"Sako III" - What is it?

[Brians356]

There's a rifle for sale locally in a pawn shop. It says "Sako III" but no model designation like 75 or 85 (that I can find.) It has a checkered wide walnut stock, floated heavy blued varmint barrel (no sights), in 22-250. Serial # is 265,xxx. Looking in my Blue Book Of Gun Values, the best I can make out is it is a Model 75 Varmint. Does this seem correct?
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[STRSRLVR]

There's a rifle for sale locally in a pawn shop. It says "Sako III" but no model designation like
75 or 85 (that I can find.) It has a checkered wide walnut stock, floated heavy blued varmint barrel (no sights), in 22-250. Serial # is 265,xxx. Looking in my Blue Book Of Gun Values, the best I can make out is it is a Model 75 Varmint. Does this seem correct?
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Sounds correct to me. A pic would help confirm it though.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Sako has used several action designs and had several designations. Used to be L46 for short, L57 for medium and FN Mausers for long. Then in early 60's went to L461, L579 and L61. Then mid 80's or so they went to AI, AII I thought was 22/250 and Swift because of mag box length, AIII for 243 etc IIRC then AIV for 06 and AV for mag but I may be all wet.lol Earlier models had exposed cocking piece and the A series they had a checkered cocking piece on rear of bolt that enclosed all of firing pin and left a cleaner look.Since my durn stroke stuff evades me often or don't come to me at all. However it was after the A series that the 75 and then 85 etc came to be. I know probably a confusing and very condensed description but my typing on left hand sucks also from stroke so I won't be able to give you a longer version. Sounds like a Varmint model so in good condition from $1K up. Better shape and low round count brings value up pretty quick on the older models. They were/are a great shooting rig.

 

[Brians356]

SDWhirlwind,

Thanks for all that. It's definitely a newer Sako, I own one of the old Vixens and this one is not much like that. It seems lower quality fit and finish, the bolt isn't as smooth. The main clue is the "Sako III" not "A-III" or the like. I'll go look closer and take some pictures if they'll let me.
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[Brians356]

Update: I'm pretty sure it's an "M75 Varmint III" (introduced in 1997) as it definitely has a 3-lug bolt (characterizing M75 and M85). The "III" makes it a medium-length action (22-250, PPCs, and 308 Win-based chambers; the short-action was designated "Varmint I" for 222 and 223 only) according to Wikipedia (FWIW).
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[hillbill]

likely a 75, they are good rifles and usually very accurate.