A SAKO Forester followed me home

Brother_Love

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Just wandered in the pawn shop yesterday mostly to talk to the guys. While talking I happened to notice a rifle that had not been there at my last visit. I asked,”is that a SAKO?” And I was told, “it is”. It is a nice SAKO in 243 with a Leupold 7.5x scope. It is very nice condition with a few honest dings. It still has the original sights too. Although 243 is the last caliber I would have wanted its mine now. I am even thinking about a JES re-bore to 358 Win. I have never had a 243 so I need to think about the re-bore for a while. Ive been wanting a good coyote rifle and this may be it. Pictures later. I couldn’t let it go because sako’s don’t turn up around here much anymore. I wonder how cast will do in a 243? Hmmmmmm?
 
Last edited:
Matt

Matt

Active Member
You might be surprised how well your .243 Sako handles cast. I’ve always had good luck with Sako rifles with cast from .222 to .30/06. The one exception is my 6mm PPC Sako!? My M70 FWT and Mark X in .243 both shoot about 2 MOA at 1400-1500 fps with the RCBS 95 grain bullet if you use a gas check. Doesn’t matter what powder you use to achieve that velocity. I tend to use Red Dot because it doesn’t take much powder and I can save my 4759 for more serious stuff. Good find; the 7.5 Leupold gives you a real vintage outfit. Original Sako rings?
 
R

Rushcreek

Well-Known Member
I've used lots of rifles over the decades of the bolt action persuasion and Sako is top shelf. Especially the vintage you have now..don't give up on the .243 just yet. Top teir coyote rifle, stay away from 100 gr bullets for the real ballistics and accuracy. They kill deer just fine as well.
I'm covered on both sides of it with my 22-250 and 25-06 (Tikka T3- Sako built) so I don't use one anymore- but all three of my grown kids have .243s as their cartridge of choice.
My wife has a Sako custom .250 Savage that I made for her the year we got married.
Great rifles.
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
SAKO really is "top shelf," in my mind anyway. Exquisite rifles - the old ones. I know nothing about the newer ones, but those Finns sure know how to make rifles and knives - and they've had to (and did) stand up to the Soviets, so I have a tender spot for some tough people.

I have nothing against the 243, but I've always deferred to the 25s, mostly the Roberts and the Souper, which are ballistic twins - I shot the two side by side for many years.

Still, I recommend the 243 to anyone who asks about a (production) rifle for longer-range 'chucks and coyotes. The slight edge the 25s have is on the heavier end, and then on the lower end, the 243 edges the 25s in sectional density for same-weight bullets - a 75 grains seems to be a "magic number" for the 25s for varmint for me. I'm thinking such a bullet would be just that much better in a .243 diameter with the same oomph behind it. Those may be minor differences, but when one is rationalizing,.... The Souper is a wildcat (just neck up 243 brass), and the Roberts is getting tough to find. The 243 is ubiquitous. I'm guessing bullets would be easier to find and possibly cheaper and with a wider selection.

I've shot a few 243s and each reminded me a little (I hate saying this "out loud") of the 222, in that every one I shot was stock and every one shot extremely well. Maybe it was coincidence. Add to that, it's in a SAKO - I don't think it could go wrong.

Never shot cast in the 243 myself, but if I had one, I surely would. I'm pleased (but still striving for better) with the 22s using cast, and I think I could maybe do that much better with a "24." Conjecture, based on my observations and projections regarding bullet base perfection, uniformity, maybe ease of casting better bullets? Just intuition, which could be terribly wrong.

If you talk to JES, let us know what he says. I've heard a hundred times that no one will rebore a SAKO because the barrel steel is too tough. Sounds like an old wives' tale to me, but it may also have some merit. I don't know. A 358 in a SAKO sure would be sweet though. I'd definitely cast for THAT!

@Brother_Love , your pictures aren't loading for me. I need to check my settings.;)
 
P

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I always been impressed with SAKO quality and missed out on a good deal years ago.
I think the OP did well.

