Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Sako L461 Build Questions??

Hello all,

I have a L461 Vixen that I would like to use for a the base of a custom build. I have a couple of questions:

What are the thoughts on using a L461 for a custom?

Can a 204 Ruger be built on a L461 action? I am debating between a 204 and a 223.

I am sure I will have many more questions but will start here. Thanks for any opinions and thoughts.


ddj

I don't think that action is long enough, better check to be sure. I was going to build a 204 on a Sako A1 acion. Luckily i tried some 204 loads in one of my othetr Sako A1s. The loaded case was too long to fit in the magazine.
I don't have a L461, possibly it is longer. Buy or borrow some loaded 204s and try them in the action before proceeding.
Good luck.

I think it is a great action to do the right build on. I built a 6x45 on an L461 but have to keep COAL within limits and have to choose bullets accordingly. I think the action is one of the nicest bolt actions I've ever handled, nicer than my Sako Forester, or any other action I've operated. COAL is your only enemy. It thrives on the original case diameter and case head size. It makes a beautiful basis for a 6x45, 6.5 MPC, Copperhead, 6TCU or similar. I'm extremely happy with mine. Ray Aktinson has a spectacular 6x45 that has been pictured here.

PM me if you like anything else I can provide.

Frank
PS

Shot 2 bucks with mine last fall.

Also, based on my exerience I'd also go .223 over .204 in my experience as Dale 06 states above. Better selection of bullet weights and types workable with the .223 as well as cheap (and Lapua) brass.

I would love to see Mr. Atkinson's rifle. I think the 223 might be my best option.


ddj

Are ther any other options for a .204 caliber in a vixen?

ddj

a 20 Tactical should work fine. I've owned three or four of the little Sakos...have one in 17 Rem now,...great little actions for small cases like 222, 223 etc.

IIRC, the L461 was used to build 222 Rem Mag rifles by Sako, so it should work for a 204.
I prefer the 222 Rem mag over the 223, so that's what I would do with your action, make it a 222 Mag.
I'm just not into 204's, so that's the reason for the duce Mag recommendation.
I have two duce mags, and accuracy is exceptional with both.

Thanks for the replies.

Why the 222 Mag over the 223?


ddj

Just took my L-461 Single Shot Benchrest 6mm PPC USA model out of the safe to check: the .204 Ruger cartridge is too long for the action. I could load a round in because it is single shot, but the round would not eject if unfired. In fact I had some difficulty getting the round out as it was. The action's ejection port is just too tight. The action would better fit a .222 Remington or .22 PPC.

Its been awhile since I held that rifle, I forgot how handy and light it is even with the bull barrel. Sako makes a nice product. One other thing is that some parts may be hard to get.

Trouthunter,
The L-461 Sako action is suitable for a 223 based case and if you do a bit of box work on it you can use any bullet. The 222 magnum action can be used with a little more extensive box work but it will only hold two down,as I recall, so I found it unsuitable, as did Tony Barnes who built many a beautiful Sako pistol on the L and A series actions.

You will notice that my Sako L-461 also has a pre 64 miniture 3 position safey made from a peice of a 30 caliber bull barrel. That was quite a project performed by the late and great Tony Barnes.

I have shot a number of deer, antelope and African plainsgame with mine, mostly used the old Barnes X 75 gr. hollowpoint early on and later the fine GS Customs 75 gr. HP. both at almost 3000 FPS. and they group about an inch.. The 60 gr. Sierra, the 70 gr. Nosler Balistic tips are my varmint bullets and this little 5 lb. rifle will group 5 in a .190 to .210 on any given day, and I have on several ocassions shot some 10 shot one hole groups, the largest to date is .265..It is simply the most accurate rifle I have ever owned..It has a standard Brownells Douglas barrel, It does have a bench rest 0 tolerance that allows .001 expansion as I recall chamber, and I have a set of dies that I neck size with using a rawhide hammer, I have to outside neck trim all cases prior to firing new cases...

It is one gun that this old gun whore will never sell or trade off.

Your on the right track, the L-461 makes up into one fine rifle. You can see a picture of mine posted on Ray's Rifles under "Ask the gun writters"

As to your post there and your email of apology, No need, I find your post stimulating conversation and not disagreeable in the least.

The Vixen L-461 will run a 204 and a 222 Mag and will take 4 in the belly, least every L-461 Vixen I've seen will and they're all the same. The older L46 won't.

The issue is that those cartridges are absolute maximum, so when the throat wears and you are trying to reach the lands, seating out isn't going to happen; of course that will require quite a few rounds.

Same problem if you want a fast twist 224 and longer bullets.

FWIW Kimber makes a 204 with a mag limit about like the Vixen, so it will work. One poster was right about ejecting loaded ammo.

The 222 Mag has 100 fps and "panache" over any 223....(grins)

I took an A1 Sako action and had a 20 Vartarg made.
Feeding drom the magazine is less than perfect. If you insert the loads as far forward as possible it feeds ok, otherwise, not so good.
That should be a good option for a 204 on a Sako L-461.
But like I said above with the 204 Ruger, I'd get a few rounds and make sure they fit and cycle through the magazine, before building a custom rifle.

The port could be opened up a bit if necessary. I just barreled one (a brand new action)in 25/223. They are a cute little action. GD

ddj,

Sorry for the delay in responding. I just now saw your question.
The 222 Mag has a longer case neck than the 223, and I like that aspect. Case capacities are about equal though.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthread...hat_to_build_on_a_Sako_Vixen#Post3366896

Posted a similar question myself. I ended up going with an 8 twist .223. Came very close building a 6x45, even have a barrel.

If I were going .204, I'd probably go 20Tac for the Lapua brass.

A 1 in 8 twist 223 is interesting as is the 20 Tac due to the Lapua brass.

The reason I thought about just a plain 222 was the Lapua brass.

I want to build a gun that isn't going to have feeding issue if I get a bit "sloppy" with my reloading. With a 7 year old son, the 6x45 has merit.


ddj

I went with the .222 in my L461, don't regret it a bit. But then, I built it as a walking varminter, not a light rifle for deer.

Besides, the Triple Deuce has a bigger 'cool factor'

I know this post is a little old, but I just did a rifle like this last year. I think the 204 and 222 mag are a little long. I owned a 222 mag and couldn't seat some bullets out as far as I wanted. I was concerned I would have the same issues with a .204. I went with a 20/223 (20 Practical). All you need to make these is a Redding 223 full length S die with a 20 cal bushing and a 20 cal decapping rod. Standard 223 brass is formed in one pass with no fire forming. PTG has reamers. Ask for the SAAMI spec version. I used the minimum dimension version and now have to use a redding small base body die to get rounds to chamber which kind of messed up the concept of this being about the easiest wildcat you could come up with. I get 4000fps with Hornady 32 gr and 3800 fps with Sierra 39gr out of a 21" barrel. I used a Shilen #2 which very closely matched the factory Sako sporter barrel dimensions of my rifle. This cartridge works great. Very flat shooting, almost no recoil and the accuracy in mine is great.