Sako Riihimaki 222

[Pyscodog]

Even a blind dog finds a bone sometimes. Went to Bass Pro to look at pistols and low and behold was this little triple deuce. I tried to talk myself out of it and even left the store. I got home and did some internet surfing then headed back to Bass Pro. This is the Riihimaki model and its mint. I pulled the bolt and it still has cosmolene on it. The mag looks like there has never been a round loaded. Blueing is perfect and so is the stock. Also has what looks like a factory peep sight. Not to sure about that, I can't see good enough to use it anyway. I tried to haggle but they said not on this one but did get 5% off with a military discount. Best I can tell it was made between 1959 and 1960.

 

[gtl1946]

Congratulations on a great find . One of my favorite rounds in a classic rifle .

 

[Pyscodog]

Looking at the bore and the bolt, I'm about 99% sure this rifle is unfired. The bore had some grease looking stuff in it but cleaned up real nice and shiney and the face of the bolt hasn't even got a hint of a round being fired, Same with the mag, not a mark on it. I'm also a fan of the 222 and of Sako.

 

[lb-ft]

EXCEPTIONAL find, nicely done!

 

[DGP4]

I'd buy a lottery ticket if I were you! Amazing find! I hate you!

 

[Pyscodog]

Still has the original sling swivels on it too!

Bottom metal is nice too!

 

[AWS]

You even got a peep sight with it, that's at least another C-note if you tried to buy one. Great find. They are a little hard to mount a scope on due to the bolt handle being close to the scope and the modern large ocular bells won't clear. Leupold made a wonderful little compact scope with a small ocular bell that even allows you to use Sako low rings. Mine is a 2-7 but I think they came in 3-9 also.

 

[SShooterZ]

Nice find!

 

[Pyscodog]

I have two old gloss Redfields, one is 2x7, the other 3x9. I may try to use one of them. Of course, my last set of Sako rings are 30mm and the Redfields are one inch so a trip to Tulsa tomorrow. I'd use the peep but just don't see well enough any more. LOL, I almost hate to shoot it but never been much on safe queens. If I don't shoot it, it goes down the road.

 

[Pyscodog]

I picked up a Vintage Redfield 10x for the Sako today. It even has side focus on it. LOL, I didn't know that feature was offered back then. Yet to fire it. I haven't even tried to chamber a round in it yet. I hate being on the fence wondering if I should shoot it or just wrap it up and stick it away. I feel shooting it will take away from the value. But then again...........who cares!!

 

[Mark M.]

Shoot it and enjoy it !

 

[freebird22/250]

Sako's are very accurate rifles & quality workmanship!

 

[Pyscodog]

Sako's are very accurate rifles & quality workmanship!

They're very addicting to. I have 4 Sako's and 2 Tikka's. And they all shoot little tiny groups. Well, all but this newest one, I haven't shot it yet.......yet.

 

[Ackman]

They're very addicting to. I have 4 Sako's and 2 Tikka's. And they all shoot little tiny groups. Well, all but this newest one, I haven't shot it yet.......yet.

Don't shoot it. New ones like that are very seldom seen and only new/unfired once, keep it that way or sell it to a collector.

 

[joshb]

Don't shoot it. New ones like that are very seldom seen and only new/unfired once, keep it that way or sell it to a collector.

That’s what I did. I have my grandfather’s Riihimaki 222. It isn’t unfired but it is pristine and shot very little. I bought another one to shoot until the barrel falls off.
Great find! I say enjoy it any way you like.

 

[Pyscodog]

I have a 788 in 222 that I shoot. Its been restocked in a maple Boyd's stock with a trigger job and action bedded. Its a really nice shooter also. Its just hard to have this Sako and not shoot it. I've never been one to buy a firearm and not shoot it.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Check the twist rate on the barrel as mine has a slow twist and wont stabilize many common 224
bullets.

 

[Bugs]

Check the twist rate on the barrel as mine has a slow twist and wont stabilize many common 224
bullets.

I concur. . . I've owned several old sako .222's and they really preferred good 40 grain bullets.

 

[AWS]

I've always shot 52gr Speer flatbase varmint bullets and they have proven to be the best HUNTING bullet for my 222's and surprisingly the most accurate. I do shoot some 40gr NBT's and lightly loaded 45gr Speer softpoints.

 

[joshb]

I have a 788 in 222 that I shoot. Its been restocked in a maple Boyd's stock with a trigger job and action bedded. Its a really nice shooter also. Its just hard to have this Sako and not shoot it. I've never been one to buy a firearm and not shoot it.

I buy guns to shoot, also! Just shoot it GENTLY! The guns I inherited are special to me so they’re every 6th Sunday guns.