Custom long range stalker - Sako?

Zeissman

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I've been looking for something of a hybrid between a stalker and an occasional medium/long range target rifle after spending an all too brief day at Bisley in November. I'd like something moderated in 0.308 in which I can have complete confidence (sub 1/2 MOA assuming consistent ammo, etc, etc.) for five rounds in swift succession out to at least 600m but that isn't too GI Joe to pull out on the hill. I love Sakos as out of the box rifles and would be very happy with a varmint or similar. I am happy to lug a bit of extra weight within reason but would also love a wooden stock. This might be the rub as I'll be using a bipod for most shots! From those with experience, what I would really like to know is would a Sako Varmint do the job or do I need to think about something a bit more specialised? How much does blueprinting really help? Does anyone know of any wooden stocked wolves in sheep's clothing that could be a good platform on which to base a custom long range rifle?

While we're on it, any advice on a lightweight, cleanable mod that can cope with a bit of rapid fire? I've been very careful with my A-Tec Maxim to date as I hear that you can get baffle burn very easily.

Any advice much appreciated as always!

All the best,

Z.
 
My all range hunter/light target rifle. Weighs 4.2 kg 9.24lb including 6.5-20x50 zeiss.
Sako L579, 22" Lothar Walther match barrel in 308. Profile 1450 which is just right for this type.
No problem firing 20 rounds at a comp, POI doesn't change.

Taken deer from 4m to over 400m and rabbits over 600m.
I am just working on a project based on a remington with fluted 20" varmint barrel and ultra light tactical stock
which will be of similar weight also in 308.
edi

DSCN5724.jpg
 
Sako 75 or 85 stainless laminated varmint. Ticks all the boxes. I think Jamross had one for sale a while ago?
 
Not aware of anyone "Blueprinting" a Sako, unless they were charging for work not needed.

steve bowers will blueprint a sako. this includes sleeving the bolt on a sako 75.

my own sako 75 (6.5x47l) built by redmist was not blueprinted, and it shoots ok. shot it aginst a couple of other 47l's built by top rifle builders the other day and my groups were definately no worse;).

heres a link, weighs 12lb all up, scope, mod, bipod and ammo - its a fairly heavy barrel fitted into a mcmillan sako 75 stock, not the varmint. i'm using it for everything at the moment, foxing, stalking and plinking. furthest kills are not reportable on the open forum....

http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co....g-range-fallow-basher?highlight=fallow+basher
 
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read the the book mentioned above it describes well the pitfalls of the 85 cheapened action
Buy my Sako M591 Varmint in .308. Shoots 1/2moa easy, 1000 yds, and takes roe. Nice walnut stock, good solid action, great trigger, light enough for a half fit skinny guy to stalk with and heavy enough to be a pleasure on the range. Last time I used it at bisley at 600, I was hitting v-bulls 8/10 with a 6x scope and GGG surplus ammo, I have witnesses to this too if you need it backing up. And I'm only 40 miles away if you want to try it

Pete
 
Thank you all. I've ordered the book and have been dipping into the e-book version today in the office in weak moments. Cracking read! Strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in well put together rifles!

I've read similar threads on the difference in quality between 85s and 75s and earlier versions. Tramp, we've pm'd - nice to know that it can be achieved with a wooden stock!

Any info out there on mods that are modular for cleaning, light for stalking and don't suffer from baffle burn on the range?

Any thoughts on RPA from someone who's actually handled one? Couldn't get near one at the shot show.

Z.
 
Thank you all. I've ordered the book and have been dipping into the e-book version today in the office in weak moments. Cracking read! Strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in well put together rifles!

I've read similar threads on the difference in quality between 85s and 75s and earlier versions. Tramp, we've pm'd - nice to know that it can be achieved with a wooden stock!

Any info out there on mods that are modular for cleaning, light for stalking and don't suffer from baffle burn on the range?

Any thoughts on RPA from someone who's actually handled one? Couldn't get near one at the shot show.

