Crikey! That really is tired isn't it! Nice looking rifle - mines synthetic stainless.Here's another![]()
That's what I'd do. My option is there if money is tight, but that's far too nice to bin off as a barrellled action.Keep the Action and stock. Bite the bullet and get it rebarrelled in the chambering/twist you desire..The 75 is one of the classic bolt action rifles and Superior to many of todays models. Jmho.
Did you shoot those groups off that tripod set up?
No not at all. Those shots were of a bipod and bag at different times.Did you shoot those groups off that tripod set up?
Very good point, but yes, several times. In fact, Gary at Malmo praised my cleaning of the rest of the bore. Said it was great.Sorry if this is a dumb question (but I did check the post and couldn't see a mention) have you cleaned the chamber and bore? I mean really cleaned the snot out of it - multiple solvent soakings over several nights and 100s of passes with a bronze brush until a clean patch of meths (and clean rod) comes out spotless. This treatment has solved many accuracy problems for me, even for barrels that look like the inside of a BBQ.
Sorry if this is a dumb question (but I did check the post and couldn't see a mention) have you cleaned the chamber and bore? I mean really cleaned the snot out of it - multiple solvent soakings over several nights and 100s of passes with a bronze brush until a clean patch of meths (and clean rod) comes out spotless. This treatment has solved many accuracy problems for me, even for barrels that look like the inside of a BBQ.
So, the timeline is a bit long on this but bear with me.
I bought a 22.250 Sako 75 III heavy fluted stainless model from a well-known trader in Feburary 2022. So 14 month ago.
My first centrefire rifle. Since then I've never really managed to get a good grouping of less than 2" at 100yds.
It's difficult for me to shoot that calibre more than once or twice a month due to the distance of my permissions.
However, over time, I've tried 3 different scopes and a couple of different mounts but no real improvement. I found the recoil lug loose at one point and thought that was the issue. But no, still the same.
Last Weekend, The brilliant people at Malmo Guns (esspecially Gary) had a look at the gun for me and bore scoped it. They found that the crown is perfect, as is most of the barrel. However, the first 3 to 4 inches from the Lands is severely fire cracked and worn out. To such an extent that they wouldn't even consider a px the gun if I wanted to, and definitely wouldn't sell it in that condition.
They did get in touch with their gunsmith for a price to rebarrel and it came in at just less than £1K
After looking at my license for purchased ammo, I've bought 160 since my licence was reprinted in May 2022 and I have 23 rounds in my safe. If I bought and fired a further 60 through it between my purchase date of Feb and reprinted licence of May that's a total of less than 200 shots in my ownership. I don't do target shooting. Just fox and trying to Zero it.
I'm yet to go back to the shop to discuss this and will do so this Saturday morning.
So, my friends.........
Legally ??
Morally ??
Any/all advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Geoff.
It sounds very much like you have a gun with a decent action and stock. I’d probably put a new barrel on it and move on. Or sell it as an action and go new.
Totally get the timeframe but as others have said, it’s probably been too long. The 75 is a really nice rifle though.
Run it past the shop and go from there. I’d bought a 75 through RFD to RFD and couldn’t get it to group more than 4” even at 50 yards. The shop did offer to look at it for me but I had to factor in postage and that they would charge on the cost of ammo. Local RFD had a look at the thread and said it was a rubbish job within half a second of seeing the rifle. This was possibly something I should have known with experience but you wonder about scope mounts etc first. Anyway, original shop said “it was fine with the moderator that we used in our shop” - same moderator thread. After paying my local to cut and thread it again, it shoots fingernails at 100 yards.
Sometimes these things are frustrating but sorted quicker if you “bite the bullet” unfortunately.
I'm sort of in the same boat. Previously has a second hand .223, new .223, new .243 and all good. Just before lockdown I got a 6.5x55, brand new, but a T3 that had been sat on the shelf since 2016.Pretty sure I'll sell it on as a project and buy something new![]()
I don't understand. Many rifles need a few copper fouling shots after aggressive cleaning to shoot straight again, that's pretty normal?I'm sort of in the same boat. Previously has a second hand .223, new .223, new .243 and all good. Just before lockdown I got a 6.5x55, brand new, but a T3 that had been sat on the shelf since 2016.
When load developing for it, I'd always put a fouling shot into the bank first and then do a group, all was good. Over the last 6 months I've done a bit plot paper punching and noticed the first shot is always low right by up to 1.5". Since, its had a different stock, different scope and mounts. I've even shot it without the mod and I'm still not happy with it.
I could give up and sell it, but the next new gun could be just the same.
1 last ditch attempt to get my head round why it groups so well after the first and sometimes second shot is beyond most people I talk to, but going to get someone else to shoot it before it gets re barreled
It shoots the same when dirty, light clean or deep clean. Here's a classic 3 shot group off a bipod at 100yardsI don't understand. Many rifles need a few copper fouling shots after aggressive cleaning to shoot straight again, that's pretty normal?
If you are worried about the fact you can't fire these shots at 4am before stalking just ease off on your cleaning routine - say simply meths and light oiling, that is removed before stalking. This will leave the copper fouling in place and accuracy will be fine. Once a year do it properly.
Even then <1.5" off is pretty meaningless for sensible deer stalking ranges, especially if its consistent.

You might realistically have paid £600 for a Sako 75 22-250 with a burnt out barrel, just for the action based on my (limited) experience (I was in a hurry and didn't spend long looking at the market), so the sting may not be as bad as you think. And you will be able to move the action on to get some of your money back- well sought after for custom builds.Thanks for the comments. I feel my only hope is the small amount of rounds purchased on my licence and some good morals getting the gunshop.
I know 14 month is a long time, but I have to try.
I'm not asking for something for nothing. I think it's obvious that it must have been worn pre sale. £800 too![]()
Don't do that, it looks like a nice rifle, go down the rebarrel route, and think of it as a learning curve. The person that doesn't make a mistake hasn't been born... don't make two with the same riflePretty sure I'll sell it on as a project and buy something new