I have admired Sako heavy barreled Varmint type Rifles for decades now and have owned (do own) many of them. I got to looking through my loading log book (which has been in use for nearly 50 years now) and was comparing my load development and sight-in verification groups for my various Sako Varminters. Turns out a Sako 6m/m PPC "Varmint" model tops my accuracy list. I bought this Rifle several years ago from along held estate. The Rifle appeared unfired and the heirs were unsure if the deceased owner ever shot it or if the box was around. I geared it up with a Leupold 24 power scope and bought some Redding dies (I was new to the 6m/m PPC then) and got some VV N133 powder. I happened upon some unfired "Sako" brass (five 20 round boxes) at a gunshow and got started on load development. I started the reloading with some 68 grain Euber bullets I had on hand and the first two groups (after barrel break in) measured pleasantly at .443" and .389" (5 shots at 100 yards). Over the next few weeks I tried a few more bullets including the 55 grain Nosler Ballistic tips, 60 grain Bergers and 70 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. I was impressed with the improving accuracy of each bullet (more barrel break in helping?). Anyway when I got to the 70 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips I was really impressed with the groups from that "Varmint bullet"! Two 5 shot groups at 100 yards measuring .212" and 248" (this with new unfired brass!). As this would be a Colony Varmint Rifle I decided to go with these much easier to find Nosler 70 grain Ballistic Tips for my uses. I enjoy everything about this Rifle including the stock fit and the trigger - let alone the great looks. Subsequent sight in verifications with this loading have me convinced this is my best shooting (most accurate) Sako Rifle. I would like to hear from others regarding the accuracy of their Sako's (especially the heavy barrel Varmint cartridges models). Long live Sako! Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
HalH: I wish I could answer your questions definitively. I do have a Ruger Model 77 Varmint in caliber 22 PPC but it is new unfired in the box so no first hand experience with that Rifle. One of my friends bought a Ruger 77 Varmint in 22 PPC back in 1995 or so and we shot it in dead calm air a couple of times - that somewhat humble Rifle shot very well. As far as some Sako models having more inherent accuracy I again will pass on to someone/others with more experience than I. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
Ruffcutt: I am amazed at the accuracy I get out of this Rifle - what amazes me in that regard is the "daintiness" of the Rifles action. Seems to me that an action that slender/dainty would have a hard time being stiff enough to be accurate. But my assumptions on that are wrong. I think those Sako single shot Rifles in 22 PPC and 6m/m PPC are rare? The serial number on my Rifle has just three LOW digits = A303. I don't know what you can tell from that but I looked it up and these "PPC's" were imported/made for just 8 years (1989 to 1997). I have been somewhat seriously looking for a Sako in 22 PPC for several years now just have not seen or heard of one for sale. I am sorry you missed the boat on a Sako PPC. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
My father had a heavy barrel 25-06 that he bought solely to use as a tree stand rifle. It was terrible and I’m not sure you could have hit the earth with it. He tried everything and had several smiths look at it. It was sold with the disclaimer. I’m trying to remember the date but I’m going to say early to mid 1980s.
I’ve not seen my father that disappointed ever as he is a Sako fanboy.
That said, the rest of our Sakos have proven to be very accurate and i have a Browning Safari 243 with a heavier barrel that is the most accurate
I just bought a Sako Riihimaki .222 from a friend and the first three shots at 100 yds went into the same hole (almost literally - measured 0.09”)….of course knowing my luck and shooting abilities I stopped there and showed my friend the group and asked why he sold it😁. I haven’t duplicated that group since but it hangs around 0.25-0.375” for five shots at 100 yards with the load it likes.
My Riihimaki L46 222 Remington 24-inch FS used to be my #1 but has given way to my AI Sporter 222 Remington after bedding & adjusting the trigger down to 2.5 pounds.
