Early Sako mini mauser action to rebarrel

[Jerry V Lape]

I have the inclination to build a light rifle around this mini mauser action for the purpose of popping coyotes/bobcat class varmits while out hiking. The action came from a Marlin model 322.   The magazine is currently for .222Rem, which is acceptable but I would prefer to make the rifle .223 for the advantages of more readily available ammo/cheaper.  I have no experience with this action but understand the clip will not take the .223 and I need to locate a .222Mag clip for it before going further. 

Guess I need to find a highly regarded gunsmith in Arizona to true up the action and rebarrel?

 Also need to understand which twists work for which bullet weights best in either of these calibers?  Probably shoot 45-50 grain bullets.

 Also what do you think about a 20 inch barrel in these calibers?  I will do the stock work myself. 

[Nobade]

First take a .223 and see if it will fit in the mag. If not, is there a spacer in the rear of it that can be removed? Finding mags for those rifles is not easy or cheap. As for truing it up, don't bother. They're plenty good from the factory to make a nice hunting rifle with no work to the action. As for twist, if you're going to never go over 50 grain bullets a 1:14 will work great. 1:12 will also and let you shoot up to 60gr. flatbase if you want to sometime. As for barrel length, just go with whatever balances and handles nice in the contour you choose. 20 inches and a #4 contour works pretty well most of the time, or a #3 at about 22 inches. Just depends on what you like.

[gunnut69]

I would suggest using the barrel from the marlin but dislike the microgroove rifling here. The 20 in barrel would surely be adequate and a mannlicker stock would be gorgeous. This is one of the rifles I always wanted in my younger, poorer days!! The L461 action is great as is but the mags are a pain to find. If the rifle is not destroyed it would be wiser to sell it to a collector and buy one of the CZ527 rifles. They are widely available and come with adjustable single set triggers and they make a mannlicker version!!!! They too come with a detachable mag but it is still available and the rifles are walnut and steel...as rifles should be.. It the Sako is already destroyed it is a fine choice as a basis for a custom rifle. The 223 can be made to feed from a 222 mag but it requires a bit of work. It's been a long while but if I remember correctly the follower had to be lengthened and the block removed. The lips also will likely require a bit of work??  Don't take that as definetive though as its been 20 years...