Since World War II, Sako has presented quite a few hunting rifles and a lot of them have tapered dovetails for mounting purposes. These dovetails are split into two parts, with the wide part at the front, and the narrow part at the back. The rear part also includes a recoil notch. Their tapered dovetail has since become almost like a symbol of Sako rifles. Many Sako rifles have the same mounting surface on the receiver on that account considering their production date, despite being decades apart.
Source: Guns and Ammo
With this, Sako achieved mounting system consistency, so even mounts made for today’s “Sako 85” series of rifles fit the receivers of older Sako rifles. Sako 85 has an almost unlimited number of configurations, as it comes in 6 different receivers, 22 different variants, numerous barrel twists, etc. An interesting thing to point out about Sako rifles is their confusing naming system, which to us, appears to be completely random for the early rifles.
They were named L46, L461, L61R, L579, VL63, and after that, they got a bit more reasonable when naming the following rifles: S491, M591, and L691, because with these rifles, at least the last two digits remained 91 and the first digit stood for the XS size if it was 4 (L461 and S491), the S size if it was 5 (L579 and M591) and the SM size if it was 6 (L691). Later, Sako simplified naming even more, as it produced different receiver lengths under one single rifle name, which is the case for Sako TRG-S M995, Sako 75, and Sako 85. The most modern premium hunting rifle, Sako 85, comes in XS, S, SM, M, L, and XL lengths of the receiver.
Rifle mounts manufacturers mainly use only present-day Sako hunting rifles (Sako 85) to designate which mount fits which receiver length. Then it is up to the user to do the research, whether the mount will fit their rifle in case they do not have the newest rifle model.
Sako L46
Sako L46 was presented in 1946 and was one of the first Sako rifles with a tapered dovetail and many Sako rifles, particularly hunting ones, followed in its footsteps.
The mounting surface of Sako L46:
Source: Gunsinternational.com
It is chambered for:
- 5.6×35 R
- .22 Hornet
- .218 Bee
- .222 Rem
- .222 Rem Mag
- .25-20 Win
- 7×33 Sako
- .32-20 Win
Sako L579 Forester
The production of these rifles began in 1957 and was at first named L57. After just two years, in 1959, it was slightly modified, and the name changed to L579. L579 is chambered as a short-action rifle.
The mounting surface of Sako L579:
Source: Gunsinternational.com
It is chambered for:
- .243 Win
- .308 Win
- .22-250 Rem
- 7mm-08 Rem
Available mounts and more information about Sako L579 can be found on our website.
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako L579 Forester:
- Sako 85 S
- Sako 75 III
- Sako MA 05 S
- Sako M591
- Sako VL63 Finnwolf
Sako L461 Vixen
It was produced from 1961 to 1992 and it has the same tapered dovetail as other Sako hunting rifles.
Mounting surface of Sako L461 Vixen:
Source: Gunsinternational.com
It is chambered for:
- .17 Rem
- .222 Rem
- .223 Rem
- .22 PPC USA
- 6 PPC USA
Available mounts and more information about Sako L461 Vixen can be found on our website.
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako L461 Vixen:
- Sako 85 XS
- Sako 75 I
- Sako MA 05 XS
- Sako S491
Sako L61R Finnbear
Sako L61R Finnbear was introduced in 1961 and it has a classic Sako tapered dovetail. It uses a push feed mechanism.
The mounting surface of Sako L61R Finnbear:
Source: Gunsinternational.com
L61R is chambered for:
- 6.5×55
- 7×64
- .270
- .300 Win Mag
- 7mm Rem Mag
- .338 Mag
- .30-06
- .375 H&H Mag
- .25-06
- 9.3×62
Available mounts and more information about Sako L61R Finnbear can be found on our website.
Rifles which have the same mounting surface as Sako L61R Finnbear:
- Sako 85 L
- Sako MA 05 L
Sako VL63 Finnwolf
Sako VL63 Finnwolf, which was produced in 1963, is one of the finest lever-action rifles. It has a tapered dovetail, similar to other Sako hunting rifles, but in contrast to other Sako dovetails, this dovetail is screwed into the receiver and the corners of the dovetail are sharper, but we still believe mounts from other Sako dovetails fit this dovetail as well.
