Sako Forester

[Guest]

Hey There
I'm new to this sight and also just picked up a Forester in .308 and wondering where I can find info,value and anything else about this rifle.The ser.# is 39xxx,it's a original owner gun and has had less than 2 box's of shell put through her,it's in absolute perfect shape. Thanks for any help.

 

[deergoose]

condition means everything when assessing the old Sakos. Sounds as if your rifle is in at least 95% condition or better. You could have the standard sporter or the deluxe model with rosewood caps, engraving on the floorplate and triggerguard and deep, high polished blueing. Looks as if your gun was built in 1964. the blue book lists values for most of the discontinued Sako rifles. have fun.

DeerGoose

 

[Guest]

Can anyone tell me how old my rifle is? Its a forester L579 with bofors heavi barrel
SN,6610#. Cal ,243 win and also possible value? Its in new like condition!

Any help would be appreciated!

Ben
Iceland

 

[deergoose]

sounds as if you have a Heavy Barrelled Forester model made in 1967. this is a good one. If the gun is in just about new condition as you say, your gun is worth, best estimate, from $750 - $850. Good luck.

DeerGoose

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the ansver DeerGoose and yes its a good gun, by far my favorite rifle!

Ben
Iceland

 

[Guest]

I have for sale a Sako Forester made in 1960 in 243 in like new condition perfect bore 99% bluing and about 98% wood i dont think it was fired much at all probably a safe queen all these years 1050.00 shipped in a hard case to your ffl pictures on request email me at [email protected]

 

[Guest]

I have a Sako forester rifle. I have had it for 30yrs. How can i find out how old my rifle is? How much is it worth? and does anybody have any pictures of one with a hooded front sight

Tom

 

[Guest]

Tom
Here are 3 photos of my forester in 22-250.If you check the documents section there is a serial number file to estimate the age of your gun.
Value depends on age caliber and a few other things
does it have bofors steel stamped on the right side of the barrel
is it a standard grade or deluxe
does it have a black pistol grip
i know its not exactly what you wanted to hear lol
scott

 

[elfrugal]

Do you still have the Sako Forester made in 1960 in 243? What other old sakos do you have for sell or trade.
Many thanks

 

[onacruise]

Have had some helpful feedback on the old Sako Forester L579 rifle I have. Was asked to post some pics. Anyone with info, input, or interest, please let me hear from you. Registration #31272. Someone has indicated that would make it from late 1963. Had a BannerII 3X-9X by Bushnell scope fitted when we bought the rifle in 1973.
Enjoying the forum and opportunity to hear from Sako enthusiasts. I love this rifle, and in spite of not using it for so long, like the quality and feel of it. Maybe it's time to let go.
Una

 

[mcgrif2243]

Hey Onacruise,
Thanks for the photo's. Although as I mentioned previously, as an earlier 1963 rifle, condition is everything. The photo's show the rifle is in good condition but not really collector condition. It appears to have been well used in the field, yet well taken care of, to the extent possible, afterward, The original fixed sling swivels have been replaced with newer quick-detachable (QD) studs. Also, the front sight dovetail bead and front sight hood are missing. The bolt handle bluing appears to be mostly gone and the bluing on the barrel shows signs of wear and use, although I am judging based on the photos. The wood also shows signs of "hunting" use, as it should!! The scope rings appear to be original Sako, and if you look on the flat section under the round part of the scope rings on front and back you should see the words Sako and Finland. The Bushnell Banner scope was, at the time, an inexpensive Japanese made scope of mediocre at quality at best and has no value. In my opinion as a collector, and if I had this rifle, I would not sell it unless I needed $500 for an emergency. You could spend some money to fix it up for a little more money or keep it and use it for what it is intended for. I am no "expert", but I am a collector and pay close attention to the price/condition/model/originality/rarity of Sako rifles on the market. Hope this is helpful, and welcome to a great forum with a great group of humble, yet passionate Sako lovers!
Regards, Will

 

[stonecreek]

I largely agree with Will's assessment, although it is not possible to say from the photos just exactly what the condition of the blue is -- it could be better than Will's estimate.

This gun is a "shooter" (and a good one), but not a "collector". One reason is that the .243 is by far the most common chambering in the L579 and near pristine examples are not too hard to come by. If it were a .22-250 or .308, it might bring an additional $50-$100, and if it were the almost impossible-to-find .244 chambering, that would double its value, even in "shooter" condition.

I think that $500 would be a distress sale price, and you don't seem to be distressed since you've had it put away for decades. It will easily bring $600 on an online auction, but it's doubtful that it would ever reach $700. The scope is of marginal value. If it is performing well for you, by all means keep it on the gun and shoot it as long as you are satisfied with it. The Banner was Bushnell's midline (Sportview was the low-end and Scopechief was the top.) Most Banner's were functional scopes. It might bring from $25-$50 on ebay.

As far as spending money to "fix it up", the only "fix up" I would recommend would be to mount a better scope, and then only if you find some deficiency in the one you've got. Anything you do to refinish the wood or metal will cost you much more than it will return in value. The gun's appearance is just fine as a shooter, so keep it that way.

 

[onacruise]

Thanks so much for the information. It has been so helpful to have Sako enthusiasts give me the benefit of their expertise. I wish that I could just get out there and use the rife, but am living mostly in the Bahamas where I cannot even have the rifle, let alone use it. Perhaps the stock has been cut (although I wouldn't recognize that) since it was a very comfortable fit for me as a woman and smaller than most men. I'll have to consider more what to do with it.

Una

 

[onacruise]

Thanks for your input and general agreement with what has been said about my rifle. I guess it needs to find a good home with a "shooter" and be used!
Una