Need some inspiration, what shall I do with a sako 75

[Acm]

So I have a sako 75 in .243 varmint configuration, wooden stock, heavy barrel, generally good condition, the barrel hasn’t been looked after and it shows, however the rifle still shoots great.
I bought it from a good mate on a whim and didn’t need another stalking rifle, it’s just very hard to walk past a sako 75 at the right price. I’ve been using it for stalking and for now have it spitting hornady outfitter factory ammo with an 80grn mono into a good group at 100m, it’s been medicine on roe, and I’m excited to try them on fallow properly.
I already have a sako 6.5x55 in a McMillan stock but I fancy making somthing of this 75.
At the moment it’s a bit heavy, and a bit long with its 24 inch tube plus a jet z mod but I’m enjoying it and that length barrel does make the most of a .243.
I flit between a 6 creed and a fast twist .243, so, if it was yours, what would you build?

* try to resist saying “just use it” I’m already doing that

 

[deerstalker.308]

You know you need a creed Andy….. just bite the literal bullet and join the rainbow club. We will welcome you with open arms

 

[Acm]

You know you need a creed Andy….. just bite the literal bullet and join the rainbow club. We will welcome you with open arms

I do think it would go well with my kuiu cammo

 

[Klenchblaize]

Sadly there is no one in the UK who will 'a' run a larger reamer into the existing chamber ("opening up") and/or 'b' reduce barrel diameter ("re-profiling"). You are therefore into a new barrel as a minimum.

I would start again and simply use the action as a basis for whatever chambering and stock type/profile floats your canoe.

K

 

[Stumpy2]

Depends on what else you have in the cabinet.. how about a short barrel 7-08?

if sticking with 6mm calibres a fast twist .243 would be my choice and stick with 24” but with a reflex mod

 

[deerstalker.308]

I do think it would go well with my kuiu cammo

Don’t forget the camo crocs too

 

[Donkey Basher]

6mmBR with a 1:8 twist - stay with 24" barrel but get a light over barrel moderator, maybe get a barrel profile half way between a standard hunter & a heavy varmint too.

Or, same as above but stick with .243W.

 

[Donkey Basher]

6mmBR with a 95gn Nosler ballistic tip is devastating on fallow

 

[Acm]

6mmBR with a 95gn Nosler ballistic tip is devastating on fallow

I’ve heard a lot of good things about that bullet on the American forums.

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

What's wrong with keeping it as a 243 and just knocking 4-5" off the barrel ?

Lovely stock!

 

[Acm]

What's wrong with keeping it as a 243 and just knocking 4-5" off the barrel ?

Lovely stock!

It is tempting! But I’d worry about losing velocity.
Would appreciate @Ronin & @BE Precision input too.

 

[kenbro]

Sadly there is no one in the UK who will 'a' run a larger reamer into the existing chamber ("opening up") and/or 'b' reduce barrel diameter ("re-profiling"). You are therefore into a new barrel as a minimum.

I would start again and simply use the action as a basis for whatever chambering and stock type/profile floats your canoe.

K

Mr K;
Is that a fact?

I tried (Got one more try) to get someone to run MY reamer into a shotgun style rifle barrel and I’d except all responsibility for reamer and barrel, but, no body will take the job on!
Is it too difficult?
I know it gets done in the USA.
Kb.

 

[ColinBr]

It would be 6mmXC for me running a 24" 7 twist barrel. Though I am biased.

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

It is tempting! But I’d worry about losing velocity.
Would appreciate @Ronin & @BE Precision input too.

You probably will a tad. But who cares ?!

243 Winchester- Effect of barrel length on velocity

Based on the ubiquitous 308 Winchester, the 243 Winchester has developed a strong following among rifleman. The 243 Winchester’s 6mm (.243″) bullet offers reduced recoil and the abilit…

rifleshooter.com

Losing 4" will cost you 150fps. 5" around 200fps. Whats that at 200 yards ? 1" or so ?

You could prob make up for that by running a warm load. Better that than binning the barrel.

A same length creed would only be 100fps more anyway. You have a lovely gun in a lovely calibre.

Unless you're looking for an excuse to spend money. But 75s in classic calibres will be rarer than 6.5s IMO.....

 

[Klenchblaize]

Mr K;
Is that a fact?

I tried (Got one more try) to get someone to run MY reamer into a shotgun style rifle barrel and I’d except all responsibility for reamer and barrel, but, no body will take the job on!
Is it too difficult?
I know it gets done in the USA.
Kb.

Contributing factors to the stance adopted for both re-chambering and/or barrel re-profiling/fluting of factory installed units:

1. Challenges of unscrewing barrel from action without damage.
2. Risk of damage/ware to tooling.
3. Client displeasure with loss of accuracy due to barrel warping. (For want of a better term.)
4. Full order books, so Gunsmith is in a position to pick & choose most lucrative work/jobs. (Selling you a new barrel realises a mark-up that machine shop time alone does not!)

I could go on.

K

 

[kenbro]

Contributing factors to the stance adopted for both re-chambering and/or barrel re-profiling/fluting of factory installed units:

1. Challenges of unscrewing barrel from action without damage.
2. Risk of damage/ware to tooling.
3. Client displeasure with loss of accuracy due to barrel warping. (For want of a better term.)
4. Full order books, so Gunsmith is in a position to pick & choose most lucrative work/jobs. (Selling you a new barrel realises a mark-up that machine shop time alone does not!)

I could go on.

K

#1. No need to unscrew my shotgun style barrel.
#2. Reamer supplied so not much (If any) tooling to damage.
#3. No body would offer a guaranteed shooter.
#4. The only one of the 4 I agree with.
Thanks Mr. K.

 

[Klenchblaize]

#1. No need to unscrew my shotgun style barrel.
#2. Reamer supplied so not much (If any) tooling to damage.
#3. No body would offer a guaranteed shooter.
#4. The only one of the 4 I agree with.
Thanks Mr. K.

Supply of reamer I get, but all other barrel work considerations I stand by.

How do I know? Because no one will flute my Sako 75's heavy barrel.

K

 

[Iamtheferryman]

I am considering a 243AI..........just to be different

 

[Acm]

You probably will a tad. But who cares ?!

243 Winchester- Effect of barrel length on velocity

Based on the ubiquitous 308 Winchester, the 243 Winchester has developed a strong following among rifleman. The 243 Winchester’s 6mm (.243″) bullet offers reduced recoil and the abilit…

rifleshooter.com

Losing 4" will cost you 150fps. 5" around 200fps. Whats that at 200 yards ? 1" or so ?

You could prob make up for that by running a warm load. Better that than binning the barrel.

A same length creed would only be 100fps more anyway. You have a lovely gun in a lovely calibre.

Unless you're looking for an excuse to spend money. But 75s in classic calibres will be rarer than 6.5s IMO.....

I don’t think I can afford to lose any speed with this load, it’s hornady outfitter factory copper cx, when I reload maybe it’ll be different, but this is just about getting me out to 300m.

 

[Lace1978]

I had exactly the same quandary with exactly the same rifle ended up have it rebarreled in 6-284 it's now a foxes worst nightmare but with a slightly heavy head it would be great on roe or fallow