Newbie with a few questions

[makemine6ppc]

Hey guys I just found this site and joined. My experience with Sako rifles is limited to a Forester in 308 I purchased while stationed overseas in Okinawa, Japan. As you know better than I, it was a well-crafted rifle, but alas it was sold somewhere along the line with most of my firearm collection as the tranisit military life-style is hard on nice guns.

That brings me to today. While I'm still on active duty I have created some empty space in my safe and have my mind set on a Sako in 6ppc (I owned a Cooper in 6ppc and it was finely accurate rifle). Leaning towards the 75 Varmint with the set trigger as a nice gun for hunting varmints and shooting from the bench.
A few questions in this regard are:
How well does the 6ppc feed from the magazine?
Is the set trigger a good option to pursue?
Are the Optilok bases and rings the best way to go for mounting a scope and/or what other rings/base might you recommend?
Where is a good place to begin my search (I'm starting early as I am overseas for another 15 months) and are there any particulars about which to be thinking?
Finally, any load recommendations for this cartridge/rifle combo?

Thank you and I look forward to being part of the club.

Regards,
Alan Fleming

 

[paulsonconstruction]

makemine6ppc:
Welcome!
Don't know about feeding. All the ones I have been around were single shots.
In my opinion, a set trigger is the best fire control system you can have on a rifle. Wish all my rifles had them.
Optilock bases & rings are a solid system. Any of the quality one piece ringmounts, such as Leupold, Warne, Talley, or Millet are very good also. Personal preference more than anything may determine your choice. Stay away from the systems that use any kind of bases or adapters that require drilling or marring of the action dovetails. Weaver bases are definitely off limits.
There have been some recent posts that discussed the 6PPC Sakos in great detail. You might check the "All posts from across the forum" link & search back to see if you can find them. Great info there about loads & brass preparation.
The 6PPC has a good following here so you should get some good response.
Are you USMC?

 

[sakotex]

mm6ppc-
Welcome to the forum. I have had zero feeding issues with repeater 6ppc's. I have seen no need for a set trigger, and I highly favor the Opti-Lok ringmounts. My first 6ppc was the M75 Varmint Stainless Laminate. The stock trigger had a very light and crisp let-off. The rifle is fairly heavy, especially with a 2.5-10x50 Kahles scope, but that's obviously advantageous for target or varmint shooting off of a bench. Mine shot 1/2" groups or better with Sierra 55gr Blitzkings, 75gr HP's, and 85gr HPBT's. After finding the somewhat lighter A1 6ppc Varmint, I traded my M75 to the dealer in Houston, where I believe it's still for sale. I also found an A1 6ppc Benchrest (single shot) that has an amazing externally adjustable trigger. The M75 and the A1 Varmint use 12" twist barrels which will stabilize bullets 85gr or less. The A1 Benchrest uses a 14" twist which stabilizes 75gr bullest or less. The Benchrest is a little more accurate than the M75, but if you are not shooting for group competitively, any difference is moot on varmints. I've had no problem finding 6ppc brass (Sako, Norma, Starline). Of course Lapua offers 220 Russian brass that can be reformed. I have used H335 powder and BR-4 primers and found them to give very good velocity and excellent accuracy without spending a lot of time finding a good load. As a hunting rifle, the 6ppc offers great versatility and outstanding accuracy. A sporter weight A1 in 6ppc is currently my favorite walk-around varmint rifle. My A1 Varmint 6ppc is listed in the for sale section of this forum. Hope this helps.

 

[makemine6ppc]

paulsonconstruction,

Thanks for the info. Will do some searching through the posts and see what I can find. I'm not USMC - I am a Navy Chaplain and served with the USMC for almost 4 years in Okinawa as a Battalion & Regimental Chaplain. Hope to serve with them again after my current tour.

Bill,

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I've located an NIB Sako 75 Varmint SS at a price of almost $1900 - thinking about it but it has the Key Concept bolt lock of which I am not a fan. Would love to find a sporter in 6ppc. Lighter weight is one of the reasons I contacted you about the Edge stock you have for sale as I thought it would be a nice addition to the Varmint configuration.

Thanks again guys,

Alan

 

[sakotex]

mm6ppc-
The edge stock drops 1.25lbs off the weight of the M75 III 6ppc Varmint Laminate Stainless. But it's no sporter. An A1 Varmint 6ppc with an edge stock would get you closer. If you really want a sporter 6ppc, wait and one will probably pop up on Gunbroker or Gunsamerica. I've seen at least one a year on Gunbroker...one sold last month. Good Luck.

 

[makemine6ppc]

Bill when you get a chance I'd like to see some pictures of the Edge stock you have available.