Sako Vixen L461 rebarrel question

[jjake]

I hope this an acceptable question to ask on this forum. I have been visting this site for awhile just to gather information for shooting my 308 up to its potential.

I have a Sako Vixen L461 chambered for 222 Rem Mag. I do not have the time to reload and this rifle will be shot by my children. Can I rebarrel this rifle to a 223 Rem?

Thank you,

 

[Ogre6br]

Is it a sporter or a HB??
If it's a HB it's a simple matter of getting a few threads turned off and re-chambered into 223. Don't know about whether a sporter has enough meat in the barrel knox to do this.

Don't know how much differance in cost that would be to getting a Pac-nor prefit and have that fitted- but it's worth considering.

If rebarrelling I would go with a faster twist than factory so you can use the long range bullets, I think black hill and others make factory ones) as well as the standard weight factory ballistic tips.

HTH

later
P

 

[Eddie Harren]

You can have your gunsmith set the bbl. back and re-chamber to .223 Rem. If you are not a handloader, as you stated, the long, heavy bullets will not be a factor. I think your idea is a good one and I hope your kids will enjoy the rifle.

 

[tenring]

Jake - I am a Sako collector. The L461 in .222 Mag. is worth some $$$ if in factory original condition, especially if it is a heavy barrel. They don't make em anymore. I have just one, a sporter in that caliber. If it has been previously altered, I would rebarrel.

 

[jjake]

As far as I know this gun is in original condition. The barrel is 22" long and approx. 9/16" at the muzzel; not a heavy barrel. I would like to leave the original barrel alone just help keeps its value.

The idea of having a gunsmith rebarrel the rifle is exactly why I need the advice. I would like to educate myself about the pros and cons and possible fatal flaws of rebarreling a Sako before I get to the gunsmith. I have so little understanding at this point that they could tell me anything.

The only gunsmith work I have had done were muzzle brakes and trigger work. If you know of a good gunsmith in the Houston area I would appreciate the recommendation.

My girls have been shooting the 22lr for a couple of years. This may be the year we step up to the "big" rifle.

Thanks for all the help,

 

[jjake]

I almost forgot.

What exactly am I asking the gunsmith for when I say "rebarrel"? Does that mean he just screws on a new barrel or does that typically include other work that I need to be aware of in terms of accuracy and cost.

Thanks,

 

[mikeinct]

This can be a simple fix...or it can run into enough money you will wish you left it alone...or took up reloading...If it was my gun I'd learn to reload for it...222 rem mag. is getting tough to find...from what I understand..The good news is the ruger 204 is based on that case..maybe someone here can help you figure out what you will need to reload that rifle ammo & do some simple reforming of brass..Failing that solution..& you want to just use cheap ready available 223 ammo. go for the barrel set back & rechamber option,it is the least expensive route..last time I had a smith quoate a price on that kind of work it was in the neighborhood of a hundred & fifty bucks..Of course it just sat there for 3 months & nothing was done to it..So I ended up selling the rifle..The rebarrel option is going to cost some real money 500 to 600 bucks..If you go the custom barrel option you must really love that gun..mike in ct

 

[chino1969]

I have a Sako L461 Vixen heavy barrel .223 with factory holes in trigger guard for adjustment. The rifle is all original and mint. It is one of the most accurate factory rifles I own and comes close, in accuracy, to some of the custom barreled varmint rigs I own. I'm not interested in selling it but just want to make the point that it is one of the finest rifles I've ever owned. If anyone runs across one for sale, in good condition, do not hesitate in buying it.

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

Like the others, I can attest to how accurate these small Sako rifles are. I recently acquired a Sako L-46 in .218 Bee and this is one accurate rifle! I would never have this rifle altered unless I would have no other choice. Here is another possible alternative to re-barreling your Sako. There are folks out there who will do custom reloading for calibers, such as your .222 Rem. Magnum. The brass is still available from Remington, so your rifle is still viable in this regard. One gentleman, that I know, is Ted Bates. He runs Ted's Reloading Service and he can be contacted at 260-489-4372, and he is located in Fort Wayne, IN. and does very good work for custom reloading. I hope this information will help you with your Sako.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[jjake]

After reading the responses I have had a change of heart. I have brass that can be reloaded when I have time. Until then, I will leave the rifle in its original condition. I will teach the girls using a 22-250. I appreciate all the responses and suggestions.

I will also continue to visit and recommend this site with the occassional post.

Have a GREAT day!

 

[chino1969]

Bobs243Ackley,
You indeed have a rare find! I have a Wichester Model 43 in a .218 Bee and have been looking for an upgraded rifle, like the Sako, in this caliber. It would be nice if some manufacturer would re-chamber this fine little cartridge in a small actioned varminter. Savage and CZ are two manufacturers that come to mind.

 

[Bobs243Ackley]

Hello Chino,

I lucked into this rifle! One of my friends called me all out of breath one day, and asked me if I would be interested in buying this rifle. You can about imagine how fast I answered in the affirmative! When I heard who wanted to sell the gun, I could not believe my luck. It was from none other than one of our most esteemed reloading experts, Ken Waters! I called Mr. Waters, and we agreed to the price, and as they say, the rest is history. This is one of the two rifles that Ken used to develop the data for the Bee for his book "Pet Loads". The rifle is proving to just as accurate for me as it had been for him.

One thing to help you in finding a nice bolt action Bee is to see if you might be able to find one of the Kimbers that were chambered for the Bee for a short time. Another good one to consider would be one of the nice rifles from Cooper since they offer either the Bee, or the Mashburn Bee.

Cordially,
Bob Blaine

 

[chino1969]

Bobs243Ackley,
If I were in your shoes I would have jumped on that deal as well. I've tried Ken's most accurate load in his .218 Bee data but it did not perform in my Win. Model 43. Ironically, my best and most accurate load is 13.8 gr. IMR 4198 with the factory 45 grn. Winchester H.P. at the recommended O.A.L.,1.680?). I don't have my notes in front of me so I am going by memory. My .218 is used as a walk around varminter for chucks in Southeastern Pa. and has been in my family since I was twelve years old. My first woodchuck was taken with that rifle many years ago. Several years ago, I stripped the stock and put on a traditional English oil finish,Clive C. Lemon). A friend of mine does excellent checkering work so I had him checker the stock using an archived picture of the Winchester Deluxe Model 43. I bedded the action and stoned the trigger and it is a real beauty.
Chino69