This rifle is available in a variety of configurations and has interchangeable barrels in calibers. This is a premium hunting rifle available in many configurations and calibers from 204 Ruger through 416 Rem Mag. Sako's latest (and current) model, the M85, was introduced in 2006. The 75 was externally similar to previous Sako models, but the construction was radically different featuring three symmetrical locking lugs and a detachable magazine.īefore the 75, Sako hunting rifles (except the L46 and the L579) did not have detachable magazines, but a hinged floorplate with the lock placed on the front of the trigger guard. In 1997, Sako launched the M75, named for Sako's 75th anniversary. However, these rifles were available in left-hand configuration both as a medium action (591) and long action (691) They featured a separate recoil lug, also found on the 75, and a Tikka trigger assembly. These rifles (491/591/691) are not as highly regarded as the L461/L579/L61R and according to folklore, the quality of the workmanship is slightly inferior for the 491/591/691. 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. Only the bolt face recess was enlarged to suit the PPC case. These actions are the same external dimensions, and have the same bolt diameter as the 222 Remington, 222 Rem. 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 L579 could be delivered with detachable magazine although the default was a hinged floorplate.įrom 1987 to 1992 a version of the short (Vixen) action was produced for the. This visual design was also used on the later models (M4/5/691, M75, M85). The bolt was given a slight cosmetic makeover, with the hammer covered by a conical shell. The complete rifles were still designated L461/L579/L61. 22 LR.ĭuring the 1980s (1987), 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,the Finnfire and the Quad. 30-06, 6.5×55mm 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 7×33mm cartridge based on the 9×19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge, by making a longer case and "necking" the case down to 7 mm calibre (7.21 mm bullet diameter). The first civilian rifle bearing the Sako name was the L42 (Luodikko model 1942) chambered for the 7×33mm Sako cartridge, prototyped in 1942, and commercial production started after World War II. The company now is owned by Beretta Holdings. After several organizational shifts in state ownership, the SAKO name remained for the privately owned gun- and cartridge-producing company located in the cities of Riihimäki and Jyväskylä (former Valmet factory in Tourula, which was later closed). The Valtion Kivääritehdas (VKT) opened at Tourula, Jyväskylä in 1925 had become a part of Valmet in the 1950s and in 1987, the state-owned Valmet and SAKO fused into SAKO-VALMET, with ownership split evenly between Nokia and Valmet. The firearms manufacturer Tikkakoski, which owned the Tikka brand, was merged into SAKO in 1983.
Sako started exporting pistol cartridges to Sweden in the 1930s and continued manufacturing submachinegun cartridges through World War II. The Suojeluskuntain Yliesikunnan Asepaja moved from Helsinki to an ammunition factory in Riihimäki on 1 June 1927 and reorganized as SAKO in the 1930s. The rifle repair shop became financially independent of the civil guard in 1921. In 1919, a year after Finland declared independence from the Russian Empire, the Suojeluskuntain Yliesikunnan Asepaja ( Civil Guard Supreme Staff Gun Works) opened in a former Helsinki brewery to repair private arms and recondition Russian military rifles for Finnish service.