And I wouldn't be real quick to turn my nose up on the 243 Win cartridge. That's a 308 necked down to 6mm and not a bad a cartridge.
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
The 243 is an EXCELLENT caliber. It handles castings wonderfully, some of my most accurate cast bullet rifle work has been done in 243. My most recent acquisition was a 243, a Tikka T3i. Hoping to run some rounds through it tomorrow afternoon.
 
Brother_Love

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Photos
CZ93X62 said:
The 243 is an EXCELLENT caliber. It handles castings wonderfully, some of my most accurate cast bullet rifle work has been done in 243. My most recent acquisition was a 243, a Tikka T3i. Hoping to run some rounds through it tomorrow afternoon.
Click to expand...
That is great to hear. Please recommend a mold for me to start with. Thanks
 
Missionary

Missionary

Well-Known Member
A Sako is one that has never come home with us. There were few rifles not made by Browning my uncle would even talk about and Sako was one.
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Old-school SAKO......lovely.

I use two moulds with my 243s--the RCBS #6mm-95-SP does just a bit better than the Lyman #245496, but only 1/4"-1/2" better at 100 yards. This tendency has held true for 4 rifles I have owned in this caliber. You'll find a "sweet spot" for your barrel somewhere between 12.0 and 14.0 grains of 2400, lit by WLR primers. expander spud is .244", sizing diameter is .245". 92/6/2 and 90/5/5 alloys have been my "go-to" mixes. Be SAVAGE when culling bullets, imperfections exaggerate themselves downrange far more in the small caliber than with the larger bores.

I have whacked COUNTLESS varmints with both castings over the years. The 243 is my favorite cast bullet varmint rifle EVER.
 
Last edited:
Brother_Love

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
CZ93X62 said:
Old-school SAKO......lovely.

I use two moulds with my 243s--the RCBS #6mm-95-SP does just a bit better than the Lyman #245496, but only 1/4"-1/2" better at 100 yards. This tendency has held true for 4 rifles I have owned in this caliber. You'll find a "sweet spot" for your barrel somewhere between 12.0 and 14.0 grains of 2400, lit by WLR primers. expander spud is .244", sizing diameter is .245". 92/6/2 and 90/5/5 alloys have been my "go-to" mixes. Be SAVAGE when culling bullets, imperfections exaggerate themselves downrange far more in the small caliber than with the larger bores.

I have whacked COUNTLESS varmints with both castings over the years. The 243 is my favorite cast bullet varmint rifle EVER.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I saved it and looking for a mold.
 
Rick H

Rick H

Well-Known Member
Being a lefty I always lusted after a Sako Finnwolf lever rifle. I have never seen one in the flesh, but have always admired the workmanship in the Sako bolt guns and thought if anyone could do a modern, high intensity cartridge lever gun right it would be Sako. Yes, the Winchester 88 was a disappointment to me.
You got a great rifle there.
 
Brother_Love

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Rick H said:
Being a lefty I always lusted after a Sako Finnwolf lever rifle. I have never seen one in the flesh, but have always admired the workmanship in the Sako bolt guns and thought if anyone could do a modern, high intensity cartridge lever gun right it would be Sako. Yes, the Winchester 88 was a disappointment to me.
You got a great rifle there.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I’ve always wanted a Finnwolf but I’ve never even held one. They are surely scarce now.
 
Brother_Love

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
I might be shooting j-bullets for now. Finding a 243 mold right now is going to be a problem. I’ll keep my eyes open for one. I really want the RCBS 95 gr. and it will eventually be available again.
 
F

FrankCVA42

Active Member
Have a Sako 75 detachable magazine in 30-06. Loves my dwindling supply of Lake City 1963 match. What with covid and now the delta variant probably won't be shooting anytime soon. So after getting some steel shelving packs for my den. Will slug the barrel and clean well and setup for cast bullets. Has a great adjustable trigger. Frank
 
You must log in or register to reply here.