Sako Pre-Garcia Vixen L461 .222 Remington Bolt Action Rifle, 1965 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,325.00

WOA#: WY240408JT008
Make: Sako
Model: Vixen, L461
Serial Number: 93005
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1965
Caliber: .222 Remington
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Box Magazine and Hinged Floorplate
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “L461 No. 93005” and with 2 proofs. The left rear of the barrel is marked “VIXEN  MADE IN FINLAND” and with two proofs. The top rear of the barrel is marked “SAKO / Cal..222”. The right side of the barrel is marked “Bofors Steel”. The bottom of the bolt handle is hand-scribed “005”.
Barrel Length: 23 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a hooded, checkered, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. There is no rear sight installed. The top of the receiver has integral Sako pattern mounts.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, monte-carlo comb with cheekpiece, serrated black plastic Sako buttplate and sling swivels front and rear. There are protective disks around the sling swivels, they may be the original protectors from the factory. There are a couple of light nicks at the toe. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has very minor wear around the edges with well defined serrations. Overall, the stock is in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent 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: None.
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 Remington cartridges. 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 a Vixen with a 23 1/2” barrel chambered in .222 Remington. The receiver was made circa 1965, before Garcia started importing them in 1972, and the early rifles are prized for their quality and craftsmanship. The rifle is in about Excellent condition with about 99% of its metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with no erosion. The .222 Rem., or “Triple Deuce”, was introduced in 1950 and enjoys a reputation for inherent accuracy, a popular varmint cartridge at short and medium ranges. 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, although we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Sako collectors interested, too. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud