Sako S20 any good?

sin3rgy

sin3rgy

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My best friend got his PAL recently and got quote a deal that includes a Sako S20 in 308. I dunno much about the brand or that action, other than they own Tikka apparently?

Anyway, from a little bit of searching it looks like slim pickings for after market options, can't seem to find anyone making chassis for it. Also can't seem to find anyone making prefit barrels for it, be a shame that it's 308 and can't do barrel swaps.

Am I missing some key pieces of info or is that pretty much the sum of the rifle, it is what it is? Wanna give my best friend as much info as i can before he buys.
 
Sako rifles are really nice in general. The S20 is fairly new. The Hunter variant is about the most comfortable rifle I've shouldered. Ever. They aren't light but the ergonomics are amazing. The trigger is also really nice.

It's one of those guns I always "check out" when I'm in Cabela's, but some site sponsors might have them on for less.

You are correct about the lack of aftermarket support. It's expensive and new, so a small market. I expect Sako will be the ones making 95% of the accessories themselves with maybe a few boutique vendors offering
 
Save some money and buy a tikka, use the excess funds to put good glass on it. The Sako A7, S20 etc are all Tikka clones (or vice versa whatever way you look at it). Sako name so you pay more for them, at least with a Tikka you have aftermarket parts available. They shoot just as good as a Sako (same barrels different name)

Unless you're going to a true Sako like a 85 or a 90, I don't think its worth the extra coin. JMHO
 
I have both a sako s20 precision and a tikka varmint in 300 win mag - the tikka is slightly more accurate. The sako is much more customizable if you want to use sako parts - as in expensive- I can turn my precision into the hunter version or a hybrid of the two quite easily. the two seem to be getting closer in price. if I could only have one, I would take the tikka.
 
Just bought Sako S20 6.5 PRC in cherakote but did not try shooting it yet. I have two stainless 85 Finnlight, 300 WM and 30-06, and I can say that the S20 is of lower quality. It has plastic stock and magazine, there’s a little movement of the magazine when inserted. The lock/safety mechanism and bolt is not as good as the 85 Finnlight. They both weight the same with my 300 Winnie and the price for the S20 is cheaper though. Worth considering is the Special Edition Tikka T3x Bolt Action if you don’t like the S20.
 
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hunter-4-life said:
Save some money and buy a tikka, use the excess funds to put good glass on it. The Sako A7, S20 etc are all Tikka clones (or vice versa whatever way you look at it). Sako name so you pay more for them, at least with a Tikka you have aftermarket parts available. They shoot just as good as a Sako (same barrels different name)

Unless you're going to a true Sako like a 85 or a 90, I don't think its worth the extra coin. JMHO
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I have both Tikka and a Sako A7. They are not the same rifle. A7 is a 3 lug bolt with a 60 degree throw, 3 position safety. I have the roughtech pro version so it has an aluminum chassis incorporated into the stock, which i think the S20 has as well.

Tikka 2 lug bolt, 70 degree throw and 2 position safety. My model is the Artic so it's different, 2 stage trigger and 3 position safety. Not standard on other models, and you pay for it lol.

Both rifles are very accurate, both bolts are very smooth to operate.

If you want option to customize then Tikka. If the Sako feels good to shoulder and seems like it doesn't need to be modified then get it . Have to decide what features the S20 has that would make it worth the extra money.
 
hogie said:
I have both Tikka and a Sako A7. They are not the same rifle. A7 is a 3 lug bolt with a 60 degree throw, 3 position safety. I have the roughtech pro version so it has an aluminum chassis incorporated into the stock, which i think the S20 has as well.

Tikka 2 lug bolt, 70 degree throw and 2 position safety. My model is the Artic so it's different, 2 stage trigger and 3 position safety. Not standard on other models, and you pay for it lol.

Both rifles are very accurate, both bolts are very smooth to operate.

