Picked up an early SAKO Forester 243 that dates to 1958, L57 factory heavy barrel in a crappy Bell & Carlson stock for $300. Metal is minty as is bore and for the price I couldn't resist picking it up. Im not into varmit style benchrest rifles, so I was thinking a heavy sporter type build. Classic style stock and optics. Any and all comments and suggestions are appreciated as this is my first SAKO and first bull barrel

What's your budget?
You should be feeling elation with a tinge of guilt for what you gave for the rifle so a respectable budget is in order.
The sky is the limit on what you could spend for a nice stick and someone to do it justice but if you spend moderatly you should be able to have something worthy made for $1800-$2500.
Top it with a used Swarovski 3-10 and you can save a few bucks and have quality optics that suit the combo perfectly.

Have fun with your project and please post pics when you're done.

Shoot it first!
I have changed directions on projects by shooting the impending "donor", it may impress you so greatly that you may want to only re stock it or stock it and turn down or flute the barrel.
Or it may "tell you" that it needs a new barrel right off the bat.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Shoot it first!
I have changed directions on projects by shooting the impending "donor", it may impress you so greatly that you may want to only re stock it or stock it and turn down or flute the barrel.
Or it may "tell you" that it needs a new barrel right off the bat.

Shot it yesterday using hornady match and the crappy 3-9 tasco and even worse aluminum weaver mounts at 90 yards and got a 5 shot .388 group. it shoots.
I'd like to do as much work as I can do myself, which would be bluing and inletting, ect.
Would a nice classic sporter style stock look out of place with a huge thick barrel?
Last thing I want is some wil laminate or black F-class style stock

Yes it sounds like it shoots!
If you really can't stomach the thick tube send it to someone and have that barrel re contoured. It may still shoot when you are done with it.
Then stock it as a sporter.

Sounds like a nice rifle. Check your PMs...