338 edge or Lapua

[screech]

I know Im not a smith and wont be untill I finish college at trinidad. But for optics I would go with a nxs in either a 5.5-22x56 or the 3.5-15.5x56. Either way it will work. if you plan on shooting varmits then i would go with the 5.5-22. but for the gun smithing questions leave them up to the smiths.

[Fiftydriver]

Rotorhead,

Put simply and as politely as I can, I do not care to work on Sako receivers. If you have any machining experience you know how "enjoyable" it is to try to recut metric threads inside the receiver and in most cases I will not do it because there is a great risk of breaking cutters and more importantly damaging the receiver.

Rebarreling then is not a problem but other then lapping the lugs there is not alot I do to a Sako receiver. That said, I would say they are one of the better machined receivers out there but seldom do you find one that could not be improved by accurizing.

Another thing I really do not like is that you are greatly limited as to what you can modify a Sako receiver to. Pretty much your stuck with the same case diameter and length as the original chambering just because its so difficult to get parts for modification.

THe rifle would be a bit muzzle heavy depending on what stock you used. A Laminate stock is pretty heavy and would ballance pretty well. You can always get a bit of weight added to the McMillan to balance things out.

I recommend either Holland or Defensive Edge brakes and use Defensive Edge brakes exclusively now unless my customer requests another brand.

All of my personal LR rifles have either 3.5-10, 3.5-15 or 4.5-14x scopes. I have never felt a need for more glass for shooting out to 1200 yards. I shot a rockchuck this summer at 2370 yards with my 338 Allen Mag with a 3.5-15 NF NXS in the saddles set on 15x.

The quality of the glass is much more important then the magnification to be honest. get good class and a practical power range and you will be well served. Remember, the higher power you use, the quicker you will loose shooting light through your scope!!

To finish, I would highly recommend looking at a custom receiver over the Sako. If you want to go with the Lapua anyway. TO get the very best results for your money, its often better to spend a few more hundred $$ and do it right the first time then have to possibly redue things down the road.

Been there done that, several times!!!

Kirby Allen(50)

[rotorhead]

Kirby , your not hurting my feeling at all. I have several sakos but they are basically rebarreld action to my spec. I have just always had good luck getting them rebarreled and getting a real fine shooter out of them.
That being said what do you suggest??

Rh

[Fiftydriver]

If your on a budget, a Lawton receiver would be my first choice. The BAT receivers are very impressive as well for that type of rifle but are more expensive.

The Nesika Bay receivers are amazing but nearly twice the price as the Lawtons and to be honest, I doubt you could tell any difference in performance consistancy wise.

If your looking for a factory receiver, a properly trued Chrome Moly Rem 700 can be set up to use the Lapua very well and will be very accurate. If you like to run things to the ragged edge in pressure, I would not combine the Rem 700 and the Lapua.

The 338 Edge would be a much better fit in the Rem 700 receiver, stainless or Chrome moly.

I would agree, for the most part, the Sako receivers will produce fine shooting rifles. As a custom rifle builder, I just hate to build on a receiver that I know is not as perfectly true and square as I can get it with a full machining job. I guess I am a bit picky that way but most custom rifle builders tend to be that way. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Kirby Allen(50)

[rotorhead]

Kirby, Where can I find a lawton and bat?
I would like to see them on the internet or somthing. I have seen a Nesika Bay.
Thanks, RH

[ol mike]

Rotorhead ,

Google for www.lawtonriflebarrels.com sometimes it takes a little time to get one.They are already spoken for by the time they are produced.

I hope you go w/the 338 lapua -nothing against the 338 edge.
I want to build something along this line in the future -custom action -5r rockcreek barrel -single shot around 14 lbs..
I have an Eberlestock x-1 backpack that the gun carries down the top of the pack tight to your back.It will tote the gun and your other doins <-do-ins=stuff so well you won't believe it!--$99@ wyoming outdoors---Mike

[rotorhead]

Thanks for the information ol'mike
I will fine out some prices. I am not in a hurry get this done I am just at the begining stages. I have decided for sure to go with the 338 Lapua. I like good brass it makes my job a little easier.

RH