.223 Sako quad Varmint short barrel

[bobbyb]

After much deliberation internet searching and some good advice i decided on a .223 Sako varmint wood 20”blue barrel. I looked at cooper rifles but there single shot, Tikka but they are only in a long action and the magazine is not as favourable as the Sako for reloading options. I know there are many other good quality rifles out there but i already own a Sako Quad in Hmr and the standard of finish is top notch with excellent accuracy but i am having a issue with the bullets jamming in the breech but that’s another story.
On collection from my RFD we opened the box and i noticed that the cheek piece had a ding; just a small one which steamed out easily, my impression of the packaging and the protection to the rifle it offered is very poor. My RFD was very apologetic and he wanted to return the gun but could wait i any longer NO.
My first impressions of the gun were just pure class and the blacking is perfect. The bolt finish is very nice but I improved it with jewellers rouge and the smoothness of the bolts action is silk like.
The checkering on the stock feels almost abrasive, pin sharp and beautifully executed, one thing i did find a little disappointing was the circular sander ring marks around the magazine inlet on the stock, there are very faint but the grain and features in the wood make up for lack of attention to fine detail.
The magazines removal seems a little fiddly and is a two handed operation, you have to simultaneously push the mag in and move the catch forwards to release, I don’t think it will be a problem with six and one chambered, at least the chances of losing the mag are reduced.
The factory cut threaded crown is pure class and comes with knurled thread protector. The gun has a single set trigger and breaks at around 3lbs and in set only is a few ounces and not adjustable, i do like a light trigger and that is light.
One thing I did think was a good idea was the use of Torx bolts (removal tool supplied) securing the action and trigger guard to the breech a lot better than flat bladed heads and less susceptible to damage. The gun also comes with a plastic handle which you slip over the bolt handle end so you can cock and dissemble it without fighting the firing pin spring when removed from the rifle.
Overall I am very pleased, a real quality gun and looking forward to shooting it I still have to acquire a T8 or AU jet z not sure yet but I do need to keep the length and weight down.