Month: May 2025
In the annals of firearm history, the Sako L46 enjoys a revered position, embodying the perfect amalgamation of precision, durability, and craftsmanship. Born from the workbenches of Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Oy—better known as Sako—this Finnish-made bolt-action rifle has served as a gold standard for sporting and varmint shooting.
With a legacy spanning decades, the L46 is not merely a gun; it is a testament to Finnish engineering and a study in the tradition of firearms that blends functionality with aesthetic brilliance.
The Origins: Finnish Heritage and a Commitment to Quality
To understand the prominence of the Sako L46, one must first delve into the roots of Sako itself. Established in 1921, the Finnish company initially specialized in producing parts for military firearms. Over time, however, Sako expanded its portfolio and ventured into the sporting arms market. This shift heralded the arrival of a new era of innovation, culminating in the creation of the L46 in the late 1940s.
The L46 was born from a lineage of excellence, as Sako had already gained significant reputation for its work on rifles like the L42 and the M39 used during the Second World War. Yet, the L46 marked a departure from military utility to a focus on sporting applications, particularly varmint and small game hunting. It showcased Sako’s commitment to quality and accuracy, all encapsulated in a bolt-action rifle designed for the modern user.
Design and Features: The Anatomy of Precision
A bolt-action rifle chambered primarily for the .222 Remington, .22 Hornet, and later for other small calibers like .218 Bee, the L46 is a marvel in terms of its architecture. Featuring a three-lug bolt design, it allows for a short 60-degree bolt throw, enhancing both the speed and the comfort of operation. The rifle comes with a detachable magazine, which lends itself to quick reloading—an invaluable asset in the field.
The barrel, typically around 23 to 24 inches in length, is a high point in the L46 design. It contributes to the gun’s exceptional accuracy and is crafted to exacting tolerances. Adding to its allure, the stock of the L46 is usually made of high-quality walnut wood, lending a sense of tradition and elegance to the weapon. The checkered pattern on the stock not only adds to the rifle’s visual charm but also provides a better grip.
Performance: Beyond the Firing Range
When it comes to the performance domain, the L46 has been heralded for its pinpoint accuracy. The rifle’s quality of manufacturing allows for a minimal “lock time,” which is the time between the trigger pull and the firing pin striking the primer. This translates into better accuracy, as it minimizes the chance for user error in aiming.
Many experts in the field have noted that the Sako L46 is exceptionally reliable. Whether it is the unforgiving terrains of the Scandinavian forests or the expansive stretches of the American Midwest, the rifle has been reported to function seamlessly, largely free from the maladies of jamming or misfiring.
Collectability and Market Value
The Sako L46 is not just a rifle; it is a collectible piece of history. As production for this model has long ceased, existing specimens have gained significant market value. The original models, especially those in good condition, are highly sought after by collectors and can fetch impressive prices at auctions.
Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of the Sako L46
In the constellation of firearms, the Sako L46 shines as one of the brighter stars, illustrating what can be achieved when engineering prowess meets a commitment to quality. It’s a weapon that transcends its primary function, entering the realm of art and heritage. From its origins in post-war Finland to its current status as a coveted collectible, the Sako L46 has traced a remarkable trajectory, enshrining itself as a timeless symbol of precision and craftsmanship. With a longstanding legacy and a dedicated following, this bolt-action rifle serves as an enduring testament to the genius of its creators, standing as an exemplar in the annals of firearms history.
WALNUT AND BLUED-STEEL
HOLDOVER FROM THE GOLDEN AGE 
Winchester’s Model 75 Target (top) was similar in many respects to the company’s Model 69A (bottom), which was introduced in 1937. Both delivered competition-class accuracy for considerably less money than the flagship Model 52.
Few vintage .22s have the legendary reputation for tack-driving accuracy as Winchester’s Model 52. It was discontinued in 1979, but whether in Sporter or Target trim, it’s still a byword among connoisseurs of bolt-action rimfires. The only drawback, of course, has been its premium price.
The original 1919 sticker for the M52 Sporter was $88.50. That sounds like a whopping good deal until you stop to consider what it translates to in today’s dollars. (Hint: it’s a couple hundred bucks north of a grand).
Vintage Redfield aperture sights — front and rear — establish
the Model 75’s paper-punching credibility.
