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Joined: Apr 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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Hello,
I am wondering what the thoughts are on Sako Vixen rifles? I have read Frank DeHaas's review and have heard they were quite accurate. Can anyone give me firwt hand knowledge of th L461 in a 222 or 223? I am wondering about best bullet weights, loads and if anyone has shot 60 grain partitions in a Vixen?
Thanks for the help and information
ddj
Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. - Henry David Thoreau
The best part of hunting and fishing was the thinking about going and the talking about it after you got back. - Robert Ruark
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,593
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,593 |
very cool little rifles... mine is a precision shooter so far... still burning up rem factory 50 gr and averaging .5" 5 shot groups... when i have all of my factory stuff shot up i'll load for it, but i'm in no hurry with the way that it shoots the factory stuff....
"Chances Will Be Taken"
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,519
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
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Sako Vixens are probably the best production actions available. They don't make the L461 any more and the "Vixen" is a designation that Sako had put on their shortest action made until the newer models after Stoeger started importing them. The guns themselves are notoriously accurate and extremely well made. I have 2 custom made rifles using the older Riihimaki actions because of the excellence in their manufacture as well. I have owned and shot several Sako L461's in both standard and deluxe models in .223. Both my sons have Sako .222 Remingtons and they shoot very well. I have another friend that I convinced to buy Sakos, he has 3...a .223 in Lightweight Hunter, a .223 in heavy barrel, and a single shot 6mm PPC. He hardly shoots the heavy barreled .223 or the 6mm as his Lightweight is so accurate. All that said, I have shot 1000's of 55 grain soft point bullets in the .223 and even more, possibly 10's of thousands of 50 grain Remington PLHP bullets in both .222 and .223 as well as in my 220 Swift with great accuracy and overall reliability. I have never shot the heavier 60 grain bullets at all, finding the best velocities, accuracy and explosive characteristics with these light bullets. A Partition is a game bullet and I don't see much use for a .222 or a .223 in hunting game animals. I am sure the .222 and .223 both have been used on antelope/deer sized game with success, but I believe you owe game animals more consideration when hunting them.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,639
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
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Sako L-461 is among the finest actions ever made.
I had two of them and still have one. It has a Winchester take off barrel (1-14") originally in 22-250 and I carved off the chamber and rechambered it to 223.....slickest little prairie dogging rifle ever.
IMO this little action makes the finest .223 or .222 family that one can get!
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,639
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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if anyone has shot 60 grain partitions in a Vixen? No I haven't.....I've pretty much confined myself to 40-50 grain bullets. The 60 grain bullets IMO are suited for the 22-250 and 220 Swift. That said....I wouldn't hesitate to shoot deer with a .223 and a 60 grain bullet but doubt my particular 1-14" twist will handle it.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21,953
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21,953 |
I'd stick to weights under 53, especially in 222. No, I have fired a few and the 60 gr. Parts will not spin worth a hoot in a 1-14, even at 3,400 fps in a 222 Magnum L461.
If going to a hunting bullet, the Barnes TSX 45gr. will work.
40's and 50's of all flavors are loved, as are most powder combos. 222 powders to use are Rl-7, Rl-10x, 4198, Benchmark and a host of others.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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What is the rate of twist in a Vixen 223? I was under the assumption it was 1 in 12.
Does anyone have any history if this would stabilize 60 grain partitions?
Thanks,
ddj
Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. - Henry David Thoreau
The best part of hunting and fishing was the thinking about going and the talking about it after you got back. - Robert Ruark
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 347
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 347 |
Those who have a Sako L461 generally just love them, and those who don't have one pester those of us who do unmercifully. I can't take mine to the range without getting at least a half dozen "You interested in selling that?" questions...plus the drool they leave all over it is nasty.
