Sako 222 Mag

[Reloading Bum]

I recently picked up a Sako L461 222 Remington Magnum.

The seller also included a few hundred rounds of unfired Remington brass.

Anyone out there with this rifle that has been able to make this rifle sing? I'd really like to spend some time with this rifle, find a nice scope for it and see how far she'll reach.

Appreciate any words of wisdom. I bought the rifle because I love the way it feels and shoots. It has been about 10+ years since I last shot this make/model.

I'd be extremely happy if I could hit a Prarie Dog at 300 yards with this rifle.

I'll be posting my homework once I get a scope and get to the range.

Thanks,

Reloading Bum

 

[NZ_Fclass]

If it's in good condition, I would be surprised if it didn't shoot out to 300. Get some nice 16x + glass.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Id start with something like a 55gr Nosler Ballistic tip and VV N120 and/or H322. VV N133 night give you a little more speed

 

[Reloading Bum]

It has a 23½" barrel and I'm trying to get a feel for something that fits the gun but doesn't have an objective lense that's too big, if that makes sense. I'm trying to keep it light, maintain the smaller proportions but I'd like something like a 3x24x??. This is where I'm searching right now. An objective lens that isn't too big but has the ability to get me that 300 yard shot.

Ideas and suggestions appreciated.

Reloading Bum

 

[Reloading Bum]

If it's in good condition, I would be surprised if it didn't shoot out to 300. Get some nice 16x + glass.

It's in very good condition, and fortunately for me spent most of its life in a gun safe. I'm right there with you on the Scope. For my eyes, I'm thinking 3x24 but I'd like to keep the objective lens in proportion.

 

[Oso]

Go search the serial number on Sako forum to determine the rifle's production year. If it is original factory barrel then it is a slow twist rate so 40gr - 52gr/53gr (max) will work best. This was designed as a varmint rifle so think light fast bullets. On mine I have 40" objectives with 1" tubes, which match the rifle action size (balanced look). You might consider a older Leupold target scope if you want magnification. I have a fixed 24x and 36x that work great and allow you to see the small holes at 300 yards on paper.

 

[SBS]

Try a 50 gr. tipped bullet, they are very accurate, have a lot of splat factor and have good BC for their diameter and weight. Sierra Blitzkings are my choice, followed closely by Hornady V-Max. Use a powder in the range of H335, H322, and Benchmark. I use these 3 because of good velocity/accuracy and they meter well. If they don't shoot well with your slower twist, the 40 gr. tipped bullets should, both Blitzking and V-Max.

 

[jepp2]

Anyone out there with this rifle that has been able to make this rifle sing?

I have the same rifle. Haven't shot it that much, and never was impressed with the accuracy. Also had Vixens in 222, 2 of the 223, and bought a used L461 in 222 Rem Mag. The 222 is Ok, and the 223's were not that impressive to me. I never shot the used L461, but had it rebarreled to a 20 Bobcat. Now that thing shoots lights out. I also had one of the 223's rebarreled to a 20 Practical.

The general impression is the Sako barrels shoot very well. Maybe I just wasn't as skilled at load development with I did shoot the 222 Rem Mag.

I'd be extremely happy if I could hit a Prarie Dog at 300 yards with this rifle.

If you use a rangefinder and a good rest, a rifle that shoots 1 MOA should be able to do this with decent conditions. I guess I'm looking for much better accuracy than that.

 

[th82457]

I had one of those a few years ago - that I foolishly sold. I would run 40 to 52 grain bullets with LT-30, H322, W748, maybe LT-32 & IMR 8208. If barrel bore is good - you should find a load that will touch 1/2" 100 yard groups. For a scope - see if you can find a good used Weaver V16 or V-24. These work very well and are not overly bulky for the petite Sako action.
Good Luck !

