Sako 222 Mag

[AA Ron]

Leopold M8-6x36 with fine tapered crosshair does it for me. N133 gives very good velocity and shoots well too.
Aaron

 

[dgeesaman]

I'm a fan of Leupold 6.5-20x40 EFR scopes. But they're getting harder to find.

 

[Reloading Bum]

Thanks. That's a nice scope and I'm a Leupold owner. I'll check it out.

 

[Reloading Bum]

Leopold M8-6x36 with fine tapered crosshair does it for me. N133 gives very good velocity and shoots well too.
Aaron

Nice looking rifle. Shooting well too!

Leopold M8-6x36 with fine tapered crosshair does it for me. N133 gives very good velocity and shoots well too.

Leopold M8-6x36 with fine tapered crosshair does it for me. N133 gives very good velocity and shoots well too.
Aaron

 

[flatlander]

Back in 1971, I had a case of the hots for a nice bolt rifle chambered in 223 Rem (there were a dozen or more large prairie dog towns within easy driving distance back then, and shooting my 243 at these small rodents seemed excessive). After looking through Gun Digest's rifle catalog section and the Shooer's Bible (we didn't have computers or the internet 50yrs ago), the only bolt rifle I could find in 223 was the Sako L461 Vixen. A friend of my grandfather (born a year before Grandpa in 1894) had retired from ranching and moved into town, and had hunted extensively in the western U.S., Canada, and Alaska. He was also a ffl, and was the guy who'd sold me a RCBS JR press, dies, & components to get me started handloading for the new Win M70 in 243 he'd sold me in 1968 while I was a junior in high school. Anyway, I asked him to order a Vixen in for me, along with a RCBS 223 die set.

In due time, the rifle showed up, so I mounted a Weaver K6 on it and started trying to find an accurate load for it. I never have found a load that shoots really well in this rifle, although I've killed a lot of prairie dogs and quite a few coyotes with it over the years. I love this little rifle, even though it's not a tack driver, and have thought several times about re-barreling it with a Bartlein or Krieger sporter contour blank. But I've kept it in very nice condition, and since it has a good deal of sentimental value to me, I think I'll keep it in its original condition, and look for a used Vixen on Gun Broker and re-barrel it instead.

 

[snert]

Acklyman gives excellent advice. He is right about those older style non-tipped bulllets.

I am a fan of the Leupold VariX2 6-18 with target knobs. Buy used at $400. Great scope for smaller rifles, and you won't need more than 18. For PD I set mine at 12.

 

[Reloading Bum]

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.

Thank you. I was able to get the 52Gr BERGER FBT & Win748 to shoot very well, but I don't have enough powder (I'm using it for my .204 Ruger..)so I'm going to try your suggestion. I like the idea of the SBK's & Benchmark powder or maybe the 52Gr BERGER FBT and Benchmark powder?

 

[SBS]

Thank you. I was able to get the 52Gr BERGER FBT & Win748 to shoot very well, but I don't have enough powder (I'm using it for my .204 Ruger..)so I'm going to try your suggestion. I like the idea of the SBK's & Benchmark powder or maybe the 52Gr BERGER FBT and Benchmark powder?

Never shot the 52 Berger (being the thrifty type), but if you have them, why not try some? Benchmark has been my most accurate powder with the 50 BK and V-Max -- plus it meters great.

 

[SmokinJoe]

There is a Leupold VX-ll 6-18x40 for sale on saubier that would be a good fit. My favorite is the Leupold VX-lll Target EFR 6.5-20x40. I would also recommend that you use the Sako Opti-Lok ring/base combo. Those are kinda pricey but built like a tank.

 

[archangel485]

I love the L461s, however while I bought some from my grandma I managed to miss out on the 222 mag she had, so unfortunately can't help you on the load side of things. I can tell you that I went with Vortex strike eagles 4-24x50 (30mm tube) that I find to be perfect for the application. I also went with the Burris bases https://www.burrisoptics.com/mounting-systems/mounts-and-bases/xtreme-tactical-bases so that I could use standard picatinny or weaver rings, I went with Vortex pro-series rings. Unfortunately the scope has since been discontinued, so my main point is to not be afraid to go with a 50mm objective, I don't find it oversized personally. You have a nice long barrel on that rig!

 

[Oso]

Back in 1971, I had a case of the hots for a nice bolt rifle chambered in 223 Rem (there were a dozen or more large prairie dog towns within easy driving distance back then, and shooting my 243 at these small rodents seemed excessive). After looking through Gun Digest's rifle catalog section and the Shooer's Bible (we didn't have computers or the internet 50yrs ago), the only bolt rifle I could find in 223 was the Sako L461 Vixen. A friend of my grandfather (born a year before Grandpa in 1894) had retired from ranching and moved into town, and had hunted extensively in the western U.S., Canada, and Alaska. He was also a ffl, and was the guy who'd sold me a RCBS JR press, dies, & components to get me started handloading for the new Win M70 in 243 he'd sold me in 1968 while I was a junior in high school. Anyway, I asked him to order a Vixen in for me, along with a RCBS 223 die set.

In due time, the rifle showed up, so I mounted a Weaver K6 on it and started trying to find an accurate load for it. I never have found a load that shoots really well in this rifle, although I've killed a lot of prairie dogs and quite a few coyotes with it over the years. I love this little rifle, even though it's not a tack driver, and have thought several times about re-barreling it with a Bartlein or Krieger sporter contour blank. But I've kept it in very nice condition, and since it has a good deal of sentimental value to me, I think I'll keep it in its original condition, and look for a used Vixen on Gun Broker and re-barrel it instead.

I got an L46 222 Rem Mag that needs a new home.

 

[CT10ring]

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

My .222 ( not a mag) shoots really well with CFE & Berger 52g bullets. fwiw. enjoy it!