Build rifle or sell and replace

[JasonAL]

I have a like new unfired Sako M995 TRG-S chambered in 338 Lapua that I bought several years ago with plans to build into a larger caliber hunting rifle. Been having second thoughts for a while so I figured I'd ask for different opinions on it.

Initial idea was to rebarrel it with a faster twist 338 lapua or a 338 Norma and drop it into a mcmillan stock. I currently have an extra factory TRGS stock.

I've recently seen some rifles for sale built on custom actions with a lapua bolt face. Never had a custom action so I can't compare. Cost wise might be the same after a rebarrel and new stock, magazines etc.

Thoughts? I would hate to split apart this Sako as some might see it as a collectors item.

 

[Kmccord]

If you ever cycle a custom action you will notice a big difference, mainly how smooth it cycles versus factory Remington's or Winchester. I have Kelbly, butter smooth, Stiller Predator very smooth, soon will have a Terminus Kratos Lite in a few more weeks. To me, if you are wanting a one and done rifle, I would go all in on building with a Custom action. If you want to save some money and do it all yourself, take a look at Terminus Zeus Quick Change and purchase a pre-fit, you will not need the action wrench and barrel vise to install. The custom actions have shouldered pre-fit barrels available because of the tight tolerance they have on the thread tenon. You cannot get that in factory actions, they don't hold a tolerance from one to the other.

 

[BillLarson]

Use rifle the way it is.... practice with it.......that caliber will kill any animal on earth......

 

[tim_w]

Shoot the barrel out then decide where you want to go. Especially true if this is your first big 338. At least see how it shoots with a tuned load.

Sakos are usually slick actions and accurate. I have a custom built off a Sako 75 LA and 2 TRG-22s I hved been using one since late 90s and a brand new one (same time period) with just 20 rds down the tube to break it in. I just ended up rebarreling the first trg when it wore out (still not sure logically why). Regardless, those are very robust slick actions.
My custom 75 chambered in 338 Mega has a bartlein 338 10tw 21.5" spiral flute, McMil game hunter CF stock, Trij TenMile 4.5-18 FFP in ARC rings . But I will say a nice Bat or Borden DLC or nitride pqp are ridiculously slick. I run almost exclusively Hammers and the Badlands 250gr SBD.

I have no issues using a sako action if I own it. I would have the gunsmith check it over first. Then again its a very rare event for me to sell a firearm. I more likely to give one away to a close friend or relative that is in need or as a loner.

If I was going to run a lapua bolt face and wanted mag fed it would be a NM Improved 30 or 338, First action choice Bat , second Borden. One of the top cut barrel manf Bart, Brux, Rock. A McM game hunter or warden stock. Nothing wrong with LM beyond limitations on certain bullet seating depth/ chamber freebore setup. My plan is just that with a 300 NM-I 28" Bat.

If you truly want a full custom best just to budget for it and get it otherwise it's just gonna bug ya...woulda-shoulda-coulda.....

 

[sable tireur]

The TRG-S M995 hunting oriented variant of the TRG-41

During the early frenzy of the madcap love for the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge, I bought several of these in order to use the actions for more desirable, military style builds.

Reality is this, the Sako actions are nothing short of being excellent for any cartridge used for hunting or target shooting. In your situation I consider the 'bird-in-the-hand' idea to be far superior to actually building another rifle. Mount a good scope on it and develop a load suited to your twist rate and barrel length. You don't need a faster twist rate for a hunting rifle, there are plenty of excellent bullets available as well as factory loads for you to choose from and test.

You have one of the best factory rifles made, use it and enjoy the process of creating a great load and using it in the field!

 

[skipglo]

Use rifle the way it is.... practice with it.......that caliber will kill any animal on earth......

Exactly!!!