SAKO, Limited
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryDefense
Founded1921 (1921)
HeadquartersRiihimäki, Finland
ProductsFirearms, weapon
Revenueunknown
ParentBeretta Holding
Websitewww.sako.fi

SAKO, Limited (Finnish: Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Oy, lit "Civil Guard Gun and Machining Works Ltd") is a Finnish firearm and ammunition manufacturer located in Riihimäki, Tavastia Proper in southern Finland. It also has owned the Tikka brand of bolt-action rifles since 1983, and is now owned by the Italian firearm holding company Beretta Holding.

History

In 1919, two years after Finland declared independence from the Russian Empire, the Suojeluskuntain Yliesikunnan Asepaja (Civil Guard Supreme Staff Gun Works) opened in a former Helsinki brewery to repair private arms and recondition Russian military rifles for Finnish service.[1] The rifle repair shop became financially independent of the civil guard in 1921. The Suojeluskuntain Yliesikunnan Asepaja moved from Helsinki to an ammunition factory in Riihimäki on 1 June 1927, and reorganized as SAKO in the 1930s. Sako started exporting pistol cartridges to Sweden in the 1930s and continued manufacturing submachine gun cartridges through World War II.[2]

Another Finnish firearms manufacturer Tikkakoski, which owned the Tikka brand, was merged into SAKO in 1983.[3] In 1986, the arms manufacturing division of the government-owned Valmet conglomerate (which itself had been derived from the Valtion Kivääritehdas, VKT) was merged with Sako and called Sako-Valmet, with ownership split evenly between Nokia and Valmet. After further organizational shifts in state ownership, the company was sold to the Italian Beretta Holding in 2000.[4]

Post–World War II production

The first civilian rifle bearing the Sako name was the L42 (Luodikko [rifle] model 1942) chambered for the 7×33mm Sako cartridge, prototyped in 1942, and commercial production started after World War II. Sako developed the 7×33mm cartridge based on the 9×19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge, by making a longer case and "necking" the case down to 7 mm calibre (7.21 mm bullet diameter). This cartridge was designed for and well suited to capercaillie and black grouse hunting, a popular sport in Finland, Sweden and Norway. The L46 was later denoted L461 "Vixen". The L461 has been very popular in Finland and Sweden, especially chambered for the .222 Remington cartridge and has a great reputation among aficionados.

In 1957, Sako launched a longer action, the L57, subsequently renamed L579 "Forester". This is a "medium action" intended for the .308 Winchester and similar cartridges.

In 1961, Sako introduced the L61R "Finnbear" for long cartridges like the .30-06 and 6.5×55mm.

Between 1959 and 1974, Sako produced a lever-action gun, the Sako Finnwolf, in .243 Winchester and .308 Winchester.

Sako has also produced a number of rimfire rifles, among them are the P72 Finnscout, M78, Finnfire, Quad and Finnfire II. The M78 was also chambered for the .22 Hornet and the .22 WMR in addition to the .22 Long Rifle.

During the 1980s (1987), Sako started using the AI/AII/AV designations (previously used for models imported to the US) for the three action lengths in Europe. The complete rifles were still designated L461/L579/L61. The bolt was given a slight cosmetic makeover, with the hammer covered by a conical shell. This visual design was also used on the later models (M4/5/691, M75, M85).

The L579 could be delivered with detachable magazine although the default was a hinged floorplate.

From 1987 to 1992 a version of the short (Vixen) action was produced for the .22 PPC and 6mm PPC cartridges, when Sako introduced these former wildcat cartridges as commercial cartridges, denoted ".22 PPC USA" and "6mm PPC USA" to avoid confusion with the specialized bench rest cartridges which required a "tight neck" chamber. These actions are the same external dimensions, and have the same bolt diameter as the 222 Remington, 222 Rem. Magnum, 223 Rem. cartridge actions. Only the bolt face recess was enlarged to suit the PPC case.

In 1992, the first of the "newer" Sakos, the 591, was introduced as a replacement for the L579. Shortly after, the 491 and the 691 were launched. These rifles (491/591/691) are not as highly regarded as the L461/L579/L61R and according to folklore, the quality of the workmanship is slightly inferior for the 491/591/691. They featured a separate recoil lug, also found on the 75, and a Tikka trigger assembly. However, these rifles were available in left-hand configuration both as a medium action (591) and long action (691)

In 1997, Sako launched the 75, named for Sako's 75th anniversary. The 75 was externally similar to previous Sako models, but the construction was radically different featuring three symmetrical locking lugs and a detachable magazine.

