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View Full Version : Sako Finfire Varmint .22 LR Heavy barrel



custarddog
16-12-2003, 02:57 PM
I was looking for a rimfire that would be acurate and consistant and it had to be a bolt action due to the fact that i am left handed and the eject port on most semi-auto's seem to throw hot spent cases straight onto my wrist <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="Roll Eyes" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::rolleyes:-->

after a lot of chatting to orher people it came to a choice between the sako and Anschutz 1415

in the end i droped for the Sako finfire varmint with the heavy barrel rather than the hunter version with the lighter barrel as the stock was more comfortable to use left handed, i added a sako sound moderator which was superb value for money and very quiet

http://www.fotango.com/p/eba00396405f00000001.jpg

when i got back from the gunshop i put the Leopold EFR 6.5-20x40 scope onto the rifle using a modified B-square weaver rail converter (so i can swap between day scope and Night vision) i went out to zero it in

the first 20 shots were all over the place after that the barrel had a bit of lead the rifle started to shoot well, at the end of day 1, i had a clover leaf at 60 meters

The Action-
the rifle has a very crisp single stage trigger that is factory set at 2.5 lbs but is easy to adjust to 1.5 lbs
the bolt is compact and neat in design and silky smooth to use in the action the safty catch is placed next the the bolt and operates very smoothly and again feels well engineered

when you come to the mag i feel it could have been improved on in the design stage- the standard 5 shot plastic mag can be fiddley to release from the action and does not have enough weight in it to drop clear, the 10 shot mag is made of steel and tends to scratch/mark the lead bullets on the subsonic rounds when you are loading it(must upset the accuracy- well thats my story and i am sticking to it <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_razz.gif" alt="Razz" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::p-->)

Ammo-
subsonic - eley Hollow Xtra plus - 40 grain lead cloverleaf at 75-80 meters
Hi-Vo - Federal Classic 31 grain copper plated, open out a bit at over 100 meters (but they hit hard)

Woodwork-
the wood is a little plain but is well shaped and all the chequering is neat and tidy, the stock has a traditional oil finish that comes up well with a bit of hard work

modifacations-
as standard the gun comes with a 23 inch barrel which is superbly accurate - 1" at 100 meters (with no wind), but when you add a sound moderator to the gun it becomes very unweildy, long and nose heavy unless you are built like Geoff Capes
I had the barrel reduced by 5" by Baz (then re proofed) and have not noticed any real diffrence in the way the gun groupes shots at 90 -100 meters but this has improved the pointability of the gun and make it a lot more gentle on the fore arm and i can now use it from the landrover window


The Dont Likes-

the barrel is long and heavy at 23" (make that 28" with sound mod)it can be reduced with very little effect on the accuracy of the rifle

it would be nice to have the single stage trigger replaced with a 2 stage trigger

other than that there is very little i would want to say against the rifle its a joy to use and there are a lot of rabbits around here that would be very pleased to see it sold <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D-->

[This message was edited by custarddog on 16 December, 2003 at 18:56.]

philwilk
16-12-2003, 06:59 PM
Is it necessary to have the barrel re-proofed after cutting it down??
Phil

bulls_hitter
16-12-2003, 07:25 PM
About a year ago I had to make the choice between the anschutz 1415 and the sako finfire varminter with the heavy barrel.
I chose the anshutz it is a very good and capable rifle. I use it for target shooting and hunting it has scored 100 out of 100 often at the range and has shot approx 250 rabbits and 2 foxes.
Then about 3 months ago i went back in to the gun shop and fell in love with the sako so i bought it. From opening the box at home and putting on my favourite leupold scope it has been the best rifle i have ever shot. It seems to be in a different league to the anschutz. I have only tested it on targets at the moment but it is already lifting my averages considerably. i have yet to purchase a silencer for the sako but was hoping to get one that sets back down the barrel so as not to make the rifle to long if any one has any advice on silencers please let me know

Steve

custarddog
17-12-2003, 03:19 AM
PES make a overbarrel sound mod that will go on the heavy barrel


it is not nesicary to have the barrel re proofed unless you wish to sell the rifle

Karl S J KING
18-12-2003, 07:50 PM
Shot two of these bad boys at the rimfire club last night. I have to say they are fantastic rifles, superbly accurate, little perceived recoil with the heavy barrels fitted, and smooth as silk to cycle the bolt. Both triggers being brand new rifles, need fettling a little, but so much better than the Ruger 10-22 we have been used to.
I want one, and FLO permitting with the help of God this will be my first "Real gun" purchase.

adams
19-12-2003, 07:55 AM
I also own the SAKO finfire varmint, I also use the Sako mod and find the barrel very long, I would like to fit a bi-pod but I think this will make a heavy rifle far too heavy.

My question is, how much did the barrel shortening cost and should I expect any differences?

Would I be better shortening the barrel or getting an over barrel mod?

Mark.

leupy
19-12-2003, 09:51 AM
Good question Mark.
I've also got one of these and find it heavy and cumbersome, particularly with moderator attached.
Depending on the feed-back re. shortening, and affect on accuracy, on this thread, I may well be doing this modification myself.
I use a bipod as well, but only attach it after I've snuggled down in a hollow somewhere, and am ready to pick off bunnies at long range.

