I own a really clean sako 222, the old full stock Riihimaki model, 98% except a little rust on the nose piece and front sight hood.

I was in gun cleaning mode and decided to deal with it.

I took the hood off, just with fingers, and then took the nose piece off, carefully to leave little or no trace of the disassembly, and now I am in the process to stone clean and re-blue the hood and nose.

I was relieved there was no sign of rust on the barrel under the nose metal.

I thought I would proceed and disassemble it. I am already stuck on the barrel band. The stock seems to join under that band. I started to move the barrel band but it is tight, and I am pretty sure if I push it down over the barrel and the front section of the stock it is going to leave a mark.

Is there a trick for the problem. I'd like to look under the stock, clean and wax in there.

Thanks!

I've never had the barrel band off my SAKO .308 Mannlicher Carbine so I can only guess. I have to wonder if the wood isn't swelled, even though you would expect it to shrink over time. Not sure what the humidity is where you are this time of year. Maybe a dryer environment for a while would help with removal?

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

Good idea! I should have thought of that. I am upstream from you, just past Newport TN, right over the line in NC. Pretty dry this time of year. Maybe the stock came out of an artificially dry environment before assembly, and the summer humidity may still be in the wood. I will turn my piano heater on in the safe while I work on this rust.

That 308 carbine sounds cool. What type of action is it on. How much does it weigh? Peep or scope?