Sako S20 ... will this be a winner?

[jmr40]

Is your objection based on function or aesthetics or both?

Sorry for the delayed response, almost a year, but I just never revisited this thread until today.

I like a pistol grip on a semi-auto like an AR. It is very natural when firing and even carrying the gun. But on a bolt gun I find it awkward to manipulate the bolt if it needs to be done quickly.

Granted they have all been wood stocked pistol griped bolt guns, but I've also seen several of those stocks broken over the years. It may well be less of an issue with a stronger synthetic stock.

 

[Frostbite]

Thumbhole I like at the range, but I don't think I'd like it if hunting in very thick forest. The sound of a Sako bolt closing is sublime music.

 

[MCMXI]

I like a pistol grip on a semi-auto like an AR. It is very natural when firing and even carrying the gun. But on a bolt gun I find it awkward to manipulate the bolt if it needs to be done quickly.

Granted they have all been wood stocked pistol griped bolt guns, but I've also seen several of those stocks broken over the years. It may well be less of an issue with a stronger synthetic stock.

The S20 has an aluminum "skeleton" so I don't think breakage is a concern (see below). Traditional rifle stocks don't put my wrist in a natural position, just as the low comb heights don't put my eye where it should be. I shoot pistol grip style stocks more accurately because they're more comfortable whether they're the thumb hole style or the precision style. But that's just my experience.

The SIG Cross and Ruger Precision Rifles are pistol grip bolt guns as are the Barrett bolt guns. It took them a long time to copy AI and Sako who've been in this market for 40 years or so. Much of the S20 design has trickled down from the excellent TRG models and Accuracy International has really missed the boat on this one by not doing something similar. I've stated many times on this forum that if AI offered a hunting version of their AW, AWM, or AXMC rifles I'd own a bunch. Currently I'm looking hard at the S20 as a really good all around hunting rifle. I like the look of the Precision model a little more but my current Kimber custom project would make a Precision S20 redundant so my interest has shifted to the Hunter models. I'm probably going to order a Hunter S20 in 6.5 PRC and if the .308 Win had a 1:10 twist barrel I would be ordering one of those too, but that might be something that Proof can help with. From where I sit the S20 has every feature I want in a bolt action rifle.

• Short bolt lift i.e. < 90 degrees and ideally 60 degrees like the S20
• Smooth bind-free action
• Locking bolt handle
• Stainless steel action and barrel with Cerakote
• Three position safety
• Detachable magazine
• Magazine optimized for the reloader
• Adjustable comb height
• Adjustable length of pull
• Adjustable recoil pad position
• Adjustable trigger both in terms of pull weight and position (2-stage trigger available)
• Threaded muzzle 5/8-24
• QD cups on both sides of the stock
• Modular
• Adaptable (stock, trigger, barrel channel etc.)
• Pre-fit barrels offered (eventually)

Here's a link to an excellent video about the S20 by Sako engineers.

Complete Story of Sako S20 - YouTube

 

[IdaD]

Not totally my cup of tea but I'm sure a hunter version in 30-06, 7mm Mag or 300 Mag would be an awesome hunting rifle. Those would be the calibers that would interest me the most, if I approached it from a blank slate. I already have an '06 and 300 Wby so I guess the 7mm would be the one I'd want given my current safe occupants.

 

[MCMXI]

Im not sure i want one, but it looks like a really well thought out and built rifle system. Im curious how the barrels attach.

Yes, definitely not everyone's cup of tea. I would think that the barrels thread into the receiver like the Sako TRG and Tikka. The TRG uses an M27x1.5 threaded tenon and I would expect the S20 to be similar, but maybe a smaller thread. I'm interested in the ability to swap barrels so if an action wrench and prefit barrels are/will be available that would be great.

 

[LoonWulf]

Yes, definitely not everyone's cup of tea. I would think that the barrels thread into the receiver like the Sako TRG and Tikka. The TRG uses an M27x1.5 threaded tenon and I would expect the S20 to be similar, but maybe a smaller thread. I'm interested in the ability to swap barrels so if an action wrench and prefit barrels are/will be available that would be great.

As they market as a "forever" rifle Id kinda assume they would offer at least rhe ability to swap barrels, and possibly have it be easy swap, but dont see anything relating to it atm. That would make the gun even more interesting too me
A traditional sporter stock option (im sure boyds and others will do one eventually) would put it on the will buy (eventually) list.
My feelings about thumbholes is the same as JMRs, just from lack of familiarity.....or perhaps more correctly, from my familiarity with regular sporters. Ive actually punched myself in the face with boyds thumbhole lol.

Oh i didnt notice but are rhere multiple action lengths or are they all long, and how long IS long?
Id love if i could get a 1-8 twist 7mag that could take 3.5-6" loads. Id also have no interest in a short action on long receiver even if it did offer greater loading leeway.

 

[MCMXI]

Oh i didnt notice but are rhere multiple action lengths or are they all long, and how long IS long?
Id love if i could get a 1-8 twist 7mag that could take 3.5-6" loads. Id also have no interest in a short action on long receiver even if it did offer greater loading leeway.

It is one size only for the action. You can see that the .308 Win family of cartridges uses a blocked magazine (see below). If you compare a 6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC and 7mm Rem Mag they all have the same overall rifle length. It wouldn't bother me too much to have a short action cartridge in a longer than necessary action if I'm getting all of the other features that I want.

 

[MCMXI]

I just ordered an S20 Hunter in 6.5 PRC and should receive it in a little over a week. I didn't get a great price on it but supposedly the margins are not that great so not much wiggle room. I'm excited to compare this rifle to my custom Kimber build. I'm also excited at the prospect of being able to reconfigure the rifle as my needs or desires change. The buttstock and forend options aren't crazy expensive, and the magazines are reasonably priced too. I'll definitely order another 3-round magazine and a couple of 7-round magazines once they're available.

 

[rayatphonix]

I have an A7 with Roughtech stock. Very good rifle that I wish they still offered. I prefer a more traditional stock, but I could possibly talk myself into the PRC Precision rifle. Let us know how it shoots

 

[LoonWulf]

I just ordered an S20 Hunter in 6.5 PRC and should receive it in a little over a week. I didn't get a great price on it but supposedly the margins are not that great so not much wiggle room. I'm excited to compare this rifle to my custom Kimber build. I'm also excited at the prospect of being able to reconfigure the rifle as my needs or desires change. The buttstock and forend options aren't crazy expensive, and the magazines are reasonably priced too. I'll definitely order another 3-round magazine and a couple of 7-round magazines once they're available.

Im looking forward to seeing the range report!

Ive been waffling about dumping my completed projects and the guns i dont use. This would be an interesting rifle to roll the money back into.

 

[MCMXI]

@rayatphonix & @LoonWulf, I'll definitely give a detailed report on this rifle. I'm excited about this purchase.

 

[CopperFouling]

I'm just posting to see the detailed review, @MCMXI. Don't leave us waiting too long.