Chris, I really appreciated this review of yours. Not only are you honest, but you comment on a wide range of things that I found very helpful as regards to this particular rifle. It’s not a Holland, but it’s not cheap either. Reviews like this truly help me make up my mind.
Monolithic copper bullets do not cope well with copper/ lead residue from jacketed bullets. Should have shot this ammo first or thorough clean after the jacketed ammo before using the monolithic.
I just got the benelli lupo and have no experience… I know some of you might be thinking why! Well, I took it out to the range and with no scope experience, I had the guy behind the counter bore scope it and said that it was nine inches to the left. I continued to go to my lane, asked one of the workers for some pointers and after adjusting from the first shot, I had a group of three shots in the same spot with one inch apart. I adjusted some more I was hitting in the center two inches below the center target of off 100 yards. Now I’m not a rifle expert but even the guy was impressed. So yeah if you want a rifle that can shoot straight go with the Benelli Lupo. I shot Norma rounds black tip 150 grains. I love it. It’s pricy but we’ll worth it. It’s a benelli!!!!
Ever review I have seen of this rifle has been bad accuracy especially for what it is and yes I own sako rifles , now we have feed issues but in this test the accuracy is good probably because like he said the bore is breaking in , because I did contemplate buying one, it will probably be a 85 varmint lam or a tikka CTR
This was a very helpful review. I was going to purchase this until I saw your feeding issues, and your honesty about the weight (its advertised lighter). One would be better off customizing a Tikka T3X to their liking.
I wish I lived in a different time where hunting was more popular instead of the current climate. Love to be outdoors and providing for yourself and family seems like the most natural way of life.
I 100% agree .my pap was a big hunter and when I was little it seemed that was a way of life for most. It was normal. I miss hunting with him and my family.
Magazine feed issues from a rifle at that price point let alone from Sako is very disappointing. Looking for a new rifle. This probably isn't it. Love the real world reviews. They have helped me make some informed choises.
I was looking at an S20 two days ago at my local shop, in 243 cal. I was impressed with it. I found factory 10 round magazines and the hunting stock on the internet, the rifle at the store has the competition butt on it. It will be for hunting. It sells for 1900.00 US. So I was thinking of going back to get it, but after seeing the feeding issue I have changed my mind. Thank you for the video.
Nice one Chris a good honest review, i have lived and breathed Sako rifles for the last 25 years and they have been brilliant but that rifle does have a magazine feed issue feeding in and out to by the looks of it may be it was just that 5 shot magazine who knows
Nice Review, one of my good friends has a S20 in 6.5 Creedmoor and i have the Tikka T3 A1 in 6.5 Creedmoor (same factory)we have absolutly no magasin/feeding proplems, we have shoot 500 rounds, the rifle is verry accurate and nice build. Please look into finding a rifle that out of the boks, makes groups like you did with 4 different ammunition. Thanks for good reviews
That's exactly why I want to purchase one. Out the box groups like that (with various ammo...smh...WOW)!!! It seemed like when he started feeding the bolt a lil more aggressively, it fed well. One of my Rugers do the same thing if I try to soft feed it. I'm on a DAV budget, but oooooh, I want one of these. LOL.
Excellent review, I appreciate your honesty...I’m thinking of getting S20 precision version but the mag miss feeding, rattle got me concerned....thanks for the video 👍🏼
Outstanding presentation! One of the best, well made and comprehensive rifle evaluations I've seen by far. Your effort, knowledge and experience is quite evident. Am really looking forward to much more of your stellar content! Please keep up the great work! All the best man! 😎👍🦌
Thank you for the review. Regarding the feeding issue with the five round magazine, I disassembled the polymer magazine, lightly sanded the mold lines inside the mag with fine grit and around the perimeter of the follower then applied car wax to the interior of the magazine. No more feeding issues. You shouldn't have to do this but with mass produced molded plastics it may be necessary.
I love Hornady Precision hunter ammo. It is incredibly accurate and its terminal performance is amazing with the ELDX bullet. Out of my 30 06 what it does to a deer is just brutal. They never get up
@@menibba4747 Many other optional rifles out there with way more issues, saw the feed issue on another video too, very easy fix, don't let a small little things get you from getting what you want, any kind of interaction or relationship is a two way street, my wife taught me that very well :).
Excellent review. The aggravating magazine issue is something that Sako should have sorted out before releasing the rifle for sale. Honestly, for my use I would rather have the simplicity of a Tikka T3X Lite Stainless and save myself some aggravation and money. The Tikka Rough Tech is something that I would consider over the S20. I don't see myself needing all that modularity.
Absolutely agree with you. In my opinion that's not really a "modular" rifle since it doesn't offer a quick barrel/caliber swap option. Nothing revolutionary here. I'll stick with my R8 and hope Sako offers a quick barrel/caliber swap in the future.
How did you solve the problem with feeding cartridges from the store, or did it remain an unresolved problem? I just bought the same carbine in .308 caliber just yesterday and after watching your video I was a little puzzled, I made the right choice in general or not ))) Please tell me what barrel twist (barrel rifling pitch) the version has S20 hunter .308 and what weight does a bullet fly more heap?
