L46 l46 conversion to 223

[handverker1]

I’ve recently picked up an l46 heavy barrel that was rechambered to 223 (unfortunate, i know). it did not come with the original stock. It was an extremely good price, so it was worth it.

As many of you know, it will not cycle 223 in the magazine. I however would like to try to make it work - if i could mill the receiver to accept 222 magnum magazines, basically making an l469, would the feed ramp cycle 223 rem? or was the l469 a “stretched” l46?
I have many questions that i hope someone can help with. Thank you!

 

[stonecreek]

Yes, possible. You would really need a factory L469 to use as a template. However, I would warn that the cost of the smithing work along with the cost of an L469 magazine (very hard to find and expensive) might cause you to appreciate more your recently-obtained .223 as a single shot.

 

[icebear]

The L469 is basically an L46. The biggest change to accommodate the longer cartridge was to modify the bolt stop and move it back to allow longer travel. The bolt was also slightly modified; the two bolts look alike but will not interchange. I do not know exactly what Sako did to accommodate the longer .222 Magnum magazine.

I think it would be difficult, perhaps impossible, to replicate the extended bolt stop on a production L46 action. Not something I would want to try. If you are determined, your best course of action might be to buy or borrow an L469 in .222 Mag, and compare parts side by side with your rifle.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

There's more to it than just lengthening the magazine opening. When Sako "stretched" the L46 into a L469 they also moved the ejector & other things I'm not remembering at the moment. You have already spent money buying a L46 rechambered to 223. Don't waste money trying to "fix" it, as that will turn into a rabbit hole you will regret going down. The 222 Rem Mag magazines you will need to use 223 ammo are extremely difficult to find & will cost between $250 & $300. As you got the rifle at "an extremely good price" just hang on to it for a "parts" supply for future L46's that are "original" & functional or part it out & use that money to get a L46 that works. Rebarreling to another cartridge would be an option, but an expensive one. Good luck!

 

[handverker1]

Yes, possible. You would really need a factory L469 to use as a template. However, I would warn that the cost of the smithing work along with the cost of an L469 magazine (very hard to find and expensive) might cause you to appreciate more your recently-obtained .223 as a single shot.

Yes if i had a template to work off of i think it’s very possible. As far as magazine is concerned, i could make my own. I’m not very concerned about that
However im not sure its as simple as removing material from the chamber opening and receiver where the magazine is to accommodate the extra 1/8” length

 

[handverker1]

The L469 is basically an L46. The biggest change to accommodate the longer cartridge was to modify the bolt stop and move it back to allow longer travel. The bolt was also slightly modified; the two bolts look alike but will not interchange. I do not know exactly what Sako did to accommodate the longer .222 Magnum magazine.

I think it would be difficult, perhaps impossible, to replicate the extended bolt stop on a production L46 action. Not something I would want to try. If you are determined, your best course of action might be to buy or borrow an L469 in .222 Mag, and compare parts side by side with your rifle.

i suppose it isn’t as straightforward as shaving back the bolt stop/extractor to allow the bolt to extend the travel. I’m curious if the rear of the magazine port on the receiver can be milled back 1/8” to accept a new (made by myself) magazine. a comparison between rifles would be my best bet. Thank you for the thoughts

 

[handverker1]

There's more to it than just lengthening the magazine opening. When Sako "stretched" the L46 into a L469 they also moved the ejector & other things I'm not remembering at the moment. You have already spent money buying a L46 rechambered to 223. Don't waste money trying to "fix" it, as that will turn into a rabbit hole you will regret going down. The 222 Rem Mag magazines you will need to use 223 ammo are extremely difficult to find & will cost between $250 & $300. As you got the rifle at "an extremely good price" just hang on to it for a "parts" supply for future L46's that are "original" & functional or part it out & use that money to get a L46 that works. Rebarreling to another cartridge would be an option, but an expensive one. Good luck!

Yes and i am curious towards the possibility of opening the receiver and magazine well rather than lengthening the bolt travel. i’m not sure that the feed ramp would even function with the rounds starting an extra 1/8” forward. i can make a magazine, so im not concerned about that. but yes, i am highly considering rechambering to 221 fireball. Thanks!

 

[mattimoose]

I would cut the barrel threads-off, re-thread and re-chamber to .222

 

[handverker1]

I would cut the barrel threads-off, re-thread and re-chamber to .222

I would cut the barrel threads-off, re-thread and re-chamber to .222

this is also a possibility. it unfortunately is an original barrel that they “rechambered” but never re-rifled.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

Yes and i am curious towards the possibility of opening the receiver and magazine well rather than lengthening the bolt travel. i’m not sure that the feed ramp would even function with the rounds starting an extra 1/8” forward. i can make a magazine, so im not concerned about that. but yes, i am highly considering rechambering to 221 fireball. Thanks!

I have L46's chambered in 221 Fireball & 20 Vartarg & I would wholeheartedly recommend those conversions. Rebarrel or rechamber is all that is necessary. No feeding or magazine issues.

