That is a nice rifle, no doubt about that. I use the left handed Remington270.
And I figure that since the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and vice versa, only left handed shooters are in their right mind !!

Love to join you but you're looking at the Pacific Ocean and I'm on The Atlantic.

Enjoy the Sako.

Hey Hammer, I'm a right handed shooter. Does't that mean I've left my mind!

mzimmers, One of my earliest rifles was a L61R Sako in 7mm Rem Mag. I've also had an L61R in 338 Win Mag, and an L461 in 223. I love Sako's but they are not in my budget now. My others were bought in an Air Force Rod & Gun many years ago for UNDER $100 each!

Everyone should own at least one fine rifle. Not for resale value but to pamper themselves. I could be happy with nothing more than Savages the rest of my life, very good rifles themselves. But I've had my Sakos, I have a custom built in 1945 by Paul Jaeger, I've owned Brenadelli shotguns and presently shoot a 16 ga AyA side by side. Forget about investment and resale value, Pamper yourself from time to time! You never really understand the full worth of a fine gun until you actually hold one.

Hey, Don -

You and I share the same philosophy. One valuable lesson I did manage to learn at a tender age was the importance of quality vs. quantity in personal acquisitions. It doesn't matter if the subject material is cars, tools, golf equipment or guns. Buy for quantity and you'll have a garage full of junk in a few years. Buy for quality, and you'll enjoy them more, feel more motivated to properly maintain them, and you can usually recoup something should you decide to part with them down the road.

That was essentially my thinking when I bought this rifle. For about $100 less, I could have gotten a new rifle, but it would have been one of millions with zero personality. Plus, Sakos just seem to fit taller, long-armed people a little better than most rifles. This is important to me.

In the unlikely event that I decide the bluing is so worn that it needs repair, I guess I'll have a decision to make. I've heard from multiple sources that rebluing a rifle can adversely affect its value. I've never understood this, as it would seem that keeping the finish up is simply a part of good long-term maintenance. I guess rebluing suggests that you might have had something to hide under the new finish?

Anyway, the next step is to find some scope mounts and rings. I want something that lifts the scope up a bit (another concession for my long neck). Any suggestions?

My Sako's were older and they all came with mounts machined into the reciever. They also had a real nice rear aperature sight that I never used.

This particular rifle has some grooves machined into the top of the receiver. I was told that I still need mounts, but that may depend on the mounts in question. I just wish I knew which other Sakos shared the AV's mounting system design, so I could start looking around before I actually have the rifle to take to gun shops. Maybe I'll dig something up in the next few days...

Hey, guys -

Just an update: I got my rifle from the FFL last week; it looks just as good as I hoped it would. I've got a Leupold VX-L mounted with Leupold's low rings (the answer to my question above is that the A-series Sako don't need mounts -- just rings) and it looks fantastic.

I'm heading to the range on Friday to get it dialed in. I only have one box of ammo, but I have the reloading supplies and will make up some more rounds if the dies I ordered get here by then. The month of June's for practice, and on July 1st I'll get my license, and it'll be "here, piggy piggy piggy" for me!

I've been warned that this rifle kicks a little (7mm Remington magnum) but hey, compared to the SRH Alaskan, how bad could it possibly be?

Thanks again to everyone who has helped me on this wonderful journey of the past several months. The fun part's about to begin!

MZ,

Where are you going for pigs? I know that Monterey County has a lot of pigs. I went to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. I hunted pigs at Fort Hunter Liggett. Hardest animal I have ever hunted. Smart things they are. They always stick near that horrible thick stuff. There was one that without a doubt I know I hit. It took off in that thick stuff without dropping a drop of blood. Take that Sako and hit them in the spine because they are tough!!

That's where I'm planning on going -- Fort Hunter Liggett -- at least at first. Depending on how the first few outings go there, we may or not stay in that area, or head over to Camp Roberts. If those don't pan out, I'm not sure where we'll try next...perhaps north of the Bay Area.

I took the Sako to the range today. I physically felt like the worst shooter in the state; I was somewhat shaky, couldn't focus well, just didn't have it. Still, I shot a 1 1/2" grouping at 100 yards. Man, Sako can really build a rifle.

You really have to look at what areas are open for hunting before you go. Why? Some areas are for shotgun/muzzleloading only. I am in VA now. But I spent a lot of time there when I was in CA. I know the training areas very well. I got two beautiful bucks there. Do you have a shotgun or accurate muzzleloader? I can save you alot of time by recommending a few areas. Some areas are a waste of time to hunt pigs in where other areas are good. Now that you are in the middle of summer, you should be able to locate them rather quickly. The factor here is water. Email me at sierpien1030@yahoo.com if you want more info.

Here is a pic of one of my bucks I got there. You really need to deer hunt as well. I am going back to CA this fall to hunt deer at Liggett (if it is open) and in Los Padres National Forest. Hope the pic works.

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