Sako forester l579

[andyk]

I’d go fast twist 6mm of whatever variety you fancy (as you seem to be heading anyway). With the move to non-lead, you can get some quite slippery 6mm bullets for a 1:8 and send them with good velocity too. You’ll have a cartridge that’ll hold better velocity to distance than a non-magnum 6.5mm.

Why does your friend suggest an 85? My personal view is that the best Sako are the 75 and earlier models. Assuming yours is in reasonable condition, I’d sooner use it than an 85.

 

[LeoReggie1]

I’d go fast twist 6mm of whatever variety you fancy (as you seem to be heading anyway). With the move to non-lead, you can get some quite slippery 6mm bullets for a 1:8 and send them with good velocity too. You’ll have a cartridge that’ll hold better velocity to distance than a non-magnum 6.5mm.

Why does your friend suggest an 85? My personal view is that the best Sako are the 75 and earlier models. Assuming yours is in reasonable condition, I’d sooner use it than an 85.

Yeah I like the idea of the 343 ackley has plenty options for lighter stuff and can go heavier if need be.
Not sure tbh he reckons there a better action to build from than that old forester action. I'm not really clued up but only want to be doing it once and right

 

[suburban bushwacker]

Speaking to a mate of mine and he's flung a spanner in the works, would I better building something off the 85 action i have rather than the forester

fantastic trolling lol you nearly got me

 

[LeoReggie1]

fantastic trolling lol you nearly got me

You've lost me mate

 

[ejg]

I spent a lot of time on our L579 and it shoots great since it was fitted with a Lothar Walther barrel. Also has a great trigger.... but that's it. Feeding was lousy and a different mag system fitted, bolt lift is so heavy it spoils shooting fun. Workmanship not special either. The one we have sits in the corner, scope removed. I rather shoot a T3 or Rem 700. Even think workmanship of the T3 action is better and uses better materials. Just because something is old doesn't make it automatically better. Our L579 has been in our family since late 1960's, original barrel never shot well as a 308.
edi

 

[suburban bushwacker]

You've lost me mate

Sorry I thought you were joking. The 85 is a flawed design, at the time I was given mine I could have had either and chose the l579. 50 years ago Sako were really cutting edge, and building a reputation. the 85 era was the time of beancounters trying to squeeze a little more juice out of the design department

 

[takbok]

As above, 243 AI would be great.

6mm Super LR also uses 243 brass and doesn't need fire forming like the Ackley.

 

[takbok]

Sorry I thought you were joking. The 85 is a flawed design, at the time I was given mine I could have had either and chose the l579. 50 years ago Sako were really cutting edge, and building a reputation. the 85 era was the time of beancounters trying to squeeze a little more juice out of the design department

IMO the 85 quality isn't much different from the 75's. Yes it has a quirky bedding arrangement but that is easily sorted. There are some ejection issues with the long actions with low scopes but that doesn't make them a flawed design.

I'm not singling you out but find that people with very little technical knowledge are quick to criticise that which they know very little about, especially when it comes to myths perpetuated online.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

IMO the 85 quality isn't much different from the 75's. Yes it has a quirky bedding arrangement but that is easily sorted. There are some ejection issues with the long actions with low scopes but that doesn't make them a flawed design.

I'm not singling you out but find that people with very little technical knowledge are quick to criticise that which they know very little about, especially when it comes to myths perpetuated online.

By quoting my post you are singling me out aren't you. I don't know about your taste, but an action that ejects cases so they strike the bottom of the scope isn't for me, "a quirky bedding arrangement but that is easily sorted" hmm so it left the design department needing to be 'sorted'. That meets my definition of "flawed design" Your words dude.

