Sako L57 Forester
Sako Ltd. · Rifle · Discontinued · 1957
Also known as: Sako Forester, L57
Overview
The Sako L57 Forester is a Finnish medium-action bolt-action hunting rifle produced by Sako from 1957. Built on Sako's medium-length receiver sized for the short .308-family cartridges, it was chambered in .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester and .358 Winchester. It fed from a four-round internal box magazine with a hinged floorplate and featured Sako's own extractor, an adjustable single-stage trigger and a finely finished walnut Monte Carlo stock. Prized for its accuracy and craftsmanship, the L57 was the direct forerunner of the long-running L579 Forester.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3300 g (116.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1090 mm (42.91") |
| Barrel Length | 584 mm (22.99") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 960 m/s (3150 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2986 J (2202 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .243 Winchester · primary — also known as .243 Win
- .308 Winchester · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Win, 308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm NATO
- .358 Winchester — also known as .358 Win, 8.8x51mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Two Position Wing Safety
- Features: Medium Action, Sako Extractor, Hinged Floorplate, Adjustable Single Stage Trigger, Monte Carlo Walnut Stock, Hooded Front Blade Sight, Drilled And Tapped Receiver, Integral Scope Dovetail
Variants
- Sako L57 Forester Deluxe - Upgraded Stock
Production
Production years: 1957-1961
Superseded by the L579 Forester; exact L57 totals not published
Origin
Country of origin: Finland
Designer: Eino Makinen
Discontinued: 1961
Notes
The L57 was the first of Sako's medium-action Forester sporters. Eino Makinen redeveloped it into the improved L579 around 1958-1961, so early Forester production is often catalogued under both designations.
Background
The Forester occupied the middle rung of Sako's three-action sporting family, sitting between the small Vixen action and the long Finnbear magnum action, and was purpose-built around the then-new short-fat .308 Winchester case for a lighter, faster-handling deer rifle.