I own three of these, a 500 (.222 on A-I action), a 501 (.308 on A-II action) and 502 (.30-06 on A-V action). The .30-06 is NIB, so I've never fired it, but the other two are very accurate, especially the .222. I've corresponded with another guy who has a 500 .222 who says his is extraordinarily accurate. They apparently came in a couple of different configurations since my .222 has a Monte Carlo stock and is sightless while his has a straight stock with iron sights.
Beretta built these on Sako A-series actions made expressly to Beretta's specs. The actions have round tops, a matte finish, and Beretta's name on the receiver -- not Sako's. The barrels and stocks appear to be made by Beretta. The barrels are of a slightly different contour than those of contemporaneous Sakos, have numerous Italian proof marks on them, and are marked "Made in Italy". These rifles were built and marketed quite some time before Beretta acquired an ownership interest in Sako, and also before Beretta marketed its "Mato" series on the Dakota actions.
I notice that our friend Rodger at SakoSource now is advertising two of these, both of them from a limited edition of 125 rifles made for the Whitetails Unlimited organization: https://www.sakosource.com/-1592rs-wtu30-06.html I've looked at one of them the last time I was in his shop and if I didn't already have the NIB 502 .30-06 I'd have bought it. I'm only vaguely aware of the Whitetails Unlimited organization. Can anyone tell me something about it and does anyone know what year these Beretta-Sakos were offered by the organization? Regardless, they're really nice guns.
Beretta built these on Sako A-series actions made expressly to Beretta's specs. The actions have round tops, a matte finish, and Beretta's name on the receiver -- not Sako's. The barrels and stocks appear to be made by Beretta. The barrels are of a slightly different contour than those of contemporaneous Sakos, have numerous Italian proof marks on them, and are marked "Made in Italy". These rifles were built and marketed quite some time before Beretta acquired an ownership interest in Sako, and also before Beretta marketed its "Mato" series on the Dakota actions.
I notice that our friend Rodger at SakoSource now is advertising two of these, both of them from a limited edition of 125 rifles made for the Whitetails Unlimited organization: https://www.sakosource.com/-1592rs-wtu30-06.html I've looked at one of them the last time I was in his shop and if I didn't already have the NIB 502 .30-06 I'd have bought it. I'm only vaguely aware of the Whitetails Unlimited organization. Can anyone tell me something about it and does anyone know what year these Beretta-Sakos were offered by the organization? Regardless, they're really nice guns.