Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Sako 222 on the way

Hello All,
As the title says I have a 70's vintage Sako A1 sporter chambered in 222 on the way. In the pics the rifle looks new and the seller confirms this. I, at one time, was Sako savvy and knew what twist this rifle has. I know the early 222's had 1-16. This is a later rifle than that. I think it is probably 1-14 but don't remember. Help there would be appreciated.
In 223 my favorite coyote bullet is the 55 grain ballistic tip at around 3,100 fps. I'm not sure the new to me 222 will stabilize this bullet. Also, being a 222, I want to work for the most accuracy I can find. I usually find this with Sierra bullets and have a good selection of those. The 55 bthp comes to mind if the rifle will shoot them. Any suggestions from someone with a similar era Sako 222?
I think I know the rifle will primarily be used shooting paper but I also want to try it out on a few coyotes this fall.
Thanks for any help or experiences,
Rick

My old Vixen Varminter likes 40 grain Ballistic Tips, but if you want to to shoot Sierras, I'd recommend the 50 BlitzKing.
The 222 is very forgiving, and if you have H4198, Benchmark, H322, RL7 or similar burn rate powders, you'll get your Sako shooting quite satisfactorily pretty quick.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


THIS, Exactly

And you're right, its probably a 1 in 14 twist

My 700 222 shoots 50 grain bullets the best. I can’t even remember what they are, probably Sierra or Speer. It’s been a decade since I loaded one for it.

RickinTN: I have an early Sako L-46 heavy barrel Varmint in caliber 222 Remington - it shoots extremely well with Berger 52 grain bullets!
Be sure and try these.
I bought this Rifle used but "as new" and it came to me years ago with a period correct Leupold 8 power scope.
I have often been tempted to "re-scope" this nifty rig with a much higher powered scope to see just how well it will shoot.
So far I haven't done so.
I am mostly a Varmint and small game Hunter so I often use "Varmint" type bullets for my uses. Another VERY accurate bullet I have tried over the years is the Sierra 52 grain H/P bullets.
I do NOT use these bullets on small game or Varmints but they DO show a Rifles accuracy potential "quickly" IME.
Best of luck with that nifty new Sako - enjoy.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have all of the mentioned powders as well as either 50 or 52 grain Berger MEF’s and standard bullets. Maybe a good place to start. I also have 50 Sierra blitz ( old style lead tip) as well as 52 and 53 grain Sierras. Maybe even try 55 grain blitz just to see. I shoot the 55 out of one of my 233’s for groundhog patrol around the neighborhood. It works well with a Mv of about 2,500 or so.
Thanks to everyone and post more if you have it.
Rick

I tend to lean toward the tipped 40 grain bullets in my 222’s…40 Blitzkings, B/tips, tipped Nosler Varmageddon, etc. Berger’s 40 grain varmint bullets tend to go through the same hole.

My go to powder in first loads with a new rifle is H322. With 40 grainers it usually gives 3300fps+ in my 20” model 7 and 3400-3500fps in my 26” 722’s.

Love Sako's of this era and also the 222, my favorite combo is VVN130 with Sierra 50gr Blitzkings

My Remington 788 likes 50 grain bullets the best.

My Sakos shoot well with a 50 Blitz (not BlitzKing) and Reloder 7.

If you don't mind, how much re7?
Thanks,
Rick

I use Hornady 50 grain soft point and LT-30.

Beautiful rifle. Congratulations.

52gr Speer FB HP Exterminator/2230


It has put a fair number of coyotes on the stretchers.

Was yours listed on guns international? I was looking really hard at one there a few weeks back but didn’t want to incur the warden’s wrath since I just bought a Sako 6 ppc. If so, your 222 had all the appearances of a great rifle!

Hello Ben,
Yes it was, but there have been a couple there the last 30 days or so. The first one had a front sight and I was just a little late. I bought the one with the clean barrel. Both looked very nice. I have an A1 6ppc also but I'm ashamed to say it's neglected. I need to change that for sure.
Take care,
Rick

After a few years tinkering with what sounds to be a twin to your rifle I settled on RL7 and 40BT’s. Both Sierra 50sp and blitz also shot very well. I used H322 and BLC2. Hope you enjoy your new rifle!

I have a Vixen 222 with the heavy Bofors barrel. She has never shown a preference for 40 grain bullets at all. 50 grain Noslers or 52 grain Sierra match work fine and H-322 is the powder that clicks with those bullets. 1/14 twist.

I’ll probably end up selling this rifle, as I also have a 700 Classic 222 that fell into my lap recently.

I have a Sako A1 in .222 Remington. It's very accurate and since moving to Arizona I have killed a bunch of coyotes and bobcats with it. I load 50 grain Hornady V max or ballistic tips and H322.

I was a dumb ass and sold my A1 222. But I have a Rem 700, custom in 222. I’ve had great success using it on coyotes with Nosler 40 BT and H 4198 powder.