S20

There’s another post up where I quoted from someone who was ahead of me in the queue, got one (6.5) and hated it so much that he returned it without even fitting a scope. A bit marmite - my order is still in!
 
Was looking on gun trader earlier while I was waiting for buck to step out, and deals are thick end of £400 less than rrp .looks like limited calibre choice at the moment
 
It was me that bought one and sent it back. My advice is hold one in you hands and see what you think. Not for me, action felt good but I just didn’t like the stock, it felt toy like to me and I’m in Scotland a fair bit so worried it wouldn‘t cope but I’m used to an R8 so I may have been spoiled.
 
If it had a full length picatinny rail then I'd be very tempted, but the split rail wont work with the most of my one piece picatinny mount/rings (Spuhr and various night vision), also I generally use a 10 or 20 MOA canted rail on a range rifle, so thats a no go unless I put a rail on top.
 
See now you’re worrying me. I have had 5he same Sako 75 and Tikka T3 for over 15yrs. I ordered both before they were released despite negative comments and have been very glad I did. I am now adding another .308 and was about to order an S20 without seeing one in the flesh (as with the others).
 
I was quite surprised that with the heaviest barrel I could choose and the precision stock that it was only 9.4 pounds, so adding 2lbs for a scope and another pound for a bipod I would think final weight would be somewhere in the 12-13lbs region, this seems very light compared other similar spec 6.5s I have used where barrel contour looks similar and they have weighed in at 15-16 pounds with a McMillan A3-5 adjustable.
I would be worried that the stock is a little insubstantial and possibly of hollow design with it being so lightweight, this may not be an issue providing there is no forend flex and that the stock is made of stiff enough material. (obviously this is an huge assumption based off very limited information from the configurator and may not be true)
Maybe someone may be able to shed more light on the stock construction and rigidity once they have had one for a little while?
I will be interested to handle one once they are more widely available.

Ben
 
My understanding is that the S20 is effectively an aluminium chassis that holds action/barrel etc and extends back within the light plastic stock keeping everything rigid and aligned. Thus meaning the stock and forend are simply Bolted onto the chassis so can be very light and replaceable.

Perhaps that is why it feels a bit “toy” like?

It would be good to hear from anyone who has used it in the field.
 
I have been using one in 308 for the last 3 weeks and have so far accounted for 3 deer. I have limited experience or other rifles as I have always stuck with what I know which is steyr, so don’t have a huge basis for comparison. The stock doesn’t feel quite as solid as my pro hunter but then I wouldn’t expect it to as it has an adjustable check piece. I had been after a thumbhole stock for a while and didn’t like the feel of the sauer one and wasn’t sure about a straight pull action, although admittedly the blaser did feel nice. To me the s20 feels nice, pointable and is solid when shooting. I think I also prefer the action in the S20 to the steyr, i remember trying a tika t3 lite years ago and didn’t like it although the action on the s20 is probably similar?

I have probably put 40 rounds though the S20 at targets and found it to be very accurate, the limiting factor in its performance is probably myself. Also the money I saved from not getting a blaser meant I treated myself to a nice bit of glass to go on top which I am loving. I am no rifle guru but I like it, and it is a good addition to my cabinet. I do treat my rifles a bit like working tools and I think it will stand up to some stick. To be honest that is another reason why I didn't go with the blaser, it would seem a bit of a shame to give such a beautiful bit of engineering a hard time. I suppose it’s the same old story of you pays your money and take your choice.
 
£1500 seems bloody cheap for what they’re offering, especially in 6.5 PRC. Adjustable stock and thumb hole knocks a lot of Sauers to the curb. Interesting to see how the barrels hold up at range.
 
There's one now for 1955 but no chance im paying that, 1650 max..
I've been quoted 1540 from somewhere but unknown delivery date ..might just have to order it or could be looking for months
 
We have limited stock in now with more due next week or so

Additional calibres are coming online

I was sceptical with all the hype.
Some of the features are not where I would expect this gun to be positioned on the product line.
Double stack mag with single feed point and inability to top feed teh mag in situ is one of them.
However when you look at the action design and ejection port it wouldnt be possible.

The Finns have flip flopped between open top action and close top action with a number of models in the past (Tikka 590/595)

Looking at the design features this sits somehwere between Roughtech and 85
It has features of teh TRG (chassis mounting points and bolt)
A7/Roughtech (integrated two piece picatinny)
and a number of featres that are unique (stock, accessories, 10 shot mag, magazine design)

Out of the box I have to say I am impressed.
the packaging alone gives you the impression of the company's view on where it sits in their product line.
It maybe inconsequentional to some but if you have just dropped £2k+ on a rifle then I expect more than just some crappy beige card box (r8)
The rifle is light but feels stiff and functional.
Yes its plastic. but then so is an R8 at twice the price
The plastics used feel resilient and less like the easily scratched composites of old.
the grip sections are not the super soft rubber used in previous models that goes sticky, lifts and degrades the whole rifle, but a bit harder.
The stock postioning and ergonomics are very good.
Natural position of hand and cheek weld
Palm swell on a handed thumbhole/pistolgrip
Flushcups everywhere on both sides (major failing of flushcup positioning is most are on the underside which makes the rifle flap around like a sail)
Smooth cycling Bolt
Very good trigger (expected)

For the money they are selling for I am not sure there is a direct competitor.


downsides?
- a full pic rail would have made more sense or a flat top predrilled for one. It won't matter to most but it will casue headaches for thos with a scope with very short tube and positioning issues or anyone looking to run NV/Thermal
-5/8" muzzle thread - this is clearly a not to the US market where they want the bulk of sales to come from. personally think it is misguided.
- Short fluting - flute the full barrel or dont

all round a better rifle than the A7 and roughtech with a lot of features to compete with any of the thumbhole stocked synthetics out there.
Priced remarkably well
 

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