“Do up” a T3 / rebarrel a sako / or a buy a blaser?

Braces Airgun Masters
Border said:
Optilocks are also a notoriously high mount, with Lows able to accomadate a 56mm scope on a sporter barrel in many cases.
@wildfowler.250 what height are yours, if you are using them?
Click to expand...
The Optilock is not notoriously high you get low, medium and high . the medium wont take a 56mm objective S&B but it is perfect from a 50 mm the low version really is obviously lower still for the smaller scopes and would not work with a 50 objective . memory serves me it just about takes a 40mm on a sporter barrel but its too close . The Sako 75 / 85 are designed specifically for a 50mm objective scope with perfect eye alignment the bases are all the same and you buy the actual rings and bases separate. Tika from the 595 etc are designed to work with optiloc. Folks come in all shapes and sizes of course yet remember McMillan copied the sako 75 stock for the ever so popular hunter stock- I guess they couldn't do better than sako ?
 
Had a Tikka, Sako, Sauer and Mannlicher in the past, all were very good but I had a shot of a Blaser at a demo day and really liked it.

I managed to get a good secondhand deal, @Edinburgh Rifles currently has this one and probably has a number of different barrel options, once you begin looking at Blaser rifles it’s pretty much a matter of time before you get one…….

Blaser R8 Pro Success .308 Rifle | Second Hand Guns for Sale | guntrader

Buy a .308 Blaser R8 Pro Success Straight Pull Rifle online today. This second hand Straight Pull Rifle requires a firearm licence. Contact the seller today using our contact form. This Blaser R8 Pro Success is being sold by Edinburgh Rifles and Sporting Goods, a trade seller based in Edinburgh...
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Had a few custom rifles over the years still got one now just set up for foxing with nv I now just shoot a blazer r8 for everything else absolutely love it will never buy a different rifle the ability to swap barrels is a game changer for me as accurate as my custom rifles with hand loads
 
T3x is a better rifle than the 75 and I had 2 of them so I am no hater. One of the downsides of the 75 is aftermarket parts, not an issue with the Tikka. I now have an R8 Ultimate.

R8 is a cut above in quality. I like the cocking mechanism. I like the fact it is shorter. I like the adjustability. But you pay through the nose for it. The straight pull is nice if you are out culling hinds, but few of us spend our lives doing that. But ££££, jesus.

T3x comes in lots of variants. It is cheaper than a barrel for an R8. Shoots very well. It is no longer the poor mans Sako. Drop it in a GRS for £500+

75 was the thing last century. Stocks are crap really. Bedding is rubbish. Aftermarket stuff is just not available. Shoots well but no better than the modern Tikkas.

I like the R8 well enough but should probably have just bought a Tikka and a GRS stock !

None of them are in the same class as an Accuracy International...
 
Border said:
Can you shoot your rifle accurately?
Does it kill deer in it`s current chambering?
Chopping and changing will only lighten your Wallet if in reality you are happy with your basic setup.
I have a couple of 75’s and won`t be changing them in the future.
Keep an eye out in the classifieds, McMillans or GRS/ KKC show from time to time.
I can keep an eye out over here if you wish?
KKC do an inlet for Sako 75 action III and IV in the hunter model.
As do GRS in light hunter and sporter laminate models.
Staffordshire Synthetic Stocks are also showing an inlet for the 75. Doesn’t look like adjustable cheekpiece though….
Click to expand...
I didn't realise grs has brought something out for the 75 now..
 
NullMac said:
T3x is a better rifle than the 75 and I had 2 of them so I am no hater. One of the downsides of the 75 is aftermarket parts, not an issue with the Tikka. I now have an R8 Ultimate.

R8 is a cut above in quality. I like the cocking mechanism. I like the fact it is shorter. I like the adjustability. But you pay through the nose for it. The straight pull is nice if you are out culling hinds, but few of us spend our lives doing that. But ££££, jesus.

T3x comes in lots of variants. It is cheaper than a barrel for an R8. Shoots very well. It is no longer the poor mans Sako. Drop it in a GRS for £500+

75 was the thing last century. Stocks are crap really. Bedding is rubbish. Aftermarket stuff is just not available. Shoots well but no better than the modern Tikkas.

I like the R8 well enough but should probably have just bought a Tikka and a GRS stock !

None of them are in the same class as an Accuracy International...
Click to expand...
I think the finishing statement shows very clearly your PERSONAL ideas , likes and dislikes . I would not rate the AI even on the chart as a stalking rifle, as a military snipers rifle its definitely up with the all time greats. The 75 is a ground up stalking rifle . Bedding issues with the 75 ? please explain more , its a flat bottom action with a good lug design and i have yet to see a bad factory inlet and its even better when bedded on pillars etc , its a bit tricky doing the front as you need to mill off the face of the front pillar and give correct clearance for the horseshoe shaped ejector to clear reliably but then folks who can't shouldn't DIY their guns
Now that new sako with the screwed into the wood lug ? No thanks , what a stupid idea on a hunting rifle and a nightmare to put right when it fails
 
wildfowler.250 said:
Well folks, I’ve got that new gun itch which I’m trying to talk myself around or out of.

I currently have a sako 75 and my only gripe is the stock. I find it quite low on the cheek with a x56 scope,(maybe in future I’d buy a x50 but that’s a different conversation).

I currently have a beartooth cheek riser which works but I’m not entirely convinced it gives me as much consistency as an adjustable piece on a stock.

Having looked at aftermarket stocks, there’s none anymore for the 75. I could possibly buy a blank inlet and hope a good smith can bed it? Or is this particularly difficult?

