Sako L461 Needs rebarreled. What are my options?

[atblis]

I have nice custom on an L461. Currently it is chambered in 223 (somebody opened a 222 barrel to 223). The barrel is pitted, and needs replaced.

I would describe it as a walking varmint gun. I like this configuration and will keep it.

Anyways.

What kind of barrel? Krieger is the near the top of the list. Something interesting like polygonal rifling would get my attention.

Will probably be mostly a target gun

What should I chamber it in?
Maybe
223
223 AI (current front runner)
Maybe something I could shoot deer with?
6.8 SPC Seems to really fall off past a couple hundred yards.
Anything I am missing?

 

[Jim Watson]

I have a .223 Krieger barrel that is wonderfully accurate and you would not go wrong with one like it. I don't see the point of polygonal rifling on a sporting rifle but if you want it, Shilen, Lothar Walther, or Pac-Nor will fix you up; not to mention proprietary styles like Broughton "canted" or Obermeyer and Rock 5R. Krieger does not offer their version in small calibers.

I don't care to fool with wildcat calibers, either; and would not go to the trouble of a .223 AI. But if you want deer capability in that rifle, something bigger than .223 would help. Sam Fadala gave his wife a 6mm - .222 for deer and antelope hunting. He used the .222 case to be sure of fitting the magazine, 6x45 and 6x47 were too long with normal bullet seating depth.

The 6.8 would require action alterations, it is not on the .222 head diameter.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I seem to think that Sako's are built to the caliber, not just an action short or long. Check on this before a headache comes along. It might require a bit more work than just fitting a barrel if you change calibers.

 

[atblis]

I seem to think that Sako's are built to the caliber, not just an action short or long. Check on this before a headache comes along. It might require a bit more work than just fitting a barrel if you change calibers.

Yeah, the guy who sold me the rifle suggested I don't deviate too far from 222/223.

How bout the Broughton 5C barrels?

 

[atblis]

Darn. Didn't notice that. 6.8 SPC does have a larger rim.
222/223 have a 0.378" rim
6.8 has a 0.422" rim
According to Wikipedia

 

[mr.trooper]

as long as he uses something that is based on the same case with nearly identical dimensions it should be fine.

I think the 6mm-223 is your best bet.

 

[atblis]

Looked at the 6x45. Ehh. I've got a sweet 270 already, so giving up on the deer thing.

Now it's down to 223 or 223AI. Will be hand loading the vast majority of my ammo.

Front runner is
223 AI in a Broughton 5C barrel, 20"
What twist rate? Not really interested in super heavy bullets.
1 in 9"?

Also, anybody got a good smith? The guy I was going to use is sick and not taking any work right now.

Will post some pics of the rifle in a bit. It's pretty sweet.