Sako AV Finnbear Hunter Laminate L61R .25-06 Remington Bolt Rifle w/ Box

SOLD FOR: $1,725.00

WOA#: WY240428KE006

Make: Sako, Imported by Stoeger  

Model: AV Finnbear Hunter Laminate 

Serial Number: 645643

Year of Manufacture: 1985-1989 

Caliber: .25-06 Remington

Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Hinged Floorplate Magazine 

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “CAL. .25-06 REM. MADE IN FINLAND” with a Finnish proof. The left of the receiver is marked “SAKO AV 645643” with a Finnish proof. The bottom of the bolt handle is hand-scribed “643”. The bottom of the barrel has a Stoeger import mark.

Barrel Length: 23″ 

Sights / Optics: There are no provisions for iron sights. The top of the receiver has integral Sako-style bases. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one piece checkered laminate wood with a Monte Carlo comb, cheekpiece, pistol grip with right-side palm-swell, sling studs mounted front and rear, and solid rubber Sako buttpad. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The pad shows minor wear and some discoloration. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition. 

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original 

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion but there is stubborn copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a sliding safety mounted on the right rear of the receiver. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. 

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in its matching box with styrofoam inserts.

Our Assessment: Sako first started making rifles with FN Mauser actions in 1946, and finally settled on 3 different length actions that changed designations over the years. The L61R long action was introduced in 1961 and was replaced in 1978 by the AIII then later changed to the AV. This rifle is a Stoeger import L61R Finnbear action simply marked AV in .25-06 Remington. Based on the .30-06 case necked down to .25 caliber, the cartridge is a great quarter-bore with a fairly flat trajectory, good for hunting where longer shots are expected. There are some manufacturers that come around every once in a while and stun with their build quality, Sako has always carried that distinction. If you’re looking for a new hunting rifle, you can’t do much better than this. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud