Sako Finland Model L461 L-461 223 Remington 24″ Bolt Rifle w/ Leupold Scope
SOLD FOR: $1090
LSB#: 220325KG003
Make: Sako
Model: L461
Serial Number: 152263
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1978
Caliber: .223 Remington
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Box Magazine and Hinged Floorplate
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “L461 No. 152263” and with 2 proofs. The left rear of the barrel is marked “MADE IN FINLAND”. The top rear of the barrel is marked “SAKO / Cal. .223”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “263”.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: There are no iron sights equipped. There are two drilled and tapped holes at the front of the barrel. The top of the receiver is equipped with a two piece Conetrol rail system with an equipped Leupold VX-I scope that has 4-12x magnification and a duplex reticle. The scope shows a few scattered light marks and the lenses are clear.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered dark walnut with a beavertail forend, Monte Carlo comb, cheek piece, pistol grip, and a serrated black plastic buttplate marked with a circled “SAKO” logo with a white spacer. There are sling studs mounted in the belly and the underside of the forend. There are dispersed compressions, scuffs, and draglines with the most noticeable on the right side of the forearm that interrupt the finish. There is also a spot of the finish loss on the right side of the stock. The left side of the stock also shows a few less notable smaller scuffs through the finish. There is an impact at the front of the belly. The checkering is generally sharp with a couple light interruptions on the sides of the forend. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows scuffing at the heel and toe and the edges of the serrations are sharp. The stock rates in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with light wear in the rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered light marks on the barrel. The bolt handle and receiver have taken a faint plum hue. There are also some light marks on the bottom metal. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine-Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a safety on the right side of the receiver and a bolt release on the left side. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The previously mentioned scope is included.
Our Assessment: Sako first started making rifles with FN Mauser actions in 1946. They had prototyped the L42 Luodikko in 1942, chambered for the 7x33mm Sako cartridge, and renamed this short action the L46 when they brought it into production in 1946. It was eventually chambered in the .22 Hornet, .218 Bee and .222 Rem. When the updated L461 action was brought out, the model was named the Vixen. Sako finally settled on 3 different length actions that changed designations over the years. This rifle is in about Fine-Plus condition with about 97% of its metal finish remaining. The bore is bright, with light wear in the rifling and no erosion. The .223 Remington has become one of the most popular cartridges and is currently used in a wide range of semi-automatic and manual-action rifles and even handguns, such as the Colt AR-15, Ruger Mini-14, Remington Model 700, Remington XP-100, etc. The popularity of .223 Remington is so great, that in the US it virtually eliminated all other similar .22 caliber center-fire varmint rifle cartridges. Sako rifles are known for their out-of-the-box accuracy, and this one is probably no exception. With its nice bore it should be a tack-driver and make someone a very nice varmint rifle that should last for decades to come. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!