Author Topic: Sako 78? (Read 3128 times)

eroyd · « **on:** October 22, 2003, 09:12:43 AM »

I was looking into purchasing a new finnfire when someone brought to my attention a Sako 78 rimfire that was for sale. I've been told that these older sako 22's have better triggers (among other things) than the newer ones. I haven't seen the particular rifle but apparently it is "Like new, in box". The price is only $300 less than a new finnfire. Does anyone know anything about the '78 and its application to SB silhouette? Advice?

I was also offered a Kimber for $500 cdn. I am kind of leary when the seller volunteers the rifle sometimes misfires and "needs a new spring".
I've read mixed reports on Kimbers.

drover · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2003, 03:55:53 AM »

As can be told by the model number this particular model was introduced in 1978. They are generally good shooters however the stock has more or a european style to it with a fair amount of drop at the heel. Contrary to what you were told the trigger is not as good nor as adjustable as the Finnifire trigger also getting magazines for them is a real problem. Outside that they are a nice rifle, I shot one for silhouette for a few years and did quite well with it. They came in a sporter weight and also a heavy weight (varmint weight) barrel contours so be sure which you are getting - if you get the heavy barrel you will not be able to shoot it in both silhouette classes if yu are planning to compete with it.

Kimber - it could be a good price depending on which model it is. That is where it was manufactured - the Clackamas, Oregon (original Kimbers) which are generally referred to as A & B models have more value then the Kimber of America versions. It is the later Kimber of America versions which are having the problems. If it is an Oregon Kimber it probably just needs a good bolt cleaning.

With all of that being said, they both are probably a good buy, depending on overall condition of course.

jbeckley · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2003, 04:52:53 PM »

I can't help you with the Sako 78, but I do have a Kimber HS. I was lucky and got one the the earlier models. From what I gather, when the Kimber HS were first made, they were made with a Shilen barrel, and none of the detail was skipped during production, however when the company wanted to make more money on them or whatever, they started making their own barrels, using hit and miss tolerences from crown to butplate. If the person trying to sell the rifle has problems with it, I would definetly pass.

dave imas · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2003, 02:13:51 PM »

I had a Sako M78 for awhile. I liked it, the stock fit well, trigger was manageable and was nicely accurate. Kind of wish it was still in my gun safe. But if having to choose between the M78 and the Finnfire, that is where it would be... comfy in the safe waiting for a new shooter or junior that needed a rifle to borrow for awhile. If I am buying once, I would get the Finnfire.

A point of clarity is in order to set my conscience at ease... I have spoken about the Finnfire and how wonderful a rifle it is. Especially for the money. But for the Finnfire to really be a top of the line rifle you need to put an after market barrel on it. I chose the Lilja drop-in. The accuracy is fine as it comes from the factory but the barrel isn't heavy enough to slow down the movement. So if you are considering a Sako Finnfire, add another $350 or so to the price of your rifle and you will be closer to the mark.
dave

eroyd · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2003, 03:08:20 PM »

Thanks for the advice. I've never had much luck with used stuff so I'm probably going to stear away from the used rifles. I'll still check them out and see if I can test shoot them. I own two centrefire Sako's and a Tikka and have been very pleased with them. (except for the plastic). I did see a Finnfire on the line last week. My first thought was that the barrel seemed unproportionally small. Liked the rest of it though. I will probably go that way and save up for a Leija.

The price of those Anschutzs' is getting a little nuts! :eek:

Arizona Jake · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2003, 03:16:39 PM »

I've had a Sako 78 since 1987. I've used it for hunting and smallbore rifle silhouette. These rifles offer superb precision, but you have to float the barrel and use additional tricks to get tight groups. In order to shoot silhouette, I had to hollow-out the forend and fill it with lead shot to get a little more weight in the right places and make it balance a little better. I also had to install a recoil pad to increase the length of pull to make it fit me. As mentioned by others, the trigger is very finnicky and requires a lot of work to tune, and the pistol grip is too small for an adult with large hands.

I finally broke down and bought a Sako Finnfire. I will be replacing the factory barrel with a Lilja so I can compete with it. The stock dimensions on the Finnfire are more suited to adults, and the excellent trigger is the same as found on Sako and Tikka high power rifles.

Once I get my new Finnfire ready for competition, I will remove the recoil pad, remove the lead shot and refill the stock and let my 12 year-old daughter use it to get started shooting competitively. Go with the Sako.

eroyd · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2003, 01:38:50 PM »

Bought a slightly used finnfire. I have B & L 6x24 to put on it. I agree that the barrel feels a little light but the Lilja barrel will have to wait. The instock Sundberg Taper barrels are listed at $310 US. + S & H. I'll also have to figure out what red tape I have to go through to import one into Canada.

http://www.riflebarrels.com/

The rifle also came with spare mags and ejector spring.

tedfl · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2003, 12:48:30 AM »

With the lighter barrel that is on the Finnfire what would be the problem with hanging an external weight from the barrel? Would it be balance, not legal or something else that would be detrimental to the setup?
I am just curious.
Tedfl

Arizona Jake · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2003, 02:54:10 AM »

Hanging an external weight on the stock or barrel of a Smallbore Hunter class silhouette rifle is not legal. :cry:

nomad · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2003, 03:36:59 AM »

tedfl
My preferred method of weighting a stock (fully legal) is to router a slot in the bbl channel, mix the required amount of small shot with 5 minute epoxy and pour it in. If you work reasonably quickly, you can use your finger or a popsicle stick, etc., to mold the shot to the contour of the channel before it sets. As Jake said, EXTERNAL weights/attachments are not allowed.

tedfl · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2003, 05:46:21 AM »

Thanks for the information guys.
Is it best to have the rifle balanced around the point of contact of the left hand or should it be slightly barrel heavy or heavier in the stock?
Tedfl

nomad · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2003, 11:20:34 AM »

Balance is pretty personal. Most people find that a positive balance (muzzle heavy) tends to slow the rifle onto and off of the target. (It can be overdone.) Hunter guns are not all that heavy to start with -- IMO it's hard to create a hunter so muzzle heavy that you have to 'fight' it. Balance around the front guard screw and you can't get in too much trouble, then experiment until you find your preferred setup. There are far more important considerations than rifle weight and balance -- trigger consistency and control, hold, follow through, focus, wind reading skills, etc. etc.
There's a poster on this board who's won more than a few matches shooting a '2x4' gun that's made out of an old Mossberg bbld action baling-wired, hose-clamped and nailed to a chunk of 2x4. It's scoped with an old Weaver T-10 that has at least one cracked lens and it probably doesn't have a balance point...