 

[LeoReggie1]

I spent a lot of time on our L579 and it shoots great since it was fitted with a Lothar Walther barrel. Also has a great trigger.... but that's it. Feeding was lousy and a different mag system fitted, bolt lift is so heavy it spoils shooting fun. Workmanship not special either. The one we have sits in the corner, scope removed. I rather shoot a T3 or Rem 700. Even think workmanship of the T3 action is better and uses better materials. Just because something is old doesn't make it automatically better. Our L579 has been in our family since late 1960's, original barrel never shot well as a 308.
edi

Tbf the rifle shot extremely well in 243, feeding isn't great but I've used it for that long I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me.
I have remi 700 vssf 2 in 22 250 and its flawless been honest and also a tack driver.
This build will be a once in a lifetime and I just want to make sure I'm going down the best route for what I have available. The 85 I have is in 308 and it rarely leaves the cabinet, I shoot mostly vermin. Said mate who reckoned I should use the 85 action was nice enough to give me the rifle a couple years ago .

 

[takbok]

By quoting my post you are singling me out aren't you. I don't know about your taste, but an action that ejects cases so they strike the bottom of the scope isn't for me, "a quirky bedding arrangement but that is easily sorted" hmm so it left the design department needing to be 'sorted'. That meets my definition of "flawed design" Your words dude.

Nope, just trying to be objective.

 

[LeoReggie1]

As above, 243 AI would be great.

6mm Super LR also uses 243 brass and doesn't need fire forming like the Ackley.

Never even heard of that before I'll have a look.

 

[takbok]

Never even heard of that before I'll have a look.

I hadn't until recently but some friends in S.Africa rate them. Performance similar to 243 but with longer neck and Creedmoor shoulder.

 

[Bowland blades]

Does it still shoot to an acceptable standard for your use ? If so shoot it some more !
You will be getting into harder to source new parts and salvaged , although most things can be made at a cost . Thats why i say use it some more if it is still accurate enough.
Re-Barrel , re-blue/Ceracoat , stock work ie bedding all lifts that " bout a grand" to two etc. Another ten years and parts will be still harder to be found
I did my Sako 75 during the first lockdown , I already had the McMillan Stock ( 75 stock clone but composite) fitted and i like this model very much. There are loads of 75s about though hence parts should last , Sako still make them

 

[LeoReggie1]

I hadn't until recently but some friends in S.Africa rate them. Performance similar to 243 but with longer neck and Creedmoor shoulder.

Look like they might have better barrel life going by a few forums online

 

[LeoReggie1]

Does it still shoot to an acceptable standard for your use ? If so shoot it some more !
You will be getting into harder to source new parts and salvaged , although most things can be made at a cost . Thats why i say use it some more if it is still accurate enough.
Re-Barrel , re-blue/Ceracoat , stock work ie bedding all lifts that " bout a grand" to two etc. Another ten years and parts will be still harder to be found
I did my Sako 75 during the first lockdown , I already had the McMillan Stock ( 75 stock clone but composite) fitted and i like this model very much. There are loads of 75s about though hence parts should last , Sako still make them

No barrel has gone but its had plenty rounds through it I got it from my uncle and he put plenty through it aswell.
It'll be a once in a lifetime build so don't mind paying but want to make sure I get right and don't regret it in the long run

 

[the prowler]

I’d go fast twist 6mm of whatever variety you fancy (as you seem to be heading anyway). With the move to non-lead, you can get some quite slippery 6mm bullets for a 1:8 and send them with good velocity too. You’ll have a cartridge that’ll hold better velocity to distance than a non-magnum 6.5mm.

Why does your friend suggest an 85? My personal view is that the best Sako are the 75 and earlier models. Assuming yours is in reasonable condition, I’d sooner use it than an 85.

Use my sako85 on regular basis. Been one of the best choices I've made. Had it over 10 years. Set trigger and 20" flutted barrel. It's awesome. In 223rem

 

[LeoReggie1]

After a conversation today with the gunsmith I intend to use to get the work done, 243 ackley might not be suitable because I want to use the original action.
Has anyone any experience of a 6mm creedmore
Thanks

 

[the prowler]

Why can't you use 243ai? Will the action not be strong enough? It were a 243win before. Be interesting to find out the reasoning

 

[LeoReggie1]

Why can't you use 243ai? Will the action not be strong enough? It were a 243win before. Be interesting to find out the reasoning

He said something about it might not feed cause of length of bullet, I've to send the rifle down and he will have a look.but not looking likely.