I have a Sako AV 338 Win. Mag in a Sako laminate (decelerator pad added)that has held up well since I got it in 1987. I was pretty wet on Afognak, and several Quebec caribou trips , it survived almost three years in AK, it's traveled to RSA, Namibia, Botswana, Montana, Colorado and others. It's been attached to the wing of a Super Cub, in scabbards on horses, survived baggage handlers, pitched in the back of Otter's and Beavers, in the bottom of boats and dropped a time or two.
The stock shows a few gouges/dings, not bad for 27 years of use.
The stock has held up, the nice Sako bluing hasn't, the rifle was refinished and given a matte finish in 2000/2001.
For some odd reason that rifle has gotten heavier these past several years; one of these days I'll get a synthetic to take some of the weight off.
But as it's such a heavy beast I find myself using my CZ 550 LUX 9.3x62mm that I purchased in 2000 when I need something bigger than my 6.5x55, 308 or 30-06.
YMMV
Last edited by StarchedCover; 09/19/14. Reason: spelling
