Used Rifles....sometimes you get a winner!

[Lefty-Canuck]

I picked up a used rifle from a local member here a few weeks ago and although I didn't really "need" it.....I bought it for my boys.....at least thats what I told the Wife

It is a really nice custom .223 Rem in a Sako Vixen action (was rebarrelled from a .222).

So I finally made it out to the range today to try some of my favorite bullets in the .223.....

It didn't seem to matter what I fed into it....it just wanted to shoot!

A couple of shots were off (it happens ) which were "called pulls".....but wow I am really happy with this rifle.

All targets were shot prone @ 100 yards.

Best part is I haven't begun to "fine tune" a load for this rifle so I really expect it to be able to do better if I can do my part.

Thanks to the member who sold me this gem......my boys are going to have no excuses for missing gophers and/or coyotes



Top left was "Winchester White Box" 45gr bullets....glad it likes the "cheap factory stuff"

Bottom left was the 35gr V-Max.....these things look funny as a loaded round

Top right was a 55gr Berger, load was developed by the rifle seller.

Bottom right was the 52gr A-Max....one of my favorite .22cal target/varmint bullets.

LC

[gitrdun]

A Sako Vixen in .223?...how I envy you. As a side note though, shoot your foulers in the dirt, they pollute your target paper.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by gitrdun

A Sako Vixen in .223?...how I envy you. As a side note though, shoot your foulers in the dirt, they pollute your target paper.

Thats a good tip!....I like to see where they go to see if point of impact differs alot and how many foulers it takes to "settle in"

Here is the "rifle porn" with pics for your own use

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...highlight=Sako

LC

[NoKlu]

I just emailed the money for a Brno .223 when that one came up. I was a little envious but the Brno is very nice. I don't have any pics but it's a shooter.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by NoKlu

I just emailed the money for a Brno .223 when that one came up. I was a little envious but the Brno is very nice. I don't have any pics but it's a shooter.

Nothing wrong with a BRNO thats for sure! I haven't seen one that didn't shoot well.

LC

[NoKlu]

The one I got was built in 1989 and looks new other that a few minor marks in the wood. It was built after Brno Left CZ so it has the CZ logo but Brno name. I took a shot and put a Hawke 4x14x44 sf scope on it an so far it works well.

[fletcher]

Originally Posted by gitrdun

A Sako Vixen in .223?...how I envy you. As a side note though, shoot your foulers in the dirt, they pollute your target paper.

the unvarnished truth is on the paper i like it

[wolf308]

yeah i was really surprised when i got a model 70 30-06 from 1947 for $400 at bud haynes in immaculate shape.

did up some handloads ,settled on 180 gr sierra and RL-22. made up some more and went to sight in for 200 yards(scopes recomended setting)and did an adjustment and voila 2 shots dead center of circle at .66" group.

that was good enough for me as it seems it is my classic hunting rifle/or the ideal type of classic hunting rifle so two shots is really all you should need.

guess i should send 5 down at 200,but i was so dam happy i left it alone. little heavy so my tikka is still my main one but its nice to have for the collection.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by wolf308

yeah i was really surprised when i got a model 70 30-06 from 1947 for $400 at bud haynes in immaculate shape.

did up some handloads ,settled on 180 gr sierra and RL-22. made up some more and went to sight in for 200 yards(scopes recomended setting)and did an adjustment and voila 2 shots dead center of circle at .66" group.

that was good enough for me as it seems it is my classic hunting rifle/or the ideal type of classic hunting rifle so two shots is really all you should need.

guess i should send 5 down at 200,but i was so dam happy i left it alone. little heavy so my tikka is still my main one but its nice to have for the collection.

Thats awesome....I agree, the best way to mess up a good group is to keep shooting

LC

[southernman]

Welcome to the vixen world, those that have em love them.
Mines a .222 that Dad used as a deer culler. Spent many a day with it when I was meat hunting and goat culling.
Like yours it's not fussy and shoots very well. Most bullets in 50-53g will be one raggered hole at 100m.
If I remember correctly from feral goat culling days it can take 6-7 rounds in the mag. Only ever used five for deer.
Even have a spare stock for mine as cracked it threw the grip during a fall many years ago. It's still glued together and taped together from temp repair 15 years ago. Must get round to swapping stocks.

[Cal]

I bought a used remington 7600 in 30-06 this winter that shoots groups almost that nice all day long, with any amo I've tryed. Should do even better once I fix the awfull trigger. This one will be my new river hunter.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Cal

I bought a used remington 7600 in 30-06 this winter that shoots groups almost that nice all day long, with any amo I've tryed. Should do even better once I fix the awfull trigger. This one will be my new river hunter.

The 7600 is the Remington pump right? My Dad had one of those in .30-06 also that he loaded 165gr ballistic tips into with IMR4831 powder.....I'll be danged if that thing couldn't shoot 0.5-1.0 inch all day any day....one of those "I can't believe it shoots guns". My Brother now has it and the legacy continues....

Many a moose and elk have fallen to that rifle.

LC

[Lefty-Canuck]

Thanks to the gentleman who sold me the rifle! I have handloaded using the load data he provided me...proof is on the paper....it works REALLY WELL!



LC

[H380]

Nice shooting Lefty .. lools like you are sticking with the bergers ?I see the first one with the Amax wasn't bad either .. Can you give us an idea of what both loads chrony at ?

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by H380

Nice shooting Lefty .. lools like you are sticking with the bergers ?I see the first one with the Amax wasn't bad either .. Can you give us an idea of what both loads chrony at ?

I am going to give the A-Max another go...I really like those bullets and what they do on coyotes.

It is hard to argue with the accuracy of the Bergers though.

The velocity on the bergers is right around 3300fps and the A-Max is just a touch higher....

LC