1960's Sako Vixen

[D.P.]

Last year I purchased a Sako Vixen varmint barrel 222. An old dealer had a bunch in storage, and mine had an inspection tag on it from 66. My question is what was the quality of the barrels during that era, and what kind of accuracy could be expected with a match bullet? I Have only used varmint bullets and settled on the 40 V-Max for now.The V-Max load holds 1/2 MOA.
Thanks in advance for any advice or info.

[JBM]

I don't know what the barrel quality was like, but mine shoots VERY well. It likes 20.5 grains of 4198 and any bullet between 52 and 55 grains. I keep peep sights on it for shooting rabbits, but I did put my 24x Leupold on it once and shot some <1/2" groups at 100 yards. The longest shot I ever took with it was a rockchuck (western woodchuck) at about 350 yards. He was laying down facing me and the bullet hit him in the neck and travelled through the body (didn't exit). With little wind, long shots like that were easy.

[chris matthews]

If a Vmax is holding 1/2 then I would say the quality of the barrel is pretty good and wouldn't worry about it and just enjoy shooting! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[D.P.]

Alright I'm a sucker for a good looking wood gun.I got his last Vixen again New in box from 66. I dont know if I'm going to use this one or just hang onto it. Either way what is the best method to clean the bore? should I have it lapped? The first one got hit with everything I had and took a while before the light orange color went away. Is this rust, cosmoline? or both?

[Aussie]

Rimfire ,
Remember reading somewhere that Sako lapped barrels at the factory . Might help explain their reputation for accuracy ?