Thread: Sako S20

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.

Originally Posted by norsk

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.
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

Originally Posted by zeropak

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.

It's a shit T3 copy for more coin.

Be like the Sako A7 in a few years time.

Originally Posted by caberslash

It's a shit T3 copy for more coin.

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.

Originally Posted by zeropak

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.

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).
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

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 ?

Originally Posted by dannyb

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).
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

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.

@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.

Originally Posted by Friwi

@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.

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.

Originally Posted by zeropak

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 assembly

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.