Finnwolf VL63 Sako VL 63 Finnwolf

[davejrh]

I recently purchased a Finnwolf from a gun dealer that was from a deceased estate.
From the wood work condition I would say it has been carried around a bit but has done very little shooting.

After adding missing items to the metal sights I added a scope on original Sako rings.

I proceeded to sight in the scope with factory ammo and after 6 shots I was unable to close the action on the chamber!

Have members any idea what the cause may be.

Cheers Dave

 

[sakovl63]

Dave,
Sorry, I don't know of any fix for the Finnwolf. I was considering buying one myself (see post), but now I am rethinking the purchase after hearing about your problem.


In your post, you say you added missing items to your metal sights. Do you know when I can get a front sight hood for a Finnwolf? It is missing on the one I am considering buying.


P.S. I'll be watching your post for info that you get on your action problem


Thanks,

Jim

 

[davejrh]

In good old New Zealand I know of a several front sight hoods locally as over here most people removed them but still put them in their box of gun bits.
Keep in touch Jim and I will let you know the continuing saga of my Finnwolf.

The shop that sold it to me said they will refund the money for it however I would rather have the rifle.

The deal is I send it back and they will get it repaired if possible by their nominated gunsmith

Regards Dave

 

[davejrh]

Have since had this rifle repaired though the shop I purchased it off. The gunsmith used to repair it reported that the hammer spring had come loose and jammed the action. Said the spring was too long and replaced it with one of the correct length. Took the rifle out and sighted it in with a scope. It functioned ok and I think it will shoot good groups with a bit more load development. Stopped shooting after approx. 20 rounds as scope moved in mounts. They are 26mm Sako mounts with a 1inch scope. Have since shimmed up the scope tube with thin brass sheeting to allow mounts to be tightened further.

One bonus to this project has been the location of a new spare magazine/clip for $80.00NZ at a shop just north of the town I purchased the rifle in.

Regards Dave

 

[davejrh]

 

[davejrh]

This is the Finnwolf I have acquired an early model with a cheek rest and 4 shot magazine.

Its now ready for action and sighted in at 200 yards with 130grain reloads.

 

[misako50]

Dave- Do you use small base dies to reload for your Finnwolf? I have been fortunate so far with full length resizing but these are once fired cases and the availability of ammunition at present is not good here. Best, Misako

 

[davejrh]

I did not know what small base dies were until you asked.

I am now informed after checking it on the web.

No I have just used my oridinary dies to make up the reloads.

First ones I only neck sized brass from my custon chambered .308.

They worked ok.

Next up I full length sized these cases after they had been fired in the Finnwolf and fired them again.

Seemed to work ok but perhaps not a smooth as I thought as you have placed some doubt in my mind now.

Although I have used factory ammo in it and I do think my reloads are on a par with factory but again there's that doubt again or is it too much knowledge.

Yours in shooting Dave

 

[misako50]

Dave - I think I'll go with too much information, but enough to not throw caution to the wind. I have been "going slow" with reloading for both finnwolfs I have, but only because I don't wish to use a stuck case extractor on them. That goes back to taking them apart, which I don't want to do. On the internet, you can find some things said about a sako finnwolf having problems with cracked stocks and weak springs. That could give some the impression that they are problematic to begin with. What many of us don't realize is that there are many causes for cracked stocks and it usually comes from abuse and is not the "fault" of the rifle. Case in point- I refer sometimes to a forester deluxe that has a badly cracked stock. It was sat on by a heavy man. Guess who the idiot was that placed it where that could happen. We don't get the whole story on the net. Nobody wants to take resposibility for stupidity. As for the springs, I would liken that to finding a mint 60 yr. old car with 200 miles on it. Try putting it on the road without some springs replaced.- Best- Mike

 

[hayseed51]

Hi Dave -

Ha-ha, I know what you mean about too much knowledge - sometimes it can be counter-productive.

Some shooters using pumps, levers, or autoloaders do use the SB sizing die, but don't give up on your std FL dies just yet. Cases can become sticky due to not being sized quite enough in the base, but that same stickyness can be a result of the headspace dimension getting a little too long as well - by the shoulder not getting set back a touch in the sizing operation...

My feeling is that you need to be able to accurately measure the shoulder setback when setting up your sizing die. I've used something as simple as a 38 Spec case turned upside-down to as fancy and expensive as a barrel stub with the neck and shoulder cut into it with the same reamer that cut the chamber... Hornaday makes a set that clamps to one jaw of a caliper that works well. About 30 bucks, I think. Anyway, I would think that .002 setback would work well for you. What's interesting is that as you sneak up on that point where the shoulder in the die is just about to engage the shoulder of the case, the headspace dimension actually grows a little... that's why it's good to be able to measure accurately, and keep going till you get your setback. Also, be sure to deprime before measuring.

Another side benefit of making sure you get a little shoulder setback is that you often end up running the case a few thousandths further up into the die, and resize the case a bit more in the web area.

A simpler alternative to all the above might be to just make sure to cycle all of your hunting loads through the rifle before going hunting... Your die and chamber match, along with your load intensity may allow you a number of loadings before the brass starts to harden and lose it's springback.

Good luck, Dick

 

[tassie-barry]

Hi Dave,

I am looking at buying a VL63 Finnwolf here inTasmania and I believe it is missing the Front Site Hood - any chance of finding one over there in Kiwi land ?? I am looking forward to getting it home and trying it out.

Cheers Barry

 

[davejrh]

Hi Barry,

I will check out my sources in the next couple of weeks.

Busy time here as every one dissappearing for duck shooting and the roar.

cheers Dave

 

[tassie-barry]

Thanks Dave

Hope you are successful in your hunting. Our Tassie Fallow Deer season has finished for this year, didn't see a decent one this year just 1st and 2nd yearers, nothing any older. Will have to wait for next year. Don't have your luxuries over here not allowed to shoot in the roar. Good luck hope to hear from you later.

Cheers Barry

 

[tassie-barry]

Hi Dave,

Hope it's been a successful two weeks ! Any news on the hood for the Finnwolf ?? Could you also keep your eyes open for an M78 Hornet magazine, please ??

Cheers

Barry

 

[davejrh]

Hi Barry,

Have not looked on the site for amonth or so.

sorry about that

I guess you are in Australia?

Will check my source tomorrow at gun club to see if he will part with a sight hood for sako and let you know

regards dave

 

[sakofan]

Dave
Do you know which version sight hood the finnwolf came out standard with? i.e the slightly angled version which from the photo above looks like your gun may or the plain straight ended version such as the earlier Sako's had? _I ask because I saw another recently with the older style. _ Maybe someone a bit more experienced than me can help out here.
_

 

[davejrh]

The sight hood I have on my Finnwolf is not the original one. It is one I had from a Sako Vixen micro groove and as it fitted and the ramp sight is the same as my old Vixen figured it must be right. I do not know what the original ones looked like.

 

[dhv]

Hey barry, if you dont go ahead with the tazzie finnwolf can you pass on the details to me please? Im in NSW.