If you want option to customize then Tikka. If the Sako feels good to shoulder and seems like it doesn't need to be modified then get it . Have to decide what features the S20 has that would make it worth the extra money.
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Id rather a 2 lug 70 degree for hunting, lighter bolt lift. Although they're "different" they're the same....same barrels, made in the same factory, by the same people. 2 lug vs 3 lug is an argument that goes way back. For hunting purposes theres no advantage to either. Its 100% personal preference, one isn't more accurate than the other. The difference is a 3 lug action is going to have heavier bolt lift than a 2 lug. Same goes for a 3 position safety, personal preference. Your forking out a few extra hundred bucks for stuff that isn't going to make a difference in real life situation. Its pretty simple, safety on, safety off. Need to open your bolt? Safety off, cycle bolt, safety on again.

Ill stick to my guns on this one, save some $$ and put it towards better glass if your torn between the S20 and a Tikka. Or, you spend a few extra $$ and buy a Sako 85. Thats the only Sako id buy is an 85 (or 90 if budget permits) in todays age. With an 85 or 90 you actually get a quality rifle, and if you shop around you can find new 85's for about the same price as a new S20. A site sponsor just had a sale on an 85 laminate stainless for $1899. If it was in any other cal than 30-06 I woulda been all over that.
 
sin3rgy said:
My best friend got his PAL recently and got quote a deal that includes a Sako S20 in 308. I dunno much about the brand or that action, other than they own Tikka apparently?

Anyway, from a little bit of searching it looks like slim pickings for after market options, can't seem to find anyone making chassis for it. Also can't seem to find anyone making prefit barrels for it, be a shame that it's 308 and can't do barrel swaps.

Am I missing some key pieces of info or is that pretty much the sum of the rifle, it is what it is? Wanna give my best friend as much info as i can before he buys.
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Had one and sold it... Here's my take on it. Post #17

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...t-worth-it?p=18557287&viewfull=1#post18557287
 
Been playing with T3's since over 15 years. Had plenty customer Sako's that we bedded etc. T3's are the choice for hard use such as F class or PRS, they hold up very well and are a light but stiff action. Bedding system is fantastic and rifles can be swopped around in bedded stocks if done right. I'd choose a T3 over any Sako.
edi
 
Although they're "different" they're the same..
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Lol what. By the logic you used winchester xprs and model 70s are the same gun.

Totally different design, response sounds like an opinion you would hear at a Canadian Tire gun counter...


If you are concerned by a lack of chassis for the s20 are you not kind of missing the point?
 
Today I was finally able to do some load development for my S20 Precision in 6.5CM. I really like that both magazine and barrel throat allow for OAL significantly longer than the book value, thus allowing for more powder in the case helping to achieve higher velocities without exceeding max pressure (according to QuickLoad). This was my best load of today. No chronograph this time, but QuickLoad predicts 2835 fps and it was pretty spot-on before for this rifle.

If you want a rifle that shoots out of the box as is and not planning to turn it into a custom build, this is a great option that can be bought cheap if you are keeping an eye on promo sales. I bought mine for $1520 all-in cost to my door.

photo_2024-08-04_19-59-21.jpg
 
the sake S20 won't have much aftermarket support but its a really good stock on it, solid aluminum frame inside the polymer has a few hem interchangeable options, has the sling mounts for bipod and accessories and QD mounts in the stock already. operates super smooth and shoots really well out of the box. if you're a guy who likes to modify and soup things up then its not the one for you but if you wanna buy something that performs and is reliable out of the box its great
 
Well, now that I've taken another look at my load development results, I thought that I probably should share all of them, not just the best group. Because one best group can be just a fluke, right? So, how about 8 5-shot groups in total and all of them are well under 1 MOA? This rifle is just a laser, really. I'm going to stick with the tightest and fastest load obviously, but I could just really put together a random load and it would still be a sub-MOA rifle all day long. So, here's my full course below. Just used calipers this time, no software for measurement.

PXL_20240809_033708602~2.jpg
 
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