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Can anybody educate me on the rifle I just bought?

Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum

Yousee

Member
Can anybody educate me on the rifle I just bought?
Says L61R No. 18190 followed by a couple symbols.
No "Sako" No "Made on Finland" "no caliber
I was told it was a Sako Finnbear in 30-06
Is it a factory stock?
Aprox When was it manufactured?
How much is it worth?
 

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Hey and welcome to the forum.

The only Sako component I see is the action. It is an L61R. Barrel and stock are custom. Original barrel would be marked accordingly including caliber stamped right in front of the action under the rifle scope.

I’d 100% identify the caliber by having a chamber casting done to remove any and all ambiguity.

The club has a record search tab to help identify the year of the action. 18190 is the serial number, but Sako did not oftentimes produce in sequential order.

Actual value is simply impossible to determine based on many factors and unknowns. Custom rifles simply don’t have an “A” typical pathway. It looks like a decent build with a nice piece of glass. Just please be safe - rather than sorry, or an inadvertent casualty.
 
Hey and welcome to the forum.

The only Sako component I see is the action. It is an L61R. Barrel and stock are custom. Original barrel would be marked accordingly including caliber stamped right in front of the action under the rifle scope.

I’d 100% identify the caliber by having a chamber casting done to remove any and all ambiguity.

The club has a record search tab to help identify the year of the action. 18190 is the serial number, but Sako did not oftentimes produce in sequential order.

Actual value is simply impossible to determine based on many factors and unknowns. Custom rifles simply don’t have an “A” typical pathway. It looks like a decent build with a nice piece of glass. Just please be safe - rather than sorry, or an inadvertent casualty.
thank you - I have seen other Sakos online with that same stock. Must be a popular replacement. I will have a casting done before I fire it.
 
I have seen other Sakos online with that same stock.
It was fashionable in the mid 60’s-70’s to build a custom to mimic a Weatherby or rifle from a builder with the style of the time. The good news is, the Sako action was - and is highly regarded as one of the best actions used in a custom. Right up there with the pre 64 70 and a few other brands of choice. Once you are able to shoot it, you might have a gem. Also, disassemble the rifle, there may be clues under the wood to help determine barrel brand and perhaps the builder, etc.

Edit: if you disassemble, make sure the magazine box is properly seated prior to tightening the action screws. If not the bottom metal is subject to bending. See bulged bottom metal. @kevinlg gives a great tutorial.
 
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It was fashionable in the mid 60’s-70’s to build a custom to mimic a Weatherby or rifle from a builder with the style of the time. The good news is, the Sako action was - and is highly regarded as one of the best actions used in a custom. Right up there with the pre 64 70 and a few other brands of choice. Once you are able to shoot it, you might have a gem. Also, disassemble the rifle, there may be clues under the wood to help determine barrel brand and perhaps the builder, etc.

Edit: if you disassemble, make sure the magazine box is properly seated prior to tightening the action screws. If not the bottom metal is subject to bending. See bulged bottom metal. @kevinlg gives a great tutorial.
thanks - I paid $825 for it with a 4x Leopold - which I removed and replaced with a Zeiss I had lying around. I will use the Leopold
 
took the stock off - bottom of barrel marked:

DXX
3006
10
BH
1267

Any clue what that means? 3006 I figure means 30-06
 

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Just a guess but
DXX no guess
10 twist rate?
BH builder’s initials?
1267 build date?
As I stated Just guessing here
Nice piece
Welcome to the club
Kax
 
Maybe the DXX is a Douglas denotation, but am not familiar enough with their vintage products. I believe @Unclekax may be on target 🎯 with his guesses, but still hard to know for certain.
 
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