Sako 75 value

[JH83]

Sako designed the 75 as a stalking/sporting rifle not some tactical lump. If you want picatinny rails, large capacity mags and the ability to fit nv or scopes the size of a dustbin buy a TRG. As a stalking rifle it ticks all the boxes, best flush fitting mag on the market with the option of top loading, lay one next to a AICS mag and you will see where the manufacturing cost is, sensible barrel lengths as standard instead of the 20” fits all approach that came along with the 85 and a factory trigger that can be tuned down to a safe 1.5 lbs. Mcmilan have unfortunately stopped inletting for the 75 so if you want one it’s a flat top and inletting job. They did make a stainless floorplate but very early on in production and rare I’ve only seen one. Get a set of early production Optilocks the recent ones seem to be poorer quality and fitted correctly with a stalking scope they will work.
Find a decent 75, resist the temptation to flute the bolt, fit rails and big bolt knobs and just use it as it was intended as a stalking rifle. You won’t need another. When it stops shooting fit another barrel.

Exactly this

You want to pimp a rifle to the nth degree, then get a t3. Why anyone would want to change the trigger on a 75 befuddles me!

The mags are expensive because they are excellent and as tough as old boots. Quality costs. The ability for a quick top load whist culling is highly desirable.

My 75 has a McMillan (old one got too scruffy) and a sassen barrel (shot the old 25-06 out), optilocks and a 4-16x50 S & B Klassic. It’s all I’d ever need.

 

[njc110381]

Ah, herein lies the problem. Collectors.

I wouldn't call myself a collector as such, but I do like them.

Look at it this way, how much does an 85 stainless synthetic cost? The 85 is seen by many to be substandard when compared to the 75, especially those who know what they're looking at. If I buy a used 75 and it shoots, I'm onto a winner. If I buy a dud and it needs a barrel my outlay won't be far off of a new 85 but I'll have a better action with a custom barrel for that money. If you ignore the modern thought process that new and spotless has to be better, the rebarrelled 75 is worth every penny of the new 85 asking price and then some.

I've never bought a 75 that wouldn't shoot. May centrefire rifles, especially those that cost Sako money, aren't bought by folk who want to go out and smash hundreds of rounds down range at a target. A lot of them are bought by middle class pay for the day guys who will check zero and whack a deer with it a few times per year. If the gun is 20 years old it may still only have 100 rounds down it from new, and I've picked up a few just like that.

 

[dropmdead]

Ah, herein lies the problem. Collectors.

Rifles are meant to be fired, hunting rifles especially!

I am not a collector, but if there are 4 brand new sako 75's in the country, they are not the cause of maintaining the current price of the rifles.
What I would suggest that is doing it, is the fact they are quality made rifles that are designed to last a generation of hunter (not forestry contractors - T3 do the job better for them)

 

[Border]

Sako designed the 75 as a stalking/sporting rifle not some tactical lump. If you want picatinny rails, large capacity mags and the ability to fit nv or scopes the size of a dustbin buy a TRG. As a stalking rifle it ticks all the boxes, best flush fitting mag on the market with the option of top loading, lay one next to a AICS mag and you will see where the manufacturing cost is, sensible barrel lengths as standard instead of the 20” fits all approach that came along with the 85 and a factory trigger that can be tuned down to a safe 1.5 lbs. Mcmilan have unfortunately stopped inletting for the 75 so if you want one it’s a flat top and inletting job. They did make a stainless floorplate but very early on in production and rare I’ve only seen one. Get a set of early production Optilocks the recent ones seem to be poorer quality and fitted correctly with a stalking scope they will work.
Find a decent 75, resist the temptation to flute the bolt, fit rails and big bolt knobs and just use it as it was intended as a stalking rifle. You won’t need another. When it stops shooting fit another barrel.

Mine isn't going anywhere.....

 

[JohnCZ]

We picked up a Sako 75 Stainless Synthetic in 243W in exceptionally good condition earlier this year for Aud$1600 and that was a great price. In Australia they are regularly selling for Aud$2000+...

 

[User00040]

they are quality made rifles that are designed to last a for the last generation of hunter

Fixed that for you

 

[Free range rob]

Fixed that for you

Do I get the feeling your not number 1 fan

 

[20-250]

Do I get the feeling your not number 1 fan

Not sure about that, but I do get the feeling that he finds it impossible to see that anyone else could possibly be right..

 

[User00026]

75 actions and triggers are great, the stocks are pants, the mags are annoying, and the bolt shroud lock is just a bad day awaiting. better spend your dosh on a good oberndorf or DWM M98 action and perfect custom job for a real mans working rifle.

and for ducks sake, the L61R is ten times the rifle for a custom build than a 75!

 

[Sako75Hunter]

and for ducks sake, the L61R is ten times the rifle for a custom build than a 75!

Why so?

 

[243 fallow]

I paid £500 for mine a couple of year ago but it’s a 222 though, It had been for sale for a long while, went in with cash came out very happy.

 

[dropmdead]

Why so?

Going back to when the like of the Finnbear was first in production, and sako was a brand built on quality of material and accuracy, accountants weren't making the decisions (think Bofors barrel).
As a perspective of quality, do you think a sako 85 will still look (and feel) like new with original blueing in 50 years time?

 

[Shabz]

The last 75 I bought (.223) cost me £325 and the one before that (.243 stainless varmint) cost me £400. I sold both of them for a profit though.

