I would like to learn a bit about this and the other Sakos (L579, L451, L61R)

I have been offered an M591 action with a heavy barrel in .308. Would it be appropriate for a sniper type rifle?

The project is to build a tactical/hunting/sniper. A heavy rifle that should shoot less than .5MOA and be used for target and some (long range)hunting.

[ 06-25-2003, 11:23: Message edited by: EXPRESS ]

Express,

I have a M591 action back in Australia. It was orignally the same as what you've been offered - a heavy barrelled 308. the guy I bought it off used it for long range target shooting but wasn't quite happy with the accuracy he was getting. Decided he would trade it for a benchrest type action (forget which one).

The M591 did away with the solid recoil lug and traded it for an aluminium one. In my opinion Sako actions are better the further you go back in their model range. I personally no longer like what they sell. I bought this M591 cause it's a LH action and I was stuck for something to build a LH rifle on. With the LH MRC actions now available I've put the Sako action project on hold.

There are plenty of RH L579's around which I would prefer. However you may find the M591 suits your purpose wonderfully.

I would have liked the L579 but it might mean a long wait.

Also I can't quite get the legalities of importing a rifled blank and chambering it.
It appears that there are no problems importing the blank barrel but once you chamber it it becomes part of a firearm, logical.

Now you must explain where you got that barrel from seeing as it has no markings on it aside from the maker.

I have a 75varminter in 6PPC which shoots very, very well. Groups in the .2's sometimes and .3's being the norm if I can do my part.

I can get a barreled M591 action with a heavy .308 on it, but have no idea of what accuracy it will give, whereas I am fairly confident whith another 75 varminter.

Now I have to convince the stockmaker here to inlet the stock I want to get from McMillan, he thinks there will be trouble if the action screws don't pass where the reinforcing is.

I'm going to call McMillan to find out if their stocks aren't reinforced throughout the action/bedding area.

Putting together a custom rifle here is not made easy for you...

Where is the barrelled action that you wish to import? I've finally worked out the (relatively simple) Swiss import regulations and I'm going to bring a couple of my rifles back to Zurich with me after my home leave in Oct. I just have to work out if I can avoid paying any kind of import taxes on them.

I also spoke with McMillian when I was planning my Sako project. They told me their Sako Classic stock was suitable for that action.

The action is at Parini(gunshop) in Milan.

The barrel I would acquire from Shilen or someone else in the States.

The stock is the A-2 or possibily the A-4 of the McMillan tactical series.

The A-2 is cut for the M591, L451, L61R actions, but not the 75.

Sooooo if:

I put together the M591 action and barrel I get the stock cut and ready to drop in but must also import the barrel.

If i get the 75 I don't have to get a barrel for it but the stock must by inletted by hand by an uncooperative BR rifle maker.

It would be easiest to just buy the 75 varminter, get the McMillan stock in as a flat toped blank, have this bloke inlet it and do some accurizing work to the rifle.

The McMillan stocks apparently do not need bedding, but I guess that if I get this bloke to do it I may as well have him bed it to eliminate any errors in his inletting.

Sounds like you've got some fun going on there. I take it one of your problems is bringing in a chambered barrel. Can you not get a Shilen or whatever profiled blank (unchambered) and get someone in Italy to chamber it for you?
Also if I were going to the trouble of putting together a highly accurate rifle, I'd probably want to have the McMillan stock pillar bedded by someone good. If you check in the gunsmithing forum there has been some good discussions on the merits of pillar bedding in the last few months.

I can easily get un un-chambered barrel in, but once it has been chambered I need to explain how and from whom I got it.

The way to do this is lie.

You get the gunsmith that cuts chamber to say he MADE the barrel.
You know, melted the steel, poured, hammered it, whatever. That way you don't have to explain how it got into the country.

Figures?

EXPRESS

I got a solution for you

KEEP the m 591 action they are really good and has a great trigger, it just needs a little tune up. Forget the sako 75.

Get a border barrel from Scotland, damn good they are. You can ask mr Geoffery Kolbe to rebarrel the rifle. You ship over the firearm and get it back in the same caliber without too much itallian paper spaghetti to work thru.

Geoffery is a memeber of the national shooting team in U.K and shooting Palma with a 308 of some sort. and is a nice person that will give you lots of advice and help. www.border-barrels.com

He will also be able to help you with the pillar bedding of the stock if you ask nicely

Cheers
/ JOHAN

[ 06-25-2003, 23:00: Message edited by: JOHAN ]