Sako-Mauser 8x60S

[stonecreek]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/991762563

Here is a very nice Sako-Mauser chambered for the 8x60S. Sako made both the 8x60 (.318" groove diameter) and the 8x60S (.323" groove diameter). From what I've been able to find, the smaller "I" or "J" groove was found in early Sako-Mausers and the larger "S" groove in later ones like the example currently on Gunbroker. So far as I can determine, Sako chambered neither of these in the L61R, but did make a few 8x57's in the L61R.

I'd love to own the example on Gunbroker, which appears to be in very nice condition, to go with the 8x60 I own, but the price seems steep to me. I'll admit that it is a very rare Sako, but there doesn't seem to be the collector interest in the Sako-Mausers that there is in the Finland Sakos to justify the asking price. Of course, value is in the eye of the collector, and that's just one person's opinion.

 

[bigcountry4me]

So please educate me. My knowledge of the older versions (FN Sako vintage and L46-57) lacks experience as I haven’t purchased anything earlier than the L461,L579, L61R. lThe stock style and forearm checking on the gunbroker example is reminiscent of an older L46/L57 pattern, but the rifle is obviously later production than the rifle I recently purchased with the wing safety. Mine has the more typical of the checkering you’d see in early L61R style rifles. The stock style however reminds me of a few of the straight up FNs I’ve owned, but they have all had the fine checkering reminiscent of the Browning Safari rifles of the same era.

 

[icebear]

It is a very nice looking rifle - but, as Stonecreek says, grossly overpriced. Also, the combination of the classic style stock with the trigger safety makes me suspicious that the gun was put together. As far as I know, the classic stock was only used on the earliest bolt-safety examples of the FN-Sako. The stock was changed to a Monte Carlo style before the change from bolt safety to trigger safety. It is of course possible that Sako assembled the gun on GB with a stock that was found in the warehouse, or that it was a special order, but I'm suspicious. Also, take a look at the nose of the forend. Looks to me like it might have been cut off. Also, why did the dealer describe the gun as having a Schnabel forend when it clearly does not? I've always been a bit suspicious of that dealer's listings. I've been tempted to bid a couple times but there was always something in the description or the photos that put me off.

Here's a photo of two FN-Sakos. The gun on the bottom is an original in .30-06, with bolt safety and Monte Carlo stock. I am confident this rifle is all original as built; it was a GI bringback. The other rifle is a custom in .300 H&H. The with a Bishop stock with an absurdly high Monte Carlo and a clunky looking forend. I reshaped it for a slimmer, semi-European style.

 

[stonecreek]

Icebear: I think that only the very last of the Sako-Mausers used a Monte Carlo stock. I've seen at least a few of them which had the #4 Sako trigger with the classic stock. I believe the rifle advertised to be original factory -- except that the fore end tip has been modified. My best guess is that it got damaged and the owner trimmed the damage off and squared it (the original would have had a rounded fore end tip).

BTW: My very early 8x60 (bolt safety) is NOT drilled and tapped on the receiver for a scope mount. It is a genuine FN action, and I was unaware that any were made without the D&T for mounting. I was able to find a box of fifty 200 grain .318" roundnose bullets for it and cobbled together enough ammunition (using some Norma 8x60S brass and some re-formed .3006 brass) to last as long as I will. Over the chronograph they do 2650 fps, which should strike with ample authority and is at least what you would get from a .30-06, if not more.

 

[bigcountry4me]

The stock was changed to a Monte Carlo style before the change from bolt safety to trigger safety. It is of course possible that Sako assembled the gun on GB with a stock that was found in the warehouse

Then possibly my rifle MAY have been an older action (bolt safety) leftover when the transition to the monte carlo style stock took place?

In a way I “may” have answered my own question - as I do realize Sako never wasted anything. Obviously my rifle is simply a nice shooter, but it is a little reassuring to see someone who believes theirs is worth 3K. Makes my $435 feel pretty good. Thanks much.

 

[stonecreek]

The stock style however reminds me of a few of the straight up FNs I’ve owned, but they have all had the fine checkering reminiscent of the Browning Safari rifles of the same era.

The Sako-Mauser, Browning Safari, and FN High Power all have some of the same DNA. Of course, they're all on the FN action, but many of them also have the Sako #4 trigger, and the stocks all share a similar pattern. It isn't clear whether Sako may have "traded" some of their hammer-forged barrels to FN for actions, or if any of the Browning Safaris (other than those on the L579/L461 actions) might have had Sako-produced barrels. At any rate, they all came out of Northern Europe and were all quality products.

 

[bloorooster]

The seller has a number of nice rifles , including Sako’s, but man he sure does think highly of them!