Sako Finnish Model L461 Vixen 6PPC Benchrest / Varmint, Blue 24″ Bolt Action, Single Shot Target Rifle, MFD 1980’s

Sold For: $995.00

LSB#: 170218JD04

Make: Sako

Model: L579 Forester

Serial Number: A311

Year of Manufacture: We believe this rifle was made sometime in the early 1980’s.

Caliber: 6PPC (http://www.6mmbr.com/6ppc.html)

Action Type: Bolt Action, Single Shot Rifle

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “SAKO CAL. 6PPC USA MADE IN FINLAND”, with an inspection mark, the underside is marked “IMP’D BY STOEGER INC. N.J.”, the left of the receiver is marked “SAKO 6PPC A311”, with another proof mark. The underside of the bolt handle is marked “311”, the recoil pad is marked “SAKO / FINLAND”.

Barrel Length: The heavy barrel is about 24″ long, tapering from 1.04″ at the chamber to 0.872″ at the muzzle.

Sights / Optics: There is no provision for iron sights. The top of the receiver is grooved for installing scope rings directly to the receiver. The receiver is currently set up with two Burris Sako rings and twist-off bases, showing mild use, in Excellent condition.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The one piece stock is checkered walnut with a Monte Carlo comb, beavertail forend. The stock has a flank checkered pistol grip with two QD swivel studs mounted near the toe and on the underside of the forend. There are scattered moderate scrapes and dings, most did not get past the surface of the wood; a skilled woodsmith may be able to take some of the compression marks out, but as is, most of the marks avoid notice; the left of the stock by the receiver has a notabe series of scrapes. No cracks are found. The LOP measures 14 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the red solid rubber recoil pad; the pad is set with a black spacer, the pad has darkening and is semi-supple, in Fine condition. The stock rates in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling sharp. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The barrel has a few infrequent pecks into the surfaces, thinning is seen at the muzzle, the bolt and its body lack progressed wear patterns. The serrations on the safety and the knurling on the bolt handle are sharp. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine Plus overall condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. The safety is mounted at the right rear of the receiver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a two piece Burris base and scope ring set, described in Optics.

Our Assessment: Sako first started making rifles with FN Mauser actions in 1946, and finally settled on three different length actions that changed designations over the years. This is the highly sought after, infrequently seen 6PPC on the “Vixen” short action. This one was made in the early 1980’s bearing an “A” prefix with serial number “311”, pretty cool if you ask us. The wood is free of cracks, the metal retains nearly all of its finish and the barrel has a mirror bright bore. According to all of the Benchrest forums, this Sako is going to be about as accurate as you could ever get outside of the factory. The Trigger is adjustable, currently breaking around 1 lb, the rifle weighs about 9lbs, the tolerances and overall finish catch the eye and don’t let go. We at the shop love interesting calibers, 6PPC was the brain trust of two very gifted individuals; from http://www.6mmbr.com/6ppc.html “Developed by Louis Palmisano and Ferris Pindell (left and right in photo), the 6PPC is the “King of the Hill” in short-range benchrest competition, the most accurate cartridge ever invented. It completely dominates 100- and 200-yard Group BR Shooting. If you want to win in that game, you pretty much have to shoot a 6PPC, or some derivative of the 6PPC design. Easily made from Lapua 220 Russian brass, the 6mm PPC, like the 6mm BR Norma, has a small primer and small flash hole. The small flash hole/primer accounts for much of the 6PPC’s superior accuracy, though nobody really knows precisely how or why. The “short, fat” shape and nearly straight body contribute to efficient, consistent combustion and good “chamber behavior”. The 6PPC’s case capacity, case size to bore ratio, and combustion properties seem to be just about ideal for the short 6mm match bullets. A 6BR can come close, but when the goal is shooting “zero” groups at 100 and 200 yards, the 6PPC is the clear winner. Currently most 6PPC shooters form their cases from Lapua 220 Russian brass. Both SAKO and Norma make factory-formed 6PPC cases, but these are not commonly used. The Sako 6PPC USA is slightly larger, and will not fit in most current match chambers. The Norma 6PPC brass is somewhat softer than Lapua brass. It works fine for varminting or fun shooting, but it will not hold up to the stout loads used in competition as well as brass formed from Lapua 220 Russian.”