Hi,

I recently bought a Sako L461 (single shot) from a dealer near Mildura. He sold it on from a deceased estate with very little information about it. He thought it might have come from South Australia.

It has a well executed benchrest style stock (timber) and a "light benchrest" barrel.

The exact barrel stamping read:
KCR. BR.
220 Crow. NK DI 243.

Included were fireformed cases as well as a Redding Competition Neck die set with a .238" bushing. The cases are made from .222 Rem, with a 40 degree shoulder, visually the same body length and a shortened neck. The dies are .223 Rem Improved 40 degrees and shortened to accommodate what basically amounts to a 222 Rem Imp 40 deg with a shorter neck. Total case length is 40.05mm / 1.576".

I am still awaiting some Cerrosafe to measure the Chamber, which I assume from the stamping has a .243" neck.

Can anyone shed a little more light upon the history of this rifle?

I'm particularly interested in whom the gunsmith could be, as well as anyone who might have personal experience with this wildcat. Google couldn't enlighten me, but I would guess that that reamer must have cut more than one barrel. (Assuming it isn't just a .223 Imp reamer only partially ran in, but the neck appears even shorter than that of a .223.)

I'll be most grateful for any information.

Chris