Model 72 ... 22 hornet

[Guest]

Does anyone have any information about the Model 72 ( P72?) ...I just bought one in a 22 hornet.. Most of the gun books I checked say little or nothing about this gun. I'd like to know it's value, accuracy, or whatever info is available.

I understand it was made only from 1972 - 1972 and I recall something about it being a "cheap" replacement for several other models.. However, it sure looks to be a sweet little rifle, and is in mint condition. I just mounted a scope on it, and have been told I have to use the factory base which looks more like something used for a 22 rimfire. I wanted a Leupold base but understand they do not make one for that gun.. ??? or how aboutSako Optilock??? available for this gun??

Sure will be thankful for ANY help...

Al...

 

[Guest]

Your model 72 is, as you suggest, sometimes referred to as a P72. P in this case is a Finnish abbreviation for pienoiskiivxE4ri, which means smallbore rifle, as in .22 rimfire. The rifle was originally designed as a rimfire that repeated the styling of the Finnbear. Sako later beefed it up a bit for .22 Hornet, a not uncommon practice in Europe. (I once owned a factory Walther that was basically a rimfire design that had been redesigned as a .22 Hornet and then further beefed up and reincarnated as a .222! It was a little fragile, but it shot quarter-inch groups.) The P72 is a nice rifle, by no means an "economy" model. The confusion here comes from the OTHER Sako model 72, an unsuccessful foray by Sako into the lower end of the sporting rifle market. This was just a Finnbear with a low-end unpolished finish, cheap wood, and no checkering on the scope bases. The name is the only connection between the two models.

Your rifle is probably worth $600-750 depending on who's buying and how badly they want it. 72's in .22 Hornet are pretty scarce, but this model is not in great demand. Guard the magazine with your life - spares are all but impossible to find. Accuracy should be decent but not spectacular. These rifles are rather lightly built and the bedding was not all that great. I used to have one in .22 Magnum. It shot 5-round groups around an inch and a half, with three or four close together and one or two flyers.

For scope mounts, you are probably stuck with .22 rings. This really shouldn't be a problem with the light recoil of a .22 Hornet. I believe I once saw a set of Weaver mounts for the 72, but I can't be sure. You might also check out somebody who sells old Redfield mounts - they made mounts for almost everything at one time or another.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your rifle, it's a fun plinker and short to medium range varmint rifle.

 

[Guest]

I have clips for the P 72's in various calibers.
Mims 817 267 3700
"You can borrow money but you can not borrow time. Go hunting with your family."

 

[Guest]

I am interested in an extra clip for my P72 in 22 hornet... Do you have one? How much?

Thank you,

Al

 

[Guest]

Thank you for taking the time to write such an informative response. The information you provided is more than I could find... anywhere..

As I mentioned I paid $600 for it , and that included a 3x Leupold scope with base and rings. The rifle is stone mint, and does not have a mark on it. I really like the feel of it as it has small bore characteristics. It has the cheek piece and nice cut checkering. I bought it from a guy who was selling other rifles, and after we talked a bit I told him I really wanted a .22 hornet. He said he had one, but did not want to sell it... After more small talk, he brought it out.. "Love at first sight" .. knowing nothing about sako's I just hadda have it.. .22 hornets are simply not readily available in better quality rifles.. unless one wants to pay lots of $$$$$.

As you point out I pretty much had to keep the .22 style base, but mounted a set of Browning ( Burris made ) rings along with a Leupold 3.5 x 10 Vari X III.. The scope looks a bit like overkill on that small rifle, but at least I can see the targets ! I sighted it in on a cold, windy day and was able to put 2 shots next to each other at 100 yds.. with factory ammo... but have not been able to return since.

I am looking forward to more opportunities to shoot it..

Thank you for your help..

Al