Up until 1960, Sakos with L-46 actions were simply called the Sako Varmint Rifle in my editions of Gun Digest, but beginning in 1961 it was called the Sako Vixen, and the name was continued for the L-461 actioned rifles. Both the L-461 and L-579 had fixed, staggered column magazines and hinged floorplates. Both models were succeeded by the L-461 and L-579, respectively, which featured a cylindrical bolt shroud and moved the safety to the right side next to the shroud.
The L-57 had a different trigger design with a sliding sear, and a fixed, staggered column magazine with hinged floorplate. in the late-'50s the L-46 was joined by the L-57, which was designed for. Later during its run the L-46 gained a milled trigger guard and a more squarish, "modern" design walnut stock with Monte Carlo. Not bad for a rifle made in 1951 that weighs less than 6 lbs without scope! It has excellent workmanship and gained a reputation for accuracy - mine will put 3 shots into less than 1/2" at 100 yards. Its trigger was a copy of the Winchester M70 trigger. It has a distinctive rectangular block-shaped bolt shroud with the safety on the R side of the shroud that blocks the firing pin, stamped trigger guard, detachable single stack magazine, and a beech wood classic style stock which was stained to resemble walnut. The stock is a Bishop walnut stock with a Monty Carlo and pistol grip. 22 Hornet but quickly adapted to the then new. The blue is good with some scattered wear and a few blood spots. The earliest model imported here was built on the L-46 action, designed for small cartridges such as the. Riihimaki is the town where Sakos are made, and was stamped onto the left side of the receiver - my L-46 in. I believe that Riihimaki is used to refer to the early Sako rifles.