Thinking of buying a Sako

[mountaineer273]

I recently sold my primary hunting rifle due to not wanting to mess with a rebarrel. Now I’m looking at something to replace it with. At first I let my milsurp rifle fan get the best of me and bought a replica Mauser K98k sniper in 8x57 that is currently at the gunsmith being bedded and having a modern Swarovski scope fitted to the reproduction short side rail scope mount.

While I’ve been waiting to get the Mauser back though, I’ve been feeling the need to buy another modern hunting rifle. Something stainless with a synthetic stock and much lighter than the 10+ lbs Mauser in full military trim with a scope. As such, I have been looking primarily at the Sako 90 and in particular the Adventure model. I have also looked Tikkas which would be a project of stock upgrade and other customizations. Caliber choice would be either 308 or 30-06 and I can’t make up my mind at this point.

My question is, is the Sako 90 worth purchasing over say a Tikka or other options on the market? I have seen some claim that the Sako has accuracy inconsistencies which sort of worries me given the amount they cost. I’ve read consistently on this forum and elsewhere about them and watched just about every YouTube video I can find about them. I really like what I see other than complaints of (and one video in particular) regarding accuracy. Does anyone here have insight or recommendations? Thank you for taking the time to discuss!

 

[hereinaz]

Tikka with a stock of your choice will be a great gun. Sako of course comes from the same people with better quality out of the store. Not sure you can get a Sako with a stock that will be as personal as your aftermarket choice with Tikka.

Question is what features do you want? If the Sako answers that then do it. If not, building off a Tikka seems better.

For example, you could pick up an 18” 6 Creedmoor with a Preferred prefit on a Nitrided action, and with an average priced carbon fiber stock be at the price of a Sako. If you prioritize the feature set of the 18” 6 creed, the Tikka makes more sense, IMO.

Question is always, what specs do you want. From there the question mostly answers itself.

 

[mountaineer273]

Tikka with a stock of your choice will be a great gun. Sako of course comes from the same people with better quality out of the store. Not sure you can get a Sako with a stock that will be as personal as your aftermarket choice with Tikka.

Question is what features do you want? If the Sako answers that then do it. If not, building off a Tikka seems better.

For example, you could pick up an 18” 6 Creedmoor with a Preferred prefit on a Nitrided action, and with an average priced carbon fiber stock be at the price of a Sako. If you prioritize the feature set of the 18” 6 creed, the Tikka makes more sense, IMO.

Question is always, what specs do you want. From there the question mostly answers itself.

The Tikka aftermarket stocks that I’ve looked at are carbon fiber similar to the one of the Sako Peak which is way out of my price range. I’m not set on a full carbon fiber stock though. The Adventure stock is nice as well from everything I’ve seen about it. I also like the action of the Sako better. All metal, no plastic. That and the magazines are much nicer. I used to have a Tikka and the magazine setup seemed to me like a weak link. The integrated pic rail mounts are a nice plus to the Sako as well. I also prefer the semi-three position safety of the Sako.

 

[nm.otter]

• T3x and Sako 90 barrels are interchangeable (same factory, same machines).
• Sako 90 triggers are nicer and more adjustable.
• Sako safety includes a bolt release (functionally equivalent to a 3-position, but I actually prefer the Sako design).
• Sako bottom metal is actually metal.
• Sako magazines are double stack, sitting close to flush with the stock with 5-6 rounds. BUT: no large capacity or 3rd party options so far.
• 3rd party stock options for Sako are quite limited, thanks to a combination of having five different action lengths and not being a mass-market line.

 

[mountaineer273]

Does the Sako 90 use the same magazine as the 85? I’ve been looking at whether I can purchase more magazines and can’t find any listed for the 90. Some places say they are identical and others say they are different.

 

[nm.otter]

Beretta says they are the same.

 

[ezwy]

If you plan on changing anything, go tikka. If you are good with factory options go sako. I actually sold my sako (A7, Not exactly their flagship model) and own two tikkas now. The safety, trigger and other features mentioned above make them better. If you think you might be uncertain on bottom metal, stock, or other such things the tikka availablity wins out.

 

[mountaineer273]

If you plan on changing anything, go tikka. If you are good with factory options go sako. I actually sold my sako (A7, Not exactly their flagship model) and own two tikkas now. The safety, trigger and other features mentioned above make them better. If you think you might be uncertain on bottom metal, stock, or other such things the tikka availablity wins out.

I just did the math and with all the customizations and additions that I’d be looking at doing to a Tikka, I’d have about the same if not slightly more money spent on it than I would to buy the Sako model that I am currently looking at and that Sako gets me pretty much everything I would want.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

If money wasn’t an issue, I would have Sakos in wooden RokStoks instead of Tikkas in wooden RokStoks. To me, the integral picatinny rail and 3-position safety are the primary benefits of the Sako. I am not currently willing to spend 3x more for those features.