Correct Period Scope

[Guest]

I recently purchased a Pre-Garcia 30.06 Finnbear for a bargain price. It's used but in pristine condition. It came to me with stainless rings holding a Thompson-Center Hawken Hunter 4-12X44 scope.

Yikes! I've been temped to stencil "I DIDN'T DO THIS" on the tube of the scope.

Where I hunt, a 100yd shot would be extreme range, so this caliber is overkill to start with. I certainly don't need 12x magnification. What I'd like to do is track down a period scope in 3x or so and then remount with proper rings and bases, preferable something removable so I can also use an aperture sight. My question is this: what would have been a "classic" scope commonly mounted on late 60's/early 70's Sakos? I've been finding some Weavers on Ebay, but I'm looking for other options as well.

Thanks for reading!

jrw

 

[Guest]

SAKO's came pre-packaged with Seeadler-Optik brand scopes in 6 or 8 power. (germany). if this attachment doesn't work, email me, I'll send you a copy of their catalogue.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, my email is: [email protected] .

 

[Guest]

I bought several of the sako Finnbear/Forester rifles during the sixties. Always used the sako Mounts-everything else was ugly. Most Sako owners avoided the weaver scopes-very poor low light performance and not really moisture proof. Some opted for the TV style redfields. I used 4x Lyman All Americans with perfect satistfaction. The Finnbears are heavy as is, and today's huge variables make a bad sitiuation worse. Just my .02.

 

[Guest]

I don't think you could go wrong with a B&L; Balvar 2 1/2x6 with removable mounts
You can find them on ebay and the optics are fantastic for this type of scope.
I have been using this setup on my L57 Sako since I got the gun.

 

[Guest]

I have the same Finnbear you have - purchased in 1967 plus another custom Sako built on the L61 action by Paul Jaeger in 1966. Both still have the original scopes. One is a 2-7X Redfield and the other is a Leupold 2-7X. I used Redfield rings and bases exclusively.

I also have several 1960's era Weaver scopes still in service, and they have all performed flawlessly for over 40 years. One, a K10, has been on a Sako .222 Magnum HB since 1965, and it will shoot 10 shot sub 1-inch groups all day. I've probably owned 25 or so El Paso-built Weaver scopes over the years, and have never had one fog or even need servicing.

You can find plenty of vintage scopes on Ebay.

 

[Guest]

My first Sako was an L61R purchased new in 1965. I put a 3-9 Leupold Vari-X on it, and it is still there today. However, this was a .264 and intended (and since used on many an occasion) for open country deer and antelope. A contemporary scope that might be more suited to your needs would be a Leupold M8 4x. Such a scope from that period in nice condition is usually available on ebay for $100-125. A 3x Leupold M8 would also be appropriate, but since Leupold no longer makes that scope, the price of a used one is higher than the 4x. Contemporary mounts would be either the original Sakos or perhaps Redfields. With either, use the lowest ring available for a 4x Leupold.

Hopefully, the previous owner(s) left the sling swivels in place rather than replacing them with Q.D. studs.

 

[Guest]

Hello.....You don't need a scope, just the peep sight. 100 yard shots are for hard sights not scopes. The Sako peep is excellent. Regards, Rick.

 

[Guest]

Nothing looks more classic than a 4X Leupold unless it is the 2-7X. They pretty much look the same today as they did when your rifle was new. At the time the big discussion was should it be a 6x or a 4X but you have already answered that question.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, folks! This is exactly the information I'm looking for. One more quick question, were the original Sako rings all quick-release for alternation with the peep sight? Or is that a later development? I'd like to have the best of both worlds and use the peep and scope. Isn't this what the rifle was designed for, or am I going to be chewing up the receiver by mounting/dismounting the scope?