Thoughts on the new Sako 90 Product Line? Announced Today.

How old is that book?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_time
Easy to google and find a few dozen articles showing 1.6ms locktime for the Savage 10's.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/locktime.htm

The Bolt Action, Vol. II was published in 1985. So Otteson's calculation would be for the Savage 110 of that time. It's possible more recent Savage bolt action rifles have improved the lock time over that of the 110 that Otteson analyzed.

I might add that Otteson's two editions of this book cover 33 bolt actions, starting with the Mauser 98, and his detailed analyses of these actions are by far the most complete, in-depth, and scientifically-based analyses of bolt-action rifle actions I've read. Otteson is an engineer, and his coverage reflects this. I strongly recommend these books to anyone wanting to understand in depth how these actions were conceived, were constructed, and how they operate.
 
https://www.sako.global/series/sako-90

What do you think? It sounds like they have dropped their big bore, dangerous game cartridges and the XL receiver (topping out at 375H&H).

It also appears they have transitioned to a pushfeed action?

If you own a Model 85, what do you think of the new Model 90?

The Sako 90 leaves no appel to me, rather plain, no lust, no wiz-bang of anything. I must give credit to European gun manufactures, at least they are trying to make things different, unlike American manufactures who concentrate on black and precision plastic CRAP. I'd go with previous 85 models of Sako rifles, which were manufacture at a higher standard.
 
Yeah, I've seen those. Not sure I'd trust them to hold under really heavy tension--i.e., when real stress is placed on the sling.

That type of flush mount sling swivel has been used on many European sporting rifles and match rifles for decades.
They are super strong and reliable.
The amount of force generated on a single point Match rifle sling is considerable, and the socket type of sling swivel is totally reliable .
I would not buy a new Sako however, but then I would have a hard time buying any new rifle ! LOL
Cat
 
Not all flush mounted sling attachments are equal, some are easier to fit with less chance of glue running in and blocking holes. I think by far the best are the Grovtec limited rotation with 9/16" thread. We have fitted into the thousands of these so far. None came out. One danger with this type of sling attachment is dirt and rust. Mainly the sling side. Some Euro Sling attachments seem to have slightly different tolerances meaning they might or might not click in position properly if matched with the Grovtec or others.
edi
 
CAD $2500, 6.9 lbs
has flush cups, muzzle break, adjustable length of pull
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CAD $4660, 5.7 lbs, bare
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Interesting. I'll wait until I can see one for myself and couple that with online reviews. I find it interesting that they've dropped a lot of traditional cartridges, gone is 6.5x55, 7x64, .30-06, and 9.3x62mm that are available in the Sako 85. At least they've added the .28 Nosler for those wanting to do away with belts. Happy they have a bare stainless option. I'd love a fluted stainless barreled action in a hunter stock.

It doesn't mean that they are dropped, just not made yet. Manufacturers don't manufacture all calibers at all times.


Are new guns really better? Aside from improved ejecting, which never should have been an issue in the first place, the increase in price doesn’t correspond to increased performance imo

Guns haven't been getting better for the last 100 years. What is happening is that it's getting cheaper and cheaper to make a decent gun.
 
So far the shills for Sako seem to love them, but I wouldn't expect anything less. Personally I think the market for a $3000USD hunting rifle is limited. Maybe they don't care about getting a high volume of guns out there, but the popularity of a given firearm is what determines aftermarket support for the platform. That's why you can find 200 different scope bases for an AR, and 500 aftermarket stocks for a Model 700. But try to find aftermarket stocks for Weatherbys? Yeah, hope you didn't have your heart set on extensive selection.
 
It also appears they have transitioned to a pushfeed action?

Anyone who’s owned an 85 can confirm, it’s not controlled round feed. That was pure marketing, it didn’t have control of the round with the extractor until extremely late in the cycle. That doesn’t make it a bad rifle, just bad marketing.

I’m intrigued by any manufacturer bucking the trend of the race to the bottom and the Mossberg effect (Ruger American etc) and a damn the torpedos [msrp] mantra in improving products. I’ll likely buy a Peak to know what it’s about, but can’t say I’m excited by it. Just curious…

As for the guy comparing a 5.7lb rifle to a 6.9lb, had a good chuckle if I interpreted that right. Was that supposed to make the Sako look bad…? 1.2 pounds is massive on a rifle intended for the rocks.
 
