A Sako .222 is on my wish list and I'm thinking about selling a few things to start looking more seriously.

I'll be the first to admit though that I really don't know a hoot about the different variations. See all across the net how great the Vixens are. What are other variations, I've scene references about Rihmaki and what not. Anything that should be avoided or what are things to consider?

Ideally I want a sporter weight and something that hasn't been abused. I know they don't come cheap unless you happen to be in the right place at the right time, which I seldom am.

I traded into an L461 Vixen in .222 Remington Magnum about three years ago. It is an amazing little action and the rifle is a sub-1/2� gun. I wish it was not the Magnum, though. I already have some 223 Rems, 204 Rugers, and 22-250 Rems and the 222 Mag stayed home. Last year I traded it away for a Kimber of Oregon in 22 Hornet. Even though the Hornet is a nice rifle, it does not compare to the Vixen. If you come across a Vixen in good shape, I recommend that you snap it up. Even though I do not need a 222 Rem, I am always on the lookout of a Vixen in that caliber. I may even trade the Kimber for it, since I have other rifles in the Hornet, now.

Since this is the only Sako I have owned I cannot give you any advise on the differences. My Vixen had a Bofors barrel. Good luck.

I have owned several Sako .222 Rem. My sons, both have them for their varminting rifles. They shoot extremely well and brass is easy to get. They shoot 50 grain bullets best, in regards to accuracy and velocity.

It shouldn't matter which Sako action...Rihiimaki, L46, L461 or the later AI, they are all reliable and extremely well made. I prefer the Rihiimaki actions, but they are hard to come by.

Get one, you won't be sorry...

That little number on the bottom gets me HARD.

Nice collection shrapnel


So what are the main differences in the actions between the variations mentioned?

Few weeks back there was a NIB (beat up box) Vixen HB in .222 at a gun show. Fair price for what I've been seeing them go for on-line, but want a sporter weight.

Wow. Very nice. The third one from the bottom works for me.
Funny to see the recoil pads on some of those. That is one cartridge that doesn't need one.
For smaller game or a training rifle for kids, hard to beat the soft spoken little .222.

stumpy

This is a close-up of the Rihiimaki action. You can see the bolt and the workmanship that goes into producing this action. There is more machining in that bolt than there is in most guns. It has a cocking indicator built in and it has the roller safety on the top that actually blocks the firing pin rather than just an interrupting device that is found in many bolt actions.




The L46 and L461 actions are different, I don't have a picture of one of them, but they are very clean looking and functional to boot. The safety has been moved down onto the right side of the stock, still locking the trigger and the bolt.

The AI action is the later version which has a dust shroud covering the back of the bolt that the L461 doesn't have. Other than that the function is the same. The bottom rifle in this picture has the later "Stoeger" imported style of short action.

I'm a big fan of the Sako 222's....both kinds
My pard and I have snagged a few. He just bought a nice sporter 223 we have yet to see.

222 Mag



222

222 Mag, 222 and 222


These are all Vixen actions, except the Black stocked 222, which is an AI (covered shroud).

Some awesome Sako's posted here.
I'd sure like getting one in 222 someday.
They, in my book, are the BEST 222's ever made. Same goes for the 222 Mag's and the 223's on Sako actions.

The thing that I love about them, (and I am fortunate enough to have a Riihimaki and an L-461) is that 222 and 223 rounds do not look lost and swimming around in the action like they are in a 700 or similar.

Wonderfully smooth and well engineered rifles which are nearly always scary accurate. If you can get one, do so as you will NEVER regret owning it. When I learn how to post pics here and have the time to do so I will post shots of my custom stocked Riihimaki and L-461. They go with me every single time I go varmint shooting.

Well, here is a link to how to post pictures -- because I want to see those custom-stocked Sako's!

How to post pictures on 24hourcampfire

Don't disappoint me now! I have an old Sako .222 and I am thinking of restocking it!

John

Yes, nice rifles everyone. I should be taken out back and slapped around for even thinking about making another purchase, but what the hell

Re: Sako actions.

I am by no means an expert, but here is my understanding based on what I have read.

The first version of the Sako small action was the L-46, which was introduced in the late 40s, initially designed for the .22 Hornet and .218 Bee, and was chambered in .222 Rem beginning around 1950-51. These actions had the box-shaped bolt shroud with pivoting safety on the right side, which locked the firing pin. They had a detachable single column magazine with the release inside the trigger guard, and a trigger which was copied from the Model 70 Winchester. Initially it had a stamped trigger guard and classic design stained birch stock. Later versions had a machined trigger guard and French walnut stock (see shrapnel's top picture above in his post of 4/04 at 3:51 PM which shows the box shroud and machined trigger guard). They have double-tapered dovetails for scope mountingIncidentally, although the bolt superficially appears to have a Mauser-type extractor, in fact this is a guide rib.

I believe these are also referred to as "Riihimaki", which is the city where they were built, because they had that stamped on the left side of the action. They came in sporter weight and a heavy barrel version with a beavertail fore-end.

Up through 1960 this rifle was listed in the Gun Digest simply as the Sako Varmint Rifle, but beginning in 1961, the Gun Digest listed it as the Sako Vixen, and my 1963 Gun Digest shows it with a Monte Carlo stock and more squarish fore-end.

There was also a L-469 action which was made between 1959 and 1961, and was a lengthened L-46 to accommodate the .222 Rem Magnum - information from Mims Reed of the Sako Collectors Assn published by Frank de Haas in his Bolt Action Rifles book.

