Help me out with a Sako AV 30-06

[82SC]

[LynnJr]

If my memory serves me right that rifle came out when I graduated high school and resembles a Weatherby Mark V?
If so the buttpad probably needs replacing as they tend to turn to rock with age and the barrel is skinny meaning it's more of a hunting rifle.

You could add a muzzle brake but I would leave it as is.
The ammo you have is plinking grade so not super accurate.
Take up deer hunting and you will enjoy a lifetime with that rifle.

[pennstater]

I believe the Sako AV's have the dovetail integral mounts, correct? If so, a set of decent rings( Weaver, Leupold, Burris etc) and maybe a Burris Full Field II 3-9x40mm with ballistic plex scope. You'd be set. Just an idea.

[theduracellbigd]

The Bushnell might be cheap, but before you drop it , some Bushnells have some good optics and are good scopes. The old Scopechief for one was made in Japan and was a good scope. Some of the Elites have good optics and there are some others, so it might not be that bad. Bushnell unfortunately does have some lower end scopes that are worth replacing for a nice rifle. If so a Leupold 4x , 2.5 x8, or 3.5x10 vx3 with objectives 40mm or under would be a classy match to a classy rifle.
30-06 recoil although at the edge of manageable recoil for extended range sessions, is not something that a shooter cannot get used to with proper technique. I agree, no muzzle brake as one poster said, not needed, and you turn a classy gun into a kook gun haha(but seriously not needed for 30-06) You are not a kid anymore so the recoil should not be as bad.
Bench shooting can be hard to maintain snug shoulder contact that is desired to prevent recoil issues. Learn to shoot with the sling, hasty sling at minimum. Youtube has some videos demonstrating shooting rifles with this method. Shooting field position seated with a sling you will notice recoil effects being minimized. You can then shoot from bench as well with sling and you will notice some recoil reduction as well. Also as one stated the older guns either had no, or now an aged harder rubber recoil pad, so a new softer rubber recoil pad could also help.
And shooting 150 grainers vs 180s will help recoil management. Do not gauge your rifles accuracy with the ball ammo as one also has mentioned. Also that rifle was designed for hunting(one shot done) so although heavy enough to mange recoil it was built to manage weight for hunting and thus being lighter will recoil a tad more than heavier rifles. So until you get proficient with the gun, I would limit your early range sessions to about one box, or maybe 30 rounds max because recoil sensitivity and thus flinch become issues as round count increases during shooting sessions. Also shot only three shot groups then put down gun to let it cool for best accuracy, and let you rest for best accuracy, or better yet take your deer rifle and AR15 to the range and shoot three with Sako then rack it, shoot a few with AR then rack it etc etc.

[Garand Hunter]

Enjoy it ! Gun from another time when REAL quality was put first.

Psalm 1

[ar15barrels]

can anyone point me to some good resources.
My dad has given me his old Sako AV
Also I have 2 crates of ball Ammo in 30-06
Maybe some suggestions managing recoil.

Where are you located?

[JackEllis]

Also as one stated the older guns either had no, or now an aged harder rubber recoil pad, so a new softer rubber recoil pad could also help.

I have a Winchester 670 in .30-06 and had problems with the recoil that were compounded by a stiff trigger.

I added a recoil pad and at the range I also wear a shoulder pad or a coat depending on the weather. I shoot mostly from sticks or a tripod and whether sitting, kneeling or standing, I'm always leaning forward a bit so the rifle doesn't knock me backwards.

A 73 year old female friend of ours has an '06 and seems to be able to shoot it just fine, if you need a little motivation

[82SC]

hey randall

I was actually looking at your site for my AR build too

I'm in pasadena

[82SC]

theduracellbigd Awesome suggestions. Exactly the kind of info I needed to read

[DueceMcGurk]

82SC,
Perfect timing. We are in the middle of a reduced recoil 30-06 range load project. Would be happy to share when you get to the reloading stage.

[DueceMcGurk]

Here is a LimbSaver recoil pad on Amazon that will mitigate some of the 30-06 thump.

https://www.amazon.com/LimbSaver-AirTech-Slip-Recoil-Medium/dp/B00J01N3O0?ref_=Oct_s9_apbd_orecs_hd_bw_bEK2j&pf_rd_r=QPEM6EYYXQ2JXFWYVFEP&pf_rd_p=31ae6754-a868-51a4-8299-441c708030fc&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-10&pf_rd_t=BROWSE&pf_rd_i=3413641

[Garand Hunter]

Pity the 10 thousands G.I's in WWII who took that beating and stood up to it. I grew up on 12 gauge and 30-06 rifles as a kid and still love my 03 Springfields and 8mm Mausers, and they kick hard, the 8mm.

Psalm 1

[papaboomboom]

Had one in the late 80's. Best rifle I ever had, had a removable rear prep site that was dead on accurate in case your lost or broke scope, fit right on integral rail, amazing rifle, hang on and enjoy!

[ar15barrels]

hey randall

I was actually looking at your site for my AR build too

I'm in pasadena

I can thread that Sako barrel and fit a brake to it.
That will make it MUCH easier to shoot without getting beat up.

[theduracellbigd]

I can thread that Sako barrel and fit a brake to it.
That will make it MUCH easier to shoot without getting beat up.

No brake needed. I have been shooting and hunting roughly 40 years and do not recall encountering a 30-06 hunting rifle with a muzzle brake.