Think I just wrote off the S20. I've loved the look of it and even think it feels great as I've shouldered one in a shop. But I've heard about loose mags and seeing this feed issue is really the end of it for me. If I want a thumb-through I suppose its an R8 as it has the advantage of a very safe loading mechanism. I wouldn't go Sauer as the safety catch is too fiddly.
In my opinion the S20 is a "lightweight" compromise between hunt and target. Years ago there was the Sako TRG-S that had the same job as the S-20. But if one double, triple and quadruple the price of the S-20 there is the real TRG 22/44, TRG 22/44 A1 and the TRG M10. These are all "true" range/modular/sniper rifles. In my opinion the Tlkka T3 Varmint Stainless is really good, I have ond "stock" and have tried one with a GRS Bifrost stock that made it even better. For range I would choose TRG, for hunting the 90 Varmint. If I could only have one I would take the 90 Varmint...
Over here in Croatia you can almost never see Sako 75/85 on second hand market. But for Sako S20 there are plenty of people who are selling them within one year from buying it. All these people say how plastic is cheap and rifle is too heavy. Guy I called said he is trading his for Sauer 404.
So i've seen a few reviews, Yours was the only one with feeding issues ? Your mag catch or Magazine ? Did you resolve this problem ? I am going to buy one just doing my research ??? Good review, nice shooting !! Ok so I listened to the rest of your video and with the ten rd mag you had NO failure to feed and the 5 rd mag improved ? Maybe a plastic burr in your mag or something ?
Wonder what the maximum to minimum Length of Pull is for the S20 in the Hunter configuration, and in what increments of adjustment? Best review on the web of the S20, by the way.
I just purchased teh Sako S20 in 308. I preferred the Tikka Roughtech but noone in the States can get it. Thank you for the review. It was helpful. Hopefully the feed problem won't rear its ugly head with my rifle.
.....seriously considered buying,....up until this video.....feed issues = junk.....NO THANKS !!,....but a BIG THANKS fer sharing - very grateful Sir & I Thank You MUCH !!
@@andrewtanczyk4009 .....go with Howa 1500 - not only the best bang for the buck, but, with the inherent design & forged steel action, simple-super-short lock time - simply a superior action over the most expensive customs which I have either owned or had the fortune, & some,...the misfortune, of shooting/operating - can't speak highly enough of the Howa 1500 even with no consideration to money/cost vs any other push-feed bolt action out there.
ooh you can keep it, give me a good old 75 sako it would do the job just as well !! It seems berretta can't help themselves , they take a good amazing rifle and turn it into a pile of complicated tacky crap. Not good when you got a wounded animal or shooting more than one beast, and you get a shity mag like that. Many amateurs will buy it and professionals will stick with tried and tested sakos. Great review
Enjoyable review as always Chris. I think I’ll be sticking with my Sauer rifles for now though as their build quality and reliability seem to be superior to this Sako. Out of interest, would you have this rifle over your Sauer 100?
@@chrisparkin431 it looks a bit “plasticy” too if I’m honest. I find that my Sauer’s get consistently slicker the more I use them, they’re hard to beat for the money I think. That feeding issue will be a deal breaker for many people that want the Sako as a hunting rifle, not having the option of a reliable follow up shot is less than ideal to put it lightly, assuming it is a common problem. Thanks for the reply and the review.
That miss feed issue is very off putting. I was interested in this gun or the black wolf. Do you think it could just be a fault with this particular gun ?
Morning Chris. Fantastic review thank you. I’m really interested in the s20 but having watched your review and a few others it seems a bit of a mixed bag. The mag issue and accuracy are the two things concerning me. Iv always shot tikkas but the main reason I’m interested in the s20 is the thumb hole stock (would love a blaser but can’t afford it) is this rifle worth the money and should I go for it? Or just stick with my tikka. Many thanks Hugo
I noticed some different issues with my magazine in 300 win mag. Here in canada, ive tested the rifle down to -20 celsius and ive noticed my magazine is almost to tight at those temperatures. Im guessing the aluminum chassis is shrinking in the cold. In addition, if my magazine is loaded to 3 rounds (max for my caliber) and the magazine is inserted on a closed bolt, the head of the case wont always pop up in the magazine causing a “bolt over” misfeed. This problem appears to be working itself out as the mag breaks in but its a bit of a let down compared to my last sako. As a side note, my older a7 .308 model also shoots 178 eldx very nicely, in addition to 165 sierra tipped gamekings and 125 nosler accubonds
Hello Dylan! Do you have an own 300 win mag S20 or you just tested it? what's your overall opinion about it, recoil, accuracy etc. of course besides this magazine problem? thanks
@@gaboreifert yes i own a s20 precision 300 win mag. Recoil is very mild considering the caliber but i am also using a shrouded muzzle brake. Accuracy is very good. Using a 165 sierra tipped gamekind and reloader 17, it wil shoot 5 shots into 1/2” groups at 100 yards. Overall wonderful rifle and i love it. It doesnt shoot every bullet that accurate but at least I know it’s capable of that accuracy
@@dylanblatch5769 Thanks a lot! I was curios because I just ordered one in 300 win mag as well (but in hunter version) and I didn't find any review in this caliber. Now I'm waiting for the production.....most probably it will arrive sometime in June. I haven't ordered the factory made muzzle brake yet (the seller told me that it's on store if I would like to buy one later), first I would like to try without it....I'm really looking forward to have it and test it :)
@@gaboreifert give sakos 180 grain super hammerhead factory load a try if you dont want to use a muzzle brake. Its loaded on the mild side for .300 win mag and shoots 5 shots into under a inch. Very pleasant bullet to shoot
@@dylanblatch5769 Thanks for the info! I"ll try it.... I'm using super hammerhead 180grain in my 30-06 rifle as well and it's working well. Thanks again! ;-)
Another great review Chris, I am looking at the 30-06 version for driven boar, but am really concerned with the feeding issues, do you think it is a one off with that 5 rd mag?
