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  #1  
Old 03-11-2021, 10:56 PM
FastPPC FastPPC is offline
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Default Help Sako L 461

I'm looking for some suggestions or information. I have a sweet little Sako L461 chambered in 222 Rem Mag. It's an older model Viken Varmint model and has been shot very little. I'm having problems with the firing pin not striking the primer hard enough to detonate. 90% of the time works but that 10% is frustrating. I disassembled the bolt and it looked fine. Cleaned and put back together, with some help from member!!! I've found it doesn't make a difference on the primer type I've tried numerous brands. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Rick
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Old 03-11-2021, 11:06 PM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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Very interesting. I had a L461 back in the 70's in 17-223 and never had any issues.
But have been told the firing pin spring can go weak and needs replaced. But never had mine apart to know if that would do it.
Possibly Sako or someone will chime in with info, for you.

And I should have never traded that little beauty off, but I did and kick myself often.
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Old 03-11-2021, 11:30 PM
Johnly Johnly is offline
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Federal 205 primers are the softest primers I know of, might be worth the try if you haven't already done so.

I would also check your firing pin protrusion as it could be a possible cause and if you are oversizing the cases, it will make a bad situation worse.

I would also prime a few cases with Fed 100 small pistol primers and attempt to fire them in your rifle. If the cases are properly sized, the primer protrusion is normal. and the pistol primers don't fire time to shop for a new firing pin spring.
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Old 03-12-2021, 01:13 AM
FastPPC FastPPC is offline
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Thanks Johnly, I did try Fed 205m and seemed to work well for 6-9 times then a misfire. I'll try some pistol primers but do no have the ones you suggested. Thanks for the input.

Thanks Bill, this little jewel will be one of the last ones to go for sure. I shoot my Cooper 222 RM's most of the time trying to keep this little shooter and nice as possible.
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Old 03-12-2021, 02:45 AM
Daryl Daryl is offline
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Careful about the pistol primers. They are not designed for rifle pressures, but will hold in a CZ up to about 50,000psi, as least they worked in my Hornet.
Remington 6 1/2's are also soft cupped but might not be strong enough in ignition.
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Old 03-12-2021, 02:46 AM
Daryl Daryl is offline
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Too- if there is a primer "disk" inside the bolt - trouble.
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  #7  
Old 03-12-2021, 04:11 AM
Kevin Gullette Kevin Gullette is offline
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Lightbulb Sako L461 ignition problems......

.......can involve a few things.

1. Firing pin spring.......I check mine on a set of bathroom scales....22 to 28 lbs.

2. Firing pin protrusion......measure/set at 0.050" to 0.060".

3. Primer "blank" disc, or other trash, inside bolt.......carefully examine bolt interior.

4. Excessive headspace of loaded ammo........compare headspace of an as-fired case, to that of a loaded round.

5. Trigger overtravel adjustment set too close to trigger lever..........causes excessive drag on firing pin sear, which can slow firing pin fall. Also, there's the gummed up trigger assembly.

Hope this helps.

Kevin
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Old 03-12-2021, 04:27 AM
RareBear RareBear is offline
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Will it fire factory ammo?
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Old 03-12-2021, 05:59 AM
georgeld georgeld is offline
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Aww shucks.

I was gonna say that rifle is a pos and I'd take it off your hands.

Bought mine just like it in '72/Germany. Shot the barrel out and
had a new tube put on, chambered to .223 now due to brass being
so easy to come by. I had a real hard time finding .222mag brass.

The only problem I've ever had with it working right was I fired an
over load and bent the extractor lever. Can't find a new one, Thankfully
it could be straightened and still works fine.

The only thing original on my rifle now is the action. Everything else has
been changed. Stock was always too short for me, so made one up of
proper length. New barrel is 26".

Kevin has some very good suggestions. Likely one of those will fix your
problem. IF not, take it to a good gunsmith to chase it down.

Good luck, they're mighty fine rifles. I also have a L61 Finnbear 7mmag.
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  #10  
Old 03-12-2021, 01:38 PM
FastPPC FastPPC is offline
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I appreciate all the input and Kevin I appreciate all your info. I've checked everything you mentioned except the trigger. I'm betting it's something with the trigger. Shot it yesterday and did realize that I seemed to feel an issue with the trigger when it had a misfire. I'll check that out and see of I can figure it out.

note: see several suggestions on primers I've been checking and getting misfires with non loaded ammo just primers in new full sized brass. Haven't tried factory ammo since none available and haven't ever had a box in 35 years shooting my triple deuces .
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