At the same time, am I sensible whilst the rifle is in to rebarrel or rechamber? .270 again or that .30-06 itch. It still shoots fine but wouldn’t do harm?


Would I be better just buying a T3X,(seems sacrilege to swap a 75 for a T3x) and have more aftermarket parts and options? The 75 is so silky smooth though.


Then I have a look at the blasers. I think okay, possibly a step up in quality over the 75. Maybe safety step up. The thumbhole is about £3800 new. Surely I’d be less than this for a stock and new barrel with a smith? The actual adjustable part on the thumbhole stock looks pretty basic and is around actually £5k new,(it’s not going to bag me any more deer which is a thought).


This is all comes back to there being nothing really wrong with my current rifle other than maybe wanting to play with a new stock to see if it helps consistency.


The final question is who actually buys these stocks without handling them? Everyone or folk that like a gamble? I don’t think PSE have a supplier in Scotland. And Mcmillan,(LOVE the marble) I believe are a really long wait but also the same handling problem before you buy.


I know folk on here will have tweaked, sold, changed etc. I’ve had this rifle 15 years,(first CF) with light use. I don’t want to sell it and then regret it but I also feel that adjustment options are limited and tailored to the mass produced rifles - probably because they benefit from adjusting.


What’s the sensible choice? Try and get a PSE or mcmillan on the 75?
Click to expand...
I had the same option with my winny 243. Buy a blaser /merkel, go full custom or ‘tune’ what I had.

I took option 3 as the rifle was inherently very accurate so I wouldn’t gain anything that way, so the additional money over and above tuning the winny would just be for aesthetics.

Now I have a rifle that does exactly what I want it to, takes aics box mags, is in the stock I want and shoots beautifully, all for less than half the cost of a blaser!!

Have a chat with Barton Gunworks as they can get stocks from the US (mine is a HS Prescision) and can do any inletting tweaks needed.
 
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Bowland blades said:
I think the finishing statement shows very clearly your PERSONAL ideas , likes and dislikes . I would not rate the AI even on the chart as a stalking rifle, as a military snipers rifle its definitely up with the all time greats. The 75 is a ground up stalking rifle . Bedding issues with the 75 ? please explain more , its a flat bottom action with a good lug design and i have yet to see a bad factory inlet and its even better when bedded on pillars etc , its a bit tricky doing the front as you need to mill off the face of the front pillar and give correct clearance for the horseshoe shaped ejector to clear reliably but then folks who can't shouldn't DIY their guns
Now that new sako with the screwed into the wood lug ? No thanks , what a stupid idea on a hunting rifle and a nightmare to put right when it fails
Click to expand...
Totally agree re AI. Super accurate but for the range only as just too heavy for stalking, unless you park your arse in a high seat all day and have a serf to carry it for you!!
 
If you got the money just buy a blaser. Then if you want to play with other calibres, get more barrels. Been down the aftermarket stock route on my old T3 then a custom RPA and other stuff but the blaser R8 ultimate was my best buy. Shoots great and adjustable for different optics.
 
wildfowler.250 said:
Well folks, I’ve got that new gun itch which I’m trying to talk myself around or out of.

I currently have a sako 75 and my only gripe is the stock. I find it quite low on the cheek with a x56 scope,(maybe in future I’d buy a x50 but that’s a different conversation).

I currently have a beartooth cheek riser which works but I’m not entirely convinced it gives me as much consistency as an adjustable piece on a stock.

Having looked at aftermarket stocks, there’s none anymore for the 75. I could possibly buy a blank inlet and hope a good smith can bed it? Or is this particularly difficult?

At the same time, am I sensible whilst the rifle is in to rebarrel or rechamber? .270 again or that .30-06 itch. It still shoots fine but wouldn’t do harm?


Would I be better just buying a T3X,(seems sacrilege to swap a 75 for a T3x) and have more aftermarket parts and options? The 75 is so silky smooth though.


Then I have a look at the blasers. I think okay, possibly a step up in quality over the 75. Maybe safety step up. The thumbhole is about £3800 new. Surely I’d be less than this for a stock and new barrel with a smith? The actual adjustable part on the thumbhole stock looks pretty basic and is around actually £5k new,(it’s not going to bag me any more deer which is a thought).


This is all comes back to there being nothing really wrong with my current rifle other than maybe wanting to play with a new stock to see if it helps consistency.


The final question is who actually buys these stocks without handling them? Everyone or folk that like a gamble? I don’t think PSE have a supplier in Scotland. And Mcmillan,(LOVE the marble) I believe are a really long wait but also the same handling problem before you buy.


I know folk on here will have tweaked, sold, changed etc. I’ve had this rifle 15 years,(first CF) with light use. I don’t want to sell it and then regret it but I also feel that adjustment options are limited and tailored to the mass produced rifles - probably because they benefit from adjusting.


What’s the sensible choice? Try and get a PSE or mcmillan on the 75?
Click to expand...
Aftermarket cheekpiece.
 
To my mind a 75 is as good as a sporting rifle ever made, in fact still sought after for custom projects. Built like a tank, slick bolt, cartridge specific action length, fantastic mag system that can be top loaded. A Blaser has no advantage other than being a take down system-which only you know wether you would utilise. Other than that I think they’re ludicrously expensive.

Stocks. I have just had a Staffordshire Synthetics Stock made for my Sako 591 and I am really delighted. After only a few days I can see a marked improvement. I have a McMillan on my 75 and to be honest I’m not sure there’s a ton of difference in the feel of it anyway. Other than KKC laminates I think SSS are the only aftermarket options sadly.

IMG_0887.jpegIMG_0896.jpeg
 
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