Before the 75, Sako hunting rifles (except the L46 and the L579) did not have detachable magazines, but a hinged floorplate with the lock placed on the front of the trigger guard.

Sako's latest (and current) model, the M85, was introduced in 2006. In 2020, S20 was released.

Current production

Sako brand

Tikka brand

  • Tikka T3x — Sako's budget-range centerfire hunting rifle, available in calibres from .204 Ruger to .338 WM
  • Tikka T1x MTR — A "multi-task rimfire" rifle with the same receiver footprint as the T3x, introduced in 2018, available in .17 HMR and .22 LR calibres

Sako model history (Europe)

IntroducedModelChambered forComments
1942L427×33mm Sako
1946L465.6×35mmR, .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, .222 Rem, .222 Rem Mag, .25-20 Win, 7×33mm Sako, .32-20 WinDetachable magazine
1954?P54/P54T.22 LR
195?M98.270 Win, .30-06, .300 H&H, 8×60mm, 9.3×62mm, .375 H&HFN M98 action, Sako stock and barrel
1957L57.243 Win, .244 Rem, .308 WinFixed magazine
1959L579 Forester.22-250, .243 Win, .244 Rem, .308 WinFixed magazine, later in production detachable as option
1961L461 Vixen.17 Rem, .222 Rem, .222 Rem Mag, .223 RemFixed magazine
1961L61R Finnbear.264 Win, .270 Win, 30-06Three locking lugs: Two in front and one on the rear end of the bolt
1961L61R Finnbear Magnum7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 H&H, .338 Win Mag, .375 H&HThree locking lugs: two in front and one on the rear end of the bolt
1963VL63 Finnwolf.243 Win, .244 Rem, .308 Win, .358 WinLever-action
1972L61R Finnbear.25-06 Rem, 6.5×55mm, .270 Win, 7×64mm, .30-06, 9.3×62mmTwo locking lugs in front
1972L61R Finnbear Magnum7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag, .375 H&HTwo locking lugs in front
1972P72 Finnscout.22 LR, .22 WMR
1974?Sako M74 Super.222 Rem, .223 Rem, .22-250, .243 Win, .308 Win, .25-06, .270 Win, .30-06, .264 Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 H&H, .338 Win Mag, .375 H&H
1975P75.22 Hornet
1978M78 Finnscout.22 LR, .22 WMR, .22 Hornet
1979/80AI/L461.17 Rem, .222 Rem, .223 RemAlso available as single-shot action
1987AI/L461 PPC.22 PPC USA, 6mm PPC USAAlso available as single-shot action
1979/80AII/L579.22-250 Rem, .243 Win, 7mm-08, .308 WinAlso available as single-shot action
1979/80AIIIEarly version of the AV, short tang
1979/80AIV
1979/80AV/L61R.25-06 Rem, 6.5×55, .270 Win, 7×64, .30-06, 9.3×62mmLong tang
1979/80AV Mag/L61R Magnum7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 Wby, .338 Win Mag, .375 H&H, .416 Rem Mag.458 Win Mag has been produced on special order
1982?VL63 Finnwolf Sako Collectors Association.243 Win, .308 WinLever-action
1988M579 SM (Super Match).308 Win
1989TRG-21.308 WinThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1989TRG-41.338 Lapua MagThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1992M591 Left hand.22-250, .243 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, .308 Win
1992 M995 TRG-S.25-06 Rem, 6.5×55, .270 Win, .280 Rem, 7×64, .308 Win, .30-06 Spr, 9.3×62Three locking lugs in front, detachable magazine, .473" bolt face
1992M995 TRG-S Magnum.270 Wby, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm Wby, 7mm STW, .300 Win Mag, .300 Wby, .338 Win Mag, .340 Wby, .375 H&H, .416 Rem MagThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine, .532" bolt face
1992 M995 TRG-S Super Magnum 7.21 Firebird, 7.82 Warbird, .30-378 Wby, .338 Lapua Magnum Three locking lugs in front, detachable magazine, .590" bolt face
1993S491.17 Rem, .222 Rem, .223 Rem, .22 PPC USA, 6mm PPC USA
1993M591.22-250, .243 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, .308 Win
1993L691.25-06, 6.5×55mm, .270 Win, 7×64, .280 Rem, .30-06, 9.3×62mm
1993L691 Mag.270 Wby, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm Wby, .300 Win Mag, .300 Wby, .338 Win Mag, .340 Wby, .375 H&H, .416 Rem Mag
1997Sako 75 I.222 Rem, .223 RemThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1997Sako 75 III.22 PPC USA, 6mm PPC USAThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1997Sako 75 III.22-250, .243 Win, .260 Rem, 7mm-08 Rem, .308 WinThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1997Sako 75 SM.270 WSM, .300WSMThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1997Sako 75 IV.25-06, 6.5×55mm, .270 Win, 7×64mm, .30-06, 9.3×62, 9.3×66mm SakoThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1997Sako 75 V7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .375 H&H, .416 Rem MagThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1999TRG-22.260 Rem, .308 WinThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
1999TRG-42.300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua MagThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
2001Sako 75 V Safari anniversary model.375 H&HThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
2001Sako Finnfire (P94S).22 LR
2006?Sako Quad.17 Mach 2, .17 HMR, .22 LR, .22 WMRInterchangeable barrels
2006Sako 85 XS.204 Ruger, .222 Remington, .223 RemingtonThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
2006Sako 85 S.22-250, .243 Win, .260 Rem, 7mm-08 Rem, .308 Win, .338 FederalThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
2006Sako 85 SM.270 WSM, 7mm WSM, .300 WSMThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
2006Sako 85 M.25-06, 6.5×55mm, .270 Win, 7×64mm, .30-06, 9.3×62mm, 9.3×66mm SakoThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
2006Sako 85 L7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .338 Win Mag, .375 H&H MagThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
2011Sako TRG M10.308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua MagUser configurable multi caliber modular sniper system
2014Sako Finnfire II.17 HMR, .22 LR
2020Sako S20.243 Win, 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, .308 Win, .30-06, .300 Win MagThree locking lugs in front, detachable magazine
2023Sako 90.243 Win, 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, .308 Win, .30-06, .300 Win MagUpdated Sako 85, Three locking lugs in front, detachable magazine