A Better Mousetrap
What was needed, according to the Winchester brain trust, was a relatively low-cost alternative to the storied M52, one that was lighter, yet accurate enough to allow for competition. So they developed the Model 75, which enjoyed a 20-year production span from 1938 to 1958.
To be sure, Winchester also had another “price” alternative to the Model 52 — the Model 69/69A (1935–1963). The M75’s action was similar, yet the bolt was designed with tighter tolerances and the stock was configured for prone shooting. But these were most certainly not the only bolt-action offerings Winchester rolled out over the years preceding World War II. It isn’t surprising when you consider how popular competitive smallbore rifle shooting was “back in the day.”
R.L. Wilson, in his Winchester, An American Legend, put it this way:
“A flurry of activity in the bolt-action .22 market saw a number of new models brought out by Winchester in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The Models 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 60A, 67, 68, 69, 677, 72 and 75 all preceded World War II … these rifles intended to claim their fair share of the increasingly competitive .22 bolt-action rimfire market.”
I’m old enough to remember when serious target “.22-ing” was every bit as popular as Cowboy Action or Metallic Silhouette in their respective heydays.
In those pre-Ruger 10/22 days — or make that Remington Nylon 66 days if you’re really old — I can recall shooting 50-foot smallbore targets from prone on a padded mat with some fairly hefty bolt actions when I was a kid. So I immediately had a twinge of nostalgia when hefting the 8.5-lb. Model 75 Target.
This particular specimen is owned by a shooting buddy, John Wightman. It features marvelous quarter-minute click-adjustable Redfield sights — specifically a Model 75 Micrometer rear and a M63 Globe front. These, I was to discover, required a bit of re-familiarization.
The Model 75 Target sports a 28″ barrel and an OAL of close to 45″. It was also offered at one time with the Lyman 77 front sight and 58E rear. Like its pricier stablemate, the Model 52, the Model 75 could also be had in a lighter, shorter barreled (24″) Sporter configuration.
John, like any sensible collector of vintage .22s, had scoured the market for spare magazines and had both the flush-fitting 5-shot and extended 10-shot models. These are expensive items, running around $70 per copy or more — although this isn’t out of line if you’re hunting spare magazines for classic Winchester rimfires.
And speaking of price, expect starting auction bids for replacement Lyman or Redfield vintage target sights be semi-stratospheric.
Lapua’s Dominator ammo (right) delivered the tightest groups at both 25 and 50 yards.
The Model 75 — long, hefty and “man-sized” — balances well for offhand shooting.
Range Time
We tried to mix up our test ammo menu between bulk pack bargain stuff, high-velocity 36-grain HPs, and standard velocity 40-grain match brands. The list included Aguila Rifle Match Competition and Super Extra HP, Lapua Dominator, Winchester Super-X Power Point, Sellier and Bellot Club and CCI Mini Mag HP.
At 25 yards virtually everything stayed under an inch for 5 shots, with the Lapua Dominator consistently clustering under a half-inch. We then subjected our aging eyes to the aperture sights at an optimistic (for us) full 50 yards with the Lapua and still beat the 1″ mark.
One thing should be mentioned in passing — the trigger was a fabulously crisp 2 lbs. It’s adjustable, but what we were working with was far removed from what were later referred to as “lawyer triggers.”
We were pretty satisfied with the results, seeing as how we’ve been spoiled with scope reticles for most of our adult lives. And those of us who’ve stuck with iron have generally used ghost-ring setups with far more generous apertures than the pinprick-sized hole on a serious target .22.
There’s a definite learning curve to shooting well by centering a 3″ bullseye in a circular aperture (front and rear) and “keeping the edges even” while breaking the shot.
One trick we did learn in coping with the micrometer sights: If your eyes are “well-aged,” a magnifying glass is a godsend in making adjustments and keeping track of those hashmarks. Once you’re locked down, those old sights are pretty much bombproof.
One other caveat — during extended shooting sessions, the occasional scrub with a brush is sometimes needed to prevent sticky chambering from waxy bullet lube buildup.
Winchester’s Model 75 is a wonderfully crafted walnut and blued-steel artifact from what could be described as an era of “full-size, target grade, receiver-sighted bolt-action .22s.”