This is for those that were using the 222 in the 1960's. The rifle is an off the shelf 1966 Sako Vixen, bedded, trigger tuned and crowned only. What were these rifles capable of in group size if you had a decent one? (100 yd) not the occasional group but realistically. I have one that I feel shoots better than it should for a 50+ year old rifle and curious what they were doing back then.
222 Question
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nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
I’ve had a few 222 Sakos, all which shoot very good. One had too much pressure on the barrel and needed floating but after it was floated it shot around .5
I see guys who get frustrated with old Sako Vixens but my experience has been the opposite, I have one in the safe as we speak, shoots a bit better than half inch.
As far as a an old rifle being able to shoot I’m of the opinion that many of those old rifles are made better and shoot better than many of the new factory rifles you see today. I have plenty of new Tikkas but most of today’s rifles don’t have near the craftsmanship as many rifles made 50-60 years ago imo. I’m especially fond of those old Sakos.
The 222 isn’t a picky round, lots of powders work great. H4198, H322 are a couple of my go to powders and I end up shooting 50 grain bullets most of the time. Loads of threads can be found here with people favorite 222 recipes.
Old Sako vixen 222 = neat rifle that should shoot.
I see guys who get frustrated with old Sako Vixens but my experience has been the opposite, I have one in the safe as we speak, shoots a bit better than half inch.
As far as a an old rifle being able to shoot I’m of the opinion that many of those old rifles are made better and shoot better than many of the new factory rifles you see today. I have plenty of new Tikkas but most of today’s rifles don’t have near the craftsmanship as many rifles made 50-60 years ago imo. I’m especially fond of those old Sakos.
The 222 isn’t a picky round, lots of powders work great. H4198, H322 are a couple of my go to powders and I end up shooting 50 grain bullets most of the time. Loads of threads can be found here with people favorite 222 recipes.
Old Sako vixen 222 = neat rifle that should shoot.
JEFFPPC
Gold $$ Contributor
That was back when locally we had a lot of 100 yard offhand paper matches. They were pretty popular rifles. But, at the end of each match we would throw some money in the pot and shoot a 5 shot group. I only remember one fellow ever winning the group with a Sako and not very often. He was tough offhand with it. Powder of choice was usually IMR 4198 or 4895.
This is from the Fullstock Sako I use for coyote hunting now with a 2-7 Leupold compact on it.
From my Springfield 840 that I hunted fox in the 1970's. This target was from around 2000 with a Weaver K-4 on it. It would shoot sub .5 groups at 100 yards with a Weaver K-3 on it.
I shot the bottom group and thinking it might be a fluke I shot the upper one.
These guns shouldn't shoot this well but I think the 222 is such an accurate round that it gets the best out of the rifles it's chambered in.
I also won the PM Egg Shoot with 222 I built using a Shaw barrel and a Boyds stock un-bedded.
From my Springfield 840 that I hunted fox in the 1970's. This target was from around 2000 with a Weaver K-4 on it. It would shoot sub .5 groups at 100 yards with a Weaver K-3 on it.
I shot the bottom group and thinking it might be a fluke I shot the upper one.
These guns shouldn't shoot this well but I think the 222 is such an accurate round that it gets the best out of the rifles it's chambered in.
I also won the PM Egg Shoot with 222 I built using a Shaw barrel and a Boyds stock un-bedded.
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One of the greatest calibers ever designed. I shot one for many years, a Rem 700, sporter. With 50 grain Sierra bullets, Remington 7 1/2 primers, and IMR 4198, it shot sub 1/2 moa groups all day long. Shot many of ground hogs, crows and foxes with mine.
Most Sako's I've seen shoot really well but I'm not familiar with the model you listed. Proper bedding will normally correct stock problems and it's not an expensive fix.
Most Sako's I've seen shoot really well but I'm not familiar with the model you listed. Proper bedding will normally correct stock problems and it's not an expensive fix.
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