Good review, i got the same rifle/cartridge, killed a whitetail buck here in Canada with mine day after also shooting 8 different factory ammo's. Mine only liked 2 of them sub-moa which is fine as i wanted it to like hornady whitebox factory 168 eld-m match and 165 fusions..it liked the 168 eld-m most at .6" ctc at 100 yards for both brake on and off tests for 3-shots and 180 gr fusion at .6" and .8" ctc for brake on/off tests for 3-shots. Whitetail went about 15 yards after heart shot at about 175 yards, shot the deer Oct 21st, 2023. There are no downsides i can find in this rifle, it clicks of every single checkbox i could come up with and also love the top feed as you go. It's really like a hinged bottom rifle and detach mag rolled into one. You would never lose a magazine on a hunt and you also never have to take it out either and run it just as a hinged bottom rifle, it top feeds so easily. The integral picatinny and high comb, pistol grip stock isn't talked about enough, it's a higher comb than Tikka T3x Lite fyi (i have both), you can actually get scopes mounted lower than useable for those who like to really get down on their rifles. Also agree for how light it is it does handle recoil very well. I was expecting worse bite from the .308. I don't use the included brake, just played with it while ammo testing, no change in poi or group sizes. We aren't allowed suppressors here so have to deal with a bit more noise and recoil. ;) The carbon stock will hold up as good as any wood stock regarding wear showing imo and does feel and sound like a solid chunk of wood, feels like it was milled from a solid block of carbon. What a rifle. Fastest out of the box to scope mount to range test to first blood going. I went with ARC M-brace rings in low, x-low was too low and i'm one who hardly can get low enough. 2 bolts per ring, so easy to level the scope to rings as they mount with a flat top to put level on, easiest scope mount i've done yet also. Bombproof rifle/rings set up, went with a Trijicon Accupoint 1-6 german #4 for also bombproof theme. With those heavy rings and scope my rifle tips scale at 7 lb 3.5 oz, rifle out of the box landed at 5 lb 10 oz (5.625 lbs...lighter than advertized). This is the pinnacle in sporting rifles imo, but you pay for it, the Sako slogan 'demand perfection' is not just a slogan, they took that dead serious with this rifle imo. I can't find a single thing to nitpick about it or a want i wished it had. Not a single piece of plastic to be found, even the sling studs are stainless, stainless/aluminum/carbon fiber. Fluted, 20" (proper length for .308), threaded, integral picatinny nice and low on receiver, detach flush 5 round mag, amazing trigger, slicker that whale poop on an iceberg feeding and cycling, perfect lines and gaps, fit/finish impeccable. That's how it's done, i think they achieved perfection.
Top review, when searching for an upgrade as I am at the moment, a down to earth review like this is so helpful, this rifle, is now in my Top 3 ,thanks.
I was amazed at the lead free ammunition once again, but remember the heavier weight the lead free bullet goes the less immediate expansion occurs, so choose on the size of quarry species you intend to hunt.
Thanks, I have been writing reviews for thirty years now so just want to give an honest appraisal as I am not sponsored by any one, time is the only constraint as I have plenty of interest kit here!
This is my dream stock rifle in 7mm rem mag (although I’d make it a 7PRC eventually). Only con is a non adjustable cheek piece. Rifles are that price point such as the carbon Springfield waypoint offer more value at the price. I just love sako/tikka and already have an all carbon tikka 300wsm for elk but I like the sako mags 10x better.. sako also allows to to rack the bolt on safe which is a huge plus to me. Great video
Really love your review. Very nice showing the different ammo test. I live in alaska and checked everywhere and cannot find one for sale. I’m very interested in getting one
So, how's the kick really? Personally I'd prefer a smaller caliber in a light gun like this, 6.5cm or 7mm08 perhaps? We can't use "moderators" where I am so I'd have to use a brake I guess... hmmm...?
Honestly due to the nice almost in line design of the stock , recoil was mild and no problem at all but the sound moderator does tame the muzzle blast as well as muzzle jump too.
I agree, I built a brand new tikka t3x 308 chopped to 20" along side my 90 peak 308 to see which one I may prefer and the sako is lighter and with same ammo feels better to shoot and lighter in recoil to me even though my tikka set up is a bit heavier...that carbon stock is a really nice stock and it's surprisingly easy to shoot for a 308 running 168 gr ammo. I am recoil fussy and I'm impressed it's as nice as it is and can still handle more. Amazing the tikka is felt more despite some added weight.
