I just got a stainless Sako 75 with a synthetic stock. It has only been shot about 15-20 times. It belonged to one of my younger brothers and he needed to sell it. I really like the gun (it's a 7mm mag) except that he put an Answer muzzle brake on it which I prefer it did not have. It's just loud.
What choices do I have to get this brake off? Of course it screws off, but that's not what I want. I wouldn't mind putting a new barrel on the gun. If I go in that direction, who makes a really good one and what other things should have done to this gun considering it basically new out of the box?

I've read that the Sako 75 are one of the "truer" actions from the factory. So you shouldn't need any action work on a hunting gun. Since its a magnum you'll have to go with a magnum cartrige. So decide what caliber you want, .338 mag 300 win mag . or whatever suits you. Get a barrel from any of a dozen makers. Around 200 should get you a good barrel. Say 150 to install and chamber it. So for 350 (yikes!) you'll have a better barrel that is long enough (why do the arms makers insist on barrels too short for the chambering??) and it should shoot VERY well. Not familiar with muzzle brakes but I know I really dislike them at the range and I would never have one on my rifle that I either hunt with or paper punch with. If you can't take the recoil just get a heavier rifle or a smaller cartridge I say. Good luck and they are interesting actions, unusual trigger/safty/clip latch combo housing. FNMauser

have your gunsmith make one of these for about $25.00:

Before you go spending a bunch of money, why don't you have your 'smith cut the brake threads and recrown. But if you do wan't a new barrel heres a list to get ya started:

Hart-Pac/Nor-Lilja-Douglas-Obermeyer-Mike Rock-Shilen-Montana Barrel Co. Theres more but these will Get 'er done

Have you tried contacting Answer about this?

These are the best barrels made! Pick one and you're covered!

Broughton Barrels: http://www.rifle-barrels.com/index.html

Mike Rock: http://www.rockcreekbarrels.com/index.htm

Krieger: http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/

Dan Lilja: http://www.riflebarrels.com/default.htm

Hart: http://www.hartbarrels.com/

Shilen: http://www.shilen.com/

Can't go wrong with these guys.

Note: I called Rock Creek Barrels (Mike Rock) 6 months ago or so and ordered a barrel to be sent to my smith. About 10 weeks later, hearing nothing from them, I called and emailed to check on my order and NOTHING! No response! Went another route. I was very disappointed in their customer service. So, try them last.

I would ask Charlie Sisk what he recommends for the Sako M75, I know he is doing a lot of them.

jim

Probably a unpopular thought, I would sell it. THen go buy a new one that didn't have the brake, yeah you will lose a tad in the trades, nothing like the cost of rebareling. It will be cheaper in the end. The next best option is the threaded piece above. Sako still manufactures the rifles they aren't a backorder or hard to get item. Seems a lot of effort and dollars to do anything else.

If you like everything about the gun except the brake, then the most logical choice is to put a thread protector on, supra, giving you the best of both worlds. You could use the break off the bench and remove it for hunting.

Get the barrel cut an inch and recrown.

By far the cheapest and easiest solution.

-Spencer

Thank you for the many excellent suggestions. As was encouraged here, I called Answer to see what they thought I should do. They, too, suggested that I have a thread protector made and said they could do it for me. They asked me to unscrew and send the actual brake and they would make one that was right for my gun. Said it would cost about $35. If the protector does not fit flush with the barrel, a gunsmith I know said he could fix that. All of this surely sounds like a reasonable way to go.
The gunsmith also said that the barrel on the gun was probably a good one and it likely would not need any bedding. He did think we could work on the trigger a bit. Unless you have any other suggestions, I guess it will then be good to go.

Just enjoy it. Great rifle in a fun caliber .
LD