doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT - Sako scope mounts

I acquired an early sako bolt action and have a question regarding scope rings. The action has dovetails, the front one of which is quite a bit wider than the rear dovetail. The dove tails taper getting significantly narrower toward the rear. Are the current rings made by Leupold and others for Sako meant for these dovetails or must I find original Sako rings from the same era as the action?

Hi Jerry:

No sweat. I have Leupold bases on my
Sako 461 and they fit quite well. They engage the dovetails and are locked in place by hidden set screws.

You may be able to find orginal scope rings, they used no bases, for about $60.00 and up on E Bay.

Good luck,

Franchi

I had some Redfield bases on my early Sako. Brownells is where I got them. I've seen the Sako ring/base and thought they may be a little more rugged. But, I never had a problem with the Redfields.

I noted that Brownells now has a listing for Sako type rings. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/catsearch.aspx?c=1879&p=4805

The Redfield bases for the SAKO are the way to go. Not sure, but I think Leopold is a close copy or full copy of the Redfield.
The original SAKO rings that came with the rifle were junk that broke in my hands. Being much more familiar and VERY satisfied with Redfield rings, I got the tapered-fit Redfield bases for this SAKO rifle and never looked back.

Jerry,

Warne still makes their rings for Sako guns. .

They're a good looking vertically split ring just make sure the halves match up well, sometimes they're off a little and need to be lapped or reamed.

Well, an abundance of good info. My two-cents is using the Redfield base set-up for years and being fully satisfied. I also used Sako stuff on the old L46 222-sized actions and had no complaints. Used to be one that could contact Sako and get good service on mount/ring parts at reasonable prices, but this was 12-13 years ago.

Good luck, Jerry.

Despite what Ian Nixon said, there are actually two different models of Sako rings, the originals, which are hell-for -stout, and the later series which are more streamlined and not nearly as toughly designed. The originals, which are a bit boxy looking, like Warnes, but split horizontally rather than vertically, clamp directly to the dovetails with very large, knurled screws, and have a downward-projecting stud on the one ring which engages a slot in one of the dovetails. This projection prevents the scope assembly from moving under recoil. I have used this setup on my L-61 Finnbear, in .338WM, for over 35 years, from Caribou in the arctic, to Greater Kudu in Zambia. It has never moved, and has never shifted zero in all those years. It is also removeable in quick time, leaving nothing on the dovetails and the rear dovetail is instantly ready to accept the Sako peep sight, as a backup. If you are fortunate enough to find a set of these rings, and a Sako peep sight, you're set for life!

Ron, Thanks you gave me the piece I was confused about. Although I don't think the .222 Rem in a Vixen action is going to stress the mountings like your .338. I have already located a peep sight for it. Receiver sights and tang peeps are my favorites anyway. Makes for really clean lines and easier to carry firearms without any real loss of hunting accuracy once you get accustomed to using them.