I can't understand why Sako lengthened the LOP of their rifles from 13.75" to 14.25". Yes you can adjust the trigger for reach but that doesn't help with eye relief or bolt manipulation. Nobody is complaining that Tikka T3X is too short and a spacer can always be added. Like many people who hunt, I am a short arse at 5'8" and have been forced to trim the LOP of my Blaser R8 Success, Ulrich/Blaser R93 Takedown, Mauser M12 Expert and CZ557FS, all wearing walnut stocks from grade 2 to grade 10 however, all now wear aftermarket recoil pads because the LOP was 14.55". I can't trim a carbon fibre stock but you could always add a spacer if you want it longer. I think this is a great wet weather option, this will stop me from buying this rifle because it must fit properly to be shot well.
Personally I clean as any normal rifle, ie if out stalking all week I use a pull through to keep the bore 'conditioned' and then give a proper deep clean if inactive for a spell, I like Bore tech CU2+
Very nice review! I've checked it out in the shop, and I must say that the action is ridiculous smooth. It also really light. I have a concern about the stock, I have read somewhere that carbon is really vulnerable to surface scratches/marks. Do you know if this is true?
Hi The surface on the Sako's seems to have a far better scratch resistance and good tactile hold compared to some other makers smooth finished carbon stocks.
Great rifle, but a 1:10 twist would have improved its versatility. Would be able to stabilize up to a 180gr Monolithic, perfect for close range hunting (within 150m). Personally I would load a 168gr Barnes TTSX at 2700 fps. Otherwise a perfect rifle.
I been through a few .30 calibers it’s why European rifles always shoot building several and ask barrel manufacturers what twist when it comes to .308 Caliber 1:12 twist gets the nod it’s probably why the 11.5 5 r is so popular any vld bullets need a slower twist I built 300wsm krieger ask me which bullet 165 so 178 gr and below Then Berger came out w the vld style which requires a slower twist making 1:12 perfect know it shoots Berger’s 185/190 s and gmx and the mono along w nosler elx and Hornady eldx for a .308 I doubt 200 grain bullets would be the normal maybe a 300 wm but the 1:12 or the 5 r which is 80$ different when I ask what’s the real difference between the 2. “ 80$ “ so I’ve built a few 30-30 to 30-338 all get a 1:12 twist Sako did it right w versatility 125-190
A 308 casing isn't as efficient with a 180.grain bullets is why they went with a 1 in 11 everyone I know uses a 150-165 grain bullets if I was going to use a 180 I'd go on a use a 30/06 or 300 mag of some sort
@RJ-bs3po 1:11 will stabilize up to 180 gr monolithic with ease, in fact a 1:12 is capable of that as well. But you don´t want to go that high with modern monolithic bullets in a .308. A 30-06 will do that better.
Barnes load data specifies a generic 1:12 twist up to and including 168 grain projectiles. Barnes does spec a 1:11 twist for their 175 grain LRX BT bullet and 1:10 for their 200 grain TSX FB bullet. That last one is a heavy for cartridge bullet.
mine shows preference for 168 eld-m and 180 fusion, didn't like any hornady cx loads or the 178 eld-x, my tikka right beside it really prefers the 165 fusion to the same .5 to .6 moa as the sako with the above two loads, just added info, I don't reload, I tested 8 different ammo's and these 3 went into the little sub moa clusters I like to choose from, neither liked 150gr stuff for me, surprised the tikka didn't like the 180 fusion when the sako did and the sako didn't like the 165 fusion...
Hi I used the Hornady international ECX 125 grain factory loads, which are always very accurate and with their flat meplat expand their all copper construction very well.
Why Sako didn’t make an affordable Finnlight version of the 90 I’ll never know. Their Hunter model is over 8lbs for magnum (300 WM-7 Rem) n 7.1-7.3lbs in short action. No standard length actions have been spotted so far. This Peak rifle in 7 Rem/300 WM is $4065 with tax in Alberta. In other provinces that have a sales tax it will be higher. For the average working guy with mortgage n kids n other bills a $4000+ rifle is just a nice dream.
