Printable View
Hi all I'm thinking about buying a Sako S20, not too concerned about the weight. It will be used more for longer range hunting where weight is more of a good thing. I have found mixed reviews online but its a Sako so how bad can it be. Looking for comments and criticisms on this model which might help me make up my mind.
I really like them. Ive been hanging out for @buzzmann to buy one in 243 so I can buy it off him cheap. :)
I'm also a fan....prefer the precision buttstock personally. The built-in rail is a nice touch, only limitation is caliber choice, but if it's available in a caliber you like, go check one out :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tahr
A mate has one with a top of the line Pulsar. Seen his vids head shooting deer. Bloody impressive. It is his sniper rifle on his quad.
sound good. I did see a couple of write ups which commented on the poor grouping of the the S20. which seems surprising considering its a Sako. I'm wondering what the catch is and why its not more popular.Quote:
Originally Posted by TeRei
A good review.Quote:
Originally Posted by zeropak
https://rifle-shooter.com/article/sa...age%20features.
I had a look at them, like dannyb prefer the precision buttstock instead of the thumbhole.
But it was a struggle to see any real advantage of the S20 over an T3x Aspire, CTR, Tac A1 or similar.
Especially when you can put a normal T3x into a KRG or MDT Chassis and be able to use AIC mags and a full length picatinny rail.
It looks as if this is a takedown rifle that can be fitted in a short case ? A great advantage if youre using a small car. I wonder if there is any guarantee on the zero stability when you take it down and reassemble it ?
As noted in a previous thread, you can take the stock off a Sako 85 and put back on with return to zero of better than 2 moa.
Meanwhile, the S100 is not only takedown but you can switch the barrel and cartridge.
i have one in 6.5cm, it's a shooter for sure.
The main drawback is that it sits in its own ecosystem. There are 0 aftermarket options for stocks, I use the prs front end with the thumbhole stock. it's not a takedown rifle IMO but because of the modularity concept it comes apart at the stock end. some like, some dislike this, ymmv
one of the main issues was feeding from the 10 round mags, a little janky due to the magazine geometry, some reported it with the 5 rnd too but not as prolific. I most use 140 eldm in it and can load long due to the mag design which is good. i added an Arca rail to the bottom of the forend due to the mlok slots and how they are centred.
don't know if its better or worse than anything else but I'm happy with mine
The s20 could be described as a sako trg sniper rifle refined for the hunting market.
Same style of aluminium chassis, similar locking system of the rear stock part.
So rock solid set up that will not loose its zero unless your scope or scope mount fail. A bit heavy to carry long distance , specially with a big suppressor or big scope. It would probably be best suited for 6.5 prc , 7 rem mag or 300win mag rather than smaller cartridges to make full advantage of its long range potential.
.
From the horses mouth.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kEs8Jd2xwo
Have been thinking about a new Tikka, but this is making me change my mind...
Bought one of these on Friday, took it back today and went with a T3x instead.
Pretty disappointed to be honest.
Why did I take it back....
Majors issues:
Bolt not picking up the first round out of the mag when 3 loaded into the mag. It worked fine with only 2 rounds.. but not with 3. I tried this MANY times... to no avail.
Bolt VERY hard to close when a round loaded in (it left marks on the back of the brass!)
Minors issues:
Magazine was rattly - even when loaded.
What I really liked/wanted:
Thumbhole stock
Ali Chassis
QD mounts
Adjustable cheek riser
Threaded & Fluted heavy contour bbl
Cerakote bbl & Action
Funny how Sako Foresters and Vixen's have sky rocketed in price.
Bugger, that makes it pretty hard to get keen on them. I was just starting warm to the idea based on the comments so far.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jukes
guess I'll buy another Lupo when funds allow, definitely a rifle I loved due to ergonomics and adjustability
Probably the most troublesome Modern Rifle I have seen after a Blaser.
Most of them that came to the range had problems,especially with the mag follower tilting or flipping.The Mag is almost a sealed unit and although it should be able to be disassembled it dosnt look like you can without damaging it.I think this is the reason for not picking up the round.
One of them just wouldn't fire.I felt sorry for the young guy who had bought it ,he was almost in tears but the firing pin wasnt protruding enough to set off the round.
I am astounded at Friwi's comparison of a S20 to a TRG.
I think Sako really fucked up with the S20.
