Refresh an old hunting rifle

[SouthPaw700]

So the other day I picked up an old (mid to late 60's by the serial number) Sako L461 chambered in .222. I bought the rifle for coyote hunting. It had some dings and worn finish and stuff, so I thought I would freshen it up a little. Not a complete restore, because it's still going to be a working rifle, but just wanted to spruce it up a little.

Butt Stock - before

Butt Stock - After finish strip (looks dark because I just wiped with mineral spirits)

Stock under action - Before

Stock under action - After

I'm hoping to redo the bluing on the receiver and bottom metal, but I'm not sure the best way to go about it at home. Any suggestions?

 

[WhelanLad]

Nice gun, every blokes gotta own atleast one true blue huntin rifle with a bit of character an if it could talk, a hundred stories!

I have a little .222rem, in a Sako.... its a great shooter for varmints!

 

[two-dogs]

So the other day I picked up an old (mid to late 60's by the serial number) Sako L461 chambered in .222. I bought the rifle for coyote hunting. It had some dings and worn finish and stuff, so I thought I would freshen it up a little. Not a complete restore, because it's still going to be a working rifle, but just wanted to spruce it up a little.

Butt Stock - before

Butt Stock - After finish strip (looks dark because I just wiped with mineral spirits)

Stock under action - Before

Stock under action - After

I'm hoping to redo the bluing on the receiver and bottom metal, but I'm not sure the best way to go about it at home. Any suggestions?

Oh God, I wish that I could have bagged that Sako in 222! I got a million dollar recipe and the "how to, step by step" from bogie on the wood work redo. He's on site, here. It works so sweet! I have done an old 94! I would suggest you contact him for the wood work info, other's will steer you right for the metal work! Be happy with that Sako, my friend! She's a sweety!

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Pretty ####ty wood on those old Sakos. Does the job, but very dense and not much figure. Something to consider if you're going to re-finish it.

Grizz

 

[SouthPaw700]

Pretty ####ty wood on those old Sakos. Does the job, but very dense and not much figure. Something to consider if you're going to re-finish it.

Grizz

Yes I agree with you. Since it's just going to be a hunting rifle for now, I'm just stripping it applying some urethane to keep the water off the wood. At some point I will re-barrel, re-blue and re-stock it, hopefully I'll have this little rifle for a while.

 

[Dorian Gray]

Nice rifle. I've always wanted a .222. And you can't go wrong with a Sako.

 

[John303]

Sakos are nice guns I've had a couple over the years. Don't take this as a critique but a suggestion. If you wish to clean up the checkering some more get a fine brass brush and paint remover / acetone and go at it. Should you decide to re-do the checkering it helps to get all the grime out first and save your (sharp) tools, that stuff is usually full of fine grit. Mask it off before refinishing the stock or you'll be back where you started, checkering full of finish. A single coat at the end on the checkering will usually suffice. --- John303.

 

[archer2u]

some of the minor dents in the stock can be removed with a wet cloth and a clothes iron