Colt/Sako L461

Wyattcoyote · November 25, 1999, 10:52 PM

Here's a hard question for which I haven't found any hard and fast answers:

I have a Colt imported Sako L461 in .222 Rem Mag. It has the Colt medallion on the stock, the action is marked L461, and the barrel is marked with the caliber designation and "W.H. Hobaugh" underneath it. People have tried to tell me that it must be rebarreled, but I am not so sure. On the underside of the barrel it is stamped with numbers that match the receiver, in the same script. I assume that perhaps the action and stock were imported from Sako by Colt, and Colt subcontracted the barreling. Any illumination? Anybody know who W.H. Hobaugh was or is? I can go to the Gun Trader's Guide and verify that this Colt/Sako model did indeed exist, but I want to know more. How many were made would be another good bit of info.

The rifle by the way, IS a shooter. .5" groups are pretty common at 100 yds. Definitely a keeper.

Wade

Harley Nolden · November 26, 1999, 07:19 AM

The only Colt rifle that I can find that meets that description and caliber is the Coltsman Model of 1961, Custom Rifle. It comes with a SAKO action, Calibers .222, .222 Mag,.223, .243, .264, .270, 308, 30-06 and 300 H&H Mag, This rifle was mfg'd from 1963-1965.

The cusotm model had French Walnut stock, rear leaf sight, Monte Carlo comb, rosewood forend tip and grip cap, skip checkering, recoil pad, sling swivels.
There was also a standard model made in this model except much plainer, American Walnut stock and made in the same year era.
HJN

Wyattcoyote · November 26, 1999, 10:15 AM

Like I said, I have that info from the Gun Trader's Guide. I'm hoping to go further and find out how many were produced, who W.H. Hobaugh was, etc. Mine is the standard model. So far, I have been able to turn up nothing, so the next step is to go to Colt, I guess. I haven't ever seen another one, so I don't have anything to compare it to. If I could find another one and see how its barrel was marked, that would tell me a lot. Darn, now I'm on a quest!

Harley Nolden · November 26, 1999, 10:57 AM

Sorry, didn't mean to bother you

HJN

Wyattcoyote · November 26, 1999, 01:30 PM

Bother, heck. You were trying to help. I just need info that evidently isn't readily available. Any idea who I might contact at Colt?

Wyattcoyote · November 26, 1999, 08:22 PM

Gee, Protoolman, that looks like YOUR email address. Aren't you that Ruger fanatic who stalks the forums??? Have you actually ever touched a Sako, or heard the angels sing as the trigger broke cleanly on the fifth shot of a half-minute group?

Wyattearp

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November 25, 1999, 10:52 PM	#1
Wyattcoyote Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 1999 Location: Campbell, MN Posts: 5	Here's a hard question for which I haven't found any hard and fast answers: I have a Colt imported Sako L461 in .222 Rem Mag. It has the Colt medallion on the stock, the action is marked L461, and the barrel is marked with the caliber designation and "W.H. Hobaugh" underneath it. People have tried to tell me that it must be rebarreled, but I am not so sure. On the underside of the barrel it is stamped with numbers that match the receiver, in the same script. I assume that perhaps the action and stock were imported from Sako by Colt, and Colt subcontracted the barreling. Any illumination? Anybody know who W.H. Hobaugh was or is? I can go to the Gun Trader's Guide and verify that this Colt/Sako model did indeed exist, but I want to know more. How many were made would be another good bit of info. The rifle by the way, IS a shooter. .5" groups are pretty common at 100 yds. Definitely a keeper. Wade

November 26, 1999, 07:19 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	The only Colt rifle that I can find that meets that description and caliber is the Coltsman Model of 1961, Custom Rifle. It comes with a SAKO action, Calibers .222, .222 Mag,.223, .243, .264, .270, 308, 30-06 and 300 H&H Mag, This rifle was mfg'd from 1963-1965. The cusotm model had French Walnut stock, rear leaf sight, Monte Carlo comb, rosewood forend tip and grip cap, skip checkering, recoil pad, sling swivels. There was also a standard model made in this model except much plainer, American Walnut stock and made in the same year era. HJN

November 26, 1999, 10:15 AM	#3
Wyattcoyote Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 1999 Location: Campbell, MN Posts: 5	Like I said, I have that info from the Gun Trader's Guide. I'm hoping to go further and find out how many were produced, who W.H. Hobaugh was, etc. Mine is the standard model. So far, I have been able to turn up nothing, so the next step is to go to Colt, I guess. I haven't ever seen another one, so I don't have anything to compare it to. If I could find another one and see how its barrel was marked, that would tell me a lot. Darn, now I'm on a quest!

November 26, 1999, 10:57 AM	#4
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Sorry, didn't mean to bother you HJN

November 26, 1999, 01:30 PM	#5
Wyattcoyote Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 1999 Location: Campbell, MN Posts: 5	Bother, heck. You were trying to help. I just need info that evidently isn't readily available. Any idea who I might contact at Colt?

November 26, 1999, 08:22 PM	#6
Wyattcoyote Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 1999 Location: Campbell, MN Posts: 5	Gee, Protoolman, that looks like YOUR email address. Aren't you that Ruger fanatic who stalks the forums??? Have you actually ever touched a Sako, or heard the angels sing as the trigger broke cleanly on the fifth shot of a half-minute group? Wyattearp