Bsa1917Hunter: What caliber was that Sako? Which model also please. Whatever that "big bore" Sako is it sure shoots great. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
Another really accurate Sako I own is an L-46 Varmint in 222 Remington. I also bought this minty Sako from an estate - it came with a Leupold 8 power "Westerner" scope. The Rifle had NO signs of being fired or any wear anywhere on it when I got it. My handloads got it down to .581" groups (5 shots at 100 yards) with Bergers wonderful 52 grain M.E.F. (Maximum Expansion Factor!) Varmint type bullets. Every once in a while I get tempted to put one of my high fixed power Leupolds on it to see just how well it would shoot. But... the nostalgia factor keeps me from messin with that set-up. I am fairly sure with 24 power it would get down to just about quarter inch groups on a calm day. Long live Sako. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
PennDog: Is that a heavy barrel 222 Sako? Great shooter whichever. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
It is not the heavy barrel version. I bought it because I wanted to use it as one of my turkey rifles then the PA Game Commission changed the rules to allow only shotguns I during the fall season - I grew up hunting turkeys that way……sometime they should leave things alone!
Bsa1917Hunter: What caliber was that Sako? Which model also please. Whatever that "big bore" Sako is it sure shoots great. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
Sorry I left out some specifics. The rifle was a Sako A7 Longrange, chambered for 6.5 creedmoor. It was a great shooter. I just had too damn many 6.5 Creedmoor rifles at the time.
I painted the stock brown, and glass bedded it:
It was a sweet shooter, but was a pretty heavy rifle. I liked the idea of it, and liked the fluted barrel. It was a nice rifle, but as I said before, I preferred the Tikka's.
I am down to one Sako. I wish that rifle shot as well as that 6.5 Creedmoor Longrange. It's an older Sako, and very nice, so I plan on hanging on to it for a while.
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
Thanks for bringing this Sako accuracy subject up.
I always wondered how the .22 PPC compares to the 6 MM PPC in accuracy in the Sako rifles?
We're some models more accurate tha other models ?
Thanks
Hal
I have the single shot A series guns in both 6mm PPC and 22 PPC. They are consecutive serial numbers,20 and 21. Both are extremely early guns and the 6mm came from Louis Palmisano to Mike Venturino to me.
When I was working up a load for it, I was using H322 powder and 75 grain Hornady hollow point bullets.
I was testing with 10 shot groups, not 5 or 3, I wanted to know it’s real capabilities. It was showing consistent 1 hole groups, some tighter than others. It was unbelievable.
The 22 PPC wasn’t as tight, but plenty good for what I was going to use it for and I use both for varmints. With a 55 grain VMax in the 6mm and 40 grain VMax in the 22, they are truly bad medicine on prairie dogs…
Thanks for bringing this Sako accuracy subject up.
I always wondered how the .22 PPC compares to the 6 MM PPC in accuracy in the Sako rifles?
We're some models more accurate tha other models ?
Thanks
Hal
I have both the single shot A series guns in both 6mm PPC and 22 PPC. They are consecutive serial numbers,20 and 21. Both are extremely early guns and the 6mm came from Louis Palmisano to Mike Venturino to me.
When I was working up a load for it, I was using H322 powder and 75 grain Hornady hollow point bullets.
I was testing with 10 shot groups, not 5 o 3, I wanted to know it’s real capabilities.
Nice. Being your most accurate Sakos, they should be shooting 1/4-1/2" then..
Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.
Sako's were my first love when it came to collecting firearms some 35+ years ago. I've lost count how many I've owned. A guncrank friend of mine who built my 223 AI on a S491 action told me he loves building rifles with Sako actions, as he does not have to go back and true the action. Seems they come true from the factory.
So,
"My most accurate Sako"?
I'd say a lot of that depended on how late I stayed up the night before, how many cups of Joe' I consumed before I set up to do load testing at the range..........
and whether it was an emergency to let out some of what I'd let in.
Cherry-picked of course, but you asked for the most accurate, and as such a representative sample.
Sako Riihimaki
Sako Vixen, 222 Rem Mag
Sako Custom, S-491, 223 AI
Sako 75 Bavarian half-stock.
Sako 75 Stainless Laminate Varmint, 260 Remington
Sako 75 Bavarian Carbine in 308 Win.
Sako L61R, Varmint, 7mm Rem Mag
Of all my Sako's and those of others I've fondled, there has only been one that I could not get to shoot sub-inch at 100 yds.
That was a stainless synthetic 75' chambered for the 338 Federal. I bought it new. It would not consistently do 4" @100 yds., IIRC.
I returned it to the LGS where I purchased it.
Later, scuttlebutt was that a number of that group of rifles had problems with accuracy due to chamber issues.