Posted: 3/2/2015 1:20:08 PM EDT
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I bought this rifle in 1979. It was my dream rifle at the time but has been in the gun safe for 35 years or so. My interest have changed. I don't hunt big game anymore and I'm looking for a percision tatical rife. After doing some research I'm finding that Sako is still one of the best. The question now is should I build my rifle from this or should I sell it as is and buy new? It would be nice to keep it but I need to be sensible too. To start I'd like a different tatical stock and a higher powered scope. I just took this out of the safe, I'm not even sure what model is is yet.
Also, what are the best fourms to use for such a project. I'm a member here and this is the first time I posted about this subject. Thanks! 
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Old Sakos bring pretty good money, but I understand the sentimental value and trying to turn it into something practical.
What is the caliber? I can't tell from the picture. I would guess you would be better of, monetarily, selling it and buying a rifle that's ready to do what you want out of the box. But, if your not on a strict budget, I am sure it could be barreled to something useful and a Manners, HS or McMillan stock could be found for it. My dad has a Sako L79 Finnbear in 300 Win mag. The stock is gorgeous. I have been trying to get him into a new composite or glass stock for it so he doesn't ding up the wood on the original to bad. |
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It's a beautiful rifle, don't take this wrong, but if it were me, I'd seriously consider selling it to someone who's looking for it as is. I have a Sako model 75 and a Sako TRG 22. There is a world of difference between the 2, not just caliber, but barrel with a radically different profile, safety, trigger, and stock with a chassis system. A Sako Tikka T3 Tactical can be had new for about $1500, it has the same quality barrel quality as a TRG, and is already set up. ETA Since it's already in the caliber you want, McMillan, and Manners, have stocks that combined with a good bedding job could work for you. if you decide to go that route. |
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Older Sakos had an "L" designation. I have a medium action length, called L-579, chambered in 6mm Remington, actually 244 Remington. It is a custom build varmint rifle on the L-579 action and Douglas barrel, completely black chromed, nice claro walnut, hand checkered, and was built in the late '60s.
If I were OP, I'd not try to modify it, even though I started with a Sako action "in the white" for the custom build. I'm sure your 308 it would make a great long range (out to 1,000 yard) action to build a custom rifle around, but it is almost too pretty to do that to it, frankly. You would probably want a heavier target profile barrel for that anyway and would end up using only the action. Keep it to pass on, or sell it to someone who wants it for what it is. Look closer at the action and see what the model number is. I don't think it is a 75. Just one opinion. |
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For the love of all that is Holy, don't cut it up. (Sorry as a Sako junkie, I am required to say that)
Now to be practical, you could make a fine tactical rifle out of it. Hard to tell but it looks like you have a A II action /L 579 complete .308 rifle. I am contemplating building a Sako 6.5 SM out of my Hunter model. McMillan does make tactical stocks for your Sako : www.mcmillanusa.com/mcmillan-rifle-stocks/tactical-stocks-a5 IIRC, there are only DBM conversions for newer Sakos like the 995 so you would probably have to keep the floor plate. But again, don't do it (required to say that is well when I'm done) 
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Blackdog, I'm lucky to have a TRG 22 and have an admiration for
almost all things Sako. From my point of view I would try to hold on to that rifle and, don't even think about altering it. If you really need to sell it to finance the next Sako then maybe you could work a trade-in. Somewhere a hunter is waiting for your rifle just as it is and you shouldn't have any problems selling it on. As for a Sako tactical, there are good buys on the conventional stock TRG 22 and 42. The .308 TRG 22 does everything I want so I can only comment on that model and caliber. Friends and competitors I shoot against have the TRG 42 and most prefer the .300 Win Mag as the .338 can get expensive. I've only seen the M10 reviewed in magazines and online and I feel that while it is a glorious example of craftsmanship, I can't justify the $10,500 price tag (nor do I have a need for its many features). I hope you can find the right buyer and move in to the tactical precision world. Ted |
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Quoted:
