Shortly after, the 491 and the 691 were launched.

In 1992, the first of the 'newer' Sakos, the 591, was introduced as a replacement for the L579. 22 PPC and 6mm PPC cartridges, when Sako introduced these former wildcat cartridges as commercial cartridges, denoted '.22 PPC USA' and '6mm PPC USA' to avoid confusion with the specialized bench rest cartridges which required a 'tight neck' chamber. The bolt was given a slight cosmetic makeover, with the hammer covered by a conical shell., This visual design was also used on the later models (M4/5/691, M75, M85).Ī modified, larger diameter, version of the short (Vixen) action was produced for the. The complete rifles were still designated L461/L579/L61. 22 LRĭuring the 1980s, Sako started using the AI/AII/AV designations (previously used for models imported to the US) for the three action lengths in Europe. Sako has also produced a number of rimfire rifles, among those are the P72 Finnscout, the M78 and the Finnfire. 30-06, 6.5x55 and similar.įor a short while, Sako produced a lever-action gun, the Sako Finnwolf, in. In 1961, Sako introduced the L61R 'Finnbear' for the long cartridges like the. This is a 'medium action' intended for the. In 1957, Sako launched a longer action, the L57, subsequently renamed L579 'Forester'. 222 Remington cartridge and has an almost mythical status among aficionados. The L461 has been very popular in Finland and Sweden, especially chambered for the. This cartridge was designed for and well suited to capercaille and black grouse hunting, a popular sport in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Sako developed the 7x33 cartridge based on the 9x19 pistol cartridge, by making a longer case and 'necking' the case down to 7mm calibre (7.21mm bullet diameter). The first civilian rifle bearing the Sako name was the L42 (Luodikko model 1942) chambered for the 7x33mm Sako cartridge, prototyped in 1942, and commercial production started after WWII. I thought it might be helpful in your discussion.

I don't know about the collectibility, but a guy over on UK Varminter posted this lineage.

Sako finnbear serial numbers