Thread: Sako L461 in .17-222

I originally bought this rifle to be the basis of a .20-222 build. Picked it up for AUD$600. Was an old roo shooters rifle and had done some hard yards over the years. The .223 barrel had no rifling for the first couple of inches ahead of the chamber but it could still plonk 5x Sierra Superoo 55gn SPs into an inch or just over.

The action turned out to be fairly worn so changed my plans about using it as the basis for my .20-222 build.

The big Hakko scope - I think is was 4.5-14x56 - made it feel unbalanced and top heavy to I sold it for $400. Found a second hand fluted SS heavy barrel of $80 which still shot 40gn Sierras vey well. Mounted a Tasco 3-9x44 Tasco World Class Plus that was in the cupboard and used it as a knock about rifle for a year or two.

Refinished the stock - nothing special, but looks a lot neater. Polished the action and bolt with wet and dry paper and applied a few coatings of cold blue.

Over the following years a second hand Timney trigger with a lighter spring was fitted, a second hand Shilen SS barrel in .17-222, and a second hand Kahles 4.5-18x50 scope. It's a terrific accurate fox/rabbit/hare rifle.

As purchased




Refinished, .17 cal barrel and Kahles fitted:


In action:




Couple of loads


From left to right - 250 Myra (25-222), 222, 20-222, 17-222


Marcus