Karl S J KING
19-12-2003, 09:56 AM
One of the rifles I tried had a Bi-pod, and although being a big geezer, I didn't find it over heavy

bulls_hitter
20-12-2003, 10:36 AM
Karlos i think you would find it heavy if you came out with me on a nights lamping as we sometimes walk for up to 5 hours with rifle lamp batteries and possibly a dozen rabbits ( when we reach 12 we either hang them on a tree for later retrieval or go home)I dont use a bipod but i think father xmas is bringing one so i soon will be giving it a try.

Karl S J KING
20-12-2003, 01:49 PM
With my knees mate I struggle to drive for four hours mate, never mind walk <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D--> <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D-->

Your right of course, what can be considered light if you pick it up and shoot it a couple of times, may not be so after an hour or so. Sorry mate

custarddog
21-12-2003, 12:21 PM
i had 5" taken off the barrel - costs around £50 and the re proofing
made a fantastic diffrence to the handleing of the gun (it must be a pound lighter now)standing shots are now a joy instead of a painful experince

the harris bi-pods are so light you will not notice the diffrence

i will take it up to minsterly if i go on the Boys outing as i want to do a bit of a Hi Vo ammo test with it- if you are there you are welcome to have a go with it

[This message was edited by custarddog on 21 December, 2003 at 15:38.]

leupy
21-12-2003, 02:14 PM
Did you get the new threaded end re-blued?
If so, how?

custarddog
21-12-2003, 03:54 PM
re blueing it is still on the to do list <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::D-->

Adam (KOS)
21-12-2003, 06:28 PM
Lovely piece of kit.
Just as a matter of interest, Defying advice of others, but not all, ( For once ) I decided to clean the barrel after every shooting session instead of after severel hundred even k's of rounds as suggested.
WOW! I'st round down, exactly where it was supposed to go! [ and almost same hole @ 50M using H/V ammo ] This gun likes cleaning more than most rimmie's!
I Luv It!
Adam

ADAM

kd4uvc
21-12-2003, 07:34 PM
I've had the finnfire for several years now, jewel makes a drop in trigger which adjusts from 1.5 oz to 1 lb. I love my rifle very much, i've had many including anshultz and remington, the sako is by far the best. I have won all the benchrest contest that i've entered this year with this rifle. I use the standard barrel but can use the leica barrel when it goes out. highly recommend this for anyone who is serious about accuracy and quality.

leupy
22-12-2003, 08:11 AM
I've always failed miserably with my attempts at blueing using the gel stuff. A dirty brown/blue is what I get. Anyone had any real success with this?

RichardH
22-12-2003, 01:14 PM
Had a bit of luck with G96 paste on old pistols although it took lots and lots of coats.

The Jenolite blacking liquid also worked ok on a couple of very old BSA's

Not even close to a modern blue but you can get away with it for old guns that arent going to be handled all the time

Rich

www.branch.co.uk (http://www.branch.co.uk) Fibre/CAT5/6 Network Design & Installation.

leupy
22-12-2003, 01:45 PM
Thanks for that Rich but...<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> G96 paste on old pistols although it took lots and lots of coats.
[/quote]

I can't seem to get past coat no 1, as further coats don't seem to do anything. It's like the reactivity of the metal is quenched by coat 1, and thereafter you're scuppered <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_confused.gif" alt="Confused" width="15" height="22"><!--graemlin::confused:-->

RichardH
22-12-2003, 02:07 PM
Trick appears to be ignore instructions, warm steel then apply with steel wool, rubbing hard.

Allow paste to dry on steel (happens quite fast) then boil off paste before repeating (and repeating),(and repeating),(and repeating),(and repeating)

Works on small parts although colour varies depending on the steel (webley and BSA guns made before the war seem to come up well)

Finish looks patchy on biggr rifle parts

Rich

www.branch.co.uk (http://www.branch.co.uk) Fibre/CAT5/6 Network Design & Installation.

Chris (South Ronaldsay)
25-12-2003, 03:27 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kd4uvc:
I've had the finnfire for several years now, jewel makes a drop in trigger which adjusts from 1.5 oz to 1 lb. [/quote]

According to some of the folks on rimfirecentral, Jewel stopped making the unit some time ago. Any that are still out there are fetching premium prices (allegedly).

mark1
29-12-2003, 05:25 PM
had my finfire varmint barrel chopped down to 14.5"and its still supa accurate <img src="http://jsramsbottom.co.uk/bbs/e/icon_cool.gif" alt="Cool" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::cool:-->

Rapid 12
30-12-2003, 08:07 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by custarddog:
when you come to the mag i feel it could have been improved on in the design stage- the standard 5 shot plastic mag can be fiddley to release from the action and does not have enough weight in it to drop clear,][/quote]

Hi custarddog, to solve the above for you...... push the bolt forward but not closed then eject the mag. You will find that the ejection is then spring assisted and comes out very easily
HTH David