Sako Model Forester Heavy Bbl. Sporter, AII Action, Import Marked, Blued, 23 5/8 Bolt Action Rifle & Scope, MFD 1980 .220 Swift
SOLD FOR:$1,655.00
LSB#: 180216WJ18
Make: Sako
Model: Forester Heavy Bbl. Sporter with AII Action
Serial Number: 331979
Year of Manufacture: Oct. 22, 1980
Caliber: .220 Swift
Action Type: Bolt Action with Hinged Floorplate Internal Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “AII 331979” and with a Crowned Lion proof mark and a “RV”. The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN FINLAND”. The top of the barrel at the chamber is marked “SAKO / .220 SWIFT”. The underside of the barrel at the front of the forend is marked “IMPORTED BY STOEGER”.
Barrel Length: The heavy barrel is 23 5/8” in length and 0.746” in diameter at the muzzle.
Sights / Optics: There are no provisions for iron sights. There is a Leupold Vari-X III 6.5-20X variable power scope mounted to the top of the grooved receiver. The reticle is a full duplex. There are flip-up covers on the objective and eyepiece, and the objective is adjustable for focus from 50 yards to infinity. The lenses are clear and free of distortion and the power ring is a little stiff but does turn through its normal range. There are only a few light marks on the scope. The scope is in about Excellent condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The one-piece stock is checkered walnut with a pistol grip, Monte Carlo comb, cheekpiece and flat-bottomed beavertail forend. The stock has a black plastic buttplate on the butt with a SAKO logo and a white spacer. There are sling swivel studs mounted near the toe and on the underside of the forend. There are a few light marks scattered over the stock with a tiny ding on the left side under the bolt release, a few small dings at the right front of the forend and an area of multiple light dings on the right side below the port. The hand-cut checkering shows light wear without mars. The LOP measures 13 9/16” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows no marks worth mentioning and is in Excellent condition. The stock rates in about Fine Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is thinning and a few light marks at the front of the barrel, and thinning and a few small marks in the bolt knob. The serrations on the safety and bolt release are sharp, and the knurling on the bolt handle shows light wear. The tang screws are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine to Excellent overall condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. The safety is mounted at the right rear of the receiver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The scope and its mount are included. In addition, there is plastic bag attached to the forward sling swivel stud. Inside the bag is a signed and dated Sako inspection tag, marked with the make, model caliber and serial number of this rifle, and an instruction sheet explaining how to adjust the trigger and operate the rifle.
Our Assessment: Sako first started making rifles with FN Mauser actions in 1946, and finally settled on three different length actions that changed designations over the years. The L57 medium action was used between 1957 and 1959, and replaced by the L579, which was used until the 1990s. In about 1977, the action was referred to as the AII on guns sold in the United States. This rifle is a Forester Heavy Barrel Sporter with an AII action and a 23 5/8” barrel chambered in .220 Swift. It is lacking provision for iron sights, but is mounted with a Leupold Vari-X III 6.5-20X variable power scope. The rifle is in Fine to Excellent condition with only a few light marks in the metal and wood, and the bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. This is a very nice-looking well-made rifle that is going to make someone a great varmint rifle. From Wikipedia: “The .220 Swift was introduced by Winchester in 1935 for small game and varmint hunting. It was the first factory loaded rifle cartridge with a muzzle velocity of over 4000 fps, and remains the fastest commercial cartridge in the world, with a published velocity of 4665 fps using a 29 grain bullet and 42 grains of 3031 powder”.
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This rifle can be transferred/sold in California.