 

[SBS]

On scopes for PD shooting, a large objective just adds weight and requires higher rings. It doesn't offer you any advantage during daylight hours when PD activity and shooting takes place. A good 4-12X40 or 4-16x40 works well for a short to medium range rifle. I have a Vixen action I'm working on and I'm going to use one of the older Burris 4-12X compact scopes that has a small obj. (think it's about 33mm).

 

[LCazador]

I recently picked up a Sako L461 222 Remington Magnum.

The seller also included a few hundred rounds of unfired Remington brass.

Anyone out there with this rifle that has been able to make this rifle sing? I'd really like to spend some time with this rifle, find a nice scope for it and see how far she'll reach.

Appreciate any words of wisdom. I bought the rifle because I love the way it feels and shoots. It has been about 10+ years since I last shot this make/model.

I'd be extremely happy if I could hit a Prarie Dog at 300 yards with this rifle.

I'll be posting my homework once I get a scope and get to the range.

Thanks,

Reloading Bum

That doesn't look like an original stock so knock yourself out and do some pillar bedding and bed the stock. It also looks like a pencil barrel so it's going to shoot best with a bit of upward pressure on the fore end. If it's a Bofors made barrel (stamped on the barrel right side) it may shoot good but not great. The Bofors had so many machine marks inside it is difficult to shoot more than 40 shots without cleaning. With all that said you may be the lucky one to latch on to the one out of ten that shoots good. That 14 twist will not stabilize anything heavier than a 50 grain bullets and flat base bullets with a tangent ogive will fit that 3 degree throat angle that Sako put on those early rifles. If it shoots under a half inch be very happy!!

 

[Reloading Bum]

Go search the serial number on Sako forum to determine the rifle's production year. If it is original factory barrel then it is a slow twist rate so 40gr - 52gr/53gr (max) will work best. This was designed as a varmint rifle so think light fast bullets. On mine I have 40" objectives with 1" tubes, which match the rifle action size (balanced look). You might consider a older Leupold target scope if you want magnification. I have a fixed 24x and 36x that work great and allow you to see the small holes at 300 yards on paper.

Thanks for the info. to look up the serial number, appreciate it.
Model Change First date First number Last number Last date
L461 26.09.1962 57001 134252 27.12.1973

I tried to keep the formatting in tact, so looking at the serial number, according to another shooting site, 7023 of these rifles were made per year during this time span (I do not know how accurate this 7023 # is). That means my rifle was made in 1964 or 1965, more than likely 1964.

 

[danny]

It's in very good condition, and fortunately for me spent most of its life in a gun safe. I'm right there with you on the Scope. For my eyes, I'm thinking 3x24 but I'd like to keep the objective lens in proportion.

A three power scope with a 24mm objective?

Danny

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I recently picked up a Sako L461 222 Remington Magnum.

The seller also included a few hundred rounds of unfired Remington brass.

Anyone out there with this rifle that has been able to make this rifle sing? I'd really like to spend some time with this rifle, find a nice scope for it and see how far she'll reach.

Appreciate any words of wisdom. I bought the rifle because I love the way it feels and shoots. It has been about 10+ years since I last shot this make/model.

I'd be extremely happy if I could hit a Prarie Dog at 300 yards with this rifle.

I'll be posting my homework once I get a scope and get to the range.

Thanks,

Reloading Bum

A weaver T6 or T10, would be good on that rifle. And not look out of place IMO. Or a Leupold M8, with your favorite magnification would be nice.

 

[nakneker]

