Sako L46 Riihimaki .222

filmjunkie4ever · 2026-08-09T19:05:32-0700

Took this Sako L46 Riihimaki .222 in partial trade for my Ruger No.1 6mm. According to my research it was made early in 1952 (SN-80XX). The stock needed some work. The forend was super wide, and the pancake, roll-over cheekrest was excessive. I took out some material in the wrist, leaving a small palm swell. The LOP was super short so I added a grind-to-fit decelerator to bring it up to ~13.5”

My son and I were out and about yesterday and took this coyote pup with a single 50 grain VMax handload. This little rifle is quite a hoot!

Here are before and after pics, and Andy with the coyote pup.

Blkram · 2026-08-09T19:23:17-0700

Nice!
The Triple Deuce is a hoot to shoot! And accurate!
Have had fun with a friend's 222 over the years. A cartridge I have not owned myself, but should have...

Slimfinn · 2026-08-09T19:52:12-0700

Nice refinish job. And it shoots! Congrats

filmjunkie4ever · 2026-08-09T20:44:53-0700

Blkram said:
Nice!
The Triple Deuce is a hoot to shoot! And accurate!
Have had fun with a friend's 222 over the years. A cartridge I have not owned myself, but should have...

Never too late to pick one up! Starline (and others) make brass, .224 bullets are plentiful.

The report from the 24” barrel is just a bit louder than a .22 Magnum to my ears. Definitely quieter than any .223 I have ever fired.

filmjunkie4ever · 2026-08-09T20:46:58-0700

Slimfinn said:
Nice refinish job. And it shoots! Congrats

Thanks! Always preferred the look of a dull, hand rubbed finish. The stock modifications made it feel much more like a sporter and less like a wannabe target rifle. That said, if I can find a heavy barreled Winchester push-feed target rifle in .222, I may just get it for punching paper!

salmonchaser · 2026-08-10T04:55:16-0700

What amazes me about the old 222 is how popular it was with native hunters in Alaska. As a six year old in 1960 I remember chancing upon a guy gutting a moose along the Cheena river. He waived us over. He had been broken down for a few days and needed a lift. He shot that moose with a 222. Andy looks like a natural.