Sako S20 Hunter Cerakote Camo

[Yeomans]

Hi All,

I'm seriously considering buying the new(ish) Sako S20 Hunter Cerakote Camo rifle in 6.5 Creedmore for stalking.

Does anyone have one or used one?

Seems to get incredibly good reviews online and good accuracy with factory ammo.

Any thoughts welcome...

 

[Malxwal]

Good choice of chambering. Go handle one in the flesh, if it feels nice and it fits, game on, simples.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Have only ever seen one S20 in the flesh & neither I or the chap who owned it were that impressed tbh. I certainly wouldn't pay north of £2k for one I'm afraid. But as Malxwal says, go & handle one in the flesh & see if you get on with it.

 

[Sakoodin1]

I have a s20 hunter in 6.5 creed, used it for the first time on roe tonight just as a novelty (I usually use my tikka .270). Preformed well out to 350 yards good solid strikes and little recoil and all deer dropped on the spot. Nice bolt lift, no feed issues, ejects cases well, it shoots sub 1/2” easily with 143 eldx home loads going out at 2780 with a 20” barrel.

 

[redrbr]

I have one (though sadly, mine predates the Camo version).
It's a fine rifle: it's very accurate and not at all fussy about ammo.
I'd echo @Maixwall's comment. See how it feels in your hands. That's how I bought mine.

 

[Acm]

Try to handle one alongside a tikka super varmint, in my opinion the tikka is the superior rifle.

 

[wytonpjs]

I have a .308 S20, one of the first in this country. I love its accuracy, handling and reliability in the field - I hate its weight! It’s my go to rifle for multi-kills (it’s fitted with a dS) and demanding shooting - it does every Arran week However, for GP stalking or trotting around following a trainee, I use a T3X lite - even with a Z6i, it’s 2/3rds of the weight of the S20. Enough said…….

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmm.
Had the pleasure of zeroing a brand new camo S20 in .270 for a pal so none of the associated pain of actually purchasing one.
To be honest I found it very heavy for long days out on the hill with a trigger that didn’t really impress though on the plus side it was accurate and dealt with the snappy factory .270 rounds very well - even when fitted with a lightweight moddie.
That said two pals who are professional stalkers on the Scottish Glens each have one in .270 so they must be pretty good….

 

[User00040]

S20 is over priced, under engineered (stupid half picatinny rail on top, crappier magazine, bolt stop rounds out, stock is rubbish).

FLS has condemned at least two already.

T3/T3x is basically a sporting version of the TRG (solid top rail, same triggers from the S20 can be fitted, better magazine, parts and upgrades readily available)

The fact that Beretta have pumped the price on Tikka so much and people still buy them new speaks volumes.

 

[gixer1]

Had an S20 for a few years - nothing at all went wrong with mine, good “in between” rifle for stalking, gong bashing etc…..

Never had any issue with the bolt, the mags are rattly but a 30mm bit of stick on felt stops that.

Hard enough wearing stock and the Cerakote is good.

Why worry about a half pic rail? Fit your scope mounts and that’s it - no need to take anything on or off.

I have also owned a Tikka T3 - the Sako felt like a better rifle to me.

I only sold mine as I wanted a dedicated target rifle and already had a stalking rifle.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Camdig]

I have this exact rifle Sako S20 6.5CM bought it around May this year, has done everything I have asked, didn't really notice weight but I was and still am using a Sako 75 stainless synthetic definitely a wee bit heavier than S20.
I have shot numerous bucks and sika stags with it and don't have any issues, I also find it will shoot better than me with a variety of ammunition brands although I have settled on the 143g ELD-X.
Price wasn't as bad as some have suggested I got what I thought was good deal from bushwear Stirling.
The picture is from its first kill at the grand range of about 10m

 

[Rural Management Services]

Got one in 6.5cm with a 20” and in camp as an estate rifle. Stock is a bit plastic but the thing shoots S&B 140gr lead, Sako 120gr copper, RWS 93gr copper/tin and S&B 120gr blue copper all 0.5 moa and we regularly shoot it out to 600m+ without issue. Bolt is slick, mag is plastic but feeds fine. In summary it’s pretty decent and if they filled the stock with foam or something then there wouldn’t be much to moan about. For anyone who wants a stalking rifle that they can also take to the range then it’s a really good option due to the semi weight barrel.

TIKKA CTR is another option with the adjustable and stainless it’s a cheaper option and there is more aftermarket options.

 

[wytonpjs]

if they filled the stock with foam or something then there wouldn’t be much to moan about.

I packed out mine with microfibre cloth sections - did the same on my 85 when I added a Kalix Teknix stock. Works well IMHO.

 

[Rural Management Services]

I packed out mine with microfibre cloth sections - did the same on my 85 when I added a Kalix Teknix stock. Works well IMHO.

Did that make much difference? Also do you mean the ones you use to clean glasses etc?

 

[wytonpjs]

Did that make much difference? Also do you mean the ones you use to clean glasses etc?

El cheapo Tesco multi-pack household cleaning cloths if memory serves me right - it was what was to hand when I took the rear portion apart to fit a limited rotation QD cup. Works well - very dull thud now

 

[Yeomans]

Thanks all. Seems generally positive from those that actually own them.

Difficult to see anything as good at the price point, i dont want another tikka as have a couple of those already.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

i've got one in .308. Great gun and very accurate and easy to shoot. Only gripe is the plastic mag for the price it costs

 

[Pagans]

My son has one in 300 win mag extremely accurate, zeroed in 5 shots .

 

[Yeomans]

i've got one in .308. Great gun and very accurate and easy to shoot. Only gripe is the plastic mag for the price it costs

Do you know if you can get an aftermarket metal mag?

 

[Rural Management Services]

Do you know if you can get an aftermarket metal mag?

No one has produced one yet