Guest
Banned
New guy here, looking for help getting information on a Sako actioned Marlin Varmint King rifle. I posted some photos in an album tltled Sako Marlin, and the gun has the following markings:
-
Hey All! Lately there has been more and more scammers on the forum board. They register and replies to members requests for guns and/or parts or other things. The reply contains a gmail or hotmail address or similar ”anonymous” email addresses which they want you to reply to. DO NOT ANSWER ANY STRANGE MESSAGES! They often state something like this: ”Hello! Saw your post about purchasing a stock for a Safari. KnuckleheadBob has one. Email him at: [email protected]” If you receive any strange messages: Check the status of whoever message you. If they have no posts and signed up the same day or very recently, stay away. Same goes for other members they might refer to. Check them too and if they are long standing members, PM them and ask if the message is legit. Most likely it’s not. Then use the report function in each message or post so I can kick them out! Beware of anything that might seem fishy! And again, for all of you who registered your personal name as username, please contact me so I can change it to a more anonymous username. You’d be surprised of how much one can find out about a person from just a username on a forum such ad our! All the best! And be safe! Jim
Sako action, Marlin rifle
- Thread starter Guest
- Start date
Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum
Guest
Banned
- Thread starter
- #2
Phil - That is a beauty! Sako sold actions to many manufacturers: H&R;, Sears, Browning and Marlin, to name a few. But I never saw or heard of a "Varmint King". I cannot find that model in my Gun Traders Guide. What did you give for it? Scope looks like an old Lyman 8x or 10x, and they were good ones. BTW, the barrel is blued chrome moly, not stainless.
Guest
Banned
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks, Sako-nut! Other sources I've heard from have said this Varmint King was pretty rare, with only 350 or so being made (in 1957?). They also said it was called the model 422, although this doesn't appear on the gun anywhere. I've written to Marlin for more specifics, but haven't heard back yet. I inherited this gun from my uncle, who bought it new way back then, and used it for a little groundhog shooting on friends' farms.
I've also been told that the Sako Riihimaki (in addition to being the location of their factory) was a model of Sako rifle they sold complete. Also in 222 Rem.
The scope is a Lyman 6X, and the barrel is actually marked "STAINLESS STEEL" in gold, just like the VARMINT KING" lettering.
Phil
I've also been told that the Sako Riihimaki (in addition to being the location of their factory) was a model of Sako rifle they sold complete. Also in 222 Rem.
The scope is a Lyman 6X, and the barrel is actually marked "STAINLESS STEEL" in gold, just like the VARMINT KING" lettering.
Phil
Guest
Banned
- Thread starter
- #4
I did not think the technology to blue stainless was available way back then. Learn something about this stuff every day. The original Sako did not have a model number, and was simply called "Riihimaki" because that was location of the factory. By 1947, that was dropped and the Model L47 identical to it, was born. Chambered in .218 bee, 22 Hornet, and 222. You have a beauty there!
Guest
Banned
- Thread starter
- #5
Sako made the L-46 model from 1946, serial number 7, to about the end of 1961 approx sn 57xxx. There where many changes along the way. In the first year of production the actions had 1946 stamped after the sn. on the side of the action. The first cartridge they chambered was the 7x33 sako.
On top of the reciever in the crosshatching was stamped sako L-46, this was the model number. When the safety changed from the left hand flip up mauser type, to the right hand cam toggle at about sn 6xxx late 1949 they stopped this L-46 stamp on the receiver.
There where other changes/improvements including lengthening the action and the then new .222 chambering in 1951, two years before Remington claimed it as the .222Rem.
Finally when these new sako .222s hit the stores they gained popularity and became known as Riihimaki's. I spose now, that means a sako made before the L-461 model.
On top of the reciever in the crosshatching was stamped sako L-46, this was the model number. When the safety changed from the left hand flip up mauser type, to the right hand cam toggle at about sn 6xxx late 1949 they stopped this L-46 stamp on the receiver.
There where other changes/improvements including lengthening the action and the then new .222 chambering in 1951, two years before Remington claimed it as the .222Rem.
Finally when these new sako .222s hit the stores they gained popularity and became known as Riihimaki's. I spose now, that means a sako made before the L-461 model.
Guest
Banned
- Thread starter
- #6
Got in late on the discussion, but did find an interesting fact when researching Sako actions
combined with Marlin "Micro Groove" bbls.
Seems that Micro groove works well with .22 rimfire, but the shallow cut groove principal will not stabilize larger centerfire bullets.
They were discontinued when this was recognized, and I found no records of a factory recall.
Would be interesting to hear from Sako/Marlin Micro Groove users to verify if this is true.
Have seen some offered for sale recently.This info. may prevent someone from being disappointed in accuracy. Most sellers have an inspection period, but a no firing policy.
I still cannot access the Club website. Any changes there that you know of?
combined with Marlin "Micro Groove" bbls.
Seems that Micro groove works well with .22 rimfire, but the shallow cut groove principal will not stabilize larger centerfire bullets.
They were discontinued when this was recognized, and I found no records of a factory recall.
Would be interesting to hear from Sako/Marlin Micro Groove users to verify if this is true.
Have seen some offered for sale recently.This info. may prevent someone from being disappointed in accuracy. Most sellers have an inspection period, but a no firing policy.
I still cannot access the Club website. Any changes there that you know of?
Guest
Banned
- Thread starter
- #7
Back in the 1950's I had a Marlin with a Sako action and 222 Rem. Micro-groove barrel. It was the most accurate rifle out of the box I have ever owned. Like a fool it was traded in during the 1960's for a Sako rifle in 222 magnum that never achieved the degree of accuracy received from the Marlin. Wish I still had it today!! My Sako was rebarrel to 222 Rem and is an improvement over the original barrel, but never as accurate as the Marlin Micro-groove was. You have a winner if accuracy is your goal.
Guest
Banned
- Thread starter
- #8
Some of the info I got from Marlin yesterday indicates that they must have become aware of that problem with the rapid deterioration of the rifling in the first couple years of these rifles, called the model 322. Their response was to make the same gun with the stainless steel barrel and call it the model 422. I have only taken the rifle to the range once, and was really pleased with the accuracy, even with factory ammo. If I decide to keep it I'll probably see what it can do with some really good handloads.
![[SakoCollectors.com] Sako action, Marlin rifle](https://sc.groups.msn.com/themes/R9c/pby/img/emoticons/emsad.gif "[SakoCollectors.com] Sako action, Marlin rifle")
charles k schwartz
Member
I have a 422 marlin sako and it shoots great , the one thing I did learn is that in microgrove barrels you must clean them after avery 10 shots to get good consistent accuracy other wise it shoots great and I see no inner barrel wear .
