…which in Italian means (according to a handy online translation program) “an accurate Italian”.

I’ve been spending some time over the past couple of weeks working with a friend’s Beretta Model 500 in .222 Remington, an ‘80s vintage sporter from one of that company’s various forays into proprietary “boutique” bolt guns. The heart of this trim little darling is the tiny Sako AI action (albiet with a round top instead of the Sako-standard integral scope dovetails). I’ve been a sucker for the AI actions for years as they combine a true small (.223 sized) action and wonderful, fully adjustable triggers.

After a good bore cleaning, checking the bedding and setting the trigger up where I wanted it, I set about finding what the little rifle wanted to eat. Since it wears a 1-in-14 twist barrel, I figured I couldn’t go too heavy on bullet weight…but we’d see.

This morning I had this sexy little Italian job down at the range again to further evaluate a couple of loads that had shown promise. I squeezed off the first five shots into a 3/8” group and was more than satisfied…but after a bit I started wondering if maybe the first group was a fluke. So I shot another five shot group and shaved off 1/16” of an inch…down to 5/16”!

Gina Lollobrigida, eat your heart out!

Mark

I wish I had your marksmanship skills. Nice rifle to boot.

That’s pretty!

Thanks for the flowers, but the rifle is doing all the work. I just manage the bang button!

Mark

Very nice! It's really rewarding to plunk 5 rounds into the same hole at 100 yards. Gives you a big confidence boost when you take the rifle/hand gun plinking or hunting.

That's true! Unfortunately, it also removes EVERY imaginable alibi for a miss..."pilot error" is all that's left!

Mark

Love your posts with these classic rifles. Keep it up!

That's a sweet-looking (and shooting!) rifle!

Looks good!

Hopefully you'll get a calm wind day to refine the load at 200+ yards.

It shows promise.