My last custom rifle

[Researcher]

In regard to the 24” barrel I had a Sako pre vixen Mannlicher in 222 that had a 24” barrel . This was one of those with a square bolt back and a clip . Bought it when I was 14 or 15 for

That is too spooky!! Just yesterday I was looking through some old papers and found the receipt from Central Sporting Goods Co. in Seattle dated Jan 27, 1962, when I, not yet quite 16, bought just such a rifle for $120 plus $4.80 sales tax, including the Sako Dual-Range Peep Sight that fit on the rear scope base milled integral with the receiver. Sol at Central was the Pacific Northwest distributor for Firearms International. The barrel was actually a hair over 23 5/8 inch (60 cm). I've never found a Firearms International or Sako catalog that lists the Mannlicher Rifle. They all show and list the Mannlicher carbine with nominal 20-inch, actually 19 11/16 inch (50 cm), barrel and a band with the front sling swivel.

Went back to Central on Feb 10, 1962 and got Sako scope mounts and a Weaver K8.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

That is too spooky!! Just yesterday I was looking through some old papers and found the receipt from Central Sporting Goods Co. in Seattle dated Jan 27, 1962, when I, not yet quite 16, bought just such a rifle for $120 plus $4.80 sales tax, including the Sako Dual-Range Peep Sight that fit on the rear scope base milled integral with the receiver. Sol at Central was the Pacific Northwest distributor for Firearms International. The barrel was actually a hair over 23 5/8 inch (60 cm). I've never found a Firearms International or Sako catalog that lists the Mannlicher Rifle. They all show and list the Mannlicher carbine with nominal 20-inch, actually 19 11/16 inch (50 cm), barrel and a band with the front sling swivel.

Went back to Central on Feb 10, 1962 and got Sako scope mounts and a Weaver K8.

I think I’ve seen one or two others for sale that we’re Mannlicher 24” but all were 222 had square back bolts and removable clips . The only Vixen 222 or 22-250 Mannlicher’s ive seen were 20” . Just so happens in the last eight or so years I picked up a vixen 222 20” Mannlicher with peep sight and a Forester 22-250 20” Mannlicher also with a peep sight , got them both from the same guy . I didn’t keep either of those two very long and made a modest but tidy profit on each .

[todd allen]

Love the Mauser, love the caliber, and love the classic stock. It's the trifecta for me!

[Harry Collins]

I have a little Ruger 77 RSI in 6.5X55. I've been working up loads with Hornady ELD X 143 grain bullets. My other Swed likes the 129, 140, and 160 grain bullets and shoots all three in under a minute of angle. What a great looking rifle you have Rich. What is your choice of bullet?

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Harry Collins

I have a little Ruger 77 RSI in 6.5X55. I've been working up loads with Hornady ELD X 143 grain bullets. My other Swed likes the 129, 140, and 160 grain bullets and shoots all three in under a minute of angle. What a great looking rifle you have Rich. What is your choice of bullet?

Had a couple of the older tang safety 77RSI's but sadly they were both in 308 . Would rather they had been a 7-08 or some such , I'm not much of a 308 fan . Only problem I had with them was trigger consistency , one time it would break at 2 1/2 pounds the next time it was 4 pounds . I eventually put RifleBasix replacement sears in both and they then broke at a consistent 2 pounds give or take 4 ounces .

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

Had a couple of the older tang safety 77RSI's but sadly they were both in 308 . Would rather they had been a 7-08 or some such , I'm not much of a 308 fan . Only problem I had with them was trigger consistency , one time it would break at 2 1/2 pounds the next time it was 4 pounds . I eventually put RifleBasix replacement sears in both and they then broke at a consistent 2 pounds give or take 4 ounces .

Just curious about why you are not a 308 fan. I've never owned one or loaded for one but the ballistics are very similar to a 30-06. Does it have something to do with getting decent reloadability from 308 cases?

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

Just curious about why you are not a 308 fan. I've never owned one or loaded for one but the ballistics are very similar to a 30-06. Does it have something to do with getting decent reloadability from 308 cases?

I’m not a 223 , 308 or 06 fan . And I own Mannlicher Schoenauer carbines in 308 and 06 . As to case life I’ve never had an issue with case life or reliability in any cartridge I’ve messed with . I like the 243 , 260 , 7mm-08 and 338 Federal all based on the 308 case . I like the 25-06 , 6.5-06 , 270 , 280 and 338-06 all based on the 06 .

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

I’m not a 223 , 308 or 06 fan . And I own Mannlicher Schoenauer carbines in 308 and 06 . As to case life I’ve never had an issue with case life or reliability in any cartridge I’ve messed with . I like the 243 , 260 , 7mm-08 and 338 Federal all based on the 308 case . I like the 25-06 , 6.5-06 , 270 , 280 and 338-06 all based on the 06 .

Got it. I like most of the old calibers like the 257 Roberts and 7 x 57. My two favorites are the 270 and 243. I use the 243 with 85 grain handloads for deer much of the time. The 270 comes into play in Saskatchewan for moose and bear and also deer up there. I would have no problem using the 243 on bear at reasonable range but I’ve always used the 270 for them.

[Bruce Day]

I’ll bet this rifle cost far more than an annual membership in the Parker Shotgun Collectors Association.

[C.O.B.]

Harry I'm going to start with the 139gr Hornady SST and the 140gr Nosler Accubond. I'm just breaking in the barrel and getting it sighted in to use for the end of deer season and shooting factory Winchester 140gr PSP. so far so good.