Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Action for custom build

Fellas I am looking at an action I need for another custom build. My gunsmith is Big on Dakota 76 and Winchester Pre 64. Don’t get me wrong they are great and very reliable, but thought about leaning toward a Sako for this one. Are they as good as they once were back in the day? I know back in the 70s and 80s EVERYONE wanted a Sako for a custom build.

I currently have two rifles built off a Dakota 76 and a Pre 64. Another I have is built off a 03A3 action; not to mention the 30-06 rifle I have that uses an Oberndorf Mauser action. Wanted to hear what you guys thought about a Sako? Or recommendations for others you would recommend that are not listed here…

What cartridge do you plan on using and the use of it?? I always liked Sako. Have many. Good re-sale value. I would consider a single shot if you don’t have one (falling block) Alan

Will be doing a 257 Roberts. Sako’s are nice, I’m just not a big fan of the removable magazine. And, they have a goofy looking tapered scope mount but the precision and quality is one of the best. Dakota Parkwest has an SD 76 action (formerly Dakota) I built my 280 Remington off the same action. Those are EXPENSIVE. You are looking at $2,400 before you upgrade the bottom metal to a straddle floor plate. Granite Mountain Arms is another but they will cost you an arm and a leg.

I think I would find a pre -64 mod 70 action and build a featherweight model. It’s hard to get your money out of a custom, but you would have a newer version of a classic model.

I have owned pre-64’s, many Mausers, and several of the Dakota’s. As you know all are CRF type. Today if you want light weight, precision, accuracy, and a great trigger they can’t compete with the best 700 clones actions especially since there are several mid-length receivers being made. Those mid-length have mag boxes about 3.2” long which should be great for a 3” 257 Roberts. Even a short action can be set up with a 3” Wyatt box and follower.

They all will out perform the old CRF designs. If your “smith” doesn’t concur then find a different “smith”.

If you gave me a three lug Sako I would quickly give it to someone who I dislike. Terrible mount system.

What would you consider a good mid length “700 clone” action..?? Looking for any and all recommendations… thanks!

I have a Defiance Anti XM for my 6.5x300wsm no complaints. I got mine before Beck bought them out and jacked the price way up.
With the right bottom metal you can use a LA.
For factory mid length a Tikka is the way to go.

Have you considered an older vintage Sako like a Sako AII for your build? All steel bottom metal with a hinged floorplate, smooth as silk action, etc....

lFor a classic like a 257, a 1909 Argie would be perfect, I have one all ready to go

I have a bunch of customs built on blueprinted Rem 700s and several on older Sakos. If I were building today, I’d do the same. They function flawlessly and are very accurate.

if your only going too build a target rifle to shoot lots of good actions out there to use , but if your building a hunting rifle to use in all weather conditions do it on a 3 position safety rifle /action and your gunsmith is right hard to beat a pre - 64 style action with the claw . i like Winchester model 70 actions they don`t freeze up in cold winter conditions when your in the mountains tent camping with horses .

If it were me I would buy a LA Kauger SST, Kelbys, Mac Bros EVO or Defiance Classic with Hawkins DBM bottom metal. Right now the Black Friday nitride Kauger is 850.00
thats is a steal. When you fix a 700 primary extraction and " Blueprint " it your into the same money as the 3 i mentioned and the 700 is still a 700 you will never get close to your money back.
The LA leaves alot of options down the road also.

For a Roberts I'd get an L579/AII action. They won't let you seat bullets out to the lands but they are a nice action.

in the last 3 years i built 2 - 257 Roberts one was on a FN Mauser for my daughter , one for myself a Remington 30 Express all trick out both have a Brux barrel 8 twist both shoot really well.that is a great cartridge our family mostly use 257 Robert rifles. my 11 yr. old grandson got from me a 257 Roberts in a Ruger #1 this rifle with 75 gr. Hammer bullets at 100 yds. 5 shot groups average right around 3/4 inch when i shoot the rifle , grandson did get a deer with this combo 75 gr. Hammer bullet / Ruger #1 at 75 yds. 1 shot DRT that little bullet did impress me ,i was with grandson Alex when he shot the deer. hope you enjoy your new custom rifle,Pete53

A lot of guys I shoot competition with are running Defiance and Bighorn Origin or TL3 actions. They seem to function great. As RinB said, I would not use a Sako 3 lug action. I'd personally run a Tikka, if having to choose between those 2. YMMV.

I like this approach. I have some pre 64 fwt's that would give the OP's full on custom a run for its money, and I guarantee they didn't cost 1/4 of what he's going to put into this custom.

