I need some info and opinions on Sako Vixen rifles. I have been on the lookout for a nice Sako Vixen in .222 rem for Roe deer and grouse.

I recently located a Sako Vixen which is an older model than I have seen before. The barrel has Bofors stamped on it. Open sights are a bit different than later Vixens and probably soldered to the barrel. The rear sight will probably have to be removed to fit a low mounted scope The extractor is longer and the floor plate latch is also different from newer Vixens. According to the gun shop the rifle is made somewhere in the mid 60�s.

The condition is as new and probably never even shot. The trigger feels a little bit mushy compared to my other Sako rifles, but that could be gummed up oil. The seller wants $550, which is at least $100 more than you pay for the more common Vixens of the 70�s and 80�s here in Sweden.

So, is this a better buy than a newer Vixen from the 70�s or 80�s. I think the metalwork looks better on this one than on later Vixens, but I might be missing something else important. Any other opinions also appreciated!

Thanks!

I have had a few Sakos and have one now of the eariler version.....many people think the early version which you describe is the "top of the line" in the Sako models and all of them are well thought of by shooters and gunsmiths....the eariler type trigger is similar to the P64 mod 70 Winchester and is easy to adjust and performs well......the bofors steel is also "top of the line".......The wood and fitting was also nice on most of the late 60's guns and has mid color tight grained walnut.......if the gun is good mechanically to match the looks ....you won't regret the purchase.....my 222 was rechambered with barrel set back to 222mag and shoots nice!.....hth..good luck and good shooting-hunting!!

550$ is way too much, as is 450$ in my opinion. You should be able to get one much cheaper. 350ish or so. But if it's in really good condition maybe 450$...
Check with Sako. They can tell you what year it was manufactured. You should know that it's probably micro rifled (as you probably already discovered). A solution that was later abandoned for obvious reasons. The trigger on my L461 is not that bad. You should be able to make it work fine with a little bit of cleaning.

Thanks for the info.

What is micro rifled, and why is it bad?

I am assuming that the Vixen you are looking at is on an L-461 action rather than the earlier L-46 (which had a removable clip magazine). In my opinion, the earliest of these were the greatest among many great guns. It probably has a "lever"-type floorplate latch rather than the later plunger latch.



I have one of these with the multi-groove (12-groove?) rifling, and it is chambered in .222. It is a tad MORE accurate than my conventionally-rifled .223 and .222 Magnum of approximately the same era of manufacture, and they are VERY accurate. $550 would be a steal here in the U.S., but obviously the costs are different in Europe (or maybe you're talking in Euros -- "dollars on steroids". )



I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Stonecreek,
Thanks for you reply.It is an L-461 with a lever type floor plate latch. I will have a chance to shoot it next week and compare it with a AI-action Vixen. If the L-461 shoots and functions well I will probably buy it.

PCH,
What I think you should do is get the sako vixen and send it to me. I can shoot it, clean it, hunt with it, admire it. And then if I think it really is a good deal, give it back to you! So what do you think? Good plan huh!

tx al