Sako s20 Hunter - Actual experiences please

[nun_hunter]

Yeah pulling the bolt through the bolt stop is user error

Worse than a Tikka T3x (no wonder they sell for less!)

Out of 8 tikka Tac A1s at work that have fired multiple thousands of rounds each and none of them have had an issue with the bolt stop. Thats under normal range and operational use with quick follow up shots and not being gentle on them.

One AI had an issue where the bolt wasn't hardened properly and so the bolt stop was deforming the bolt and creating a burr. That doesn't mean all AI's are junk because one had a manufacturing fault.

 

[redrbr]

I have one in 6.5 Creedmoor. No issues at all - very accurate and well balanced.
The stock is comfortable and the action is smooth. I’d buy it again.

 

[Marctitty]

I also have a 6.5 creed in hunter had it for roughly a year its been hammerd as it used as a tool. Very accurate and have not had one miss feed or and problems. Its accounted for many of boar deer and fox. I also run a tikka t3x with grs beserka stock and would in my own opinion say the s20 is a much more complete rifle. For me its my go to rifle.

 

[gixer1]

Yeah pulling the bolt through the bolt stop is user error

Worse than a Tikka T3x (no wonder they sell for less!)

Any actual evidence of this or did your cousins, brothers friends bosses brother in law tell you?

 

[Brighty3006]

Tikka.... .For those that can't afford a real rifle

 

[User00040]

Any actual evidence of this or did your cousins, brothers friends bosses brother in law tell you?

PM me your number and I'll send you evidence.

 

[captaincrunch1970]

S20 Hunter in 6.5 PRC is the most accurate, comfortable gun i have owned. It is a bit on the heavy side though for my liking.

 

[wildfowler.250]

The S20 is seriously unattractive though. It’s a thought when you’d rather buy a tikka and slap on an aftermarket stock first.

I’m still in the 75 camp but going forward I’d be looking at S & L or a T3x unless sako start changing their tune.

 

[Westley78]

I have one in 6.5CM, had it for about a year and shot plenty with it in all sorts of weather and have not had any issues whatsoever.

The main thing for me was fit, I am 6ft 4" so being able to easily customize it to fit me by adding a few extra spacers has been a real advantage.

My only minor grumble is I have to lower the cheek piece to remove the bolt.

 

[YorkshireJoe]

S20 Hunter in 6.5 PRC is the most accurate, comfortable gun i have owned. It is a bit on the heavy side though for my liking.

Did you go for 20” or 24” barrel??

 

[captaincrunch1970]

24" barrel

 

[Heym SR20]

careful there, you'll have the single-shot brigade on your backside shortly!

Yes the beauty of a single shot is that it is very quick and easy to reload.

With a magazine rifle that doesn’t feed properly you have to mess about trying to clear a jam, or making sure that when load another single round into the chamber it doesn’t then pick up another from magazine etc etc all of which means your attention is away from the deer and its run off.

A magazine rifle that doesn’t feed properly is pretty useless

 

[captaincrunch1970]

After lugging the s20 hunter for over 30km, I found it too heavy and just traded it off on a Sauer 100 veil terra in 6.5 PRC. Preferred it over the Tikka. Felt better balanced and shouldered better. Will shoot it shortly and update.

 

[Skinny78]

After lugging the s20 hunter for over 30km, I found it too heavy and just traded it off on a Sauer 100 veil terra in 6.5 PRC. Preferred it over the Tikka. Felt better balanced and shouldered better. Will shoot it shortly and update.

Lugging that extra 300g

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Yeah they wouldn't let me join as I have a 308

It would be a man band then. .308s a mans caliber

 

[NullMac]

Oh right, it's just the OP asked for actual users not just random people who heard something from someone else

People choosing not to buy them is also valid experience. Worth asking why. It will impact the purchaser eventually as it will be reflected in the second hand market.

There were clearly magazine issues when it was released. Lots of chat about how it was pre-production with an implication it would be fixed in production but it sounds like it wasn't. I owned Sako in the past, I swerved on this one. The upright grip would have worked for me. The adj comb was long overdue. Did not like the thumbhole, it is an ergonomic disadvantage on a b/a. Magazine issues were the killer; I was not prepared to part with that sort of £££ for something that may not feed properly.

Asking people who own one for their experience seems like a good idea but they have purchasers bias, they are unlikely to be willing to tell you the rifle they have bought in to is a piece of junk.

 

[gixer1]

I believe the feed issues were only on the 308 were they not? I know of 4 owners with 6.5’s and none reported any feed issues.

The S20 is a fairly cheap rifle in the scheme of things and seems to be a “work gun”….

I do wish I’d bought a precision stock over the hunter one.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[captaincrunch1970]

Sauer 100 24" factory weight 6.9lbs vs Sako S20 24" factory weight 8.1lbs. The sauer scoped is still less weight than the bare S20.

 

[Skinny78]

Sauer 100 24" factory weight 6.9lbs vs Sako S20 24" factory weight 8.1lbs. The sauer scoped is still less weight than the bare S20.

My bad, 544.311g then. My 3lt water bladder I carry in a day pak weighs 300g plus 3000g of water in it. Sometimes I have to refill it to. I'm aware I am being a facetious shyte but come on mate, mountains and molehills, how do ya get on if you've got to carry 100lb of boned out meat in ya pack all day? 500g is only a couple of thick steaks off a back strap.