I found a 700 BDL in 222 for a donor rifle. Couldn't find a bolt for the Sako. Going with a 0 or 1 contour barrel, 18" or 20". For absolute light weight I was going to buy a plastic blind magazine stock but can't bring myself to do it! I still want a wooden stock. I would like this rifle to end up like a very trim stalking rifle and short forearm. What wood should I be looking for that will be lighter and yet stay straight? Thanks for your help. Gary

I had looked for a sako vixen or a tikka m55 for what kind of rifle.

Try birch it has lower density and is still hard enough.

Have you tried shooting your donor rifle? I'd be curious to see how it shoots.

If your goal is absolute light weight, you are on the right track with a 18" or 20" barrel with 0 or 1 contour. But you seem to be offsetting that goal by choosing the 700 action with a wood stock. I like your choice of 700 action and wood stock, but maybe you'd be better off with a more balanced rifle to match that choice. Obviously this is just a matter of opinion, but a 18" barrel with a 0 concour lines up more with a Model 7 action with a graphite stock. A 22" barrel with a more moderate contour seems like a better balance.

Good luck and have fun with it. The 222 is a great cartridge and I'm sure whatever rifle setup you choose it will shoot well.

You probably want beech, not birch (don't know that you can find birch for a stock) and beech may even be heavier than walnut. To go light AND accurate, you will probably need a "good" plastic stock.

you could try to find a model 7 in 222 lightweght and accurate i have one and seen two more believe made first year only

As far as a lightweight action, I would have thought that the CZ527 in 222 would have been an excellent place to start, light weight with a pretty nice trigger. FS

Don't use Birch or Beech, neither is a good wood..You can find a nice piece of walnut that is feather light if you shop around..I have one that I have been saving for such a project. Its a decent piece of Turkish that for whatever reason its extremely light..It would be beautiful with a deep red alkanet dye finish.

I would not go with a blind magazine, it has no benifit and you don't save any weight in that small caliber..Also don't go overboard on light, keep it up around 5 to 6 pounds are it will be to light to hold steady, especially offhand..Keep it a tad barrel heavy.

Is bamboo an option?

Just go find a L-46 Sako preferably w a 1/14 twist&a smallish scope.

Here is one I've found will go just about anywhere and is a pleasure to carry.
Its a Sako Riihimaki in 222. My idea of a perfect "walking varminter".



It does have a 1 in 16 twist, but have now shot sub inch groups at 100 yds up to 52 grainers. It also likes the 45 gr. Barnes TSX which in a pinch would do for hogs and deer if correct shot placement was an option. I was sitting in a tripod on this particular afternoon, but the piggies did not show up.

GWB

quote:

Originally posted by Nordic2:
I had looked for a sako vixen or a tikka m55 for what kind of rifle.

Try birch it has lower density and is still hard enough.

more stable, also- or is that beech I'm thinking of?

Two birds were arguing as to whether a tree was a son of a beech or a son of a birch. They called in a specialist--a woodpecker. He sampled the specimen and said that's the finest piece of ash I ever stuck my pecker in.

Geedubya,

You couldn't have made a better choice..Try the 60 gr. HOrnady SP or HP on pigs and deer, it works like a charm.

For a light weight 222 I use a Rem 600. Put it in a Wildcat synthetic stock, put a Leoupold 2-7 on top. Makes for a nice light weight walk around rifle. - dan