Sako 90?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks , I’ve yet to handle one of these so bear with me.

My experience so far..

Sako 75, really smooth gun. Slick bolt. Nice finish. Good trigger. Good mags.

Estate rifle x2 different Tikka T3’s. Accurate enough. Felt quite plastic. Trigger was a bit stiff - possibly just left at that for safety.

Sako 85 was always banded about as being a step down from 75.
S20 looked good but reports of flimsy stock,(may not be accurate).


So where does the 90 come in? Worth the cash if looking for a new rifle? Or, pimp out a T3x?

You can’t be that far off the price of a sako 90 once you’ve bought a PSE stock, paid possibly £300 for an action? And put a new barrel on it.
Which one comes out on top as far as value for money and a better rifle at the end of the day?

 

[pendle]

Pimp a t3 get it how you want it. Your stamp on it not out the box. The twist you want barrel length stock

 

[freid]

I think there is one key difference between Tikkas and Sako (ignoring the S20), and that is the magazine configuration.

Sakos are double stack magazines, meaning you can load from the top, and the magazine is flush with the stock. These are two key benefits in my eyes, and from a practical point of view mean I would only buy a Sako. Not having to faff around taking the magazine out and in when needing to take a round out of the chamber is a big plus in my eyes. Similarly I find the balance point of a rifle is typically at the magazine, and having a flush magazine or floorplate is more comfortable to hold than a sticky out magazine. Two small features really, but from a handling and usability point of view very important in my eyes.

 

[Emmett&Stone]

The Sako 85 was lighter than the 75, had a shorter barrel (on average), and a different magazine that was harder to lose.

The 90 has a picatinny style base machined into the action, an externally adjustable trigger, but is otherwise the same as the 85

All three models have aesthetically different stock designs, and twist rates and barrel lengths may vary.

Sako’s are a great rifle - people talk about the 75 feeling better than the 85 but they’re generally better worn in because of their age. There doesn’t appear to be any known difference between the models in terms of tolerances etc.

Tikka’s are beretta groups mid-range rifle, Sako are their upper range - there’s no question that the Sako offers more features (3-lug bolt, double stack flush-fit mag, superior stock), but you pay for it.

With a Sako you can top-load, and as most in the U.K. don’t buy spare mags the ability to chuck a few more in the top is far quicker than removing a single stack mag like the tikka and reloading the mag to then re insert it.

We carry most brands and model of modern stalking rifle including the Sako 90 - so if you’re local please come and have a look… but our advice would be to pick up as many rifles as you can before you commit to one

 

[scotch_egg]

Sako 90 now had a double plunger ejector and is push feed.

The 75 and 85 were semi control feed with a mechanical ejector. This meant you would control how far you brass was thrown on ejection or not flung at all. Which was most convenient when removing a full round or capturing brass after a single shot. It is a shame this feature has been removed.

The ability to top load the magazine is convenient.

With the accuracy of Tikka’s out of the box I would be tempted to just buy new and fit in a PSE evolution stock just like I have seen done by an SD member. The advantage over the Sako carbon stick is the adjustable cheek piece which is really needed for proper cheek weld with a 50mm and over scope.

Just remember the Tikka barrels are made on the same production like a Sako.

 

[palo]

I don't like the bedding system on the sako 85 and I believe the sako 90 has the same system.
The sako S20 stock is not flimsy. It has a full length aluminium bedding block.
Personally I'd choose a S20 or a tikka over a sako 90

 

[dlz90]

You'll get many opinions, for me I can't compare with the 90 haven't handled one.

Bur with the 75 and 85 I've used both current rifle is an 85 I haven't a bad word to say about it, fantastic hunting rifle in every respect and believe me it's as tough as nails.

The semi control feed is perfect for a hunting rifle, accurate and dependable in all conditions I can't see me ever changing mine.

D

 

[rem284]

The sako 90 certainly ticks a lot of boxes. If I was after a factory rifle it would be at the top of my list.

 

[One on top of two]

I have a sako 75 in 7mm rem mag , now got my eye on a new fox and roe rifle so looking at getting myself a sako 90 varmint in 22-250 .

 

[wildfowler.250]

Cheers folks. From my end my take is..

I have a sako 75, if I want to change it..

Sako 90 with double stack mag - do really like this feature actually and only in the last year or two didn’t realise double stack wasn’t the norm..

Or a fully custom T3. Do they do a 5 round mag? Might look quite ugly.


Could stick a kalixteknik cheek riser on the 75 but seems a bit dull!

 

[scotch_egg]

A full custom built around a Tikka and a PSE evolution stock would make an accurate and dependable rifle that will work well. They work well with an AICS magazine conversion but I also like the factory magazines that come in 3 or 5 round. I am quite happy with my .223 factory barreled Tikka T3 that’s in one of the older PSE stocks. Not being able to top load isn’t the end of the world.

