Sako S20 .243 Initial Thoughts / Review

Great write up. I have been looking at those on Web and maybe thinking about one of those also in 243. What barrel length did you choose or is there a choice if buying it in 243?i have never owned a 243cso do not know what barrel length is best. Thanks.
I think they are all 20” except the 6.5CM which is 24”. Sako’s website will confirm. Special orders etc might be possible.
 
I had the opportunity to try a friends thumbhole 20" 243 and was very impressed.
We were on the 100 yard range which is covered and it was cold in the wind, the 300 is a bit exposed. 100 yard groups were very good. The following week he printed some impressive groups at 300 one of which was 3/4". Not at all bad for a stalking rifle.
 
If you have the rattley magazine like I did - get some sticky back felt (£2 from flea bay) and put it on as per the attached pic, solves it completely and even gives it a slight interference fit and a much nicer push and “click” to lock it in place.
 

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If you have the rattley magazine like I did - get some sticky back felt (£2 from flea bay) and put it on as per the attached pic, solves it completely and even gives it a slight interference fit and a much nicer push and “click” to lock it in place.

I don’t suppose you or anyone else has worked out how to strip the mags so the springs can be stretched a bit.
 
I don’t suppose you or anyone else has worked out how to strip the mags so the springs can be stretched a bit.
Answered my own question with the aid of two spoons. Depress the primer end of the spring then turn the whole “plastic lift plate” on its side and it comes out. Quick stretch of the spring and now it seems to feed in allot more positive manner.
 
Out today for the first time with s20 in .243. 5 sub moa groups out of the box, 3 reload and 2 factory. Very impressed overall, quick tweak of the trigger and I'm very happy. No issues at all with the feed.
 
Great write up. Are you still using this S20? How has it aged since your last write up? Are you still as impressed?
 
Over priced pice of plastic in my opinion.
Aye, how so? Currently in the process of my grant application and doing my homework before hand. Pretty much every post on Sako hold them in high regard.

What would you suggest? .243 calibre with a relatively weighted barrell. Used for stalking (both live and simulation).
 
Seen the S20 very gimmicky feel to the rifle, problem with magazine, one in local rfd return by buyer, said it was disappointing, rfd unable to move the rifle.
Sako is a very good make, but not this model, paying top dollar not for me, there are better rifle out there.
 
Sako is was a very good make, but not this model, paying top dollar not for me, there are better rifle out there.

Another thing to be aware of is that the bolt stops round off, eventually leaving you with a bolt coming back into your face when you try to load another round.

Forestry and Land Scotland have scrapped 2 S20's already due to this problem.
 
Another thing to be aware of is that the bolt stops round off, eventually leaving you with a bolt coming back into your face when you try to load another round.

Forestry and Land Scotland have scrapped 2 S20's already due to this problem.
Could this down to be either a batch error with the bolt being out of tolerance or an extremely high round count?

Either way like Longdrag states, if you're paying top dollar you'd expect longevity for sure.
 
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