Sadly most modern rifles are getting very expensive these days, carbon fibre costs but as a one gun only rifle this new Sako Peak is really all you need, trouble is us shooters always like to have more than one rifle which hurts the bank balance but this rifle will make you smile with the groups it produces and its so light to carry.
@@broadswordballistics yeah. I have the money but it's still hard to justify. You can use chassis nowadays so the ergonomics remain consistent even while switching actions/barrels/calibers... I think it's the supreme solution if you need different calibers. tikka actions can be had for much less money and they shoot sub MOA, better than most shooters. Otherwise you end with a bunch of expensive rilfes and then you want them all individually scoped for ease of use which makes it even more expensive. it's easy to end up with tens of 1000s in just a few guns. I'm really close to just using a chassis and dealing with using one premium scope between them. 2 or 3 different tikka actions/calibres. and that's it. can always use any tikka pattern action w custome barrel whatever, and then you get to choose twist rates and whatnot. modularity is the future i think but Blaser R8s just arent cutting it. way too expensive...
@@chipsterb4946 exactly. So why get a sako if a tikka action comes off the same machine? Because it's got 3 lugs instead of 2? Sako has a nice feature where you can open the bolt with the safety engaged, but how much is that worth really compared to a standard tikka?
no kidding.... these are really quite pricey I will agree. Chambering offerings aren't what they used to be either frankly. Hard to justify when Tikka exists. And you can always drop one into a chassis or custom stock for still much less than this. Too bad.
lmao, yeah he really sucks haha, hope that was sarcastic, only rookies say things like that seriously, ammo test day isn't about dialling it in, it's choose an ammo and hold dead center, we prefer to see them splash in the white while doing this...just fyi ;)
not sure if I heard, what ring height are those and I assume that's a 50mm scope? I'm finding 1.05" ring height the money spot for cheeking, I have no doubt a 44mm would clear at that but maybe a 50mm would also? the high comb and low integral picatinny is a rarity in this day and age, especially at these weights!
Good review, i got the same rifle/cartridge, killed a whitetail buck here in Canada with mine day after also shooting 8 different factory ammo's. Mine only liked 2 of them sub-moa which is fine as i wanted it to like hornady whitebox factory 168 eld-m match and 165 fusions..it liked the 168 eld-m most at .6" ctc at 100 yards for both brake on and off tests for 3-shots and 180 gr fusion at .6" and .8" ctc for brake on/off tests for 3-shots. Whitetail went about 15 yards after heart shot at about 175 yards, shot the deer Oct 21st, 2023.
There are no downsides i can find in this rifle, it clicks of every single checkbox i could come up with and also love the top feed as you go. It's really like a hinged bottom rifle and detach mag rolled into one. You would never lose a magazine on a hunt and you also never have to take it out either and run it just as a hinged bottom rifle, it top feeds so easily.
The integral picatinny and high comb, pistol grip stock isn't talked about enough, it's a higher comb than Tikka T3x Lite fyi (i have both), you can actually get scopes mounted lower than useable for those who like to really get down on their rifles. Also agree for how light it is it does handle recoil very well. I was expecting worse bite from the .308. I don't use the included brake, just played with it while ammo testing, no change in poi or group sizes. We aren't allowed suppressors here so have to deal with a bit more noise and recoil. ;)
The carbon stock will hold up as good as any wood stock regarding wear showing imo and does feel and sound like a solid chunk of wood, feels like it was milled from a solid block of carbon. What a rifle. Fastest out of the box to scope mount to range test to first blood going.
I went with ARC M-brace rings in low, x-low was too low and i'm one who hardly can get low enough. 2 bolts per ring, so easy to level the scope to rings as they mount with a flat top to put level on, easiest scope mount i've done yet also. Bombproof rifle/rings set up, went with a Trijicon Accupoint 1-6 german #4 for also bombproof theme. With those heavy rings and scope my rifle tips scale at 7 lb 3.5 oz, rifle out of the box landed at 5 lb 10 oz (5.625 lbs...lighter than advertized). This is the pinnacle in sporting rifles imo, but you pay for it, the Sako slogan 'demand perfection' is not just a slogan, they took that dead serious with this rifle imo. I can't find a single thing to nitpick about it or a want i wished it had. Not a single piece of plastic to be found, even the sling studs are stainless, stainless/aluminum/carbon fiber. Fluted, 20" (proper length for .308), threaded, integral picatinny nice and low on receiver, detach flush 5 round mag, amazing trigger, slicker that whale poop on an iceberg feeding and cycling, perfect lines and gaps, fit/finish impeccable. That's how it's done, i think they achieved perfection.
