Can a Sako L461 be modified to safely fire a cartridge with a .473 casehead like a .250Imp or 7mmIHSMA? Can the bolt face be opened enough to handle the case head? Does the action possess sufficient wall thickness and lug strength to do this?

I ask because I found an old Kimber of Oregon M84 in .250 Savage and had never seen one chambered for a cartridge that large. I'm trying to decide if I should trade for the Kimber or build on the Sako.

Best,
Keith

Good question. The L461 (or successor A-1) was used for the PPC cartridges which have a rim diameter of about .440" or so. An additional .033, or .0165 per side, wouldn't seem like much. As far as strength, the lugs are unaffected and the action is far stronger than required in any event. The diameter of the barrel shank would leave a somewhat thin chamber wall, but I would think it would be ample, anyway.

The Zastava Mini Mark X was also available with a .473 bolt face for the .22-250 and it is similar in bolt diameter to the L461, though I'm not sure of the exact dimensions of either.

If you're thinking of chambering a .250 Savage, your biggest challenge might be magazine length since the L461 magazine is just about maxed out with a .223 -- the .222 Magnum was a very tight fit even with only 55 grain bullets.

Maybe you might consider a .25 caliber on the 6mm PPC case?

quote:

you're thinking of chambering a .250 Savage, your biggest challenge might be magazine length since the L461 magazine is just about maxed out with a .223 -- the .222 Magnum was a very tight fit even with only 55 grain bullets

Very true. I shoot the L461 (1963) in 222RemMag and cannot use 55gr Vamx or Btips in the magazine unless I seat very deep. Even then, the tips have been known to breakoff.

quote:

Originally posted by k-22hornet:

quote:

you're thinking of chambering a .250 Savage, your biggest challenge might be magazine length since the L461 magazine is just about maxed out with a .223 -- the .222 Magnum was a very tight fit even with only 55 grain bullets

Very true. I shoot the L461 (1963) in 222RemMag and cannot use 55gr Vamx or Btips in the magazine unless I seat very deep. Even then, the tips have been known to breakoff.

Yeah, I have two .222 Magnums in L461's. They're both great shooters, but I don't use any of the plastic-tipped bullets in them simply because most of them are too long to seat in the magazine without having the ogive partially below the mouth of the case. I think the maximum length for a cartridge in the L461 magazine is just about 2 1/4" or so.