So last week I snagged an '80s vintage Sako AI Heavy Barrel in .223. I'm a sucker for these tiny little actions (and their predecessors, the L461s).

After pulling the action from the stock and cleaning the old gal up a bit, I mounted a Leupold 3x9 that was handy and assembled some loads to sight her in and get started. Initial loads with the 50 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips showed promise (dropping 5 rounds into 5/8" c-t-c). Sadly, I couldn't help but believe that my aging eyes were likely the weakest link in this chain, so I swapped glass to another Leupold (this time a vintage 6.5x20).

Setting up at my range this morning before the heat set in, I bore-sighted @ 50, confirmed with one shot, then moved to 100. There was a lively little 15 mph breeze blowing, but it was steady and almost directly in my face. Settling onto the bags, I dry fired once to verify stability and then squeezed off a shot. 9 o'clock; I" out...OK, that'll work for now. I reloaded and squeezed off a second round; still one hole in the paper. Third and fourth rounds went downrange without any apparent change in the target. Finally the fifth round opened things up a bit...

So four rounds went into about 1/8" ctc; the fifth opened things up to 3/8". I did some work on another rifle, but before heading back up to the house I put three more thru the little Sako just to confirm...and she printed the three into 3/8" as well. Performance like that makes me giggle.

Mark

Nice, and a dang good looking rifle to boot

Fantastic, the old girl still shoots and the shooter is doing good with her.

Gotta love those old rifles.

Fantastic, the old girl still shoots and the shooter is doing good with her.

Gotta love those old rifles.

That ought to work!

Thanks all! Yeah, old school can still get it done...it just takes us longer.

Very nice rifle

Never should have sold my Sako

Bullfrog, I'm inclined to believe that that's a fair statement...even without knowing any of the details of your rifle! Over the years I've only known ONE Sako that didn't shoot well from the jump (and it became a tackdriver after I discovered the problem). I've been playing with them since '75 and haven't found a reason to cuss 'em!

Mark

Love those older Sako's. Best factory produced rifles ever made IMO.

That’s definitely one that shoots as good as it looks.

You won't get any argument from me on that statement! Over the past 45 years I've shot rifles from MANY manufacturers. Some shot well out of the box; some didn't. Some could be MADE to shoot well; some never could. Out of what has become over the years a double-handful of Sakos, there was ONE that needed a little attention: a little L461 in .222 that belonged to my father-in-law. Somehow it got through QA/QC with a little rough spot in the rifling right close to the muzzle. It didn't look or feel like much, but it played merry hell with accuracy. I had a local 'smith bite 1.5" off the barrel and afterward the little sporter would almost keep pace with light varmint benchrest rigs!

Since I'm long past worrying about the latest in shooting fashion, I'll likely keep buying up used pieces like this and giggling like a schoolgirl!

Mark

Very nice. I have been working up loads for my 7-08. I went to the range a couple weeks ago and found a load that put me at 0.375 in for a 4 shot group. It just makes you smile when you see those types of things!

That's awesome...congrats!

Mark

They are great rifles. Years ago I had a Sako Vixen in .222mag. Probably the most accurate rifle I have ever owned and I have owned quite a few.

Good find!

Very nice