All I know is the trg 42 system is a pretty awesome bit of kit.Quote:
Originally Posted by norsk
I am now running a hardy carbon 300Nm on mine and really enjoying it.
Running 225eldm and enjoying the less recoil compared to the 338.
Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk
It's a shit T3 copy for more coin.Quote:
Originally Posted by zeropak
Be like the Sako A7 in a few years time.
Yep, Ive already gone cold on the idea of owning an S20. So now looking for a viable alternative. I have a Bergara HMR but it is too heavy in its factory stock. Bit of shame really its a nice rifle, I've put a BixnAndy Tac sport pro trigger in it and its fantastic to shoot, just too heavy. Maybe a lighter model Bergara and swap the triggers, Its a $700 trigger which I just love.Quote:
Originally Posted by caberslash
get a GRC, Prescision platforms (hunter) or McMillen carbon stock for your HMR and be forever happy, if your after a true ultralight rifle you will never get away from the fact that Bergara's have a heavy sporter type profile barrel (not a truck axle by any means but heavier than a Sako or Tikka sporter profile) the heavier barrel has positive side affects as well (longer to heat up if your're worried about that sort of thing and the extra weight helps tame recoil).Quote:
Originally Posted by zeropak
My 300 PRC Bergara is somewhere around 4kg with a big scope and DPT braked suppressor and to be fair it's "about right" for very comfortable shooting experience. I could happily shoot it all day without getting fatigued other than in the wallet :psychotic:
then again the S20 isn't exactly light either so I'm not sure it really fits the bill for what you wanted to achieve in the first place ?
I am happy to have some extra weight, in fact that's what I would like for a long range rig but the Bergara is around 4.4kg bare. I would be happy to have a rig which weighed around that with a scope attached. That was part of the appeal with the S20. I have considered a GRC stock for the Bergara, It may be enough weight loss to do the job, over the weekend I'm going to strip it down and do the numbers.Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyb
@norsk, my comparison was mainly between the architectures or concept of the two rifles.
That Sako stuffed it up during the conception in term of reliability is deplorable, specially when they have released a product to the market knowing pretty well that it was a bit of a stuff up ( there is no way that a new rifle that does not cycle probably in New Zealand did not have the same problems when it was (supposed) to be tested at their shooting ground facility before leaving the factory).
I know a few cullers who bought them, anticipating that they could make good use of the optional 10 rounds mags. They all sold them , due to the mag issues.
Yet I have a friend with one in 6.5 prc, and he is super happy with it. He has shot deer at 700 m. And never had a fault with it.
I feel Sako could have made it right with that rifle with:
- a short/ medium action to take rounds up to 6.5 prc/300 wsm with projectiles loaded long.
- a long action that would have taken all the long rounds from 6.5x55 up to the 300 prc/ the big noslers ( eventually 338 lapua and the normas)
- a magazine system or an optional aftermarket interface that would have taken the AICS type mags.
In theory it is possible to make Sako 75's and 85's take AW magazines, would require a new bottom metal and also ridding the 85 of the 'idiot proof' mag release.Quote:
Originally Posted by Friwi
Tikka T3 CTR has a 10 round mag already and the MDT poly mags (full poly, not the half metal job) can be modified to fit the CTR mag well (just grind down the polymer locking tab till it seats).
So after much consideration, and a visit to the Beretta stand at the Sika show I decided to go with a Benelli Lupo. I like the chassis system in this rifle and almost without exception they get great reviews. My only slight issue with it is the trigger, its very nice and breaks at almost spot on 1kg with the adjustment screw backed right out, BUT all my other rifles, mostly Tikka's have the trigger adjusted to 500 grams. They all have Bix n Andy triggers which are very good. So although the trigger on the Benelli would suit most people it is not ideal for me. Has anyone managed to adjust one of these triggers down lighter than 1kg? Its not as simple as backing the adjustment screw out and replacing the spring, there is some sort of stop inside the adjustment port which holds the spring in place, the only way to get to that spring would be to dismantle the trigger, not sure if I'm ready to do that just yet. I doubt there are too many of these rifle out there but maybe someone else has dealt with this in the past.
Nothing like the "ping boing boing boing" sound of a spring wizzing across the workshop to make you regret the decision to dissemble a trigger or bolt assemblyQuote:
Originally Posted by zeropak
I don’t get the complaints about the model 85 mag release. I’ve got two of them and can drop the mag out with one hand. Great as far as I’m concerned.