A Mac Bros is 770.00, Kauger, Kelbys and Defiance classic are 900.00 give or take couple bucks, tell me were those 64's are for 225.00.
Besides O.P wants a custom build, try and find stocks other than wood for Winchester pickings are pretty slim.
Its why alot of custom actions are on 700 foot prints selection is way better.

Has the originator said whether he wants wood or synthetic stock yet? I'd be guessing wood stock given that he is building a 257 Roberts, a pretty "old school traditional" cartridge.

Your choice of 700 clone, carbon barrel, carbon stock, and change the chambering to 6.5 CM. I hate to recommend it, but you may need a flat bill hat to get things balance things out.

You would be correct…

You too sir, are correct!

Yes but I think I may have decided to go a different direction….

“I have some pre 64 fwt's that would give the OP's full on custom a run for its money, and I guarantee they didn't cost 1/4 of what he's going to put into this custom.”

If a Frog had wings and could fly! I don’t believe that. I agree with Sherm 61; show me a Pre 64 action that is in good working condition that would cost you less than $300. I don’t know anyone who sell one for that price. I’m calling BS on this one.

Good luck. I have a couple pre 64 fwt's that WILL give your custom a run for its money. They are complete rifles and close to all original. You don't know pre 64's as well as you let on. I can gladly educate you though.

Mausingfield?

Are they even a thing anymore?

For my builds from 25-30 years ago, I used pre 64 actions. The last 10-15 years I have been more than pleased using model 70 classic actions.

Lynntelk, could you please tell us your findings on the two actions you mentioned in terms of quality and weight?? Thanks! Alan

Alan
My action choice was based on my own bias. I liked the Model 70 action for a control round feed type action with the three position safety. In my opinion it had a lot of the aspects I was looking for in an 'off the shelf" type action. All by builds were what I would call semi-custom, hunting, using rifles. I knew what I wanted and placed orders for what it took to get what I wanted. As an example my first desire was for what I consider to be the ultimate elk hunting rifle for back country Wyoming. A pre64 action was used as the starting point. The finished gun had the following modifications:
Shilen SS #2 match grade barrel, nickel plated action, Brown pounder stock that I finished. I used the black "crinkle" finish spray on in the grip areas for texture. Control nickel plated rings and bases along with a Leupold 2.5x8 scope. This rifle was carried in a scabbard and over my shoulder for many years of hard used and never experienced a failure to feed or fire in all weather conditions. I still have this rifle and will shoot Nosler Partitions or Barnes TTSX <1" for a honest 5 shot group. The rifle came in at just a ounce or two over 8# loaded.
In the 90's along came the resurrections of the Model 70 in the Classic version. I acquired several 5 digit versions and attempted to improve on their performance and handling. All were dedicated deer rifles in 270 Winchester. The barrels that were used came from Lilja, Hart and another Shilen. Stocks used came from Pacific Research, Rimrock and McMillan. The composite stocks saved ounces and there were other little thing that could be done depending on how deep down the rabbits hole you wanted to go. I 've seen some people talk bad about a graphite follower vs. the standard metal version. I never experienced an issued and actually felt they improved the feeding function along with a weight savings. Bottom metal was/is another area where I shaved a few ounces. I used the PTG aluminum Orbendorf bottom on several of the rifle and saw no issues. Basically you can achieve the weight and accuracy potential of any brand rifle using todays stocks and after market barrels along with a few tweaks along the way.
It funny how we come full circle. I currently will grab a pre64 Featherweight in 270 in a McMillan Edge stock or a Stainless Classic in 308 also in McMillan Edge. I no longer feel biased.

Mausingfield...

Thanks Lynntelk, I enjoyed your story very much. I never owned a win model 70 , but it’s on my list! I would do a featherweight style barrel with a slightly heavier contour . The chambering would be 257 ackley. Maybe 23 inch barrel. Most likely walnut stock. But I have plenty of gun projects, so it’s a dream for now. Cheers! Alan

Consider Borden if you decide go with a push feed. You’d be buying from a family run business with old school customer service.

Stu Satterlee would be very hard to beat for rifle or receiver. https://www.facebook.com/people/Stuart-Satterlee/100086067280546/ I had one of his Mauser clones in SS set up for 375 H&H.

You should be able to find a nice old l579 for $800 or so to rob the action from. I think they are pretty sweet even though I’ve not built a custom on one….yet!

The L579 is one of my favorite actions along with the L461. I wish someone would start making these. At one time you could buy the actions. If one only new!