Thanks for this great review! The Sako 90 Peak is one of our favorites from the Sako 90 series. A very versatile and lightweight rifle.
Thanks, my choice too, I own a lot of custom Sako`s in wildcat calibres but the Peak would be my choice as my go to factory stalking rifle.
Top review, when searching for an upgrade as I am at the moment, a down to earth review like this is so helpful, this rifle, is now in my Top 3 ,thanks.
Smashing review thanks. That Sako lead free is amazing.
I was amazed at the lead free ammunition once again, but remember the heavier weight the lead free bullet goes the less immediate expansion occurs, so choose on the size of quarry species you intend to hunt.
Thank you, you do the best rifle reviews!
Thanks, I have been writing reviews for thirty years now so just want to give an honest appraisal as I am not sponsored by any one, time is the only constraint as I have plenty of interest kit here!
Excellent review sir. Keep up the good work!👍👍
Perfect rifle and ammo review!
This is my dream stock rifle in 7mm rem mag (although I’d make it a 7PRC eventually). Only con is a non adjustable cheek piece. Rifles are that price point such as the carbon Springfield waypoint offer more value at the price. I just love sako/tikka and already have an all carbon tikka 300wsm for elk but I like the sako mags 10x better.. sako also allows to to rack the bolt on safe which is a huge plus to me. Great video
Really love your review. Very nice showing the different ammo test. I live in alaska and checked everywhere and cannot find one for sale. I’m very interested in getting one
Good luck,they are worth looking for.
So, how's the kick really? Personally I'd prefer a smaller caliber in a light gun like this, 6.5cm or 7mm08 perhaps? We can't use "moderators" where I am so I'd have to use a brake I guess... hmmm...?
Honestly due to the nice almost in line design of the stock , recoil was mild and no problem at all but the sound moderator does tame the muzzle blast as well as muzzle jump too.
I agree, I built a brand new tikka t3x 308 chopped to 20" along side my 90 peak 308 to see which one I may prefer and the sako is lighter and with same ammo feels better to shoot and lighter in recoil to me even though my tikka set up is a bit heavier...that carbon stock is a really nice stock and it's surprisingly easy to shoot for a 308 running 168 gr ammo. I am recoil fussy and I'm impressed it's as nice as it is and can still handle more. Amazing the tikka is felt more despite some added weight.
Another great honest review..👍
Great thanks, I fund myself so I can say what I like but with rifles like the Sako Peak it makes my job easier as they do genuinely shoot so well.
Wonderful job
I can't understand why Sako lengthened the LOP of their rifles from 13.75" to 14.25". Yes you can adjust the trigger for reach but that doesn't help with eye relief or bolt manipulation. Nobody is complaining that Tikka T3X is too short and a spacer can always be added. Like many people who hunt, I am a short arse at 5'8" and have been forced to trim the LOP of my Blaser R8 Success, Ulrich/Blaser R93 Takedown, Mauser M12 Expert and CZ557FS, all wearing walnut stocks from grade 2 to grade 10 however, all now wear aftermarket recoil pads because the LOP was 14.55". I can't trim a carbon fibre stock but you could always add a spacer if you want it longer. I think this is a great wet weather option, this will stop me from buying this rifle because it must fit properly to be shot well.
Nice review & rifle. Are there any special maintenance for the stainless steel action & barrel?
Thank you.
Personally I clean as any normal rifle, ie if out stalking all week I use a pull through to keep the bore 'conditioned' and then give a proper deep clean if inactive for a spell, I like Bore tech CU2+
Does it come with the silencer ?
Very nice review! I've checked it out in the shop, and I must say that the action is ridiculous smooth. It also really light. I have a concern about the stock, I have read somewhere that carbon is really vulnerable to surface scratches/marks. Do you know if this is true?
Hi The surface on the Sako's seems to have a far better scratch resistance and good tactile hold compared to some other makers smooth finished carbon stocks.
Great rifle, but a 1:10 twist would have improved its versatility. Would be able to stabilize up to a 180gr Monolithic, perfect for close range hunting (within 150m). Personally I would load a 168gr Barnes TTSX at 2700 fps. Otherwise a perfect rifle.