 

[handverker1]

I have L46's chambered in 221 Fireball & 20 Vartarg & I would wholeheartedly recommend those conversions. Rebarrel or rechamber is all that is necessary. No feeding or magazine issues.

i’ve always wanted a 221. could be a fun round to fiddle around with. i figured there’d be no issues with a standard 222 magazine. Should be a fun project and I’ll be building a new stock for it unless i can somehow find an original.

 

[kirkbridgershooters]

Hopefully you haven’t taken any bad advice here. I had a L46 222 and made it into a 223 over 30 years ago. I had Dennis Olson do the work, I started with a heavy barrel 222 and traded the barrel to Jim Lutes for a 222 magnum magazine and Dennis did the rest….

 

[handverker1]

Hopefully you haven’t taken any bad advice here. I had a L46 222 and made it into a 223 over 30 years ago. I had Dennis Olson do the work, I started with a heavy barrel 222 and traded the barrel to Jim Lutes for a 222 magnum magazine and Dennis did the rest….



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Wow that is a fantastic looking rifle. I’ve been looking it over and i’m pretty set on figuring out a way to functionally convert it to 223.

Does it cycle a full mag well? Any idea how he accomplished this??

I really appreciate the help! Thanks

 

[kirkbridgershooters]

Wow that is a fantastic looking rifle. I’ve been looking it over and i’m pretty set on figuring out a way to functionally convert it to 223.

Does it cycle a full mag well? Any idea how he accomplished this??

I really appreciate the help! Thanks

It cycles perfectly, you wouldn’t know it wasn’t done at the factory. A lot of suggestions aren’t necessary, this worked 30 years ago and can be done again…

 

[deersako]

Very nice Kirk.
Dennis is obviously a very skilled tradesman.

What would be great is if one of our members would compare the two action dimensions (L46 and L469), including pics and measurements.

I’m surprised it hasn’t been done already.

No L469 here.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

Wow that is a fantastic looking rifle. I’ve been looking it over and i’m pretty set on figuring out a way to functionally convert it to 223.

Does it cycle a full mag well? Any idea how he accomplished this??

I really appreciate the help! Thanks

Anything can be made to work if you throw enough money into it. That doesn't mean it's a good idea from an economic standpoint. I've built several "Custom" rifles over the years & all of them cost about twice or better what I ever could sell them for. Just because you "can" do something, doesn't necessarily mean you "should". Especially when you can buy a 223 Sako for about a third of what a custom like Kirk's would cost. But, then again, it's your wallet.

 

[handverker1]

Anything can be made to work if you throw enough money into it. That doesn't mean it's a good idea from an economic standpoint. I've built several "Custom" rifles over the years & all of them cost about twice or better what I ever could sell them for. Just because you "can" do something, doesn't necessarily mean you "should". Especially when you can buy a 223 Sako for about a third of what a custom like Kirk's would cost. But, then again, it's your wallet.

Anything can be made to work if you throw enough money into it. That doesn't mean it's a good idea from an economic standpoint. I've built several "Custom" rifles over the years & all of them cost about twice or better what I ever could sell them for. Just because you "can" do something, doesn't necessarily mean you "should". Especially when you can buy a 223 Sako for about a third of what a custom like Kirk's would cost. But, then again, it's your wallet.

The only work i’ll have my gunsmith do is rebarrel and headspace, the cost will be roughly the same as if i rebarreled for 221 fireball, etc.
The conversion and stock build will be done by me.
The existing barrel shoots poorly, so it’s a project gun either way for me, that’s why i bought it for the price of the action.

 

[kirkbridgershooters]

Custom rifles are subjective. If you want one, get it done. I’ve had Dennis make 4 rifles from L46 and L57 actions:
222 Remington
223 Remington
220 Swift
6mm Remington

Sako never made a gun with wood like you can get from a stock maker. I also picked the barrel contour, twist and fluted or not.

How much they are worth when they are done is subjective, but I haven’t been sorry I built any of them…

 

[paulsonconstruction]

The only work i’ll have my gunsmith do is rebarrel and headspace, the cost will be roughly the same as if i rebarreled for 221 fireball, etc.
The conversion and stock build will be done by me.
The existing barrel shoots poorly, so it’s a project gun either way for me, that’s why i bought it for the price of the action.

Be sure to let us know how that works out for you. Especially the "conversion" part.

 

[handverker1]

Custom rifles are subjective. If you want one, get it done. I’ve had Dennis make 4 rifles from L46 and L57 actions:
222 Remington
223 Remington
220 Swift
6mm Remington

Sako never made a gun with wood like you can get from a stock maker. I also picked the barrel contour, twist and fluted or not.

How much they are worth when they are done is subjective, but I haven’t been sorry I built any of them…



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Do you have Dennis’ contact info that you could PM me?
I’d like to know how he accomplished this with an l46. Dimensions or a diagram would help.

I don’t buy or build my guns because i want to sell them. The value to me is what it is. An l46 in 223/556 would be a fun and economical plinker that satisfies the aesthetics for me.