Models

Models A-series actions
L461/AIL461/AI PPCL579/AIIL61R/AVL61R Mag/AV Mag
HunterXXXXX
DeluxeXXXX
Super DeluxeXXXX
LaminatedXXXX
VarmintXXX
TargetXXX
CarbineXXX
HandyXX
Handy FiberX
BattueXXX
ClassicXXX
FiberclassXX
SafariX
Models 4/5/691 series actions
Hunter, Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Laminated, Varmint, Carbine, Classic
Sako Rifle in .25-06
Models M75 series actions
I (Short)III (Medium)SM (Short magnum)IV (Long)V (Magnum)
HunterXXXXX
Hunter StainlessXXXX
Hunter left handX
Laminated stainlessXXXXX
DeluxeXXXXX
Synthetic stainlessXXXX
FinnlightXXXX
VarmintXXX
Varmint Laminated StainlessXX
Sako Finnlight in .243 Winchester
Models M85 series actions
Hunter, Laminated Stainless, Stainless, Synthetic Stainless, Finnlight, Bavarian, Bavarian Carbine, Varmint, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Kodiak, Grizzly, Long range, Varmint Stainless Synthetic Black, Carbonlight, Classic Deluxe, Deluxe, Safari, Black Wolf, Finnlight ǁ, Carbon Wolf, Safari 90th Anniversary

References

  1. ↑ Jim Carmichel (May 2010). "SAKO-50 Years of Rifle Accuracy". Guns & Ammo. Intermedia Outdoors. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  2. ↑ Meyer, Scott E. (2003). "The Sako Saga". American Rifleman. National Rifle Association of America. 151 (October): 65&66.
  3. ↑ "Sako History". Tikka. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  4. ↑ Lähteenmäki, Pekka (28 December 2016). "Suomalainen asetehdas löysi isännän Italiasta – "Olemme outo osakkeenomistaja"". Talouselämä (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
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