Got a hankering for a 222 and need an action. A Sako L461 would be great,I've had one for about 50 years, and I believe Rem made the model 7 with a .378 bolt face. Either of these would be good; and there are probably others out there?

If you have something laying around, please PM me at jmbn1@outlook.com, and please include your general area

Thanks.

Lots of 700s out there. I had one in 722 as well. There were (maybe still are) Win M70s chambered in 223.

I'd keep my eye out for a complete rifle. Likely cheaper than an action. Not very popular these days so you may get a good deal on one. If one comes through the shop I'll contact you.

Bob

I’d look also for a 788.

Thanks; I've kind of been doing that, but the 222's around here run higher than 223's. maybe they're more in demand for sage rat rifles. I've got several rat rifles but they all have heavy barrels. I'll keep watching. 788's are usually around 600-800 dollars and I can probably make one up for not too much more than that. I can stock it myself and still have some great wood.

Try looking east coast. Not popular here and usually sell reasonably.

quote:

Originally posted by jerrymontgomery:
Thanks; I've kind of been doing that, but the 222's around here run higher than 223's. maybe they're more in demand for sage rat rifles. I've got several rat rifles but they all have heavy barrels. I'll keep watching. 788's are usually around 600-800 dollars and I can probably make one up for not too much more than that. I can stock it myself and still have some great wood.

quote:

Originally posted by Toomany Tools:
I’d look also for a 788.

here is wisdom - fastest lock time of a mechanical bolt action and always accurate

another option is a savage/stevens in 223 .. order a prefit barrel, add a trigger, and you are done

The idea of rebarreling a Savage sounds good, and probably the cheapest way. I like nice wood so a barrel and a stock could make it into a decent rifle, and I work for free.

Only fly in the ointment with the 788 is the flimsy piece of junk magazine!

IF I had one it would be in residence right here near the computer.

Take a look at the mini Howa. Maybe someone already said that as I didn't read the replies. (Just replace the plastic bottom metal with an aftermarket aluminum one)

I bought just a couple barreled actions from brownells and both will have custom barrels on them here shortly. I think the 300 blackout is still cheap right now and is just right for a 222 or 223 cartridge (or in my case another 20 Practical).

Nothing beats the L461 IMHO but they're spendy nowadays. I just bought another L461 in a varmint 223.

Have fun,
Zeke

Oh, and on grab a gun you can buy a 222 size 700 action for $300 but you'll nee the mag box, spring, follower and bottom metal and that adds up quickly.
That's what I did for my first 20 Practical.

Zeke

Wow, I had no idea a 788 in 222 was so highly thought of. Bought one years ago for a couple hundred bucks, never even wrung it out as it was fairly heavy. It has always been a "one day" project to play with.

Just buy a beater 700 and re-barrel it. Done deal.

If you want a .222 in something *very* similar to a L461 (japanese knock-off) but don't want to pay $1000+ then look into the Howa Mini. They made them in .222 for a while, though no longer. The barreled action, in my experience, is quite nice though the bottom "metal" is not great nor is the plastic stock.

Jefferson Outdoors and Oregongunsmithing each make a metal hinged floorplate if you want to use your own wood.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/859700015
https://www.jeffersonoutdoor.com
http://www.oregunsmithingllc.com/

While many Sakos on Gunbroker are hopelessly over-priced, from time to time I do see some L461 .222's which can be had for less money than putting a rifle together with a 700 action would cost you. I've never see a barrel "shot out" on a Sako .222 and all I've ever messed with (at least a dozen) have been gratifyingly accurate. So, instead of a "build" you might want to consider a "buy".

quote:

Originally posted by Toomany Tools:
788

Gonna watch this one and see where it goes.

Just had one built by Jim Kobe.
Rem 700
Shilen barrel, 24” I believe #3, 1:12
All metal is matte blued
I’ve mounted a Zeiss 3.5-10- 50 on it.
Have ordered a a Mcmillan hunter stock, due in next 2-3 week.
No doubt you can buy one cheaper.
But this one is configured the way I want it and I expect it will be a tack driver.

I guess it depends which you want most, light-weight/elegance or strength.