Re the mis-feed frustration: On my Tikka T3 7mm rem mag, the gun shop guy went to a great deal of effort to explain the mag has 2 clicks to properly engage. I have no idea if this is similar, but maybe check by clicking the mag in and pushing up again.
I noticed that the European moderators are a deeper tone than the American suppressors. Do the European use conventional baffles with a large space after the primary blast baffle? I'm a gunsmith and noticed what your issue seemed to be with the failure to feed issue. It seemed to happen with nickel plated brass only. Is this what you observed? I have seen this issue in the tikka T-3x. The bolt requires friction to wedge the round into the chamber, nickel does not provide this friction and instead of the bolt catching the surface and wedging it into the chamber it just rides over the top, like a follower would. This is pretty common with the newer friction feed systems. The actions seem to be primarily European that use this system because European ammo typically doesn't have plated cases. That is mostly an American thing. I really wish they stuck with the controlled feed. I have noticed that the follower isn't advancing. I would take the magazine apart and look for plastic burrs.
My two cents worth. I like the rifle I have in 7mm Mag. I have the same Burris scope and really like the scope. It has a problem with the barrel. Where the fluting starts in the middle of the barrel has a dimple on the inside of the bore. Very noticeable with a patch cleaning it. Shoots okay but can be better. If i miss anell i will be cussing the rifle. I called Barretta here in USA. I am not happy with customer service. First call only one ahead in "que" was on hold for half an hour. Left my phone to be called back. Never got a call back. Called today again, only one in que in hold 15 minutes and got an answer. Sending it back in. TWELVE WEEKS LEAD TIME IF THEY PUT NEW BARREL ON IT. THAT SUCKS. Comparatively I had a Ruger pistol with a barrel issue. They had it back in less than two weeks with a new barrel. Just my experience. When you pay 1700 bucks for it and it not shooting as well as my sons 600 dollar Remington they better make it right.
What is the barrel tenon thread diameter and threads per inch. The threads that screw into the receiver. Consumers may need to replace the barrel after the warranty period and a usable thread for after market barrel makers is a go or no go for getting this rifle.
So much talk about the magazine when a little graphite (used for locks) would fix. I would like to know if your scope is 50mm and what ring size did you use? I just bought an s20 in 6.5 Creedmoor and will be fitting a scope on it.
Good and honest review, thanks CP! I like the whole idea of one rifle that you could use for both hunting and precision shooting. What's your opinion on how does the S20 compare to Bergara B14 HMR that you tested in few of your reviews?
@@chrisparkin431 It took you longer to reply,then reply again than it did to just answer a simple question.Are you a gun enthusiast or an evangelical trying to fleece people of their money......
The feeding issue is the magazine. It presents the rim of the case a bit too low. Easy fix, even though it shouldn’t be an issue from this price point. You could fix it in 60 seconds with a fingernail file.
no, the problem was with the magazine being squeezed as I explained, nothing to do with the feed lips. I have top review rifles as supplied, just like you have to accept what ypu buy in the shop, if you want to modify it you can but I can;'t modify review rifles and you shouldn't have to either.
The thing that bothers me the most on mine is the freaking cheap plastic hollow stock. The mold lines from the injection look cheap as well as the gaps that exist on the mating surface on the stock. I paid 1700 for mine a year ago and wish i could sell it for a decent price. It looks and feels like a 400 dollar rifle from Cabela's.
In Great Britain is it true that longest the rifle or pistol is not semi-automatic you can have a large-capacity magazine and when I say large-capacity I'm talking about between 20 to 30 rounds
Dear Sir,Thank you for all your fine reviews. They are very informative and nice to watch. I would like to ask for a bit off advice. I am looking for a bolt action rifle,and 2 options run trough my mind. The Sako S20 and the Bergara b14 hmr pro. Both are the same price here in Holland,around€2100- Any thoughts or advice from you between the two would be much appriciated. At first i will be shooting at the indoor range,but i want to be prepared for hunting as well. Thank you and warm greetings from the Netherlands.
