icebear
Sako-addicted
The subject of Sakos in 9.3x62 has come up on a couple of threads, so I thought it was time to post mine. This is an AV sporter with a European style rear sight (Most AV rifles exported to the US had Williams sights if they had sights at all; the front sight on this one does appear to be from Williams). I believe it is a bringback, as it has no importer stampings. Barrel is 24". The scope is a Leupold VXIII 1.5-5x in Sako low mounts (one of the few times I've ever been able to use Sako low mounts). I got the rifle from a close friend back in Virginia somewhere around 2001-2003. He had this one and a Mannlicher carbine in the same caliber and took some time deciding which he would sell to me. Unfortunately for me, he was as big a fan of the carbines as I am and decided to keep the Mannlicher.
The stock has pretty nice wood, but the factory finish is problematical. I can run my fingers over it and feel the uneven surface. Either it was never sanded out properly, or the finish did not fully seal the surface and the drying process has resulted in a wavy surface. I can even see sanding marks here and there that look like about 100-150 grit. Pretty lame. I'd sort of like to refinish it in tung oil but I've got a lot of more interesting projects ahead of it in the queue.
I haven't shot it in years, but as best I recall accuracy was about 1.5 MOA with 286 grain Norma factory ammo. That's plenty for any animal you're going to be shooting with a caliber intended for big game at short to medium range. The 9,3x62, designed by Otto Bock, was introduced before WWI as an African cartridge for all but the biggest game. It is based on the .30-06 case and therefore can be compared to the .35 Whelen, but the Europeans load it to higher pressures than the Whelen and the hottest factory loadings are at the lower end of the .375 H&H range. Bullet diameter is 0.366", just halfway between the .35 (0.358") and the .375. The cartridge was very popular among European and South African hunters for game such as lion, waterbuck, and eland. Recoil is stiff, but still surprisingly mild for its capabilities. Mine is not unpleasant to shoot, even though the recoil pad has hardened to the consistency of a brick. However, at least it hasn't flattened out, as is the case with so many early L61R's (unfortunately including my .300 H&H).
Here are the photos.
The stock has pretty nice wood, but the factory finish is problematical. I can run my fingers over it and feel the uneven surface. Either it was never sanded out properly, or the finish did not fully seal the surface and the drying process has resulted in a wavy surface. I can even see sanding marks here and there that look like about 100-150 grit. Pretty lame. I'd sort of like to refinish it in tung oil but I've got a lot of more interesting projects ahead of it in the queue.
I haven't shot it in years, but as best I recall accuracy was about 1.5 MOA with 286 grain Norma factory ammo. That's plenty for any animal you're going to be shooting with a caliber intended for big game at short to medium range. The 9,3x62, designed by Otto Bock, was introduced before WWI as an African cartridge for all but the biggest game. It is based on the .30-06 case and therefore can be compared to the .35 Whelen, but the Europeans load it to higher pressures than the Whelen and the hottest factory loadings are at the lower end of the .375 H&H range. Bullet diameter is 0.366", just halfway between the .35 (0.358") and the .375. The cartridge was very popular among European and South African hunters for game such as lion, waterbuck, and eland. Recoil is stiff, but still surprisingly mild for its capabilities. Mine is not unpleasant to shoot, even though the recoil pad has hardened to the consistency of a brick. However, at least it hasn't flattened out, as is the case with so many early L61R's (unfortunately including my .300 H&H).
Here are the photos.
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