L579 Forester #2...(I'm Hooked)

[bloorooster]

Hello Everyone! I posted a while back with questions about L57 Rifles, and quickly got helpful information.
I would also like to add that this is a top shelf forum, with good members,happy to exchange information.
I thank you all.
I have just purchased my second Sako rifle, A L579 Forester, .243 cal, complete with front sight hood, peep sight, and rings, all original. Serial # 151xx. Can anyone tell me when this gun was made, I know It's pre-Garcia, and just guessing made around 1962. any info will be appreciated.
Thanks! Bloorooster

 

[scottbitterman]

the serial numbers we have show 12xxx early 1960 then the next is 32xxx in 1964 so your guess of 1962 is probable pretty good.
Scott

 

[bloorooster]

Thanks Scott, This is good news, I was born in '62! What would you guess of its value with all the sights and rings? I hear the peeps and the hoods are hard to come by...the gun as a whole is 95% or so (bluing is excellent , very light marks on wood)

 

[scottbitterman]

Without pictures it is tough to determine value but with rings and peep site I would say in the 800-1000 range
Scott

 

[Anonymous]

Bloo,
Sounds like a nice rifle. Is it a Deluxe? That would bring a couple more bucks. There is most likely a Bofors Steel stamp on the barrel (right side close to the receiver). Lot's of folks like that as well.
Post a picture. We always like to see Sako's :wink2:.
S-A

 

[5280sakonut]

bloo: Uh oh. Sounds like you have caught the Sako bug my friend. As I keep reminding my wife, there are far worse things to get hooked on... Not sure she is buying it but it does make me feel better.

 

[bloorooster]

Yes your right Sakonut...she ain't buyin' it!...at least my wife isn't. She just looks at me blankly as I try to explain the "truth about Sako's"...she knows I am a lost cause.
The truth is plainly, I have never owned a bolt action rifle that has the fit, precision, and smooth bolt cycle as these Sako's. and accuracy is WAY better. You can tell the difference the moment you drop the floor plate. Solid action, the barrel heavier than most USA guns, even at the sporter contour. (a Heavy Barrel Riihimaki is next on the list). And the Value of these guns is even more solid! I love that 25% for Pre-Garcia Firearms.
One thing I must say, and it may upset some Collectors, I buy guitars to play, I buy knives to carry,and I buy guns to shoot. and with that being said...after shooting my first Sako, my Winchesters and Remingtons are finding new homes ...one by one....to be replaced by Sako's
So if anyone has any info on a Sako-holic Help Group, I can use the support! Thanks to all
Mine is not the Deluxe (and my my aren't those sa-weet)...but I will try to post a pic or two of my tiny little Sako Collection....See ya!

 

[bloorooster]

Here are some pics of the newest addition

 

[5280sakonut]

bloo: Nice blonde wood and the peep sight is a classic touch. Looks like a good addition and let us know how it shoots.

 

[bloorooster]

Hey Sako People! I took #2 to the range, she wore a 6-18 Leopold. She was beautiful, even tho' she is pushing 50. I was amazed at how much lighter the rifle is compared to my Garcia L579, with a very nice, natural pointability (sure it's a word). After some zeroing rounds, I mangaged to print some sub-moa groups, this gun seems to prefer 100g, from which I had one Cloverleaf patch I could cover with a nickel! Needless to say I am well pleased! Rifle Season is still two weeks away and I already see bucks on the backs of my eyelids! Thank you Sako....Thank you

Danny

 

[misako50]

Thanks for that shooting report. What brand of "bullets" are you using-Misako

 

[bloorooster]

For the range, I use the inexpensive stuff..Remington Core loc 100g, Federal Power Shok 80g, Winchester Super X 80g. For Whitetail I like Federal Premium 100g Nosler partition.

 

[blackjack]

Hello BlooRooster,
I once owned a Sako L579 "Forester" H.B. in .243 Win. made in 1960. That rifle loved 80 grain bullets and was so sweet to shoot. I never used 100 grain bullets in that rifle in all the years I owned it. My personal opinion is that the 100 grain ammo is far too much for all .243 Win rifles. I once used 100 grain bullets in a Sako L579 "Forester" .243 Win sporter weight rifle and found that it kicked like a mule.That was enough to put me off using 100 grain .243 Win bullets for life.
Regards Blackjack AKA Mjke {The Limey}

 

[bloorooster]

For the past 7-8 years I've hunted with a Remington m700 Mountain rifle in .280 rem, before that it was a Ruger m77 in 270 win, so now that I shoot the .243 (a "womans" round as some call it) felt recoil is almost non-existant. Ballistics show that the 80 g variety performs better than 100g...I'll try some more types and manufacturers, to see what works best.

 

[misako50]

bloorooster- The older Sako rifle barrels have a twist rate that handles the lighter bullets better. Hence the good shooting 80 grainers. I have to tame the 100 grn. loads down some or I get some that keyhole. I also find the right bullet in 80 to 85 grn will drop a good sized deer just as dead as a 100 to 105 grn.-Misako

 

[bloorooster]

Thanks Fella's, I've read some talk here about twist rates and wonder if using a heavier bullet could damage or cause more wear on the lands and grooves? Here's another one, how bad is it to use brass that has been fire-formed in a winchester or remington . I've got tons of once fired brass...would like to reload...someday.

 

[misako50]

You would be better off in the accuracy department if you keep the brass for the Sako just for the sako. Not real clear on fireforming statement. I used to fireform 7x57 Mauser to make it 7x57AI. ??-Also- You will not hurt your rifle with heavier bullets.- Misako

 

[5280sakonut]

Bloo: the heavier bullets will have no consequence with wear to the barrel. It is simply a matter of what game you are hunting and what your gun likes. The 80-85 grainers will do fine for Whitetail but you might want to think about bullet construction if you may need to put a bullet into the shoulder of a big buck. That shot is fine with a Partition but would be something of a risk with a Ballistic Tip or similar bullet if you are pushing it fast (> 3000 fps). A couple of other tough bullets in this weight class are the 85 grain Triple Shock and the 90 grain Scirocco, both of which have shot well in my Sakos and provide outstanding penetration and good expansion.

 

[bloorooster]

I try to pay attention to the down range energy...once I read that one needs 1000 ft/lbs to put deer down efficiently and humanely. The lighter bullets are just a tad better at 300 to 350 yds, at first, I figured the heavy bullets would have more, but this is not the case. When I harvest a deer, I like to find the mushroomed bullet in the hide on the opposite side of my shot. This tells me the bullet expended all its energy inside the deer. These deer rarely go more than 15 yds, if they dont just drop like a stone.
On the subject of Scirocco, A gentleman had 2 boxes of those in 6mm at the range last week, Shooting a new Thompson Encore. He had 6 rounds in one box that did not fire and 4 in the other,the indention in the primers were visually identical to rounds that worked as they should....not good
Thanks again Sako people, I love this place

 

[bloorooster]

To Misako....here are some pics of the crack I was telling you about. I tried to send them In a PM but couldn't figure out how to make a URL for them...anyway ....is it as bad as it looks?:cry3: