I have been looking for a full stock hunting rifle for a while now, and after handling a Sako Bavarian Carbine in a dealership several weeks ago, I was very impressed. The only issue was that the rifle was chambered in 7x64, which limits the available brass to Norma, which is ridiculously priced, and the price of the rifle was a bit more than I wanted to spend at the time. As I was browsing the August issue of CATF last weekend, I noticed that Ellwood Epps had a Bavarian Carbine listed in 6.5x55, which I like as a cartridge, and I have some reloading components on hand. I also noticed that the price was about $300 less than the same rifle in 308win, and 30-06, and $400 less than the 7x64. I called Ellwood Epps to confirm that they still had the rifle and there was no mistake in the pricing, and they told me that apparently Stoeger is no longer bringing in the Bavarian Carbine in 6.5x55, so it wasn't included in the last price increases. Given that I could get this rifle for considerably less that the 7x64, and Lapua brass is available, and I have suitable bullets and powder on hand, the rifle is now on the way to me. I also ordered the Burris bases that slide over the Sako dovetails, and I already have Leupold rings and a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 on hand. As soon as the brass arrives, I will load up some 129gr Accubond LR with R-22, and I will be ready to mount the scope and sight it in when the rifle arrives.
Sako Bavarian Carbine
- Thread starter stubblejumper
- Start date
Nice find, I have always liked sako full stocks, many years ago, I shot a Vixen .222 full stock, on a goat cull, what an impressive, nice handling carbine, would love to find one someday.
A Bavarian full stock is an itch, that some day, I must scratch, med bore, 9.3 will do me.
A Bavarian full stock is an itch, that some day, I must scratch, med bore, 9.3 will do me.
I found my lightweight 1885 in 243 difficult to shoot with such a light barrel, so I sold it. I was actually thinking a Ruger #1 RSI in 6.5x55 would replace it, until I handled the Bavarian Carbine in 7x64. 6.5x55 brass just arrived this morning, once again stellar service from Prophet River. Will be making up some test loads in the next day or so.
More than one nice rifle, but I tend to avoid ads that don't provide any idea of what the guns are worth to the person. If he had listed them for sale with prices, I might have been interested. I actually considered buying the Krico, when it was listed on the EE for sale.
X2 I hate ads/stores like that with no prices/values marked.
That sako was listed for sale several months ago. He was asking $4300, I believe. While I guess he put a lot of money into the custom-worked stock, it is still a bavarian carbine and that price was ridiculous imo. so no shock it hasn't moved.
i was eying the one at epps as well. too bad it sold. it was a great deal. and awesome calibre for the platform.
I prefer my firearms to be in excellent or better condition. Most of the firearms sold by Tradex are a little rougher than that.
The rifle arrived, after some issues with mounting the scope, that was completed, and twelve shots later, my load development is done , and the rifle is sighted in as best as the 28 degree weather will allow. Four groups fired with the 129gr Accubond LR ahead of R-22, had all groups sub moa, the best were under 3/4moa. That narrow fore end is certainly not ideal for shooting off of a bench.
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The rifle arrived, after some issues with mounting the scope, that was completed, and twelve shots later, my load development is done , and the rifle is sighted in as best as the 28 degree weather will allow. Four groups fired with the 129gr Accubond LR ahead of R-22, had all groups sub moa, the best were under 3/4moa. That narrow fore end is certainly not ideal for shooting off of a bench.
Very nice .... I need (want) a FS rifle. My first choice would be a Rem Custom Shop Model Seven MS in 308 or 7/08.
They are a bit used sometimes. I don't mind a bit of use if the price reflects it as long as there are no issues.
There is one at cabelas south Edmonton with your name on it.
one of the best laminated stock ever made on my own opinion of course ... they re nice in 350 rem mag ...
I chronographed my load this morning, only to discover that the 129gr Accubond was only being driven at 2625fps. I added one grain of powder that brought the velocity up to about 2700fps, and shot the groups below. I had thought that I pulled my very first shot as I fired it, the one low and right in the right group, and the following shots seem to confirm that. I also made a slight elevation on the scope after the first group, so the point of impact is slightly different. The accuracy appears to be at least as good with the extra grain of powder, and I can certainly live with 2700fps out of the 20" barrel. I did run into another issue, that being rings around the bullet jackets when seating bullets, but chamfering the seating plug with a small cone shaped stone, and then lapping it with a bullet and lapping compound, resolved that issue. The rings have never resulted when seating Matchkings or regular Accubonds, but the Accubond long range bullets appear to be very soft.
Nice setup!
You may want to try some rl17 and some 120's in attempt for more velocity. Is your case full with 129's and rl 22?
Bonded bullets maybe a bit over kill at 2700fps. For some reason the Sierra pro hunters have always been excellent for me.
You may want to try some rl17 and some 120's in attempt for more velocity. Is your case full with 129's and rl 22?
Bonded bullets maybe a bit over kill at 2700fps. For some reason the Sierra pro hunters have always been excellent for me.
I have plenty of R-22 on hand, and the gun is not intended for long range, so 2700fps will do nicely. As for bonded bullets, the Accubond LR actually has a lower minimum suggested impact velocity than most non bonded bullets, and I have a few hundred on hand.
