When I was about 14 (1973'ish), my brother and I bought a custom/wildcat rifle from a guy we'd become friends with at the the old Folsom Shooting Club in Folsom, CA. It was and still is a beautiful piece, and probably my favorite. It's based on a single shot Sako action ("L461 No.7 3095" and two proofs stamped into it), 22" Douglas Barrel, Claro Walnut mild Monte Carlo stock with flat forend and simply engraved steel butt and end cap, topped with a Weaver K-6 scope. The cartridege is based on .222 Rem. Mag. case with the shoulder pushed back to .222 Rem. dimensions. This basically gives you a .222 Rem. with a really long neck (it came with custom dies). Load data used is .223 Rem., but the load I've almost always used has been 25.0g of 3031 with 40g - 55g bullets. It has always been dead-on for me. I recall we paid $150.

Anyone else own a rifle based on this action? Or know history of this single shot action?

G'day,
This may be of interest to you.
According to Bolt action rifles by Frank De Haas:
The first Sako single shots where released in 1956-7,it was the L46 action and the model was called the Benchrest.The L57 Benchrest followed shortly after.

When the L461 and L579 action where released[about 1963-4] they where also available in single shot.

You could also try for more info
http://groups.msn.com/sakocollectorsclub/doesanyoneknow.msnw
If this address does not work search for Sako collectors club

All the best,
Charlie

5-R,

About ten years ago I purchased a pair of heavey barreled Sako Vixen Varmint/target rifles chambered in .22 PPC and 6 PPC.

They were both brand new rifles, but the older variety with an adjustable trigger that can (and was) be taken down to a 1 lb. pull. They have a trigger guard with two holes drilled in them to accomodate adjustments. The actions are both L 461.

Believe the barrels are 23.5 inches long and very heavy. Both rifles have an oil finish to the stocks.

While I have to admit neither rifles have more than 60 rounds of factory Sako ammo fired through them, plan this upcoming year to start reloading for both. Both of these guns are beautiful compared to my Remington 700 Varmint specials.

Safe shooting.

I had a 22PPC USA target/Varmint rifle.
I bought it new in 1989,it was a factory single shot with the external trigger adjustment holes in the trigger guard also with oil finish stock.
It was Number 398.
A really well made accurate rifle.

Charlie.