"Squiggly" wood Sakos

[stonecreek]

If you’re packing, always know your body position and keep your body between the ground and your gun if you fall. Seems to work

Many years ago -- when I was in my thirties (sigh) -- I shot a bull elk as it ran across an opening then disappeared after the shot behind a little hill. I immediately ran forward holding my pristine Finnbear Deluxe .338 to attempt to see over the hill to see where the bull went. In doing so my toe caught a rock and I fell face-forward. Somehow, my Sako-lover's instinct to sacrifice myself in order to save the gun kicked in and I extended my arms forward and suspended it as my chest hit the ground, but kept the gun from all harm. Thank god I was still in my thirties! Being young and tough, I ignored the bruises and pain, and jumped up to continue my pursuit of the bull. Disappointingly, there was no bull visible when I topped the little hillock.

But there was a happy ending: The bull had fallen dead in a small gully just out of sight, a 225 grain Nosler Partition having taken out his lungs. And my Sako Deluxe emerged from the encounter without a scratch.

 

[stonecreek]

As promised, when the weather warmed up and the wind laid a bit, I took the Presentation Super Deluxe out to the range. Zeroing took only two shots with some old factory loads I had lying around. After that I grouped three shots at the 100 yard target with some generic 165 gr Accubond handloads that I had loaded for another of my .30-06's with full length sized brass so they would fit whatever .30-06 I might need.

The three shots went into exactly an inch and averaged 1.5" high, maybe not quite as good as Spaher's initial efforts with his Classic .30-06, but ample for any hunting I might do -- if they passed the 300 yard test.


100 yard target with 2" black square and 1" grid lines


Moving to the 8" metal gong at 300 yards, there was a little wind, but it was somewhat variable and from indeterminate direction, so I took a center hold without windage. But I thought to myself, hmmm . . . these loads chronographed between 2850 and 2900 fps in another Sako, so might be just a hair low when using the 300 yard reference dot on the Leupold LR Duplex. So I held the dot a couple of inches above center. Obviously, that holdover was totally unnecessary, and as you can see in the second photo, the Presentation Super Deluxe passed this "test" with flying colors, hitting exactly where I held. Can't wait to sight it on game!


8" Metal Gong at 300 yards

 

[Spaher]

To minimize dust, dirt, debris I have had gun “bags” or sleeves made to carry my rifles in the vehicle & field. It also minimize scratches & dings as I rarely use a sling unless I anticipate long treks and slings can get in the way at times. These sleeves are from canvas with exterior elk hide for the tip to protect the crown & the canvas from tearing. On the interior I use a section of elk hide to prevent the rifle from slipping and for a good grip. Moisture proofing is an option. This has worked well for me for the last 20+ years & certainly keeps the rifle cleaner & protects it.
Just my opinion.

 

[stonecreek]

Well, it's not the 150+ whitetail buck or 200-pound wild hog that I had hoped for, but when a coyote shows itself it becomes the number 1 priority on my place. I had taken the Presentation Finnbear .30-06 to the blind for its maiden hunt this afternoon, hoping for some deer or hog action. But this fellow showed up just before sundown about 500 yards away. He appeared to be hunting mice in a grassy field and eventually worked his way as close to me as I thought he would come, so at about 300 yards I decided to give him a try. The bullet "whooshed" over the open field then there was a big KERRRRWHOP that floated back over the distance. No coyote was visible in the high grass, but nothing could be seen running off, either. Got down from the blind and hiked over there and sure enough, there lay one expired coyote. So far that Presentation Finnbear is one-for-one. Will see what tomorrow brings. By the way, for those of you who are nervous about shooting a pristine rifle, it went to and from the blind inside a well-padded case.

 

[bloorooster]

Best thing that ever happened to that coyote!
Good shooting stone!

 

[kevinlg]

To minimize dust, dirt, debris I have had gun “bags” or sleeves made to carry my rifles in the vehicle & field. It also minimize scratches & dings as I rarely use a sling unless I anticipate long treks and slings can get in the way at times. These sleeves are from canvas with exterior elk hide for the tip to protect the crown & the canvas from tearing. On the interior I use a section of elk hide to prevent the rifle from slipping and for a good grip. Moisture proofing is an option. This has worked well for me for the last 20+ years & certainly keeps the rifle cleaner & protects it.
Just my opinion.

Same here.......

I have long carried my nicer rifles to and from blinds or coyote sets in soft cases, of one form or another. In some cases I haul cased rifles into, and out of, blinds via a length of cord that I always carry. I've never fallen out of a blind/stand.......and don't plan on starting. Better safe than sorry.
Besides.........not much stalking done, here in North Texas.

 

[Bucktote]

Well, it's not the 150+ whitetail buck or 200-pound wild hog that I had hoped for, but when a coyote shows itself it becomes the number 1 priority on my place. I had taken the Presentation Finnbear .30-06 to the blind for its maiden hunt this afternoon, hoping for some deer or hog action. But this fellow showed up just before sundown about 500 yards away. He appeared to be hunting mice in a grassy field and eventually worked his way as close to me as I thought he would come, so at about 300 yards I decided to give him a try. The bullet "whooshed" over the open field then there was a big KERRRRWHOP that floated back over the distance. No coyote was visible in the high grass, but nothing could be seen running off, either. Got down from the blind and hiked over there and sure enough, there lay one expired coyote. So far that Presentation Finnbear is one-for-one. Will see what tomorrow brings. By the way, for those of you who are nervous about shooting a pristine rifle, it went to and from the blind inside a well-padded case.

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Hi Stoney,
Great looking rifle and shot ! best of luck in this new season.
I am sure a nice Texas buck will come along soon & possibly
a hog. Erk Russell of Georgia football fame had a saying," GATA"
get after their asses!! All the best!! B/T

 

[Mister .22]

I almost forgot where we were.

Sadly, my one and only contribution to this group of lovelies...



Picked up because... well, it's a Sako, it is left-handed, in my favorite caliber..., .25-06, and it has decent wood. Fairly rare I've heard.

 

[jimbroome]

Hi Stoney,
Great looking rifle and shot ! best of luck in this new season.
I am sure a nice Texas buck will come along soon & possibly
a hog. Erk Russell of Georgia football fame had a saying," GATA"
get after their asses!! m All the best!! B/T

Bit of an aside...wife's a UGA grad, '83, roommate "hung out" with Herschel Walker. Sad to see the Dawgs get whooped by the Tide this year.