Can't help you with the twist rate question, mine is chambered in .222, 1-14 twist Hart barrel. I only shoot 40-50 grainers in it.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 751
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I have 2 an L461 in 204Ruger/Short and an A1 in 222 Rem and I'm keeping them! Thems my thoughts. regards, JohnT
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
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Same as the rest of the responses here. I have a one in .222 and liked it so much I got another one for my son when he was eleven. It was his first center fire rifle and he learned to become a good shot with it. I load 40 grain V-Max and Ballistic Tips in both. 24 grains of Ramshot Exterminator will get you about 3400 fps and hopefully the sub 1" accuracy we get from ours. I like Ramshot powder because it meters so well and it is not temperature sensitive. If I had to pick the most accurate load for the two Vixens as well as my Remington .222, it would be the same 40 grain bullets over 21 grains of IMR 4198. That load has been around for a long time, with good reason. I don't load it much anymore because you have to weigh every charge with that coarse grained powder. It just takes too much time when loading a couple of hundred rounds. The Ramshot Exterminator glides right through my measure without a hitch.
The Vixens are very well built rifles and in my opinion, a bargain at the prices asked for them on the auction sites.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 893
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Nice little guns. I have a Riihimaki, heavy barreled .222 rem. Wouldn't get rid of it for anything. It spent a lot of time in Alaska shooting seals before I got it. If they started making them again they'd sell like hotcakes. I've never shot 60 gr. bullets either. Save 60 gr. and up for my 22/250.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
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Beautiful rifles. I had one in 222 Remington in the 1960's and loved it - it was very accurate. Unfortunately, something else caught my eye and I sold it. The L461 actions were very well made and very smooth.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,651
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,651 |
I have a Sako in .222 Rem that (according to the serial number) was made in 1964. Fantastic metal fit, polish and blue!
Along with 2 rifles with family history, this Sako would be the last I'd part with in a dire emergency.
Fine rifles, and that tiny action is so matched to the .222 Rem/ .222 Rem Mag and .223 -- well, it is just so cute!
John
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,954
Campfire Tracker
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I have owned a bunch of them over the years, I love the old Riihimakis with the roller safety, especially those sweet little Manlicher models, they are awesome...
I have shot a ton of 60 gr. Hornadys through them on deer and all my kids used them with that bullet on their first deer..They sure worked on a big muley at 100 yards away and even at 200 yards on rare ocassions..The 60 gr. bullets never quit match the 40 and 5o gr. bullets but they usually shoot and inch or so and thats fine for big game imo...
My present L-461 Sako is a full blown Custom 6x45 (6mm/223)with a most beautiful piece of dark blood red full fiddle back walnut from a piece of 40 year old Claro that took 24 LPI checkering without a hitch and without fuzz, it is as hard as any piece of wood I have ever used..It is built on an English/African pattern, its my little African big bore. weighs 5.5 lbs...shoots 1/4 to 1/2 inch groups with regularity thats boring and shot a few 10 shot groups that went .290, .284, 301 and will always shoot 10 shots inside a 50 caliber hole if I do my part.
I love the old Sakos and wouldn't own one of the new ones....
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 249
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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You got my attention. Nothing like that in the current lineup?
The church is near, but the roads are icy. The pub is far away, but I will walk carefully.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,087
Campfire Tracker
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OP
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I have enjoyed my Vixens. It just seems like the guns made years ago are higher quality with better craftmanship. People took pride in their work and their product.
Are there any guns today that are of the Vixen in terms of quality?
ddj
Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. - Henry David Thoreau
The best part of hunting and fishing was the thinking about going and the talking about it after you got back. - Robert Ruark
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 347
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 347 |
Fine rifles, and that tiny action is so matched to the .222 Rem/ .222 Rem Mag and .223 -- well, it is just so cute!
John
I've kinda gotten to wondering about the .204 in the L461...make a sweet coyote whacker, wouldn't it?
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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I think building a 204 on a Vixen is a great idea.
ddj
Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. - Henry David Thoreau
The best part of hunting and fishing was the thinking about going and the talking about it after you got back. - Robert Ruark
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 375
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 375 |
I've been looking for a Vixen action to build a lightweight truck gun on for several months now and haven't been able to find one anywhere close to a reasonable price. Everyone I know who has one loves it.
Greg Rodriguez Global Adventure Outfitters, Inc. www.mbogo.net(281) 494-4151
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Campfire Tracker
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I have the later model A1 in 223, great rifle.
Weighs 8 lbs all in, will first break clays at 300 metres and then break the pieces on the next round.
Life's too short to hunt with an ugly gun.
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