Sako action 4 rebarrel, what calibre would you go for?

[njc110381]

This should get a good mix of responses... I'm having a mull over what I can do with my 6.5x55 Sako 75 action 4 when the barrel finally gives up. I get bored easily and have had a pretty long stint with the Swede. Not a bad calibre at all, in fact if someone new asks me what they should buy that's what I tell them. But what should I do?

I want something between .25 and .30. I don't like 6mm and anything bigger than .30 is already covered pretty well. I don't mind unusual cartridges as I home load, but it needs to feed reliably from the magazine. Suggestions and reasons for them please chaps!

 

[Mungo]

7x64

 

[biffo]

25-06 of course!

 

[Ronin]

284 Winchester or 284 Shehane

 

[splash]

.260 rem

 

[Ratwhiskers]

284 Winchester or 284 Shehane

Andy, l like your thinking chap, put that round in an action it will really shine in!!

 

[Limpet]

I think you like long and slow don't you Mr NJC. ........ so a proper 7x57 fits the bill but a 7x64 has more grunt....... and a bit of grunt is required for moles

 

[njc110381]

I think you like long and slow don't you Mr NJC. ........ so a proper 7x57 fits the bill but a 7x64 has more grunt....... and a bit of grunt is required for moles

You have a very long memory!

 

[Limpet]

10.5 years


You may find that a re-barrel with a 6.5x55 is a smart move with copper bullets and keeping the option going long (heavier if needed) that the 6.5 creedmore cannot do so easily ..... that's the advantage of the long action and mag from the 6.5x55.

 

[Tim1]

.270 or .280

Toss a coin.

Tim

 

[Wsm]

6.5x284

 

[Tom D]

7-08 ackley..

 

[Andy RV]

7mm Mauser

 

[Uncas]

A 6.5x57 what's not to like.

 

[Border]

I am also debating which chambering to change to when my SAKO 75 6.5x55 needs a new barrel. Top of my list would be 270 win or 8x57IS.

 

[I. Farticus]

Ooh, good question!!!!
I'd probably stick with the x55, but if pushed to change would go 30-06, as there are only ½ dozen calibres possible in that long action

 

[njc110381]

I am also debating which chambering to change to when my SAKO 75 6.5x55 needs a new barrel. Top of my list would be 270 win or 8x57IS.

I'd like to stay in the 6.5-7mm area I think. Neil McKillop is in the process of doing me another 75 IV in .35 Whelen, which is essentially a 9mm-06. I also have a 75 III .22-250. I need to sit somewhere between those two, a light deer calibre. 6.5-284 is tempting because I've looked at it several times in the past. I'm also interested in the .25-06.

I appreciate all the replies, so keep them coming. On a forum with as broad a membership as we have here there will be suggestions I haven't thought of and that's great. Thanks to all who have commented so far.

 

[Limpet]

I did't think the 25.06 was your style ........ it's 2020 and BLM ............. Barrel Life Matters

 

[Ronin]

Andy, l like your thinking chap, put that round in an action it will really shine in!!

Already have in the form of a Tikka 695 for a customer which is doing sub half inch at 200 mtrs (witnessed ) with Brux barrel and 180 hybrids going circa 2980 vo

Building one for myself for stalking too on a 690 action as I’ve killed my Rem 700

Have used the shehane in f class for several years and it’s seriously accurate at any distance providing load development done

Whilst not to everyone’s taste I suggest this as this will drive copper at suitable speed for “extended range connection”

 

[njc110381]

I did't think the 25.06 was your style ........ it's 2020 and BLM ............. Barrel Life Matters

I don't tend to keep a rifle long enough to shoot it out. I'm a second hand buyer's dream! I'll build it or buy it, stick 200-300 rounds down it at deer and then move on.

Only rifle I ever shot out was a .22 Hornet - I was a busy boy back in my mole smashing days. There was a time when I shot more deer in a week than I have in the last three years!
Edit... Not with the Hornet!