Everyone likes of photo

 

[Domer]

If you want to top load but don’t want to spend 3 grand plus why not a Mauser, Benelli or CZ?

 

[oldhamstocks]

Try and get a nice second hand 85 and get a Main picatinny rail on it. Save a good few quid on a 90, as fantastic as they are.

 

[baguio]

Sako 85 was always banded about as being a step down from 75.

Not by all! I have had both, After 12 months I moved on the 75. Just didn't like it. Still got and use the 85 after 14 years. The stock is much nicer and it's lighter.

 

[wildfowler.250]

A full custom built around a Tikka and a PSE evolution stock would make an accurate and dependable rifle that will work well. They work well with an AICS magazine conversion but I also like the factory magazines that come in 3 or 5 round. I am quite happy with my .223 factory barreled Tikka T3 that’s in one of the older PSE stocks. Not being able to top load isn’t the end of the world.

Everyone likes of photo

That looks excellent and along the lines of what I would move to. The 90 quest has a similar stock but on paper, a T3 build would be cheaper.
Did you handle the pse anywhere before buying? I don’t know if there’s many / any retailers with them in Scotland?
5 round mag would work. Never need it but extra rounds on a hill is always sensible.

If you want to top load but don’t want to spend 3 grand plus why not a Mauser, Benelli or CZ?

Mauser m12 looks good to be fair. Possibly less aftermarket tweaks than the tikka? Something I’ve missed with the sako down the years - more tinkering than needed. CZ had one CF years ago, I’ll stick to them in rimfires. Bit rough unless they’ve improved since which is possible.

Try and get a nice second hand 85 and get a Main picatinny rail on it. Save a good few quid on a 90, as fantastic as they are.

Fair call. Can I ask what the demand for a picatinny over a dovetail rings is about? Everyone seems to want them as a standard these days?

Not by all! I have had both, After 12 months I moved on the 75. Just didn't like it. Still got and use the 85 after 14 years. The stock is much nicer and it's lighter.

Thats surprising! Usually cult vibes the other way. I don’t mind a wee bit of weight for recoil but good stock fit should also sort that.

 

[jon2]

It is a widely known and accepted fact that the 85 is inferior in design and quality to the 75.

I can’t comment however on the 90, as I’ve never handled one let alone owned one.

 

[Will the chippy]

I had an 85. I didn't get on with it. I often had an empty round fail to eject, that might have been me not pulling the bolt back hard enough. I did like the double stack mag, I really didn't like the recoil lug. It was crap. Far too much play in it. It shot ok but I just didn't gel with it. Swapped it for a new tikka in a grs stock., marvelously bit of kit. The mag isnt as nice as it sticks out the bottom of the stock. And you can't top load it. but it all works flawlessly.

 

[cjm1066]

I look at.my Sako 85's bedding and ponder, but then the old adage if it ain't broke springs to mind.

The 90:
The locking g bolt shroud as per a 98 Mauser is an improvement.
Change to straight dovetail, ambivalent.
Change to ejector and loss of partial CRF, means I will never own one.

 

[scotch_egg]

It is a widely known and accepted fact that the 85 is inferior in design and quality to the 75.

I can’t comment however on the 90, as I’ve never handled one let alone owned one.

I genuinely don’t understand the disparity between the 75 and 85. I only see improvements. The magazine can’t be accidentally released, they didnt come with a key lock bolt shroud other than that there really aren’t that many differences.

I have an 85 @Ronin put a 6mm creedmoor barrel on. After I found a load it likes it shoots sub half MOA sat in a KKC stock with the factory bedding setup. It works and there are a lot of rifles out there with this setup.

There is an Italian company that produces bedding blocks that removed the factory setup if you really feel the need or one of the gunsmith will fit a tikka style recoil lug.

 

[wildfowler.250]

I look at.my Sako 85's bedding and ponder, but then the old adage if it ain't broke springs to mind.

The 90:
The locking g bolt shroud as per a 98 Mauser is an improvement.
Change to straight dovetail, ambivalent.
Change to ejector and loss of partial CRF, means I will never own one.

Does the T3X have CRF?

I genuinely don’t understand the disparity between the 75 and 85. I only see improvements. The magazine can’t be accidentally released, they didnt come with a key lock bolt shroud other than that there really aren’t that many differences.

I have an 85 @Ronin put a 6mm creedmoor barrel on. After I found a load it likes it shoots sub half MOA sat in a KKC stock with the factory bedding setup. It works and there are a lot of rifles out there with this setup.

There is an Italian company that produces bedding blocks that removed the factory setup if you really feel the need or one of the gunsmith will fit a tikka style recoil lug.

Have to say, just click the magazine in. I get you could loose it but (touch wood) never had an issue!