I recently bought a used, Stainless Steel L61R in excellent condition for $450 (US). But I've never owned or shot a Sako. Don't know anything about them.
You guys are the experts, and I badly need your thoughts.
What do I have here? Accuracy? Dependability? Age? Value?
Here's a comprehensive description.
BARREL
The barrel is marked 300 WIN MAG ZAP. It is about 24 inches long, fluted, and free floated all the way to the action. It is a slightly grayish color (unlike the rest of the rifle's shiny stainless). Is this the original barrel? What does the "ZAP" mean?
ACTION
High on the left side of the action itself is stamped "L61R No. 72xxx" followed by 2 markings: (1) What looks like a cat's face, then (2) What looks like an "M" or possibly "MV" in cursive, not blocked lettering.
I can find no other markings on the rifle (haven't removed the stock yet, but I can if you need more information).
SIGHTS
This rifle has no iron sights, and no Picatinny-type rail. Instead, it has side grooves cut directly into the top of the receiver - for direct attachment of scope rings? No scope, rings, or additional mounts of any kind came with the rifle.
The two rail sections (separated by the bolt chamber opening) have lines lightly cut across their flat tops, at even intervals about 1/16th of an inch apart.
STOCK
The rifle has a solid black composite stock, with a built in non-adjustable comb/cheek riser, wide flat forend, and a factory fit "Decelerator" recoil pad. It has good checkering at the handgrip and forend.
The stock also has two quick-detach type sling studs - one centered under the forend, the other centered under the buttstock.
The front one is suitable for a bipod (my Harris works perectly on it). Can this be the original stock?
LOADING/UNOADING
There is no detachable box magazine.
Apparently thumb-loaded through the opened bolt space, this rifle has a stainless steel hinged floor plate for removing unfired ammunition. The floor plate release button is immediately in front of the trigger guard. Both it and the floor plate work very smoothly.
Given the 300 WinMag caliber, I assume the internal magazine holds 2-3 rounds.
OPERATION
The bolt action is smooth, solid, and must be operated "with authority." Bolt removal button (on the left of the bolt) and simple two-stage safety (on the right, just above and behind the closed bolt handle) work fine, though the safety is a bit stiff/sticky.
The trigger is excellent for a target gun (my intended use) - crisp, very light, no take-up or "after travel." I have not yet shot this gun, nor tool-tested the actual trigger pull.
CONDITION
The bolt handle and knob are shiny stainless steel - smooth in texture except for a 1/8th inch-wide ring of checkering around the equator of the bolt knob. The chamber appears to be in very good shape, as does the inside of the barrel.
This rifle has no additional engraving or checkering not already mentioned here.
This entire firearm, including the stock, is completely free of scratches, nicks, abrasions, signs of wear, etc. Either extraordinarily well kept, or recently updated (or both). Basically, though slightly dirty inside, the rifle looks new.
ANY information anyone can provide about this rifle, its value, etc., would be deeply appreciated. I'm pretty much lost here!
Many thanks,
Larry E.
You guys are the experts, and I badly need your thoughts.
What do I have here? Accuracy? Dependability? Age? Value?
Here's a comprehensive description.
BARREL
The barrel is marked 300 WIN MAG ZAP. It is about 24 inches long, fluted, and free floated all the way to the action. It is a slightly grayish color (unlike the rest of the rifle's shiny stainless). Is this the original barrel? What does the "ZAP" mean?
ACTION
High on the left side of the action itself is stamped "L61R No. 72xxx" followed by 2 markings: (1) What looks like a cat's face, then (2) What looks like an "M" or possibly "MV" in cursive, not blocked lettering.
I can find no other markings on the rifle (haven't removed the stock yet, but I can if you need more information).
SIGHTS
This rifle has no iron sights, and no Picatinny-type rail. Instead, it has side grooves cut directly into the top of the receiver - for direct attachment of scope rings? No scope, rings, or additional mounts of any kind came with the rifle.
The two rail sections (separated by the bolt chamber opening) have lines lightly cut across their flat tops, at even intervals about 1/16th of an inch apart.
STOCK
The rifle has a solid black composite stock, with a built in non-adjustable comb/cheek riser, wide flat forend, and a factory fit "Decelerator" recoil pad. It has good checkering at the handgrip and forend.
The stock also has two quick-detach type sling studs - one centered under the forend, the other centered under the buttstock.
The front one is suitable for a bipod (my Harris works perectly on it). Can this be the original stock?
LOADING/UNOADING
There is no detachable box magazine.
Apparently thumb-loaded through the opened bolt space, this rifle has a stainless steel hinged floor plate for removing unfired ammunition. The floor plate release button is immediately in front of the trigger guard. Both it and the floor plate work very smoothly.
Given the 300 WinMag caliber, I assume the internal magazine holds 2-3 rounds.
OPERATION
The bolt action is smooth, solid, and must be operated "with authority." Bolt removal button (on the left of the bolt) and simple two-stage safety (on the right, just above and behind the closed bolt handle) work fine, though the safety is a bit stiff/sticky.
The trigger is excellent for a target gun (my intended use) - crisp, very light, no take-up or "after travel." I have not yet shot this gun, nor tool-tested the actual trigger pull.
CONDITION
The bolt handle and knob are shiny stainless steel - smooth in texture except for a 1/8th inch-wide ring of checkering around the equator of the bolt knob. The chamber appears to be in very good shape, as does the inside of the barrel.
This rifle has no additional engraving or checkering not already mentioned here.
This entire firearm, including the stock, is completely free of scratches, nicks, abrasions, signs of wear, etc. Either extraordinarily well kept, or recently updated (or both). Basically, though slightly dirty inside, the rifle looks new.
ANY information anyone can provide about this rifle, its value, etc., would be deeply appreciated. I'm pretty much lost here!
Many thanks,
Larry E.