The Sako Vixen (L461) was a beautiful little rifle but one of few I've seen wrecked. (The L61R, on the other hand, is a big, strong action, never mind the skimpy bolt shroud.)

The Remington 700 with its three-rings of steel, however, occurs to me as something almost indestructible if chambered in the .222.

About 15 years or so ago I fell on hard times and sold a 700 ADL 222 standard sporter,from the early ‘80s, along with an arbor press and Wilson neck and bullet seating dies. It shot 50 grain Nosler BT’s and 53 grain Flat base sierras in the two’s. It had a 2lb worked over factory trigger. On a calm day, I feel like it could have held its own against any trick 6PPC light varmint bench gun. The 700/722 is the original platform for the 222, and I don’t see why one need look any further when building a custom 222. I once owned a very accurate 788 in 222, as well, but I’d choose a 700, or model 7/xp-100 action. They are more robust, and I just like their looks better.

I think the Mini Mauser action is best for a custom classic light weight rifle. My own 204 Ruger is a rebuilt conversion to make it better to use a #1 or #2 barrel and can be under 6 lbs without a scope.

I have a Rem 700 action still new in the 222 bolt face. I had planned to make up a 204 Ruger, but now with health problems this project will not be made.

I will post it up for sale in classified section. I have several items that I will be listing.

What are you asking, Les?

I don't need bottom metal or magazine parts as I'll use it as a single shot. Most likely I can get an ADL guard to fit, and I'll just leave a small groove in the stock in which to drop the cartridge. I've done it before.

I do not have a FFL now , so I can't send the action to you. A local shop wants $25 to handle a transfer and I think that would make the action too expensive. Shipping to Cal. would be another $12. I paid $310 + tax so after looking at the overall cost I will have to keep the action for now. The action did not come with a recoil lug, so that would be another cost for you.

I have a RH short action 700 receiver just lying around, no bolt, trigger, etc but a good start if you have some parts

Mr Kobe- That could work- let me root around and see if I can come up with a bolt. Since I'm happy to have it as a single shot the magazine rails shouldn't matter unless I'm missing something. Is the action totally stripped or does it have a safety, bolt stop, recoil lug, etc?

This would be a fun project for me (I'm long retired)but cost is a factor. If it has the recoil log I'm assuming you could barrel it for me? I have several Lilja barrels and a couple of PacNors, but whatever you prefer would be fine.

It is strickly a bare action. I could come up with a trigger, maybe, the recoil lugs are available.. If you find a bolt with a 308 face I can convert it to 222 with a sako extractor. I do have a compklete firing pin and I think I could come up with a 223 mag box, spring and flooower.

Mr kobe- I've got a line on a local M 700 with a .222-size bolt. Thanks much for your help.

Hold out for a Sako.. nothing else would be as nice.

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:

quote:

Originally posted by Toomany Tools:
788

Gonna watch this one and see where it goes.

Sold for $405.

I know a Kodiak bear guide who has been offering a very nice old Sako 222 for $800 at the last couple of Gun shows.

Can't fathom why anyone would want a .222 in this day and age.
Anyway, Sako vs 788; true story. I was at Ft Knox; I got a 788 right when the 223 was fairly new in bolt action rifles. My friend got a Sako in the same caliber. My 788 routinely out shot his Sako which cost 3 times as much; and pissed him off every time we went to the range. Of course, the Sako was prettier...but not for long; I put a figured walnut, stock on my 788 from Richards.

maybe I want a .222 for the same reason those other idiots are buying 300&375 H&H. Some of us are sentimental old fools.

I've worn out two .223 barrels shooting at sage rats and a few prairie dogs, and my usual loads are in the area of what you can get with a .222; I go for the best groups. I can't hit a rat at more than 200 yds anyway.

Idiots? Those are my clients. And me.
I forgot about sentiment. That does drive a lot of consumerism; definitely for me it does.

My 700 in 222 is my favorite/go to rat rifle. It will do anything a 223 will do.

My buddy has a M700 from the 70's he was thinking of rechambering, I told him noNoNO.

Just picked up a Rem 700 action and ordered a barrel! Thanks for all the advice.