I am going on a Canadian hunt for spring bear in April, and had wanted a Sako Model 75 rifle in a .338 win mag. But as you all know, Many Sako rifles have been recalled. My dealer, (Long Island) could not guarantee delivery before March 05.

He offered to built me a .338 with a Magnum Research Action and a Douglas barrell. I need a custom stock made anyway, as most standard stocks are too long (need 12.5 inch length).

Does anyone know if the action by Magnum Research is as smooth and accurate as the Sako???? I really fell in love with that rifle and am heartbroken, now that I have finally saved up for the rifle, I cannot get it in time.

My knowledge of weapons is fairly limited, but I thought Magnum Research only made handguns??? Does anyone have any comments???

Marianne,

They show Mountain Eagle rifles on their web site: Sako actions with carbon-wrapped barrels.

http://www.magnumresearch.com/Mountain_Eagle.asp

If you love the wood and blue steel of the Sako Model 75, I don't think the other rifle will do it for you. What about digging up a used M75 and having the stock cut to fit?

jim

The mountain eagle on their web site is not the older version. It had a sako action that was changed to use Model 700 bases. It had a high-end barrel, but I don't remember what it was. Blued with a composite stock. I see them occasionally. McBrides in Austin had a 30-06 for about $800 last time I looked.

I talked to a Sako dealer about the recall, the Sako 75 is not the rifle being recalled as far as he knows, and he talked the them about it. I'm sure if your dealer could get a 338 in a 75 with no problem. I happen to have one in 338. Mine is a pre bolt lock. Shoots great. Now, the Magnum Research Action, is a Sako, they made the actions for them. Now you could have Mel Forbes of NULA build you a 338, and he will stock it so it will fit you. and he makes them light to carry and they shoot very well. But time is getting short, if you need a rifle by March. At least for a custom job.

The magnum research actions ARE sako L691 actions. I bought one and installed a pacnor tube and it shoots GREAT. It says that they are manufactured for MRI by Sako of finland right on the side of the action. They are machined for rem700 bases and mine was so straight,..that when we tightened only the rear screws in a Ken farrel base,..the front did NOT spring up. They are very nice actions. I purchased 2 more in the white and put them in the safe. The box is a Sako box with Finnebear right on the side. They have a fixed ejector, a push feed design with a bolt race rod for concentricity, and a factory trigger that a monkey can take to a crisp 2lbs with no tools. The gunsmith told me it was true and square right from the box,..no adjustment needed.

i have a mountain eagle in 280 and have had throuble with it..the mri action does not have a recoil lug, it was designed to use a hs precision stock with the lug inbeded in the stock.. my rifle would not shoot so it was returned to mri who returned it to kreiger who rebedded the stock now it's a .6" shooter but lives in the gun room because of it's weight..

What about a Montana Rifle Co. barreled action?
Montana Rifle Co.
then you send it down the road to Sarengeti Stocks and have them put one of their pretty laminated stocks on it for ya. Bet it would be ready by bear season.
Just a thought.

Or better yet, look in the classified section.

classifieds

Tom,..when you buy just the action,..it comes with the recoil lug that fits on the front action screw so that it can be bedded in standard stocks.