Who says Mannichers are less accurate?

[stonecreek]

I lucked into an early L579 .308 Mannlicher (half moon floorplate release and wide bottom metal) recently. It appears to have had a pad professinally added when it was new, and the sight hood is missing, but otherwise it is original and in super nice condition. It came equipped with a classic Denver Redfield fixed 4X, which is nicely contemporaneous, so I just left it in place. I just got to shoot it today.

The group to the left of the square (by the dime) is actually three shots and measures just .245". After adjusting the scope to put the shots center and 2.5" high at 100 yards, I shot the second group (by the quarter), which is also three shots. The "terrible" flyer spread it out to .675" . And remember, this is all with a fifty year-old gun and fifty year-old four power scope!

The load was one I'm using in my Monkey Wards L57, 46.5 grains of WC-846 propelling a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. I think I'll take it in search of an unlucky whitetail next weekend.

Don't you just love Sakos?

 

[Anonymous]

Stonecreek,
That's really sweet. Your loads, I presume? I won't ask how old the shooter is:bigsmile3: Unfortunately, I pre-date all of the Sako rifles I own:cry3:.
S-A

 

[stonecreek]

Yes, "my own load".

Well, I do have an L46 made in 1946 that predates me:sad2:

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, if they had an L47 I'd be all over it:bigsmile3:.
S-A

 

[stonecreek]

A couple of years ago I bought a .222 L46 with the SN 562X (LH wing safety) which I calculate was made in the year of my birth. If you can peg its date of manufacture you've got my poor old bones dated better than with a Carbon-14 test.

 

[Anonymous]

I hear that! I think you and I discussed our L46 4-digits a while back. Figured the one in question of mine was about 52-53-ish.

 

[bloorooster]

Good shooting Stonecreek, I gotta feelin' if it says Sako, it will shoot! I'm very ,very happy with both of mine, one of which is dated to the year I was born as well. I love "small change grouping"-Bloo :wink2:

 

[onegun]

Stonecreek,
You just gave me the incentive to change my "onegun" moniker. The 218 Bee is just not enough. I have a 700 acre farm field behind my house that is always showing great bucks (300 yd shots) in the fall. Normally, I wait until the Deer comes up to my wood line and bushwhack him. My record is a 3 ft shot from behind a big Oak Tree with a muzzleloader, but those are few and far between. I have always desired what an accurate bolt action rifle and .308 Winchester cartridge can do. I've been looking at all the fiberglass and phosphate stuff made by US manufacturers and even by Sako. The less then 1/2 MOA accuracy is thrilling but I'm just not interested in the looks. I would rather have old cold bluing and beautiful walnut. You just showed me that an old Sako comes close to pulling it off under 1 moa. If I was looking for an older Sako in 308, what would you recommend as the most (reportedly) or proven accurate bolt action rifle model that Sako ever made. Thanks.
Mike

 

[stonecreek]

If I was looking for an older Sako in 308, what would you recommend as the most (reportedly) or proven accurate bolt action rifle model that Sako ever made. Thanks.
Mike

That's hard to say. Any of the L57 or L579 or A-II .308 Sako sporters are potentially extremely accurate. I would think that the later 591's and M75's should be just as potentially accurate. I have a Montgomery Ward's Model 750 which is built on the L57 action and uses a barrel that I suspect was made by High Standard. It consistently shoots groups of less than an inch.
I'd just advise to watch the market for a Sako .308 and when you see one whose looks and price appeal to you, grab it. Occasionally you'll get one that gives you problems, but most Sako's, particularly those in .308, can usually be coaxed into giving very good accuracy.

 

[bloorooster]

Onegun, supporting all that stonecreek is saying, there are many choices in a .308 as far as Sako goes...I got my first from Gunbroker,a L579 in .243, it shot 3/4" with a old weaver 2-7 that came with it. There are many out there, just keep watching and searching till "yours" comes along.
Then...go ahead and change your "handle" to moreguns, you'll want another one, I betcha!-Bloo

 

[woodman]

Stonecreek

Thats really good shooting. Really, Really good!!

 

[misako50]

Stonecreek- The Nosler bullets are real good in my .308s. Makes me look like a marksman instead of a "geez" when the loads are right. Very nice shooting. -Misako

 

[stonecreek]

I just pointed it the right direction and let the gun do the rest.

Its a rare gun that won't shoot the Ballistic Tips well. When Ballistic Tips and Accubonds are available in the same caliber and weight I've found that they will load interchagably and shoot to the same point of impact. This lets you work up loads with the slightly less expensive B.Tips, then load Accubonds when you are hunting larger game. Of course, for most of the game I'd hunt with a .308/150, the B. Tip works well, anyway.

I've been able to shoot a 5-shot, 3/4-inch group with my Sako .300 H&H using three 180 gr. B.Tips alternated with two 180 gr. Accubonds.

I've only used the Accubonds on one whitetail and one feral hog, so they haven't had much of a test, but most people report terminal perfomance almost identical to the Partition. (Well, I took a skunk and a coyote with a .308/150 accubond out of that Mannlicher, but that's only because the best rifle for a skunk or a coyote is "the one you happen to have in your hand at the time". I can attest that an Accubond will kill a skunk or coyote, but those are more of a challenge to accuracy than to bullet performance!)

 

[onegun]

Thanks Guys,
The only thing I like hunting better then animals is the hunt for a new rifle! L57 or L579 it is!
Just remember Patience, Patience, breath control, hold, hold then BUY!
Mike