The mounting surface of Sako VL63 Finnwolf:
Source: Gunsinternational.com
It is chambered for:
- .243
- .308
Available mounts and more information about Sako VL63 Finnwolf can be found on our website:
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako VL63 Finnwolf:
- Sako 85 S
- Sako 75 III
- Sako MA 05 S
- Sako L579 Forester
- Sako M591
Sako S491
Sako S491 was introduced in 1992 and has the same typical Sako tapered dovetail just like many other Sako rifles.
The mounting surface of Sako S491:
Source: Gunsinternational.com
It is chambered for:
- .17 Rem
- .222 Rem
- .223 Rem
- .22 PPC USA
- 6 PPC USA
Available mounts and more information about Sako S491 can be found on our website.
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako S491:
- Sako 85 XS
- Sako 75 I
- Sako MA 05 XS
- Sako L461 Vixen
Sako M591
Sako M591 was produced from 1992 to 1996 and has a fixed magazine with a hinged floorplate. It is another one of Sako rifles with a tapered dovetail.
The mounting surface of Sako M591:
Source: Ukvarminting.com
The rifle is chambered for:
- .22-250
- .243 Win
- 7mm-08 Rem
- .308 Win
Available mounts and more information about Sako M591 can be found on our website.
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako M591:
- Sako 85 S
- Sako 75 III
- Sako MA 05 S
- Sako L579 Forester
- Sako VL63 Finnwolf
Sako L691
It was produced from 1992 to 1996. It is one of those Sako hunting rifles that have tapered dovetails.
The mounting surface of Sako L691:
Source: Gunsinternational.com
It was designed for 7 different calibres:
- 25-06 Rem
- 6.5×55 SE
- 270 Win
- 7×64
- 280 Rem
- 30-06
- 9.3×62
Available mounts and more information about Sako L691 can be found on our website.
Rifles that have the same mounting surface as Sako L691:
- Sako 85 M
- Sako 75 IV
- Sako MA 05 M
- Sako TRG-S M995
Sako TRG-S M995
In 1992, Sako introduced TRG-S M995 and TRG-S M995 Magnum as a hunting-oriented variant of the otherwise tactically-oriented TRG line. They share some similarities with TRG-41, as they use the same scaled-up magnum action and a similar bolt. The difference between the models, apart from the stock, is that the TRG-S M995 has a typical Sako tapered dovetail for mounting purposes, compared to the rest of the TRG line rifles, which otherwise have either a standard straight dovetail or a Picatinny rail.
The mounting surface of Sako TRG-S M995:
Source: Gunauction.com
Standard TRG-S M995 is chambered for:
- .308 Win
- .25-06 Rem
- 6.5×55
- .270 Win
- 7×64
- .280 Rem
- .30-06
- 9.3×62
TRG-S M995 Mag version is chambered for:
- .270 Wby Mag
- 7mm Rem Mag
- 7mm Wby Mag
- 7mm STW
- 7.21 Firebird
- .300 Win Mag
- .300 Wby Mag
- 7.82 (.308) Warbird
- .30-378 Wby Mag
- .338 Win Mag
- .340 Wby Mag
- .375 H&H Mag
- .416 Rem Mag
- .338 Lapua Mag
Available mounts and more information about TRG-S M995 can be found on our website:
Rifles that have the same mounting surface as Sako TRG-S M995:
- Sako 85 M
- Sako 75 IV
- Sako MA 05 M
- Sako L691
Rifles that have the same mounting surface as Sako TRG-S M995 Magnum:
- Sako 85 XL
- Sako 75 V
Sako 75
Sako 75 which was released in 1996, on the 75th anniversary of the company, is the predecessor to the current line of Sako hunting rifles (the 85 models). The tapered dovetail receiver is pretty much the same among the rifles, the difference is that Sako 75 comes in 5 receiver lengths, whereas Sako 85 comes in 6 receiver lengths. The receiver lengths of Sako 75 are I, III, SM, IV, and V.
