Anyone out there own a Sako L461 Vixen 222 Rem?
- Thread starter rmcda
- Start date
Ive had one for 30 years, was my deer/goat culling rifle, back in New Zealand, likely got 5-6000 rounds threw it, 2500-3000 head of game at a guess, still shoots well enough for hunting, 
mostly I used a 50-55gr soft point, from Norma/sako or PMC, never had any luck with the American ammo, that was aviable, at that time late 80's -1998 when I left NZ. still shot the odd goat, or Fallow deer with it, one or two, every couple years, for old times sake, Ive carried my little vixen, over thousands of miles, of mountain country, lot of memory's,
I would look at a 53-55 gr soft point, the serria 53 shoot well in mine, five in an Inch, I tried the 50g TSX, yep no good, 6" pattern, 60gr the same, except the flat base hornardys, they shoot ok, at 100m, 2", no good at 200m,Generally my vixen, will shoot any 50-55gr bullet into a 1", 11/4 for five shots, often a lot better, but the old 4x32 wever steel glass, is the ####s, for sun glare.
I use bench mark, or H322, 22-23 gr, what every primer is cheap, and what ever brass, I have on hand, Its the only rifle, I've not put any effort, into developing a load for, I just go hunting,
I don't think, I've really helped you, but you've got a very nice rifle, That is plenty capable of Coyote's, and in other parts of the world, is used on much bigger game.
mostly I used a 50-55gr soft point, from Norma/sako or PMC, never had any luck with the American ammo, that was aviable, at that time late 80's -1998 when I left NZ. still shot the odd goat, or Fallow deer with it, one or two, every couple years, for old times sake, Ive carried my little vixen, over thousands of miles, of mountain country, lot of memory's, I would look at a 53-55 gr soft point, the serria 53 shoot well in mine, five in an Inch, I tried the 50g TSX, yep no good, 6" pattern, 60gr the same, except the flat base hornardys, they shoot ok, at 100m, 2", no good at 200m,
Generally my vixen, will shoot any 50-55gr bullet into a 1", 11/4 for five shots, often a lot better, but the old 4x32 wever steel glass, is the ####s, for sun glare. I use bench mark, or H322, 22-23 gr, what every primer is cheap, and what ever brass, I have on hand, Its the only rifle, I've not put any effort, into developing a load for, I just go hunting,
I don't think, I've really helped you, but you've got a very nice rifle, That is plenty capable of Coyote's, and in other parts of the world, is used on much bigger game.
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I gave one to my wife before we were married, so that makes it more than 53 years ago. We are still very happily married, and we still have the SAKO. 
Have no idea how many shots have gone through it, but a lot, most of which were handloads with 50 gr spitzers ahead of 19.5 gr of 4198 and 70 gr Speers with Ball C2. The rifle still shoots well under an inch off the bench.
The Speer shoots flat enough out to 300 yards not to worry about using it for hunting. If you find any of them, be sure to bring them home.
Ted
Have no idea how many shots have gone through it, but a lot, most of which were handloads with 50 gr spitzers ahead of 19.5 gr of 4198 and 70 gr Speers with Ball C2. The rifle still shoots well under an inch off the bench.
The Speer shoots flat enough out to 300 yards not to worry about using it for hunting. If you find any of them, be sure to bring them home.
Ted
Nah mate, i dont have a Vixen but i do have what i believe is an Sako A1 .222
it has factory sako open sights front and rear but it wears a scope-
i used PPU factory for a good while but began reloading with those Z max 55gr projies with green tip... i forget the load but it wasnt hum ding-ing , used for fox spotlighting
it has factory sako open sights front and rear but it wears a scope-
i used PPU factory for a good while but began reloading with those Z max 55gr projies with green tip... i forget the load but it wasnt hum ding-ing , used for fox spotlighting
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Early on I gained a preference for ball powder in the .222 based cartridge family. My go to load for the .222 was 25 grs of 748 under a 50 or 52 gr bullet. If you want to give 60-64 gr bullets a try, you might observe a small jump in performance by choosing .223 CFE.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I have a Sako vixen heavy barrel and three other .222 rifles. I have settled on the Nosler BT 40 grain for most of my shooting, which is Coyote hunting ( kills well, seldom exits) and some gopher shooting and of course targets. H4198 is a good powder. as is W748. Hornady factory loads with the 40 gr. plastic tipped bullet are as good as my handloads. I haven't had any bad experiences with the .222, it just works.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I've never loaded for the sako but i have yet to find a 222 that doesn't like 52gr berger bullets with H4198 underneath.
