More Sako Vixen L46

[Lucky Shooter]

 

[Lucky Shooter]

Sorry but I couldn't figure out how to add that text to the picture:

This is a shot of an old L46 tenon and bolt face-----this one is a 222 Rem Mag.

I believe this to be factory original except for the possibility that someone
might have removed some material from the extractor tip.

The clearance cut for the extractor tip is visible and there is a small raised lip
around the chamber.

This particular action works well with 16 TPI threads. I didn't try to measure
the pitch diameter----too clumsy with thread wires.

I've personally never seen a rebarrel job with the clearance cuts and lip. All
I've seen were a flat breech with the tenon cut for clearance for the extractor
tip.

Thanks to AckleymanII for taking the pictures.

A. Weldy

 

[paperpuncher]

AK47 breechface has a similar cut, sans the lip around the chamber. BTW a dab grease on your tread wires eliminates the need for a third hand

 

[M995]

Any chance you could post a picture of the model # on the action?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Check out that firing pin hole.

 

[JasonT]

Looks the same as a Mosin Nagant

 

[swd]

I've seen L461's with both that breech and Flat breech from the factory. I found that with slight modification of the extractor I could flat breech them and have more case support than the factory breech with the relief.

 

[Lucky Shooter]

M995

I'm about as handy with a camera as with thread wires.

Left side: L46 No 54XXX Finnish Lion ?? Other markings
Right side: No markings

A. Weldy

 

[swd]

M995

I'm about as handy with a camera as with thread wires.

Left side: L46 No 54XXX Finnish Lion ?? Other markings
Right side: No markings

A. Weldy

View attachment 1084447

Early gun. Stamped trigger guard?

 

[M995]

It's not a factory 222Mag. The first 222RM's were stamped 469, with the 9 out of place ( the 9 was done by hand vs roll stamped) started in 1959. It later became 461 in 1961 IIRC. The 90 degree extractor cut started with the 222 Remington, the higher pressure of the 222 was the reason for the cut. The previous cartridges for the series were not high pressure rounds ( 218 bee , 22 Hornet , 25/20 , 7X33 )

 

[M995]

It should be a 1 piece trigger guard, the early ones were 2 piece. Your action was made somewhere around late 1961.

 

[M995]

The NT initials after the Lion head was the master gunsmith at the time, should have the same stamp on the barrel

 

[Hal]

I've seen L461's with both that breech and Flat breech from the factory. I found that with slight modification of the extractor I could flat breech them and have more case support than the factory breech with the relief.

Any chance you could post a picture of your modification.
I have a little Sako to barrel up and I am always looking for a better way.

Hal

 

[swd]

I trimmed it back so it only protrudes .055” from the bolt and reshaped it. It picks up a case just fine. Not stodgy about snapping over at all.

 

[swd]

And another angle

 

[Lucky Shooter]

I'm looking at two of these L46-like actions-----546XX and 149XX and assume
the lower numbered one is older.

The 546XX guy came to me used back in the late '70's as a 222 Mag with a heavy barrel
and varmint stock. The barrel was marked circumferentially at the action face
"Gunsmith stamp----doesn't seem to be NT,lion head, .222 REM. MAGN."
A little forward on the right side------BOFORS STEEL IS STAMPED. Underneath the barrel
a lone "2" is stamped.

The older 149XX came to me used and modified in the 1980's as a 222 with a sporter
barrel and a very light stock-----blondish wood. The barrel was marked as "ORIGINAL SAKO".
This barrel has been set back and chambered for 221 FB----the other original markings have been
machined off. This action is marked with "SAKO" Riihimaki No 149XX, Lion's Head and the NT mark
which is stamped slightly differently than on the 546XX action. No markings for L46.

The clips are marked on the bottom as Cal 222 Magnum and 222 REM respectively. They are
not interchangeable-----different lengths.

The 149XX came with a stamped trigger guard and the 546XX came with a machined
trigger guard.

This is what I have left of a few Sako's-----hope maybe you guys might know what I have.

A. Weldy