Around 1964 this was replaced by the L-461, which was slightly longer to accommodate the .222 Magnum and .223. The visible differences include a cylindrical bolt shroud, and a fixed staggered column magazine with hinged floorplate. The trigger guard also appears more "slanted." The trigger system was changed to a Sako designed single stage system with a sliding (rather than pivoting) sear and safety on the right side next to the bolt shroud, which locked the sear, trigger and bolt. This trigger system had been introduced a few years earlier in the medium-length L-57 action (Forester) and was also used by FN in their Supreme Mauser action. Hawk1's post shows details of the L-461 action.

In the 1970s or 80s the action was further modified, with the major visible change being the bolt shroud which totally enclosed the cocking piece and slanted down toward the back. I believe this was called the A1 action.

Also note that Sakos pre-1972, aka Pre-Garcia (Garcia was the importer starting around that time, and had their name stamped on the gun) carry a higher price tag by around 25%.

I have an early sporter weight L-46 in .222 with 24" barrel, built approximately 1951, which weighs less than 6 lbs empty and will put 3 shots into 1/3" at 100 yds if I do my part. I prefer the earlier guns with a lack of a Monte Carlo butt and more rounded fore-end.

HTH.

From what I learned while looking for mine:
Small calibers are most desireable
I like the L461 action the best
Bofors steel marked barrels are more desireable
Pre Garcia import rifles are more desireable
A deluxe stock is more desireable

If you have never owned a Sako 222,you have been severely deprived.....

I still can't see an older Sako Deluxe and not get teary eyed. I used to have a small corral full of them, but broke away from the mainstream and had to get custom made beauties. They are still a bargain, as most of the older ones don't book as high as newer Deluxes and I prefer these exact models. They are so nicely done and not pimped like Weatherby's, I just don't understand why they aren't bigger among real riflemen. I would prefer a .222 magnum even over the.222, you just don't see 'em!

I have a Deluxe, but it's a biggun.

I came close to one, but at the time I really couldn't afford it.

I was in graduate school at the University of Arizona and now and then I'd visit Jensen's which at the time was a fine gun and reloading store.

One day I dropped in and right there on the shelf was a used heavy barrel Sako 222 just like I had seen in a Gary Sitton article. It was on consignment and after I put a few puzzle pieces together I figured out it was Gary's rifle.

Damn I wish I hadn't been a cash strapped student at the time.

After reading all the fine posts, the first civilian rifle bearing the Sako name was the L42 Luodikko rifle model 1942, chambered for the 7x33mm Sako cartridge. They were great favorites for hunting Capercaillie. I held one once and it had a Artic Birch stock that was stunning. It was not for sale. Regards, Rick.

mathman: There is redemption.....

OK, let me set everyone straight! These things are a real POS! Stop talking them up like they're something great!

(There that should do it. I'm in the process of trying to find one )

During the height of the economic downturn, I put mine up for sale. Didn't get the opening bid of $1200 for the gun with the Leupold scope and rings for a couple days. Withdrew the listing since there were no offers. Glad I did. Only thing is, the gun is so beautiful I won't hunt with it. With the skip line checkering deluxe stock, and bottom metal detail, it looks like it belongs in a museum (to my eye).

Jlin222,

I see that this is your first posting here, and an excellernt one too. It is very informative.
I graduated from High school in 1952. A year later, I was at our local gun club, and one of my high school class mates had the same Sako in 222 Rem you mention that you have. When I first put my eyes on it, I said "I want one of them". It was the most beautiful factory rifle I had ever seen. But, I had no money at the time, and never did buy one. I still think about that encounter with fond memories of a beautiful rifle.
Welcome to the Campfire, and please come here often and post.

Don

I agree, now sell me one cheap


I just read a thread from long range hunting that someone picked up one last month that looks like it's in great shape for 450.00. I want one of those, priced like that


For the past 6-9 months I look from time to time and I think the prices have come down slightly. It's one of the last rifles I can say I really want, hopefully I can fill that want sometime without breaking the bank.

Thanks, Don.

Been lurking a while, finally decided to join. Bought my Sako at a gun show in Houston back in the 90s - had a pretty good idea of what it was, and it was for a good price.

To be honest, haven't popped a cap for several years - too busy. Didn't start shooting until early 90s, and used to shoot mostly handguns. A little bowling pin shooting, a little IDPA, a little NRA bullseye. Never that good, best I ever shot was around 250-270. Occasional round of trap.

Collect guns but very informally. However, grew up reading Jack O'Connor. Only thing I've shot is paper and an occasional tin can. Seems there are a lot of more knowledgeable people on this site that I can learn from, and maybe even meet and shoot with.

When I stumbled onto a L461 Vixen Deluxe I never had heard of it before. I bought the gun simply because it shouldered unbelievable and felt so perfect to me. I was not in the market for a .222 Rem, but the gun itself sold me. I took it home to find out I had a real gem. Pre-Garcia, Bofors barrel, Deluxe Model with inlays and blonde figured stock. Oh and it was still unfired and pristine when I got it! I cleaned that factory yellow packing grease out of the barrel and action. It turned out to be the best find to date. I don't usually stray off the path when I am shopping for a gun, but this time I did and am glad I did.

My Sako is a Marlin, or the other way around. Never did figure out which.




Bruce

Is it the Marlin model 322?

Yes, a 322. Still collecting components to see if it will shoot.

Bruce

That "Marlin" is really a Finnish made Sako!

It has a heavy barrel and micro groove rifling? It should also have a stamped trigger guard and escutcheon where the box magazine goes into the rifle from the bottom.

They are a very plain looking rifle, but should shoot well. I don't know if it is a Sako barrel or not, but it is a Rihiimaki action that is worth the price of the gun.

I started with one of those and made it into a .222 custom rifle that still shoots well, but looks a whole lot nicer...

Here's a little AI that I picked up in 223 w/ a rough spot (rust) in the end of the barrel. For 300 bucks I didn't think I could go wrong. Swapped the tube out for a Lilja and chambered in 223AI. Sweet little rifles.