Sako VL63 Finnwolf
Sako Ltd. · Rifle · Discontinued · 1962
Also known as: Finnwolf, Sako Finnwolf, VL63
Overview
The Sako VL63 Finnwolf is a Finnish hammerless lever-action hunting rifle produced by Sako from 1962 to 1974. Unusually for a lever gun, it feeds from a detachable three-round box magazine and locks with a rotating bolt head, while a rack-and-pinion geared lever gives a short, fast, smooth throw. Chambered in .308 Winchester and .243 Winchester, it was aimed at the American deer-hunting market as a more refined alternative to the Winchester 88 and Savage 99.
Specifications
| Barrel Length | 584 mm (22.99") |
| Action Type | Lever Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 3 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 860 m/s (2822 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3592 J (2649 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Win, 7.62x51mm, 7.62 NATO
- .243 Winchester — also known as .243 Win
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Sliding Bar Safety
- Features: Rack And Pinion Lever Mechanism, Rotating Bolt Head, Hammerless Design, Detachable Box Magazine, Short 60 Degree Lever Throw, Cocking Indicator, Monte Carlo Stock
Variants
- Sako VL63 Finnwolf Deluxe - Deluxe
Production
Production years: 1962-1974
Relatively low production; higher price than rival American lever actions limited commercial success
Origin
Country of origin: Finland
Discontinued: 1974
Notes
Praised for its accuracy (around one inch at 100 yards) and excellent trigger, the Finnwolf was ultimately too expensive to compete with mainstream American lever actions and was discontinued after a relatively short production run, making surviving examples collectible.
Background
One of the very few lever-action rifles ever fed from a detachable box magazine, the Finnwolf paired a rotating-bolt lockup with a rack-and-pinion lever so refined that reviewers called it a technical tour de force - yet its premium Finnish price kept it from ever displacing the cheaper Winchester and Savage lever guns it was designed to beat.