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Author Topic: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'  (Read 5869 times)

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Offline 1sourdough

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1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« on: July 30, 2007, 12:07:19 AM »
 I am picking up a 1966 +/- 1 yr Sako Forester today. It's a deal that came my way that I couldn't steer clear from. The gun is lightly used from the original owner. I already have 2 243's & don't really need another but it seemed a little more unique than the current crop of new production rifles. Any opinions or owners out there ? When I looked it over I thought the trigger could be reduced a little if able.
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Offline rockbilly

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2007, 07:29:40 AM »
I have a fair collection of Sakos, all purchased while stationed in Germany in the mid-late sixties.  In my opinion, Sako is if not the best, one of the best production made rifles ever made.  Although I have guns in many calibers, the .243 is my deer hunting gun for Texas whitetails.  Since it has the heavy barrel, it is not a gun you would want to haul around if doing a lot of walking, but for hunting from a stand, it is perfect.   A real tack driver, I have killed many deer with this gun.

AS for the trigger, most Sakos I have experience with are smooth out of the box,  they are adjustable, and can also be lapped to make it even smoother.  Advice, if you don't know what you are doing don't try to lap it yourself. 

As I said, you now have one of the finer guns made, take care of her and she will make a great piece to hand down to you son.
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Offline Tikkabuck

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2007, 11:07:08 AM »
Quote from: rockbilly on July 30, 2007, 07:29:40 AM
I have a fair collection of Sakos, all purchased while stationed in Germany in the mid-late sixties.  In my opinion, Sako is if not the best, one of the best production made rifles ever made.  Although I have guns in many calibers, the .243 is my deer hunting gun for Texas whitetails.  Since it has the heavy barrel, it is not a gun you would want to haul around if doing a lot of walking, but for hunting from a stand, it is perfect.   A real tack driver, I have killed many deer with this gun.

AS for the trigger, most Sakos I have experience with are smooth out of the box,  they are adjustable, and can also be lapped to make it even smoother.  Advice, if you don't know what you are doing don't try to lap it yourself. 

As I said, you now have one of the finer guns made, take care of her and she will make a great piece to hand down to you son.

 I agree I have a Forester about that same year in.308 surely one of my favorite guns,you'll be well pleased with it I'm sure.
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Offline 1sourdough

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2007, 12:23:51 AM »
 I brought the gun home & gave it a good off the stock wipe down & cleaning. It had a fair amount of finger prints on it but has been very lightly used. It looks a little to nice for inclimate weather but I'll find some use for it. Yes the trigger is O.K. & I'll leave it alone.
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Offline Horsefeathers

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2007, 04:54:10 PM »
I also have a Sako Forester 1966 Heavy barrel in .243 Cal. Excellent Varmint and Deer rifle.It gets under 1/2" groups at 100 yards as most of them do. I have aBausch  &Lomb  21/2 to 8 Variable Power scope with a Kuharsky Adjustable mount.It not only shoots good but looks good too.  Horsefeathers.
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Offline 1sourdough

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2007, 12:04:03 AM »
  I may have a little 'Sako bug'. I bought a slightly used Sako 75 last week in 243. I didn't really need it but the price seemed right. I gave it the once over & was able to squeeze in my safe with some effort. I don't have any plans to shoot it soon. I want to get the 284 win checked out this week for MI & WI deer hunts.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2007, 12:42:59 AM »
I owned a Forester in .243 once upon a time.  It was very accurate and a pleasure to shoot.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline ccoker

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2007, 06:22:06 AM »
I have a 1959 L579 forrester 243
with cheap Federal 80g sps it does a 1/2 at 200 yards

I bought it used and never checked the stock LOP, it always felt very compact, I measured it a few weeks ago and it was 13.5", youth model size....
so, my son will be using it this year and I got a tikka t3 in 308 for myself

my dad has a '66 Sako in 22-250

I have a weakness for Sakos...
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Offline Swampman

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2007, 11:46:48 AM »
13.5" is the correct LOP for a person that's 5'10" or as the say in the industry "average" sized.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline ccoker

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2007, 02:54:05 PM »
I'll have to double check the numbers then..
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Offline ccoker

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2007, 07:03:10 AM »
I gotta say "thanks"
I don't know why I had the 13.5 for a youth in my head
it definitely felt a little short for me at 6', if I actually do the measurement for me it's like 14.25

I went through and measured all my rifles my Benelli

the 870 youth was 13 but was a tad long and I had cut it a 1/2" for him

I measured him and he's 12.5"

So, I just found a replacement stock for the Sako and ordered it for 75 bucks and will set that aside for future use as he grows bigger and cut the existing stock down and put on a new limbsaver grind to fit pad which I already have..    I thought about setting up the new stock for him bu that will require some work and time and hunting season is near and this one is already setup well and is a tack driver



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Offline Swampman

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2007, 11:23:35 AM »
IMO the gun is too valuable/collectible to cut the stock.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline Old English

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2007, 07:21:29 PM »
Yikes, a '59 Sako and a saw sound an unlikely couple to me!!! I cut down a Winchester 1400 20 gauge shotgun for my wife, but that is a $250 shotgun. Looks OK, but I'm clearly not a carpenter/gunsmith.
Please be sure before you attack a piece of history!!! Unlike a bad haircut, it won't grow back.
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Offline ccoker

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Re: 1966 243 Sako 'Forester'
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2007, 10:00:42 AM »
It was bought for hunting... will never sell it
at first the thought made me cringe

but, like I said, I have another stock coming in for it, an original stock, so, when the time comes I will get that one setup right

I should point out the gun was bought well used and the stock had to be refinished, so, the whole value thing of a pristine old Sako isn't there

I am well qualified to the job right and already have done so !
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