The mounting surface of Sako 75:
Source: Icollector.com
I is chambered for:
- .222 Rem
- .223 Rem
III is chambered for:
- .22-250 Rem
- .243 Win
- .260 Rem
- 7mm-08 Rem
- .308 Win
SM is chambered for:
- .270 Win Short Mag
- .300 Win Short Mag
IV is chambered for:
- .25-06 Rem
- 6.5×55 SE
- .270 Win
- 7×64
- .30-06 Sprg
- 9.3×62
- 9.3×66 Sako
V is chambered for:
- 7mm Rem Mag
- .300 Win Mag
- .338 Win Mag
- .375 H&H Mag
- .416 Rem Mag
Available mounts and more information about Sako 75 can be found on our website:
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako 75 I:
- Sako 85 XS
- Sako MA 05 XS
- Sako L461 Vixen
- Sako S491
Rifles that have the same mounting surface as Sako 75 III:
- Sako 85 S
- Sako MA 05 S
- Sako L579 Forester
- Sako M591
- Sako VL63 Finnwolf
Rifles that have the same mounting surface as Sako 75 SM:
- Sako 85 SM
- Sako MA 05 SM
Rifles that have the same mounting surface as Sako 75 IV:
- Sako 85 M
- Sako MA 05 M
- Sako TRG-S M995
- Sako L691
Rifles that have the same mounting surface as Sako 75 V:
- Sako 85 XL
- Sako TRG-S M995 Magnum
Sako 85
First of all, we would like to emphasize that Sako MA 05 is the same rifle as Sako 85 – it got the MA 05 name from the German distributor of Sako rifles, Manfred Alberts. Despite that, we included the MA 05 version of Sako 85 when listing rifles that have the same mounting surface as others, since the article is rather long and we doubt that every reader will find out that Sako 85 and MA 05 are basically the same rifles. MA 05 rifles are available only from XS to L sizes, XL excluded, in contrast to Sako 85.
Sako 85 was introduced in 2006 when the Sako company celebrated its 85th anniversary. It is the most recent Sako premium hunting rifle and has the same tapered dovetail on the receiver as rifles from decades ago. What is interesting about it, is that it comes in 6 different receiver lengths: XS, S, SM, M, L, and XL.
Mounting surface of Sako 85:
Sako 85 XS is chambered for:
- .204 Ruger
- .222 Rem
- .223 Rem
Sako 85 S is chambered for:
- .22-250 Rem
- .243 Win
- .260 Rem
- 7mm-08 Rem
- .308 Win
Sako 85 SM is chambered for:
- .270 Win Short Mag
- .300 Win Short Mag
Sako 85 M is chambered for:
- .25-06 Rem
- 6.5×55 SE
- .270 Win
- 7×64
- .30-06
- 8x57IS
- 9.3×62
- 9.3×66 Sako
Sako 85 L is chambered for:
- 7mm Rem Mag
- .300 Win Mag
- .338 Win Mag
- .375 H&H Mag
Sako 85 XL is chambered for:
- .338 Lapus mag
- .416 Rigby
- .450 Rigby
- .500 Jeffrey
Available mounts and more information about Sako 85 can be found on our website:
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako 85 XS:
- Sako 75 I
- Sako MA 05 XS
- Sako L461 Vixen
- Sako S491
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako 85 S:
- Sako 75 III
- Sako MA 05 S
- Sako L579 Forester
- Sako M591
- Sako VL63 Finnwolf
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako 85 SM:
- Sako 75 SM
- Sako MA 05 SM
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako 85 M:
- Sako 75 IV
- Sako MA 05 M
- Sako L691
- Sako TRG-S M995
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako 85 L:
- Sako MA 05 L
- Sako L61R Finnbear
Rifles, which have the same mounting surface as Sako 85 XL:
- Sako 75 V
- Sako TRG-S M995 Magnum
Sako A7
Sako A7 was introduced in 2008 and sits in the price range between the premium Sako 85 and the more affordable Tikka T3. It is the first Sako hunting rifle that does not feature a tapered dovetail but has a mounting surface with radiuses instead. It has 2 mounting holes at the front surface and 2 holes at the rear surface. The rifle receiver is available in S (SA) and M (LA) length.
