This is the time of year when a lot of us are looking at new rifles for next season. This year is particularly difficult as it is a matrix of what ammo/components may be available. I made the decision to go with a rifle in a caliber for which I had components or could source them easily. This led me to a .300 Winchester Magnum. After months of studious research, trying different guns, You Tube reviews, other makes/models I had or could shoot with friends, I determined there are a ton of great rifles out there.
My shooting background: I shoot a lot of different rifle brands. I hunt every "normal" big game species out west and primarily use Tikka's and Brownings as my "main" hunting guns. I generally use "normal" calibers .308, 6.5CM, 7mmRM, .338WM, and only shoot reloads. I shoot out to 1000 on a semi-regular basis (for fun not hunting).
The S20 is the first Sako I have held and knew nothing about it until I walked into the local Sporting Goods store. On a whim, I ended up walking out the door with a Sako S20 Hunter model. To me it is funky looking and its not something I would ever have been interested in until I picked it up. I spent another week or so doing "research". The rifle is so new, there is not much out there and I found the end of the internet even doing translate on a number of european reviews. It is very out of character for me to buy gear that is not throughly tested and the S20 just doesn't have many hands-on reviews. So maybe this will help someone here:
Pros:
My shooting background: I shoot a lot of different rifle brands. I hunt every "normal" big game species out west and primarily use Tikka's and Brownings as my "main" hunting guns. I generally use "normal" calibers .308, 6.5CM, 7mmRM, .338WM, and only shoot reloads. I shoot out to 1000 on a semi-regular basis (for fun not hunting).
The S20 is the first Sako I have held and knew nothing about it until I walked into the local Sporting Goods store. On a whim, I ended up walking out the door with a Sako S20 Hunter model. To me it is funky looking and its not something I would ever have been interested in until I picked it up. I spent another week or so doing "research". The rifle is so new, there is not much out there and I found the end of the internet even doing translate on a number of european reviews. It is very out of character for me to buy gear that is not throughly tested and the S20 just doesn't have many hands-on reviews. So maybe this will help someone here:
Pros:
- Modular: adjustable trigger pull #, trigger reach, stock length, different forearm and stock options, and swivel points
- Adjustable riser
- Very comfortable as a result
- Built-in (common) Picatinny Rail
- Threaded barrel
- Magazines 3 and 7 rounders
- Grey cerakote that seems more durable than Brownings
- 60-Degree Bolt Throw
- Aluminum Chasis
- Cushioned (in a different way) recoil pad
- Very easy to shoot/stable in a number of different positions
- 1-11 Twist (I only shoot 180's-208's in .300WM, so for me its not a big deal)
- No experience with a thumbhole stock and curious what it will be like in a full season in "woods" conditions
- Not an intuitive safety on/off with hand layout
- Funky Looking (Ugly to some)
- A bit over 8 pounds (without scope and not a big deal to me. Nobody wants to shoot a 7lb .300WM)
- The grip area is "plasticky" outside of the textured hand area
- Mine was $1447.00 OTD
- The way the rifle lays out it mitigates recoil well
- "Fit" was great do to all the modular options
- Trigger is amazing (the adjustable reach + the adjustable weight make for an incredible combo)
- First time out I loaded up 180's, 200's, and 208's with max loads of H4831 and H1000. Went through about 15 total rounds with ample cooling between strings.
- Without question, the most accurate out of the box gun I have ever shot. Last group of 208 A-Max and H100 was under a 1/2-inch (it was the only group I tested/evaluated).