RIFLE RECALL

Shortly before Christmas, we were contacted by Dan Frank, the editor of GunNews, the official publication of the Washington Arms Collectors. Dan wanted to make us aware of a report he'd received from a member concerning his new Sako Finnlite rifle. The rifle, chambered in 300 WSM, had suffered a catastrophic failure, exploding with sufficient force to break five bones in the shooter's hand, in addition to injuring his face. Dan had been trying to locate any information on other incidents or recalls, but hadn't been able to locate anything beyond a few bulletin board discussions on the internet.

We had no knowledge of any problems, but have continued to follow the report since December 24. Like Frank, we began to receive scattered bits of information telling us that, indeed, Sako and Tikka reps were telling their customers there was a "delay in delivering" any more stainless rifles chambered in 300WSM.

Today, confirmation from Beretta, U.S.A., the distributor of the Sako and Tikka rifles in the United States, that about three thousand of the rifles sold under the Sako and Tikka labels have, indeed, been recalled due to the potential for catastrophic barrel ruptures.

A weakness in the stainless steel used to manufacture the recent-run of 300WSM rifles is apparently the culprit. In the few documented barrel ruptures, failure has apparently come after only a limited number of rounds having been fired through the guns. No word on whether the failures that did occur were with factory or hand-loaded ammunition.

According to Jeff Ray, spokesman for Beretta, U.S.A., there is a recall underway- and it is nearly complete.

"We hadn't widely issued a recall notice because we were dealing with new rifles," Ray says, "the records being so current meant we were able to go directly to distributors, retailers and even individual owners to get them returned."

According to Ray, only fifteen of the faulty run still remain unaccounted for. Ray told The Outdoor Wire that these few owners have not responded to repeated written requests from Beretta U.S.A. that they return the guns in question.

If you have one of the remaining owners of a new stainless steel Sako/Tikka rifle chambered in 300 WSM, you should contact the Sako/Tikka Recall Center immediately at 800-503-8869. Please have your rifle's serial number when you call so representatives can check your serial number against their recall list.

If there is any doubt whatsoever, do not use your rifle until you have contacted the Sako/Tikka Recall center. Apparently only those 300 WSMs with that particular "run" of stainless steel has the potential rupture problem.



--- Jim Shepherd
The Outdorr Wire