Sako 90

[VTT]

New Sako model replacing the old 85 series

Seems like the biggest caliber for hunting Africa is .375H&H at the moment.

https://www.sako.global/rifle/sako-90-quest-ultra

https://www.sako.global/rifle/sako-90-adventure

https://www.sako.global/rifle/sako-90-peak

https://www.sako.global/rifle/sako-90-hunter

https://www.sako.global/rifle/sako-90-quest

https://www.sako.global/rifle/sako-90-bavarian

https://www.sako.global/rifle/sako-90-varmint

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I like the look of the hunter.

 

[Louis Toadvine]

Not seeing a lot of "improvements" over the 85, to be honest. That the calibers top out at 375H&H is not surprising given what we've seen from other manufacturers in recent years, but it's definitely disappointing. Also, unless I missed it, no .30-06 in any of the rifles? That's bold. The dovetail Optilock mounting system appears to be different, as well. Guessing the 90 won't be backwards compatible with the existing Sako Optilock mounts and rings?

Just visually comparing the two new walnut models (Hunter and Bavarian) to their equivalents in the 85, I prefer the 85.

There are some differences (solid knob on the 85 bolt handle vs. scooped out one on the 90; shape and contours of the receiver and action) that I think look better on the 85. I much prefer the traditional open action vs. the semi-covered and contoured one we're seeing on the 90.

85 action

90 action

Lastly, I wonder if the Sako custom shop will still be in operation and if you can order customized 90s. Given the industry trend away from big calibers and custom rifles, my gut tells me the custom shop might be shuttered.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Damn, let's hope they bring out a XL receiver in the coming months.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Where is the caliber options list?

Nevermind I found it. Topping out at 375 is disapointing.

Hopefully they will release an XL receiver in the future.

If not, what caliber options would fit the current receiver lengths ?

416 Ruger? 458 WM? 500Jeff?

 

[DMays]

What does the bolt head look like?

I am glad they still have the Bavarian style.

 

[Louis Toadvine]

What does the bolt head look like?

I am glad they still have the Bavarian style.

There are two parallel threads going right now discussing the new Sako 90 (the other located here: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/sako-85-discontinued.74586/). I'll copy what I posted on that one regarding the bolt:

"They've also changed from controlled feed (Sako extactor) to fully push feed with plunger ejectors on the 90 (discussion of the bolt starts at 9:00 in this video). Sako heard the feedback about some of the 85's ejection issues on longer cartridges (ejecting up and hitting the scope)--if you go to 5:35 in the video, the guy even mentions the issue--and apparently the change to plunger ejectors was an answer to it.

I own some push feed rifles and have never had a problem with them, so I'm not steadfastly against them by any means. I suspect quality ones (Blaser, Steyr Mannlicher, etc.) are just as safe and reliable as CRF, though obviously for safari calibers like .375 H&H it's disappointing that they've moved away from the Sako extractor."

 

[PARA45]

I like the Bavarian, but what a shame that it's topped out with the 375 H&H.

 

[Beck]

Where is the caliber options list?

Nevermind I found it. Topping out at 375 is disapointing.

Hopefully they will release an XL receiver in the future.

If not, what caliber options would fit the current receiver lengths ?

416 Ruger? 458 WM? 500Jeff?

Hopefully they release some XL actions at some point or add some larger magnum length action calibers

 

[Spooksar]

I don’t like the semi covered receiver could be a hindrance when trying to load fast in a bad situation.

 

[wesheltonj]

I will not be selling any of my 85’s soon. With the exception of the Bavarian and the Hunter I don’t see a Classic , Deluxe or Safari models.

The now mounts might be an improvement for shorter tube scopes, but that it.

 

[Pirkan]

I will attend elmia game fair in Sweden next week where sako has said that they will show it. I'll try to take some pictures to post here. Any suggestions for specific things you want to see or questions I should ask them are gladly received.

 

[Beck]

They just responded to me on their youtube page. They will be releasing true safari calibers at a later date.

 

[jamesr22734]

I seem some said that the sako 90 is a 2 piece bolt. It was on Facebook so I doubt it’s true. Does anyone know if it is a 1 or 2 piece bolt?

 

[colorado]

I don’t like the semi covered receiver could be a hindrance when trying to load fast in a bad situation.

Non CRF and ugly AF in my opinion.

 

[JGRaider]

No CRF is an overblown and vastly overrated criticism IMO. Sako has always made some of the finest production rifles ever.

 

[Pirkan]

I attended Elmia Game Fair in Sweden today where the Sako 90 was shown. I shot both the Quest and the Peak and they are very nice rifles. The actions were some of the smoothest i've ever felt despite being brand new and they just felt very solid and the feeding as well as the ejection was excellent. I tried loading the magazine through the ejection port with it in the rifle because of people's concern that this would be harder but I did not have any problems. Both the rifles however were in 308 and I have pretty slim fingers so it might be a problem with a 500 jeffery and some honking sausage fingers.

They told me that they did not know for sure when the XL-action will be released but that there will be one. They did say that it could be 6 months or 1.5 years so it seems as if it will happen pretty soon. In addition to this they said that it would be after the left handed version comes out so there will be one of those as well. Note that this is for the European market and that they nor I have any idea about the American market. To summerise, it's a very nice rifle and I would like to encourage the sceptics to at least try one for themselves.

In addition to this I have to bring attention to Pierre from Chapuis Armes with whom I had a very nice and giving conversations about double rifles. The Beretta group shared an exibition at the show so Chapuis and Sako were at the same place.

 

[Pirkan]

I seem some said that the sako 90 is a 2 piece bolt. It was on Facebook so I doubt it’s true. Does anyone know if it is a 1 or 2 piece bolt?

It looked like a one piece bolt when i shot it and they did not say anything else so I assume it is.

 

[Beck]

I attended Elmia Game Fair in Sweden today where the Sako 90 was shown. I shot both the Quest and the Peak and they are very nice rifles. The actions were some of the smoothest i've ever felt despite being brand new and they just felt very solid and the feeding as well as the ejection was excellent. I tried loading the magazine through the ejection port with it in the rifle because of people's concern that this would be harder but I did not have any problems. Both the rifles however were in 308 and I have pretty slim fingers so it might be a problem with a 500 jeffery and some honking sausage fingers.

They told me that they did not know for sure when the XL-action will be released but that there will be one. They did say that it could be 6 months or 1.5 years so it seems as if it will happen pretty soon. In addition to this they said that it would be after the left handed version comes out so there will be one of those as well. Note that this is for the European market and that they nor I have any idea about the American market. To summerise, it's a very nice rifle and I would like to encourage the sceptics to at least try one for themselves.

In addition to this I have to bring attention to Pierre from Chapuis Armes with whom I had a very nice and giving conversations about double rifles. The Beretta group shared an exibition at the show so Chapuis and Sako were at the same place.

Thanks for the info!

 

[gballard137]

Non CRF and ugly AF in my opinion.

While they technically are CRF they don’t have the claw extractor like Mauser 98 and clones. The 2 main advantages too control round feed is
1. The cartridge is under the extractor so if you load a cartridge into the chamber
and don’t close the bolt if you pull the bolt back the case with eject.
2. The claw extractor allows so if you have have a case that is stuck it will pull the cartridge out unless the cartridge rim breaks. Unlike a push feed of its too tight
the extractor will just jump over the rim

So there is half the reason gone for owning a “CRF” sako 85