSource.com : http://www.sakosource.com/-1046rs-beretta-502.html