Author Topic: Sako AV (Read 2343 times)

koivu · « **on:** December 10, 2003, 08:51:28 AM »

I picked up a used Sako AV 30-06 from a friend. It has beautiful wood and came with a Leopold Compact 3 - 9 scope. I've got a few other rifles but have always considered the 30-06 as a good moose gun. The one problem I have with the rifle is the weight. With the scope it comes in at about 9 1/2 lbs and I'm not a big guy. I was thinking of putting a synthetic stock on it. Any recomendations on stocks for these rifles? Right now the barrel is not free floating as there seems to be a pressure pad around the front sling lug. It shoots well with the first two holes touching at 100, but when the barrel warms up it opens up a bit so I am wondering if free floating the barrel would fix this. The guy I bought it from says it is glass bedded but I have not taken the thing apart. The rifle is so nice I would have a pro do the work. Thanks for any advice you can give.

tominboise · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2003, 09:07:33 AM »

I have a Sako Hunter 75 in .30-06, and love it as well. It shoots great. It is sort of heavy. The problem is that most plastic stocks that are of high quality are pretty heavy, too boot. McMillan comes to mind. I think light stocks are out there, but I don't think they are cheap.

helobill · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2003, 09:53:06 AM »

Not sure you're going to make it much lighter no matter what you do (other than changing the barrel). Long action required for 30.06 with a 22" barrel, rings, bases, and a scope usually equals about 9 pounds min. Remington does make a mountain rifle that starts at 6 5/8's pounds (no sights, 1/2 pound lighter than a BDL) in 30.06 with a 22" barrel and "slimmed down" stock. read that as very narrow like someone took a whitling knife to it. Add a scope, good base and rings and your up to almost 8 pounds. You could go Titanium, that'll save you another pound (Remington weighs in at 5 1/2 pounds naked). Savage has a 30.06 that comes in at 6 1/2 pounds with a synthetic stock and 7 pounds with a hardwood stock. Soooo, I guess you could save a 1/2 pound by switching to a hollow plastic stock. I'd take the stock off and weigh it, then compare it to the weight of a replacement, I don't think you're going to find a lot of difference. If the pound difference is going to be significant, I'd look for it in the other stuff I'm carrying, not the rifle. Boots come to mind, along with that really nice backpack my wife bought me for Christmas that weighs over 4 pounds EMPTY. It spends a lot of time in the truck.
Bill

longwinters · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2003, 11:06:18 AM »

Koivo, How do you know it is an AV? I just got an older Sako in .308 and while all the newer Sako rifles are free floated, this one has the same pressure point as yours. But I do not see the initials AV. I have sent in the serial # to Berretta with no response in 3 weeks. But to answer your question, even though the recoil on an 06 isnt all that much, I always liked the feel of a 9 lb. setup. I think it is steadier and never thought of the extra pound or so to be a problem. If I want to carry less weight I will find another way to do it. But good luck in your search. You will have half again the money into a rifle . . . but it will be a great one.

long

koivu · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2003, 12:24:40 PM »

Thanks for the responses. I spoke with a local shop after I posted and they figure changing the stock is not going to reduce the weight all that much. They said much of the weight in the Sako is due to the barrel and action. Plus if it is used primarily for hunting having the point of impact shift somewhat after the first few shots is really a non issue.
I don't have access to the rifle right now, but I am sure it is marked AV on the barrel or action. If I recall correctly the action is a finbear and it is a long action. Like I said, it is a very nice rifle (I'm a Finlander myself so I'm partial) and when I hunt moose it's mostly by boat or canoe so the weight is not an issue there. I will probably just have to get used to it for deer hunting or I can always take out the 30-30. I'll double check when I get home to confirm the markings on the rifle for the AV part. Thanks.

ringo · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2003, 12:36:49 PM »

My Sako is an AV and it had the forward pressure point. Everyone told me what a tack driver Sako's are, especially, in 270 win. Try as I could, I could not get 5 round sub 3" groups

, I had the same problem of stringing shots after the barrel warmed up. I did the dollar bill trick along the barrel and forestock, and found the forward pressure point. I took the rifle apart, sanded out the pressure point, free floated the barrel, pillar bedded the action and glass bedded the recoil lug forward 1.5 " and the rifle became a sub MOA , 5 shots in less than 1" at 100 yds. :grin: