quote:

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Originally posted by CISCO:
Are there any markings on the barrel? I have a Sako vixen heavy barrel in 222 with an L461 action. The barrel has Bofors Steel stamped on it. I don't have the serial # handy though.

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Yes it does say "Bofors Steele" on the barrel bolt side. along with "caliber 222" on the top of the barrel in front of the reciever. This has the normal taper barrel for a sporter at 24"

Chris

If it has a sporter barrel and stock, the barrel will measure approximately 23.75 inches. There was never any rear sight (a peep sight was available to mount on the rear scope dovetail). In this serial number range, it will likely have "Bofors Steel" stamped on the right side of the barrel, but not always.

As you observed, the sling swivels are one-piece and non-detachable (and are actually made for a 7/8" rather than one-inch sling, although a one-incher can be squeezed through satisfactorily).

Assuming the stock has regular, as opposed to skip-line checkering and the floorplate is plain blue without any gold engraving, you have the standard sporter model. The magazine latch could be a lever contoured into the trigger guard, or more likely, a plunger which retracts into the trigger guard -- both types were found, with the lever being earlier thant the plunger.

Magazine capacity is a rare 6 rounds.

These are fantastic little guns. I have a .222 very similar to yours and also a .222 Magnum in a deluxe, and a .223 (which was very rare in the pre-Garcia guns). All shoot marvelously, with the .222 holding a slight edge in accuracy.

Your pre-Garcia is more desireable than the later production models (at least in my opinion) because it had a slimmer and sleeker contour to the stock and barrel and the finish (not Finnish!) was a bit better.

The current prices of new Sakos make the pre-Garcias in the condition of yours seem like a true bargain. Enjoy it (that is, unless you want to sell it to me!).

quote:

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Originally posted by Stonecreek:
raamw: You have what is commonly referred to as a "pre-Garcia" Sako Vixen. This means it was produced prior to about 1972 and was likely imported by the Firearms International Corp. of Washington D.C., the importer immediatly prior to the Garcia Corporation (yes, the fishing reel people).

If it has a sporter barrel and stock, the barrel will measure approximately 23.75 inches. There was never any rear sight (a peep sight was available to mount on the rear scope dovetail). In this serial number range, it will likely have "Bofors Steel" stamped on the right side of the barrel, but not always.

As you observed, the sling swivels are one-piece and non-detachable (and are actually made for a 7/8" rather than one-inch sling, although a one-incher can be squeezed through satisfactorily).

Assuming the stock has regular, as opposed to skip-line checkering and the floorplate is plain blue without any gold engraving, you have the standard sporter model. The magazine latch could be a lever contoured into the trigger guard, or more likely, a plunger which retracts into the trigger guard -- both types were found, with the lever being earlier thant the plunger.

Magazine capacity is a rare 6 rounds.

These are fantastic little guns. I have a .222 very similar to yours and also a .222 Magnum in a deluxe, and a .223 (which was very rare in the pre-Garcia guns). All shoot marvelously, with the .222 holding a slight edge in accuracy.

Your pre-Garcia is more desireable than the later production models (at least in my opinion) because it had a slimmer and sleeker contour to the stock and barrel and the finish (not Finnish!) was a bit better.

The current prices of new Sakos make the pre-Garcias in the condition of yours seem like a true bargain. Enjoy it (that is, unless you want to sell it to me!).

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It does have standard taper barrel and a spring loaded plunger/pivoting lever for mag release and single cut checkering. I figured it had to be at least 25 years or better. The fellow I bought it off never did shot it, he had a 222 remington Mag that he always shot. I have shot it a few times and it probably shoots better than I am capable of. Thanks for your time Stonecreek I appreciate it.

As mentioned in earlyer posts you have a Vixen action and yes it�s a old one. The barrels labeled with "Bofors steel" is cut rifled and use to shoot very well. Nowadays Sako hammer forge the barrels.

Stefan.

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BH1

"Did you use excessive force?---I HIT IT WITH EVERYTHING I HAD!

The A-series is pretty similar to the L-series, but did have a different length tang, and shared the shrouded firing pin common to very late L-series actions. Somewhere during the A-series, Sako started using a palm-swell pistol grip (which really hacks off left-handed shooters) and cut the barrel in most calibers to 22". Later they returned to 23 and 24 inch barrels in standard sporters. The forends also became rounded instead of squared bottoms and sides at some point.

I had an AV in .338 which had a black composite magazine follower -- the only one I've ever seen. What kind of follower does your .375 have?

quote:

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Originally posted by Stonecreek:
I had an AV in .338 which had a black composite magazine follower -- the only one I've ever seen. What kind of follower does your .375 have?

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Mine has a steel follower, palm swell, and a 23" barrel. The stock is oil finished, rounded forend with no forend cap, and fairly nice checkering, not skipline.

I haven't shot that monster yet, (I think it's a little light for a .375 H&H) but have heard that the Sako AVs are 1 MOA capable. As long as it's "minute of elk" @ 200 yards, I'll be happy .

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BH1

"Did you use excessive force?---I HIT IT WITH EVERYTHING I HAD!