Sako Collectors - L61R .264 Mag

S

SRE

New member
Picked up this Sako from a buddy, finally after years of asking him to sell it. Don't know a thing about it. I just liked the look of it and the finish on it is an amazing metallic blue.

It's a 26" barreled L61R Finnbear with "Bofors Steel" markings. Made in Finland. Beautiful walnut stock. Finish on barrel and stock is 95%. It really is in immaculate condition other than being shot carefully over the years. Never hunted with apparently.

Thing about this one is the serial number. There is none except for this stamped on the receiver: "No. 7xx"... and I'm leaving out the last 2 digits obviously.

Gun, if I had to guess looks and feels like it's made in the late 60's to early 70's.

Any further info needed I could post. Just looking for some feedback on this fine looking rifle.

Thanks in advance!
 
There is a Sako group with the serial, but with a 3 digit number it has to be early year one.

I believe the L61R was late 50s. My mom had one that was around 3000 number and we got it in the late 50s.

they are beautiful guns
 
I don't know about the rifle but the chambering is perfect for handloading. That is one cartridge that most shooters actually download from factory (as opposed to the constant quest for more power). When downloaded by 200 or so fps, it becomes very pleasant to shoot and extends barrel life.
 
This is history L61R

Sako model history (Europe)
Introduced Model Chambered for Comments
1942 L42 7x33 Sako
1946 L46 5.6x35R, .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, .222 Rem, .222 Rem Mag, .25-20 Win, 7x33 Sako, .32-20 Win Detachable magazine
1954? P54/P54T .22LR
195? M98 .270Win, .30-06, .300H&H, 8x60, 9.3x62, .375H&H, ? FN M98 action, Sako stock and barrel
1957 L57 .243 Win, .244 Rem, .308 Win Fixed magazine
1959 L579 Forester .22-250, .243 Win, .308 Win Fixed magazine, later in production detachable as option
1961 L461 Vixen .17 Rem, .222 Rem, .222 Rem Mag, .223 Rem, 7x33 Sako? Fixed magazine
1961 L61R Finnbear .264 Win, .270 Win, 30-06 Three locking lugs: Two in front and one on the rear end of the bolt
1961 L61R Finnbear Magnum 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 H&H, .338 Win Mag, .375 H&H Three locking lugs: Two in front and one on the rear end of the bolt
1963 VL63 Finnwolf .243 Win, .244 Rem, .308 Win, .358 Win Lever-action
1972 L61R Finnbear .25-06 Rem, 6.5x55, .270 Win, 7x64, .30-06, 9,3x62 Two locking lugs in front
1972 L61R Finnbear Magnum 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag, .375 H&H Two locking lugs in front
 
That's starting to sound right. I had my dates a bit wrong.

Amazing where we were at my dad got one of the early 270s,

My take on them was the chamber was pretty long so hand loads do better in them as you can seat the bullet out more.

Has to be carefully checked before you do that, preferably with a bullet comparator

Lovely rifles
 
Sako Info source

You can find a lot of information on the Sako Collectors Club forum. Lots of knowledgeable helpful guys there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top