I do love my 85s. I have not experienced the ejection issues on either of my own Medium actions nor on any of the others I have assembled or worked on. Great rifles but they are still push feeds. The claim of partial controlled feed is quite exaggerated. The system works but it is not a CRF.

I am not sold on the new 90. Sako may have tweaked and adjusted the 85 a bit to get to the 90 but it is not worth the extra cost. Sako tried to split their market, making their economy lines from the A7 and now the S20 to be more like the 85s but only succeeded marketing an overpriced partner to the T3. The 85 was reasonably priced for the overall quality. My prediction is that more shooters will opt for custom builds rather than buying the 90. And the new 100, my guess is this platform will disappear. I would like to see both the 90 and 100 in person, but my buddy in Finland has nothing great to report on the 100.
 
So far the shills for Sako seem to love them, but I wouldn't expect anything less.
Not sure who the "shills" are, but I can add myself to those who love their 85s. I've owned many Sako rifles over the years--L- and A-series models--and consider my 85 to be superior functionally (and aesthetically) to the earlier models. Like Duncan Idaho, I've not had any ejection problems with mine, which is an M-size action in .270 Win. With the short 70° bolt lift and guide rails, it is slicker--with almost no lateral wobble at all--and is easier and faster to operate from the shoulder than the earlier models, and this action makes very low scope mounting possible. In addition, the trigger on my 85 is superior to those (the Sako #4 trigger) on my earlier Sakos. Mine has the single set trigger option, but in unset mode it is absolutely crisp with no creep at all and can be adjusted to a much lighter weight of pull than the earlier triggers. Mine's a deluxe, and the wood is better than that on earlier deluxes I've owned and seen. It's also a little lighter than some A-series Sakos I've owned. (I think the early L-series Sakos were the lightest.) Not sure I'd purchase a 90 since the changes over the 85 are so minor, but I can't see much wrong with the 90.

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Not sure who the "shills" are, but I can add myself to those who love their 85s. I've owned many Sako rifles over the years--L- and A-series models--and consider my 85 to be superior functionally (and aesthetically) to the earlier models. Like Duncan Idaho, I've not had any ejection problems with mine, which is an M-size action in .270 Win. With the short 70° bolt lift and guide rails, it is slicker--with almost no lateral wobble at all--and is easier and faster to operate from the shoulder than the earlier models, and this action makes very low scope mounting possible. In addition, the trigger on my 85 is superior to those (the Sako #4 trigger) on my earlier Sakos. Mine has the single set trigger option, but in unset mode it is absolutely crisp with no creep at all and can be adjusted to a much lighter weight of pull than the earlier triggers. Mine's a deluxe, and the wood is better than that on earlier deluxes I've owned and seen. It's also a little lighter than some A-series Sakos I've owned. (I think the early L-series Sakos were the lightest.) Not sure I'd purchase a 90 since the changes over the 85 are so minor, but I can't see much wrong with the 90.

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So far TJ is the only one I've seen though I would expect the Beasleys to chime in very soon.
 
So what's the general consensus right now if you were interested in picking up a Sako in say 7 RemMag, stick with the 85 or pay the premium for the new 90?
 
I’d get the 90. The 85’s ejection issues are overblown, it’s a good rifle, but it also was real and affected quite a few owners including people here. In my opinion they addressed it for more than marketing reasons. This said I believe Sako’s best rifles are in the past, well before the 85, but it is nice to see quality production offerings bucking the Mossberg / Savage / Ruger American trend.
 
Im a SAKO shill and the dual ejector thing bothers me. One hole in the bolt face is enough for this guy, three is two too many. Any logic to that? Probably not.

I think the L/A series might be the coolest push feed design ever. Surprised there weren't more copy cats, but I'm sure it was neither cheap to machine nor simple to produce

Kind of upset I can't get the 85 I wanted anymore.
 
Any updates to the new Sako 90 line? I know they were hinting at larger big bore offerings above the 375 at launch but I haven't heard anything since.
 
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