![sako finnbear l61r 25-06 sako finnbear l61r 25-06](https://image.invaluable.com/housePhotos/NorthAmericanAuctionHouse/48/688348/H5363-L232731241.jpg)
Introduced by Sako in 1961 for long cartridge shooting, the Finnbear quickly developed a reputation as one of the finest production rifles ever made. Another novelty presented by Sako in 2020 was a brand new, lead-free Sako Powerhead bullet. In 2020, Sako introduced S20, the first truly hybrid rifle, designed for both hunters and tactical shooters. In 2006, Sako celebrated its 85th anniversary by launching a new hunting rifle family, Sako 85. The company has changed multiple owners since 1921, but has ultimately been sold to Italian Beretta Holding in 2000. The production of military and law enforcement weapons started when Finnish defence forces ordered assault rifles and cartridges from Sako. In the 1980s, Sako merged with another firearm manufacturer, Tikkakoski and gained a valuable rifle line called Tikka. Due to this investment, domestic sales increased along with export to the USA and the rest of the world. The first civilian rifle bearing the name Sako, was the L42, prototyped in 1942 and commercially manufactured a few years later.Īfter the World War II, domestic hunting culture thrived and Sako invested in development of hunting rifles. The workshop grew into a weapons factory, which produced hunting rifles as well as cartridges and moved its headquarters from Helsinki to Riihimäki. It was founded in 1921, after the rifle repair workshop, opened in former Helsinki brewery, became independent of the civil guard. And unless shooting PDs or ground squirrels, most hunting rifles will not be worn out by shooting.Sako (Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Oy) is rifle and ammunition manufacturer located in Riihimäki, Finland. This past year he shot a shortened 243, which is called a 6XX or something similar, and is now the current National Champion.Īs I said before In a hunting type situation, you will get 2 or 3 times the barrel life. David Tubb, who has won 9 National Championships, lost at least one for that reason. No serious shooter takes a 243 to the National Championships now because it probably will not make it though the week. That is why everybody is now shooting either the 6.5-08 or a shortened 243 for long range competition now. My experience with the 243 was the same as all other 243 shooters. The thicker jacket on the Sierras was good for another 2-300 rounds.Īs for lower pressure loads to extend barrel life: I tried using 40,000 psi loads for 2 and 300 yards but the barrels lasted no longer. I used the 105 Bergers till the first blow up, then switched to the 107 Sierras. I used an 8.5" twist, which is the slowest that will stabilize the 105 and 107 VLD bullets. The cut rifling lasts longer than button rifling, (we think.) Very popular with High Power match shooters. There has to be somebody here who has worn out some 25-06 barrels. From a cold barrel, they would shoot as tight a group as when new. In all the 243 barrels I wore out, there was no loss in accuracy, even after they started blowing up bullets. You will most likely be using a slower twist, which is less likely to blow up bullets. For 2 reasons: You will shoot slower and therefore the barrel temperature will stay lower. The best one at 1175.Ī barrel used for hunting should double that. The worst barrel started blowing up bullets at 850 rounds. I kept meticulous records of every round fired.
![sako finnbear l61r 25-06 sako finnbear l61r 25-06](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/175/79313/41317525_1_x.jpg)
Shooting a 243 in competition, I wore out 5 stainless steel barrels in 4 years. The case is slightly larger as is the bore. The best I can do is make a guess by comparing it to the 243. I was really hoping someone with lots of 25-06 experience would jump in here as I have very little.