Sako S 491 action?

[TRECustom]

Couple of questions. Is it stainless? What is it's footprint the same as, for stocking purposes?

I haven't found any useful info on it, including the Sako website.

Thanks, Tom

 

[fdshuster]

Tom: Your question raised my curiosity and I checked out the entire chapter pertaining to Sako rifles in "Bolt Action Rifles",expanded 3 rd edition, by Frank deHaas, page 381. Try as I might, I could not find any reference for a S491, unless the receiver is "too new" for the books publication.

 

[TRECustom]

Frank, I don't know if it was ever a complete rifle. I believe it is just a complete action, either in the white, or stainless. It is very small and has a .223 size bolt face. It doesn't look like a barrel has ever been made up on it, and the bolt face appears unfired. I don't think it's new. It is marked Imported by Stoeger, Inc. Wayne, NJ below the ejection port, probably below where the stock line would be.

Thanks for checking, maybe something will turn up.

Good to hear from you, Tom

 

[fdshuster]

Tom: Ya, me again. Both of my L-46 Riihimaki's were bought new, as barreled receivers only, and after-market stocks were then added, although almost carbon copies of the Sako factory stocks. The model that followed the L-46 was the L-461. I know it sounds dumb, but is the receiver in question a L-461? Does it have a blind box magazine or a removable 3 round capacity box magazine? Of all the models listed in the deHaas book, there is no mention of a S491. Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I can jump on the post. The trigger just went bad on my #488xx, and I discovered how soft the metal is in these critical parts: they have worn "round", so the firing pin was being held back by 2 rounded surfaces, like 2 balls pushing against each other. Had 2 un-intentional firings yesterday, the 'smith said he can re-cut the engagement surfaces and will caseharden. They, like most other "things" are good, but they also have little built-in "problems".

 

[TRECustom]

No question. It's stamped S 491. It's got me stumped.

Thanks, Tom

 

[foxhunter223]

The S491 was after the L series and before the 75 series. I have a S491 sinlge shot in 6mm PPC. They are a different footprint to the other Sako models. You can get a McMillan stock for them I believe.
When we can upload pics to this new forum I will post a pic of mine. I have a pic on photo bucket but it is very small and you cannot see any detail.
Pete

 

[fdshuster]

Pete: I was hoping someone, like you would jump on board: good information. Frank deHaas does not even have it listed in his otherwise excellent book. We continue to learn. Thank you.

 

[TRECustom]

Pete, it's a start. I tried to contact a company called Accuflite, but they didn't answer their phone. I'll try again. Their website says they sell Sako rifles, actions, and stocks.

I rubbed a little coldblue on a spot on the floor metal and it colored some. I then rubbed coldblue on a stub of 416R stainless barrel with absolutely no coloring, so I believe the receiver is simply in the white, and not stainless.

This action is a repeater, and I wonder if it is similar enough to one of the small frame rifles that I could re-inlet and bed it into one of their stocks. I would like to get a nice walnut sporter stock for it.

Frank, if you learn anything more or have any ideas to follow up on please let me know. Thanks, Tom

 

[hothands56]

Tom: Your question raised my curiosity and I checked out the entire chapter pertaining to Sako rifles in "Bolt Action Rifles",expanded 3 rd edition, by Frank deHaas, page 381. Try as I might, I could not find any reference for a S491, unless the receiver is "too new" for the books publication.

 

[hothands56]

i also have a S491 in 6ppc i need a trigger alot lighter then factory been shooting it in UBR matches theres one guy smoking me with a cooper i know if i had another trigger i could turn the tables (help) lol if anybody knows of any triggers please email me hothands56@aol.com

 

[alinwa]

That sure looks like an A1, most accurate factory rifle I've ever seen in "6PPC USA" in fact they got banned from a lot of "factory class" matches back in the 90's

 

[LCazador]

Couple of questions. Is it stainless? What is it's footprint the same as, for stocking purposes?

I haven't found any useful info on it, including the Sako website.

Thanks, Tom

The S491 action was introduced August 25, 1992. The action footprint is very similar to it's predecessors the L461 or A1 action. The S491 actions have slightly inferior workmanship compared to the L461 or A1 actions. The S491 is chrome moly and there are no records of actions made in stainless steel. The S491 has a separate recoil lug and a Tikka trigger assembly. The medium length action was the 591, similar to the L479 and All. The long action was the 691, similar to the L61 or Alll. The separate recoil lug is also found on the Sako 75.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I have a varmint repeater s491. completely different action from the Ai and Aii etc. heavier and bigger. bolts don't interchange. Bix Andy I think makes a replacement trigger. Super nice and heavy. Bix triggers were very expensive, about 4-500 dollars but could be worth it. mine is 243 with typical twist rate of the era.

 

[SGT. Slaughter]

I have a varmint repeater s491. completely different action from the Ai and Aii etc. heavier and bigger. bolts don't interchange. Bix Andy I think makes a replacement trigger. Super nice and heavy. Bix triggers were very expensive, about 4-500 dollars but could be worth it. mine is 243 with typical twist rate of the era.

I have the s491 in single shot and Bix And Andy does make a trigger for that mode and the S591 also. It's a $500.00 trigger.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

what caliber is your s491? do you find it to be accurate? I have not adjusted my trigger. I think it can go down to either one or two pounds w factory setting.

 

[SGT. Slaughter]

Mine is a 6 ppc usa.