Sako Model AII Forester L579 .308 Winchester 23″ Bolt Action Rifle, 1980s

SOLD FOR: $1,000.00

WOA#: WY240405JS007
Make: Sako
Model: AII, Forester (L579)
Serial Number: 349492
Year of Manufacture: 1980s
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN FINLAND” and the top is marked “SAKO / Cal..308”. The left side of the receiver is marked “AII 349492” and with two proof/inspection marks. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “492”. There is no import mark.
Barrel Length: 23?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a checkered, ramped base screwed to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood, but none is present. The rear sight has broken off its base fixed to the rear of the barrel. The receiver has integral Sako-pattern mounts.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one piece checkered walnut with pistol grip, monte carlo comb with cheekpiece, black plastic Sako buttplate, and sling studs front and rear. The stock has a few scattered minor nicks and scratches. There are more notable marks on the right at the recoil lug. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear at the toe. Overall, the stock is in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are some tiny nicks on the right of the chamber and chamber ring. There are tiny spots of discoloration on the bolt. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine-Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. There is a bolt release on the left side of the receiver and a safety on the right side that locks the bolt handle as well as the trigger. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Sako first started making rifles with FN Mauser actions in 1951. By 1961 they had settled on 3 different length actions. The medium action designation, the “Forester” or L579, was changed to AII around 1979. This is an AII chambered for .308 Winchester cartridge. The rifle is in Fine-Plus condition with 97% of its blue finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The .308 Winchester is a popular sporting rifle cartridge. Developed as a versatile short action cartridge to hunt both medium game and small game alike, it “took whitetail hunting by storm” when introduced in 1955, and remains one of the most popular whitetail deer cartridges. It is also commonly used for harvesting blacktail deer, pronghorns and mule deer with heavier projectiles, and is equally suited to varmint hunting with lighter rounds. Please see our photos and good luck!