Z.
Mine is running a northstar. It was on my .223 before the .308 and gets used on the .243 too, it's had in excess of 3000 rounds through it, and all it needs is a squirt of WD40 now and then, ok, it's not the lightest, but it's good, but you'll find out soon enough. As for gas cutting on the baffles, have a look, none to speak of. It may go with the gun for the right price ;)

Pete

ps, rpa, I'll tell you more privately
 
Thank you all. I've ordered the book and have been dipping into the e-book version today in the office in weak moments. Cracking read! Strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in well put together rifles!

I've read similar threads on the difference in quality between 85s and 75s and earlier versions. Tramp, we've pm'd - nice to know that it can be achieved with a wooden stock!

Any info out there on mods that are modular for cleaning, light for stalking and don't suffer from baffle burn on the range?

Any thoughts on RPA from someone who's actually handled one? Couldn't get near one at the shot show.

Z.
A wooden stock is not a constraint to what you're after.
75 vs. 85 build quality differential is exagerated as far as I'm concerned. Frankly, the bolt on the T3 is smoother than the 75 due to the material used. The 75's graunch quite badly and the 85 improved on that.
Sako make their "medium weight sporter" a little heavier than most sporters and a 5 shot string is not a problem for these.
I've got a an Alu CMM4 on my .260 which has seen over 600 rounds. There is loads of carbon build up but it works.

Rifle weight depends on your build, I carried a T3 varmint .308 + northstar around for a week on the hill after hinds. It was do-able but I prefer something lighter - it spares capacity for the snickers... :)
 
Thank you all. As Tramp says - all sorted and with huge thanks. Sako M591 Varmint, walnut stock with a barrel that could get a bit shorter if I get any less fit. Milligan, thank you and I hope that you're right about build - reasonably fit at the mo and I didn't really notice the increase in weight with the varmint but I do spend a bit of time on the hinds in Perthshire so I'm sure that I'll find out in November!

I suspect that I might go to an all steel baffle system on my A-Tec as that will surely help if I do want to use it in anger on the range.

Z.
 
i've had 3 rpa's. 2 quadlites and a quadlock. quadlites were in 22-250 and .308, then changed them to 6mmbr and 6.5-284. both were single shot and shot really really well. really strong actions, though there is no need for 4 lugs. mine were single shots.

also had a quadlock f-class 6.5-284. great solid action but triggers were far from great for f-class. shot great though, won loads of f-class comps with it and set a world record at 1233yards at blair with it.

would i have one now? no.

you'd be far better with a barnard s action. that's what my current stalking rifle is built on. single shot, 3 lugs, benchrest tolerances. fits jewell bottom safety triggers and is an absolute joy to shoot/use.

another really good option would be a borden timberline or alpine action. precision rifle services imports them.

norman clarke will blueprint sako 75's but i don't see it as being worth it. better off getting a remmy 700 blueprinted, but then again, there are very few people who will blueprint it properly, or even know how to blueprint it properly, and by the time you spend the money on having that done, you'd have been better with a custom action to begin with and it will be worth more re-sale.

decisions decisions eh?
 
Steve Bowers blueprinted a Sako 85 short action for me, matched with a custom laminated stock and 24" walther barrel. Done in 7mm-08 but .308 would be just what you are after. Shoots like a dream, a bit heavy but would fit your requirements very nicely.
 
Very interesting that you say that nowler. You sound pretty qualified to talk about RPA! I've heard a number of reports about a loss of quality and poor customer service with them recently as I've delved into my search for a sub 1/4 MOA stalker.

The concept of almost custom quality out of the box is a good one and it's a great shame that this hasn't been taken on by some of the favourites on this side of the pond like Sako, Sauer, Blaser, Mauser, etc. If Remington can do it with the Sendero (thank you Capt David), why don't the other brands offer premium models that have had basic upgrades like being bedded? Are they worried that this would open the floodgates and downgrade their standard models?

Penyard, I've gone for an M591 thanks to Tramp but interesting that you went ahead with the blueprinting. As you can see on this thread, there are those who deny any need to blueprint a Sako. Did you do all the work at the same time or in stages? If in stages, did the blueprinting make any difference on its own? (Apologies to Steve Bowers, I have only heard outstanding things about his work so I am assuming that this was done to a very high standard).
 
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