Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Build off of Sako AV Fiberclass or 700?

Considering a build off of a Sako Fiberclass. I love my little Vixen .222, thought I might build a companion in 25-06 Ackley. Drawbacks vs. Remington/Mcmillan build? I have no donor at this time just soliciting opinions. Thanks.

No comment.....for me.




Of course the Remington has stainless metal available; not a bad thing, perhaps more for the better.

I feel the Sako is furnished with all the steel one has to pay for to add to the Remington, but those additions can go on for miles; not so much for the AV, but not a black hole either.

A Remington is going to be a lot less dollars.

That help?

The only drawback I could see would be weight issues with the Sako. The dang action/bottom metal start out so heavy for a carry weight 06 based cartridge IMO.
A nice SS 700 action, top end barrel, SS Shilen trigger, and McMillan of your choice make for a bullet proof combo that will be able to come in under 8 pounds scoped. An Edge stock would take another 10 ounces off.
I have a 270 so built with a TI take off,fluted magnum barrel contour, and it comes in just under 8 pounds with Talley LW's and Leupold 3.5-10x40 with Butler Creeks.
Balance is spot on. FWIW.

Thanks guys.
Russ

I have several Sako AV's and more than that in 700's. cant say bad about either but you have better trigger choices with 700 but the Sako "A" series was one of Sako's best that has not been made in a few decades, if you can get an AV to build on do it because they are only getting more scarse. you can always find a 700.
RC828

I carried & used a Fiberclass 270 for nearly 20 years..........great rifle & terrifically accurate with just glassing and floating. The stock is already a McM stock & is a great design pattern.

With a VariX III 2.5x8 & Conetrol mounts it goes 8 lb, 2 oz & that's the only downside.

You might gain 2-3 oz with a lighter barrel but that's about it unless you can find some lighter bottom metal or want to get into lightening the action.

Today, I carry a Rem 700 Ti in 7-08 or a KS Mountain rifle in 270 or 280........the Ti is nearly 2 lb lighter & the KS rifles are a pound lighter if that means much to you.

I won't sell the Sako because of it's history & the game its taken but it won't see much use in the future either.

MM

Thank you MontanaMan. The weight information is very helpful.
My Remington classic in 25-06 weighs 8lbs 4oz with a Leupy 3.5-10 and Burris Zee rings. I think the balance is just about perfect and the weight hasn't been much of an issue even backpacking into the High Cascades wilderness areas. ( The twenty extra pounds on my carcass is another story.) I have considered rebarreling the Classic to the Ackley version but I am somewhat attached to the rifle in its as-issued state. I figure to let one of the boys shoot their first deer with the 25-06.

But I have been thinking on a 25-06 Ackley or .257 Roy for some time. I have been mulling a full custom on a Borden or new Surgeon RLR but was so impressed with the little A1 Sako and saw that the Fiberclass already came with a Mcmillan that I thought with just a new barrel, bedding and trigger job I would be in business. If I could find the a donor at the right price I still might go the Sako route.

Thanks,
Russ

If you find one, I think you'd be happy with the factory barrel...........most Sako's are decent shooters & the weight gain from changing the barrel will be minor, in the big picture.

I think the only reason I'd rebarrel is for a caliber change.

JMHO

MM