Great rifles, I’ve had quite a few Sakos in 222 and a couple in 222 mag. My experience has been different I guess. Most of those rifles shot well under MOA, some under .5 MOA. That’s one of my favorite actions ever made, so sleek and elegant, at least in my eyes. Several powders work well, I use 50 grain blitz kings, Ballistic tips and Vmax bullets most of the time but I have a few custom bullets I’ve bought used that shoot well too. You wanna make sure the barrel channel doesn’t have any contact, the first 222 mag I had the wood had warped and the first time out the groups were really bad, like shotgun bad. Had it floated and it came back. H322 has been one of my favorite powders for that cartridge but there are several and half the fun is finding out what your rifle likes. Win 748, H4198, VV133.... some I wanna try and havent is CFE223 and IMR8208, there’s several more. The biggest thing I found in my old Sakos that has helped has been seating the bullets off the lands a bit. Seating a 50 grain .020 off the lands with 25.5 grains of H322 has been a good load in my 222 mags. Hodgdon shows a max of 26 grains with a 50 grain bullet. As far as scopes something like a vintage Leupold would be a good fit on that rifle, on older VX3 2.5-10x40 would take you out to 300 on prairie dogs pretty easy but I know scope preferences vary greatly. Whatever you do congrats on a nice rifle, if you ever get bored theres a whole bunch of options if you ever decide to rebarrel it. Fun!

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Have a search for a Tasco TR scope. I have a 4-18x on my 222. (Tikka) These have a range finding capability (2 horizontal lines on the reticle) and come with interchangeable elevation rings. They have been obsolete for years, but do appear. Much better glass than the usual Tasco fare. Luckily, the 222/55 g ring is spot on for my loads, otherwise, one could easily re-label one.

 

[AckleymanII]

NON VLD type bullets may get you the best accuracy as they Jump less to the lands.

50g Sierra lead tip blitz
50g sierra spt
What ever you do, try and find some of the 55g Sierra semi point that just do very, very well in 14 twist barrels and are extremely jump tolerant.

Magazine OAL gives some serious jump on the bullets you choose. CFE will be a top powder choice for speed with accuracy. 8208 should give some incredible accuracy with the 55's.

Some of the largest holes I have ever seen shot in coyotes was with the 55g Sierra lead tip blitz loaded with H335 in this exact gun at a Muzzle Velocity of 3450.

Baush and Lomb(later Bushnell)made some 12x-32x that had a fine cross hair, very small target turrents, 1" tube, and 40mm objective lens. That would be the scope I would put on that rifle for p. dogs as this particular scope is not a real long scope at all. I don't have one for sale, but I do know where one is.

LCazador, gave good advise, keep the barrel clean.​

 

[AlNyhus]

Slick little gun...love those lttle Sakos.

To start with, keep the bullet length short when you're starting your load work...stability is more about the length, rather than the weight. Many of the tipped bullets are quite long when compared to similar weights of non-tipped bullets. Benchmark, H322 and WW748 would be good powders to start with. Invest in some quality dies, also.

For a scope, a fixed Leupold 12X, Weaver KT15 or Weaver V-16 would be perfect for that gun. The objectives and occulars are of the correct size and look at home on that style gun. The Weaver V-16's in particular are very nice...the only downside is that aren't available in gloss finish. All of these have been dc'd for a while now but do come up for sale regularly.

I have a Sako 22PPC with a Leupold 12X on it...perfect size and fit. A 'Wanted' ad in the classifieds here would likely get you some results.

Good shootin'. -Al

 

[biggun2869]

I recently picked up a Sako L461 222 Remington Magnum.

The seller also included a few hundred rounds of unfired Remington brass.

Anyone out there with this rifle that has been able to make this rifle sing? I'd really like to spend some time with this rifle, find a nice scope for it and see how far she'll reach.

Appreciate any words of wisdom. I bought the rifle because I love the way it feels and shoots. It has been about 10+ years since I last shot this make/model.

I'd be extremely happy if I could hit a Prarie Dog at 300 yards with this rifle.

I'll be posting my homework once I get a scope and get to the range.

Thanks,

Reloading Bum

I had one in a deluxe several years ago. I sold it to my cousin and he still has it. I never could get it to be the tackdriver I wanted it to be with the loaded ammo fitting in the magazine,
BUT loaded single shot loaded to touch the lands it did great. Just my experiense with one rifle but it is something to keep in mind. Gary

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Had two of those. neither one would shoot . Sent one down the road, rebarreled the other one to a .223 with Kreiger Barrel. It then shot!