Help needed on Sako 375 H&H

[LegalEagle]

First I'll say that I have zero experience with Sako rifles but havent heard anything but good. Second, I have zero experience with the caliber.

That being said, I am a gun lover and am officially hooked after my first trip to Africa this past summer. There is no doubt I will return, the question is only when and how many times. First trip was what I would consider a pretty standard plains game hunt with nothing larger than Kudu being taken. I am sure future hunts will include some larger animals though. The three animals I am certain to hunt at some point in the future are sable, eland, and buffalo. I realize the .300 WM I carried on my first trip would be sufficient for the above other than the buffalo, but am becoming somewhat stuck with the .375 H&H...or at least the idea of it.

I have a line on a Sako AV in .375 H&H for what I think is a good price. Given the first two sentences on of this post, I cant be confident on either the rifle itself or the rifle in this caliber.

Those of you with more knowledge than I, please enlighten me with your thoughts on the Sako AV in .375 H&H. And please do it quickly...I think my window of opportunity is short!

 

[LegalEagle]

Please also give me your thoughts on the reasonable price that rifle in good condition (only minor wear on the stock) would generally bring.

 

[Areaonereal]

Depending on the model.....deluxe or hunter...could range from 800 to 1500. Depending on condition of wood and bluing...does it have the original front and rear sight. What condition is the recoil pad. Lots of variables to value. That Sako AV was the last model in the original 61 series, before they morphed to the newer models, that, in my opinion do not reflect the quality of the older models...I own 5 of the older Sakos...great rifles and very accurate, I would not hesitate on a 375 in any of the older models AV, Alll, or L61, if in good condition, they are shooters and the stocks can be replaced by a MCMillan if desired. If the AV has a rounded outline on the cheek piece and a solid Sako pad it is one of the last manufactured in the AV series. Google Gunbroker and there are a number of Sako rifles to compare.

 

[Dr Ray]

A major problem with Sako rifles is that once you buy one you will not be able to stop.
This is a serious problem so make sure you understand that

 

[cperso]

I have owned a Sako AV 375h&h for about 25yrs and have shot heaps of game with it. Would never think of getting rid of it.

 

[greyfox]

I have several SAKOs, for a different reason.

I'm a FIRM believer that my hunting rifles are the same, My first true serious rifle is a SAKO (7mm Mag), then I got a 375 H&H for a ridiculously low price and started hand loading. All my rifles are SAKO and all my scopes are Leupold. Never had one fail, never failed to take an animal that was the fault of the rifle or scope.

375 H&H has been doing the job for over 100 years and will continue to do the job forever, despite what marketing and manufacturers tell us.

With a 300 WM and a 375 H&H you're ready to take any big game animal in the world.

Enjoy the hunt!

 

[LegalEagle]

Depending on the model.....deluxe or hunter...could range from 800 to 1500. Depending on condition of wood and bluing...does it have the original front and rear sight. What condition is the recoil pad. Lots of variables to value. That Sako AV was the last model in the original 61 series, before they morphed to the newer models, that, in my opinion do not reflect the quality of the older models...I own 5 of the older Sakos...great rifles and very accurate, I would not hesitate on a 375 in any of the older models AV, Alll, or L61, if in good condition, they are shooters and the stocks can be replaced by a MCMillan if desired. If the AV has a rounded outline on the cheek piece and a solid Sako pad it is one of the last manufactured in the AV series. Google Gunbroker and there are a number of Sako rifles to compare.

The gun does have the front and rear sight, the bluing appears to be nearly if not flawless and I would call the wood mid grade. It is not overly fancy with figure but also is not.lain and monotone. The pad is a light brown color and says SAKO down the butt. It forms also appear to have the rounded outline cheekpiece.

Given that information...thoughts on value?

 

[LegalEagle]

Also...the barrel is marked "IMPT BY STOEGER INC. N.J." if that makes any difference.

 

[TOBY458]

Is this rifle on Gunbroker?
I've owned on of these AV rifles in 416 Rem Mag before, and it was a great rifle. Very smooth action and very reliable.
I have a Sako 75 and 85, and I actually like the AV action better than the 75 or 85. I just like stainless rifles, and haven't seen an AV in stainless.

 

[wesheltonj]

I really can’t help you with the AV model. However, I own 4 SAKO 85’s, 3 in Classic and 1 Bavarian. My 375 is in the Classic. I will tell you that it’s about 1 pound too light. It weights 7.2 pounds before rings and scope. The Safari model weights in at 9.2 pounds before rings and scope. The Safari model also starts at 9k new, the Classic a little over 2k.

You might also look around at the SAKO Collectors web site for more information.

 

[Areaonereal]

Look on gunbroker for similar rifles,,not caliber but model and condition, 375 will bring a 200 premium in some instances over a 300 wm or 7 mm mag

 

[Sako AV]

Not that I'm biased (note the screen name) but you cannot go wrong with a Sako AV in good condition! The actions are outstanding and I have never seen one that wasn't a shooter. They hold their value and will be something your grandkids will treasure after you're gone. Prices are variable depending on the model and condition so it's hard to give you an estimate. As Dr. Ray stated, you may become a collector of these rifles after making this initial purchase. Go for it!

 

[Areaonereal]

Personally a L61 or Alll are my favorite, but a AV , which I have, are exceptional weapons...go for it...

 

[jacques smith]

I have an AV in 375HH with a Leo 1.5—5. If I sold it I’d have to train a new wife (not for sale). It’s always spot on. Cheers

 

[Nyati]

I have a Sako L61 in .338WM, a great gun.

I fitted it with a MacMillan stock, which is a great improvement.

 

[cmk]

I have 3 AV's in different calibres, and also an L691 (which is the model series between AV and 75).

I will not get rid of them.

 

[Longwalker]

I've owned a Sako AV .375 similar to the one you are considering that I sold to a good friend. It was accurate, functioned reliably, and was well made. I only sold it because I have other rifles I use more and like a little better, but not because there was anything wrong with it. I'd say buy it!

 

[TOBY458]

Did you buy it?

 

[raimanparoni]

Check the stock for cracks. Its typical that pistol crip cracks behind action in top side
Check the clearance between barrel and stock. Piece of paper must go easy between barrel and stock.

 

[wswolf]

I have a line on a Sako AV in .375 H&H for what I think is a good price. Given the first two sentences on of this post, I cant be confident on either the rifle itself or the rifle in this caliber.

I quite like AVs but only after some preventive maintenance. I have seen stocks split on four of them, two .375s and two .338s. The recoil lugs, in the examples I saw, were supported only by the cross bolt through the stock. The cross bolt has a flat milled on to it to give better contact with the recoil lug but in each case the flat was turned away from the recoil lug, leaving the bottom corner of the lug supported by a round portion of the bolt. The minimal contact area on the round bolt left the action free to rise up above the bolt, stressing the action and cracking the stock. Look for a lengthwise crack behind from behind the magazine box to the rear of the tang. Properly glass bedding the action will prevent cracking or keep it from getting worse.
Another problem I encountered on one of my .375s was to have the anti-bind rail on the bolt slam forward under recoil and wedge itself into the bolt lug recess in the action. The action was hopelessly jammed and only way the rail could be removed was to take off the barrel. The anti-bind rail was held in place by a small spring which broke off. This was fixed by drilling a hole vertically through the ant-bind rail and inserting a pin to keep the rail in place. My gunsmith, to make drilling possible, milled a flat on the top and bottom of the rail. He fashioned the pin from a titanium firing pin for a Colt .38 Super.
After these fixes I was very happy with the AV in .375 H&H.

Cheers,
Walt