The mounting surface of Sako A7:
Source: rokslide.com
In short action length the A7 is available for:
- .22-250 Rem
- .243 Wi
- 7mm-08 Rem
- .308 Win
- .270 WSM
- .300 WSM
In long action length the A7 is available for:
- .25-06 Rem
- .270 Win
- .30-06 Springfield
- 7mm Rem Mag
- .300 Win Mag
Available mounts and more information about Sako A7 can be found on our website:
The same mounting surface can be found on Browning A-Bolt & Eurobolt; the only dimension that does not match is the long distance between the holes (B dimension), which means two-piece mounts from those two rifles will fit Sako A7 and vice versa. One-piece mounts, however, are not interchangeable, because the B dimensions do not match.
Sako S20
Sako introduced the S20 rifle on 20.02.2020. It is the first true hybrid rifle, as it is meant for both, precision shooting and hunting. The stock can be switched between hunting and precision shooting stock. One big difference compared to other Sako hunting rifles with tapered dovetails is S20’s separated Picatinny rail.
The mounting surface of Sako S20:
Source: longrangehunting.com
Available mounts and more information about Sako S20 can be found on our website.
Law enforcement rifles
Sako line of law enforcement rifles is called TRG.
Sako TRG 21/41 and TRG 22/42 have a 16,5 mm dovetail for mounting purposes just like the newest Tikka rifles, Tikka T3 and T3x. These 16,5 mm dovetails have 3 mounting holes at the front part of the dovetail and 3 holes at the rear.
Mounts and more information about these rifles are available on our website:
TRG also includes Sako TRG 22/42 A1 and TRG M10, which are made exclusively for special forces or competitions. They have an aluminium chassis middle frame to reduce the weight and are known as a long-range precision tool, especially the TRG M10. These rifles have an integral Picatinny rail for mounting purposes, the same as every other tactical rifle. TRG M10 also has a Picatinny rail at the bottom of the barrel to make the installation of the bipod easier.
Mounts and more information about these rifles are available on our website:
Rimfire rifle
The last rifle we are going to mention in this article is the Sako Quad rimfire rifle, which was introduced in 2006. This rifle is special because the barrels can be switched in a matter of seconds with a hex key. For mounting purposes, the rifle has an 11 mm dovetail on the receiver.
Mounts and more information about the Sako Quad is available on our website.
Summary:
Groups of rifles with tapered dovetail, which have interchangeable mounts:
- Sako 85 XS
- Sako 75 I
- Sako MA 05 XS
- Sako L461 Vixen
- Sako S491
- Sako 85 S
- Sako 75 III
- Sako MA 05 S
- Sako L579 Forester
- Sako M591
- Sako VL63 Finnwolf
- Sako 85 SM
- Sako 75 SM
- Sako MA 05 SM
- Sako 85 M
- Sako 75 IV
- Sako MA 05 M
- Sako L691
- Sako TRG-S M995
- Sako 85 L
- Sako MA 05 L
- Sako L61R Finnbear
- Sako 85 XL
- Sako 75 V
- Sako TRG-S M995 Magnum
We can see that with rifles with tapered dovetails, not one rifle has a receiver that is unique, every surface has one similar to it and modern rifles with multiple lengths contribute a lot to this characteristic.
Help us build our riflescope mounts database
If you have these rifles or any other rifle at home, we would really appreciate it if you could send us some photos of the rifle receiver (mounting surface of the rifle when there are no mounts installed), because it would help us expand our rifle mounts database. If you send us a photo of the rifle receiver which we don’t already have, that would be of great value to us and we will definitely reward you for your help.
Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu
Source and author: Žan Mišel, www.optics-trade.eu