Blackdog, I'm lucky to have a TRG 22 and have an admiration for almost all things Sako. From my point of view I would try to hold on to that rifle and, don't even think about altering it. If you really need to sell it to finance the next Sako then maybe you could work a trade-in. Somewhere a hunter is waiting for your rifle just as it is and you shouldn't have any problems selling it on. As for a Sako tactical, there are good buys on the conventional stock TRG 22 and 42. The .308 TRG 22 does everything I want so I can only comment on that model and caliber. Friends and competitors I shoot against have the TRG 42 and most prefer the .300 Win Mag as the .338 can get expensive. I've only seen the M10 reviewed in magazines and online and I feel that while it is a glorious example of craftsmanship, I can't justify the $10,500 price tag (nor do I have a need for its many features). I hope you can find the right buyer and move in to the tactical precision world. Ted Thanks Ted. The TRG-22 is nice and I'd love to have one but I think the Tikka Compact Tactical is what I need. I'm going to look up the M10 as I'm not familiar with it. I have several high end guns that I don't shoot that will eventually fund this project. My Sako will remain as is, I have several interested in it now. |
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Quoted:
Crap! I was wiping down the bolt and the bolt slide came off in my hand. I searched everywhere and I can't find how it goes back together. One of you guys know? http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a394/Merrell/7200737c7cd9cd6dcfc70def07c67dd9_zps176501c1.jpg Go here, Sako's download site for your owner's manual with cut away diagram and parts drawing and list. I believe the A II action is the same, basically as my L-579 Forester. But you may need to look at several schematics to find yours. The part is your bolt guide. There are several small pieces, including two small springs. I've never removed the guide from my bolt, so I can't give you precise instructions. I believe the springs and the little retainers are put in place and the guide slid over them from front to back. There is a cocming and decocking procedure that involves holding the bolt lugs in place while the rear (shroud) is rotated left to disassemble and right to reassemble. You will probably need to go to a Sako user group or consult a gunsmith if you can't figure it out from the owner' manual. |
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Quoted:
Go here, Sako's download site for your owner's manual with cut away diagram and parts drawing and list. I believe the A II action is the same, basically as my L-579 Forester. But you may need to look at several schematics to find yours. The part is your bolt guide. There are several small pieces, including two small springs. I've never removed the guide from my bolt, so I can't give you precise instructions. I believe the springs and the little retainers are put in place and the guide slid over them from front to back. There is a cocming and decocking procedure that involves holding the bolt lugs in place while the rear (shroud) is rotated left to disassemble and right to reassemble. You will probably need to go to a Sako user group or consult a gunsmith if you can't figure it out from the owner' manual. Quoted:
Quoted:
Crap! I was wiping down the bolt and the bolt slide came off in my hand. I searched everywhere and I can't find how it goes back together. One of you guys know? http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a394/Merrell/7200737c7cd9cd6dcfc70def07c67dd9_zps176501c1.jpg Go here, Sako's download site for your owner's manual with cut away diagram and parts drawing and list. I believe the A II action is the same, basically as my L-579 Forester. But you may need to look at several schematics to find yours. The part is your bolt guide. There are several small pieces, including two small springs. I've never removed the guide from my bolt, so I can't give you precise instructions. I believe the springs and the little retainers are put in place and the guide slid over them from front to back. There is a cocming and decocking procedure that involves holding the bolt lugs in place while the rear (shroud) is rotated left to disassemble and right to reassemble. You will probably need to go to a Sako user group or consult a gunsmith if you can't figure it out from the owner' manual. Thanks for your time! This rifle is being sold to fund my TRG-22. I was cleaning it up for some pictures. I found some experts on Sakocollectors.com and they gave me the instructions so I'm good to go again. It would be wise not to remove the bolt while in the field. I was lucky and found all the tiny parts. |
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Quoted:
Blackdog, I'm lucky to have a TRG 22 and have an admiration for almost all things Sako. From my point of view I would try to hold on to that rifle and, don't even think about altering it. If you really need to sell it to finance the next Sako then maybe you could work a trade-in. Somewhere a hunter is waiting for your rifle just as it is and you shouldn't have any problems selling it on. As for a Sako tactical, there are good buys on the conventional stock TRG 22 and 42. The .308 TRG 22 does everything I want so I can only comment on that model and caliber. Friends and competitors I shoot against have the TRG 42 and most prefer the .300 Win Mag as the .338 can get expensive. I've only seen the M10 reviewed in magazines and online and I feel that while it is a glorious example of craftsmanship, I can't justify the $10,500 price tag (nor do I have a need for its many features). I hope you can find the right buyer and move in to the tactical precision world. Ted Ted, what optics are you and your friends using on your TRG's? |