I have a 222 Vixen which to my understanding is was made by SAKO a while back. It has a heavy target barrel. I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not this rifle was made in any other calibers. The one I have will one hole off factory ammunition so I would like to acquire one in 243 and 308 if they were made. Thanks.

NEARNG_SNIPER: That vintage Vixen came only in 218 Bee, 22 Hornet, 222 Remington, 223 Remington and 222 Remington Magnum. I have the 222 Remington Magnum and 222 Remington in the heavy barrel Vixens. They are nifty Rifles and very accurate.

To get the 243 Winchester cartridge in that vintage you had to go to the L57 action. Similar but a little larger and some other changes as I recall.

Hold into the wind

VarmintGuy

NEARNG_SNIPER i dont know if the vixen was available in other calibers but the action tipe for ,243 and ,308 and similar calibers was called L579 Forester!
Not 100% about this tough.

Regards Ben
Iceland

Ben, you nailed it. Vixen= L461, Forester= L579 Finbear= L61
Fine rifles,to say the least.
Stepchild

The L46 was never made in 223. The L461 came in 223. both neat guns. Pete

Actually, I think the "Vixen" name was more of a marketing designation, than a technical specification of kind: Vixen=L461. If memory serves, the Vixen name was used even for AX (I don't recall AI or AII?) actioned rifles. I think that goes for some of the other names too. My original Sako - an AIII actioned rifle in .30-06 - was sold under the "Forester" name.
FWIW - mike

Pete In Idaho: Its unclear what exact year the initial posters 222 Vixen came from so it is unknown which numeric designation the action had in the posters Vixen. He obviously liked his model of 222 Vixen and his question inquired as to what other calibers the Vixens were available in and I explained that Vixen Models could also be purchased in 223 Remington. I owned one and have seen many. I am sure though that he is not going to be able to drum up a Vixen in 243. They did not make Vixens in 243 Winchester. Yes the Vixen was a name designation for styles of Sakos Rifles kind of like Winchesters Coyote as opposed to a numeric Model name like Ruger Model 77.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

If it is a heavy-barreled Sako in .243 or .308 you are looking for, then yes, such a product is/was made. The .243 was chambered in the L579 action and designated "Forester" and was contemporary with your "Vixen", the only difference being the proportionally larger action. In somewhat later years, Sako also offered the .308 in its "medium" length action with a heavy barrel. I cannot recall whether this was as early as the L579 or if it was only in the later models starting with the A-II action.

At any rate, if you want a heavy barrel .243 or .308 Sako, they are out there.

L46 = Vixen, 218 Bee, 22 Hornet - 1949

L57 = Forester, 243, 6mm Rem

L469 = 222, 222 mag - 1950

L461 = Vixen 222 length - 1963

L579 = Forester 308 length - 1960

L61R/AIII = Finnbear 30-06/375 H&H - 1961



late 70s/earliy 80s



AI/ = Hunter 222 length

AII = Hunter 308 length

AIII = Finnbear/Hunter (transition - short tang like L61R but with AV bolt)

AIV = Safari (same as AV)

AV/ = 30-06/375H&H Hunter, Classic, Fiberclass, etc.

The heavy barrel version was called "Varmint" regardless of action length.



L491 = 223 length, Hunter/Classic- 1993

L591 = 308 length, Hunter/Classic - 1993

L691 = 3006/375H&H,Hunter/Classic - 1993



1997 - start model 75

Dr. Lou :

I have recently acquired a SAKO AI Hunter in 6mm PPC. Do you have any idea when these were made and how many were made? This rifle seems to be a perfect walk-around varmint rifle for coyotes or groundhogs. It balances well offhand with a Harris BR Bipod mounted on the forearm, and displays good accuracy from the bench. I like it so well, I want another one!

rollinghills

It was made in the late 80s or early 90s - they quit making them in 1992. I have no idea how many were made, but I know there are not as many as the 222 or 223. Another AI chambering that's not that common in the Hunter is the 17 Rem. I also really like my 6mm PPC - actually all my AIs. Sorry I could not be more informative. Lou

Dr. Lou :

Thanks for the information.

rollinghills