 

[ejg]

I would choose latest Sako/Tikka barrels over any of their older barrels. The 308 Bofors we had was the worst barrel I ever had. The L579 action we have is not a very good design, think newer actions are better. I even prefer a Remmy over that old Sako action. Not all 75's shot well and at this stage one will have quite a lot of shot out or rusted rifles on the second hand market meaning prices must reflect this.
edi

 

[User00040]

I would choose latest Sako/Tikka barrels over any of their older barrels. The 308 Bofors we had was the worst barrel I ever had. The L579 action we have is not a very good design, think newer actions are better. I even prefer a Remmy over that old Sako action. Not all 75's shot well and at this stage one will have quite a lot of shot out or rusted rifles on the second hand market meaning prices must reflect this.
edi

Agreed, too much nostalgia for the old actions.

Saying that I have a Sako L461 in .223 which shoots very well, 1:14 odd twist and near 24 inch barrel with front sight intact and detachable Sako rear aperture, I'll never sell it.

 

[norcan]

I still remember my first visit to the "local" gunshop an hour away, who where trying to guide me towards a Sako 75 Stainless in 6,5x55.
Oooh, I wish I would have listened to that man!!
I could have saved sooooo much money, knowing what I know now.


Only problem with the the L461, L579, L61R, and A series actions I know of, is the guide rail on the bolt body, where the retaining spring that holds it in place, has broken or become loose because of recoil, resulting in the guide rail locking the bolt in place.

Happned to competition rifles and heavy recoiling ones..


If Sako would just keep the A series action, with 75 bolt , it would be the pinnacle of push feed action design.
And of course Tikka parallel dovetails, instead of Sakos wedge design.

That could have been Sakos 100 year old tribute rifle... merging the best from Sako and Tikka into one rifle.

 

[Woodsmoke]

I am looking at a 308, sako 75, fluted stainless, unknown round count.
very good condition. Shoots very well and nice tight groups.
what ball Park figure should I be looking at, rifle only

If it shoots nicely, and you like the rifle I wouldn't worry about the round count too much. As for price? Personally, I'd think around the £650 mark would be reasonable, and leave you with a bit of wiggle room for negotiation

 

[User00040]

Only problem with the the L461, L579, L61R, and A series actions I know of, is the guide rail on the bolt body, where the retaining spring that holds it in place, has broken or become loose because of recoil, resulting in the guide rail locking the bolt in place.

A lot more problems with the L series than people care to admit.

Early extractors were one piece types that slotted into the bolt, easily bent or broken if abused. Very hard to find spares.

Actions are 'wedge' shaped at the rear tang. Improper relieving or incorrect bedding meant the action would gradually split the stock under recoil. Howa copied the action profile and they still exhibit this flaw.

Magazine box and bottom metal are nicely made but not as refined as Remington 700 in design. Easy to assemble incorrectly, and there is no securing notch for the spring on the floorplate, meaning it is easily to slide the spring and follower off when opening the floorplate.

Triggers functional but not the best, usually suffer from a user 'adjusting' it only to mess up sear position/timing.

There is a reason why over 1 million Tikka T3's have been made. Rem 700 many millions more.

 

[Mungo]

A lot more problems with the L series than people care to admit.

Early extractors were one piece types that slotted into the bolt, easily bent or broken if abused. Very hard to find spares.

Actions are 'wedge' shaped at the rear tang. Improper relieving or incorrect bedding meant the action would gradually split the stock under recoil. Howa copied the action profile and they still exhibit this flaw.

Magazine box and bottom metal are nicely made but not as refined as Remington 700 in design. Easy to assemble incorrectly, and there is no securing notch for the spring on the floorplate, meaning it is easily to slide the spring and follower off when opening the floorplate.

Triggers functional but not the best, usually suffer from a user 'adjusting' it only to mess up sear position/timing.

There is a reason why over 1 million Tikka T3's have been made. Rem 700 many millions more.

Yes.

I fell for some of the mythology, and have had two L61Rs, both in .270. The stock splitting was particularly noticeable. One had the original stock, and that split quickly. I then had that replaced with a laminate stock, and that split within a week or two of use.

I liked the look and feel of them, but gave up on them after that.

 

[sir-slots-alot]

Since joining this forum , I have learnt a lot - Here my selection

1. Every rifle made after the Sako 75 is Bad. Every rifle made before is Good
2. Like fine wine, or a Picasso - Sako 75s go up in value the older they get (and more shots you put through them)
3. Anyone choosing a T3 or Sako 85 should be horse whipped , until they see the error of their ways
4. Humanity's greatest achievement was the 222 - all other 22 calibers are irrelevant and pointless.
5. 243's don't kill deer and are marginal at best for mice.
6. All Creedmore owners are heathens , Chavs and Satan worshipers
7. A 6 mag scope will do everything out to a mile.
8. Vari-mag scopes are for people with shortcuts to Grinder.com
9. Gravity and wind does not affect 204 or 22 hornet bullets.
10. Lead is the most toxic substance in the universe - Environmentalists now believe, whispering its name may now be fatal.
11. If you buy a Sako S20 - your a Witch - if you pay £100 extra for the S20 Precision - Your a retarded witch.
12. You should get a free tube of ass lube with each box of copper bullets you buy.
13. Spectacles seem to come in one flavor - Rose tinted

Alan