22 hornet P 75

[Guest]

Need information on P 75 22 hornet . Robert

 

[Guest]

Sako made a P72 and P78 in .22 Hornet, but I'm unaware of a P75.

The P72 and P78 were essentially identical actions which were available in .22LR, .22WMR, and .22 Hornet. The magazines interchanged on the .22LR, and I assume they would also on the .22 Hornet. I actually do not know of any differences in the P72 and the P78 other than their designations. Some of the very early P72's came with gloss finished stocks, but most of them, and all of the P78's to my knowledge, came with oil finished stocks.

The P72 and P78 actions are significantly different from the current Finnfire.

They had an excellent trigger and were capable of outstanding accuracy. The P72 rimfire example I have has a grooved receiver for scope mounting, but the grooves are very slightly narrower than standard American rimfire grooves and not all ringmouts will fit. The P78 Hornet example I have uses bases screwed to a round receiver like most centerfire actions. Their bolts are identical except for the offset firing pin in the rimfire.

Write back and let me know if your P75 designation is in error or if this is a new one on me.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply. I have not been able to find info. This is what I have.Sako 22 HORNET stamped on top of barrel next to recerver. Made in Finland stamped on right side of barrel. P75 HORNET No. 705xxx stamped on recerver left side, 3 shoot detachable box mag. Nice wood stock with check piece. Bolt is flat top and bottom. Dove tail bases. Bob

 

[Guest]

There is no marking on it that say Garcia. 22 inch barrel. Would you like my e-mail me? Bob

 

[Guest]

Yes, I'd love to visit with you about your P75. As I say, this is a new one on me, but sounds as if it is essentially identical to the P72 and P78. Incidentally, the "P" designation comes from the Finnish word for "rimfire". Post your eamil contact if you don't mind.

 

[Guest]

[email protected]

 

[Guest]

Stonecreekranch, you mentioned the P designation stood for rimfire.

I have an M78 in 22LR, a P72 in 22WMR, a M78 in 22 Hornet, and a P94 in 22LR.

All this makes sense except for the M78 in 22LR. What's the story there?

David.

 

[Guest]

The 72, 75, and 78 are all virtually identical actions. Apparently, Sako designated the 72 and 75 models with a "P", but designated the 78 with an "M". They went back to the "P" with the 94.

I don't know why the 78 was designated with an "M" instead of a "P", however, there was never another Sako using the "78" designation, but Sako did have a centerfire rifle on the L-series designated the "Model 72", and of course the current centerfire action is the "Model 75". Confusing, no?

Be that as it may, all of the rifles on the P-series actions, whether the P-72, P-75, or M-78, are dedicated rimfire actions that were adapted to the centerfire Hornet.

 

[Guest]

Hi Robert, I have a p75 hornet here in Australia. It is going in next week for a rebuild. They are excellent shooters. I use winchester factory ammo and get 1moa. If you want to hand load use pistol primers, much better. There is one for sale in Queensland Australia for AU$575. A real bargain. I am looking forward to the new barrel and blue job. The stock I am doing myself. I bought my hornet from my brother in 1978 when I came to Australia, for the princely sum of $300, with a browning Auto 5 3" magnum.

 

[don]

I have just been given a P75 22 hornet. Great rifle. Excellent accuracy but the magazine has just about had it. The spring has become weak and won't provide me with a consistent feed. Ideally i would love to get hold of a new mag. Anyone got a helful hint on where I could access one

 

[rowdy]

Hi,

I also have a newly aquired P75, but unlike you I had to buy mine at auction ! I agree that it looks like a great rifle and I cannot wait to get a chance to get it out shooting, as soon as the rain here in the UK stops ! My question is my magazine looks to be sanded/filed down on the sides. It fits well into the action, but I'm curious as to it's origins? I know from the forum that the P72/P75 and M78 Hornets all had different magazines. Is mine an original P75 ? or a M78 or a P72 made to fit? All my mag has on it is "hornet" on the bottom, and the front edge of the bottom of the mag is rounded while the back is square. Would you be able to tell me what yours looks like, or post a picture ?

Many Thanks

Rowdy

 

[stonecreek]

Rowdy: Can you post a photo of your modified magazine?

Don: You may be able to disassemble your magazine and "stretch" the follower spring in order to give it the proper tension. Looking for a replacement is sure to make for a long and frustrating search.

 

[rowdy]

Hi,

I'll try to get a picture/pictures on the site. First time doing this so please bear with me....

 

[hayseed51]

Rowdy -

Just a guess, but in answer to your question about the rough finish of the sides of your clip, I'd say it's common to a original factory clip. They did polish the bottom exposed surface nicely, but left the rest of the clip unpolished before blueing... that sounds like what you're describing.

FWIW, I think the caliber stamping is only common to factory clips. The aftermarket clips that I have, and have seen, have neither the caliber stamped, nor the bottom polished. They do seem to function fine though.

My observations are about early Sako clips in general. I don't have a P-75 myself, but I doubt there would be a reason for it to be any different. Dick

 

[rowdy]

Thanks for that. The magazine looks to be ok, the spring in it is fine, just odd about the finish on the sides. The bottom is ok, and has hornet stamped into it. I'll work on some pictures

 

[mangostamp]

Stonecreek,
I am still getting my Sako Education and been surfing for discussions about this Hornet magazine issue. It sounds like I may have an early P72 or P75 Hornet. The three round magazine does have Hornet on the polished and blued bottom and sounds from Hayseed's description exactly like mine. I understand from your comments that all these Hornet actions were originally rim fire and have been converted to center fire for the Hornet. I'm still trying to find out exactly what I do have, and have come to realize that it may be quite hard to pin it down- almost as hard as finding an extra magazine! If I were to post some pictures to help with the identification, what views would be most helpful? Also who else out there in the Sako forum would be most helpful with identification? I assume that the 6060 sn is low enough to be production from early on- would that be 40's or 50's?- is that a valid assumption?
Thanks
Mangostamp

 

[stonecreek]

If you'll post a photo of your gun here, you'll get an answer on which model it is in a nanosecond.

But simply look at the front of the bolt. If it has two locking lugs on the front, it is an L-46. If it has no locking lugs at the front and uses the bolt handle and a small lug opposite the bolt handle, then it is a P-72/75 or M78.

 

[mangostamp]

If I hold the bolt with the firing pin facing me and the bolt handle at six o'clock, there is one Lug in the same six o'clock position. I will attach some pictures too.

 

[stonecreek]

OOOOOOEWWWEEE! Magno, you've got a very special and very old L-46. With the SN 6060 it was probably made around 1951 and would be among the last L-46's made with the left-hand safety as the safety was switched to the right-hand side of the bolt shroud just a few numbers higher.

The engraving is, of course, custom. The stock, while it exhibits some of the features of a Sako factory stock, is an extremely well-done custom job and is very European with its schnabel fore end and unique cheekpiece/monte carlo. The metal butt plate is also a nice feature.

The rifle is well worth investing the time and money to locate a proper magazine. If you can't find one anywhere else, I have an aftermarket magazine that was sold to me as being for a .25-20, but I expect that it would work -- it might require just a bit of judicious bending of the magazine lips to feed properly. Drop me a "PM" if you like.

 

[mangostamp]

Stonecreek,

I still haven't figured out what a PM is. Help me out with that. I have the one "original" magazine.

I just thought what the heck, I'll get a few more to keep in my vest to simplify shooting adventures.

That was before I joined this forum.

I'm wondering if I should be developing the aftermarket item to add to my retirement account.

I sincerely appreciate your time and insight!

Mangostamp