How do i load a sako 222 L461 rifle

Question

How do i load a sako 222 L461 rifle

Answer 1

Hi Brianna.  The Sako L-461 has what is known as a 'fixed magazine.'  This means that it does not detach from the rifle stock.  It is better if you have an experienced person walk you through the process but so you won't look totally helpless the following might help.  Make sure your Sako is completely unloaded.  Keeping your finger out of the trigger guard work the bolt a couple of times.  Look into the chamber and make sure it doesn't have any bullets.  You might have to release the safety before the action will open.  Then point your Sako in a safe direction.  Holding the rifle in your weak hand (left for most people) hold the rifle firmly and point it away from you and away from anything you are not willing to destroy and open the action.  Holding the bullets (one at a time) facing the same direction you are pointing your Sako hold each bullet between your right thumb and forefinger and carefully inserting them flat and level down into the fixed magazine.  The magazine lip should lower locking the bullet in place.  It should hold four bullets.  Then hold the top bullet down slightly and close the action.  To make it ready to shoot, open the action and close it.  The action should 'pick-up' the topmost bullet and insert it into the chamber.  Observe that this has happened when you intend to shoot, and that there is no bullet in the chamber or magazine if you don't intend to use your rifle.  

To unload work the action while the rifle is pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger outta the trigger guard until all the bullets have been expelled.  Check the chamber visually to make sure there are no bullets left in the chamber or in the magazine.  Now your rifle is safe to store, clean, put up, whatever.  Your Sako is a nice rifle.  I don't own one but it loads the same way that my Remington 700 ADL does.  

Good luck.

H