My Sako TRG-S in .338 Lapua has just completely destroyed the highly recommended heavy duty Warne QD rings I invested in.

In the process they gouged a severe slice out of the scope tube, but so far, the Tasco SS 10x42 has held zero just fine.

Is the Sako Dovetail simply inadequate for a heavy 30mm tube scope on a lightweight rifle?

Or does someone out there make a set of rings that will hold up?

Thanks...

pics at:

http://www.users.qwest.net/~tfriendshuh/Image12.jpg
http://www.users.qwest.net/~tfriendshuh/Image11.jpg

Yours is the third report in a row of trouble with Warne rings on Sako. It sounds like they have a problem. Previous purchasers were able to get a refund, I think. (Replacements failed also.)

Unfortunately I don't remember their ultimate solution. I'm sure they'll speak up, so I'll shut up.

Don

Yorick, I had severe problems with ring alignment and scopes lasting on my Sako. A friend gave me some Redfield bases and I put the Burris rings with the adjustable composite inserts on it. I have not had a bit of trouble since. Zero never shifts, and scopes do not disintegrate. You can also adjust the scope to bbl gap by using different thickness inserts if you so desire. It is by no means elegant but it works.

Never had any experience with Warne rings, but the Leupold Sako ringmounts, even though they look a little on the delicate side, have held up nicely on my TRG-S .375 H & H.

Your 30mm scope is going to be harder on mounts that the typical 1" tube model, however. I think I'd try the Millet rings. They seem to be plenty stout, and I've had good luck with them on Sakos.

Tasco used to make a Sako mount that was ugly, but looked to be strong. Don't know if it's available in 30mm.

I've never heard of a failure with the Sako factory rings.

Yorick

I tried Warnes QD rings on two .416's in Sako 75. Destroyed both sets of rings. Warne refunded my money and would not replace the rings. I'm now using Sako rings on one and Leupold rings built for Sako on the other. Everything is working good.

...Peter

I have had Sako factory rings fail on a Sako 375 H&H. We only fit Lynx bases and rings to the heavy kickers and have never had one fail. They take a bit of truing up but I have never seen a stronger mounting system out of the box.

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Gerard Schultz
GS Custom Bullets

Yorick,
GG&G make a one piece base that I have on my 338 Lapua. They take the action and mill the top, drill 8-40 holes and screw it directly to the top of the action. Cost is around $150, the best I can recall for mount and labor. I would think that you could use Talley bases and rings and do the same thing. I am currently having this done to my CZ action.
Todd

Gerard,

Reference the Sako ring failures were these
the old style sako rings (with windage) or the newer Opticlocks with the plastic inserts??

thanks,

Pete

Yorick,

Do a search on this forum & you will find that there is a note that Warne have withdrawn their rings with the recoil lug. Warne have found that their recoil lug was not sufficient.

I have the new SAKO optilock mounts with the plastic inserts & they are simply fantastic. Very strong and well made. I was going to get the leupold mounts but after comparing the construction am glad to get the Sako even though they cost me 50% more.

Can't speak for the 30mm tube & heavy scope. Mine is Leupold Vari XII 3-9 x 40 on a Sako L691 375 H&H. No problems with mounts at all. My rifle is a bit light 8 1/2 lbs all up so it kicks a bit but mounts are rock solid. I like their design with tapered dovetails mean they lock tighter with recoil.

Get Sako mounts they are really well made, only thing is that they are not QD.

Regards,
JohnT

Pete E,
They were the windage bases. We started fitting the Lynx bases and rings when the Sako sets went beyond double the Lynx price. I have not seen the new Sako bases as I stopped custom rifle building at the end of 1999 and no longer in touch with the latest acessories.

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Gerard Schultz
GS Custom Bullets

You may want to check out the Tally's made for Sako. If they are anything like the others they make it could be your solution.

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Protect our heritage, take a kid hunting!

"De Oppresso Liber"

GEEEZ! Mr. Bighorn,

Aren't you about to die in this heat down here? At least in Georgetown I'm about ten miles further north than you. Yesterday was what? our 17th straight day over 100?

What did you do to get kicked out of Alaska?

A bit late to this thread but it is very interesting and pertinent to accurate shooting. I'm interested in the Lynx mounts (mentioned by Gerard 9128) and where they can be bought. I've had the Hillver mounts on a 243 Sako with a large steel Swaro 30mm for about 20 years and no problems at all. But no Hillvers around now so I need another scope mount solution (but not the very pricey Sako mounts) for another Sako with a heavy 30mm steel scope.

I used to use all Warne Rings until a set damn near got me killed by a Cape Buffalo when the levers bounced around and blocked the bolt on my 458 Lott....I went to Talleys at that point 100% and have never had a problem since...I use the Talleys on my Sako and my Brno 22F and 21M without problems.

Wow! A 4 month old topic that has been resurected.

After all that I read on the Sako's & scope mounting, I went another direction. The Sako TRG-S has a flat top on the reciever which is set up for a dove-tail ring set. For some reason rings/scopes move with some of my 'heavy hitter' rifles and from what I've read, I'm not alone. I converted a Sako TRG-S from 30-378 to 50BMD and couldn't be happier, it is everything I wanted. HOWEVER, I didn't want my scope to move so... I had it drilled & tapped. I was looking for flat bottomed bases for Weaver style mounts, but everything I found was big $$. Then while looking in the 'bargain cave' at Cabelas, I found a set of SS flat based Knight (as in the ML people) mounts for $8. They work perfectly and match the SS brushed look of my barrel & scope. I highly recomend this setup to anyone. Also as a side note, I went to my local reloading/gunsmith shop and replaced the screws that came with it with SS ones for $2, FYI.

ps. Yorick, want to shoot this Sat?

I have never owned (and will never) a Sako, but I have tried Warne rings on a CZ with dovetail bases, wrecked the rings after 20 rounds. The recoil lug on the rear ring was torn of. Got a refund. After that i tried conetrol dap-tar bases and rings, worked perfectly. I know they make them for Sako too, but they are hardly quick detachable...

Tron