I been through a few .30 calibers it’s why European rifles always shoot building several and ask barrel manufacturers what twist when it comes to .308 Caliber 1:12 twist gets the nod it’s probably why the 11.5 5 r is so popular any vld bullets need a slower twist I built 300wsm krieger ask me which bullet 165 so 178 gr and below Then Berger came out w the vld style which requires a slower twist making 1:12 perfect know it shoots Berger’s 185/190 s and gmx and the mono along w nosler elx and Hornady eldx for a .308 I doubt 200 grain bullets would be the normal maybe a 300 wm but the 1:12 or the 5 r which is 80$ different when I ask what’s the real difference between the 2. “ 80$ “ so I’ve built a few 30-30 to 30-338 all get a 1:12 twist Sako did it right w versatility 125-190
A 308 casing isn't as efficient with a 180.grain bullets is why they went with a 1 in 11 everyone I know uses a 150-165 grain bullets if I was going to use a 180 I'd go on a use a 30/06 or 300 mag of some sort
@RJ-bs3po 1:11 will stabilize up to 180 gr monolithic with ease, in fact a 1:12 is capable of that as well. But you don´t want to go that high with modern monolithic bullets in a .308. A 30-06 will do that better.
Barnes load data specifies a generic 1:12 twist up to and including 168 grain projectiles. Barnes does spec a 1:11 twist for their 175 grain LRX BT bullet and 1:10 for their 200 grain TSX FB bullet. That last one is a heavy for cartridge bullet.
mine shows preference for 168 eld-m and 180 fusion, didn't like any hornady cx loads or the 178 eld-x, my tikka right beside it really prefers the 165 fusion to the same .5 to .6 moa as the sako with the above two loads, just added info, I don't reload, I tested 8 different ammo's and these 3 went into the little sub moa clusters I like to choose from, neither liked 150gr stuff for me, surprised the tikka didn't like the 180 fusion when the sako did and the sako didn't like the 165 fusion...
Very good review. Which suppressor are you using?
Its a Stalon, marketed in the UK by GMK Ltd.
Nice review 👍
Which do you prefer, the Peak or Adventure? Seem very similar for intended use.
nice set up.who made the suppressor?thanks
Its a Stalon, marketed in the UK by GMK Ltd.
Hi, what ammo did you use to shoot the Red Stag?
Hi I used the Hornady international ECX 125 grain factory loads, which are always very accurate and with their flat meplat expand their all copper construction very well.
Do you organise red stag stalking in Scotland?
Hi there, great review, what moderator have you got on this? Thanks
Can you tell me the diameter of the blue dot in the middle of your target?
Why Sako didn’t make an affordable Finnlight version of the 90 I’ll never know. Their Hunter model is over 8lbs for magnum (300 WM-7 Rem) n 7.1-7.3lbs in short action. No standard length actions have been spotted so far.
This Peak rifle in 7 Rem/300 WM is $4065 with tax in Alberta. In other provinces that have a sales tax it will be higher. For the average working guy with mortgage n kids n other bills a $4000+ rifle is just a nice dream.
Sadly most modern rifles are getting very expensive these days, carbon fibre costs but as a one gun only rifle this new Sako Peak is really all you need, trouble is us shooters always like to have more than one rifle which hurts the bank balance but this rifle will make you smile with the groups it produces and its so light to carry.
@@broadswordballistics yeah. I have the money but it's still hard to justify. You can use chassis nowadays so the ergonomics remain consistent even while switching actions/barrels/calibers... I think it's the supreme solution if you need different calibers. tikka actions can be had for much less money and they shoot sub MOA, better than most shooters. Otherwise you end with a bunch of expensive rilfes and then you want them all individually scoped for ease of use which makes it even more expensive. it's easy to end up with tens of 1000s in just a few guns. I'm really close to just using a chassis and dealing with using one premium scope between them. 2 or 3 different tikka actions/calibres. and that's it. can always use any tikka pattern action w custome barrel whatever, and then you get to choose twist rates and whatnot. modularity is the future i think but Blaser R8s just arent cutting it. way too expensive...
@@mysterioanonymous3206you realize that Tikka is a Sako subsidiary, right?
@@chipsterb4946 exactly. So why get a sako if a tikka action comes off the same machine? Because it's got 3 lugs instead of 2? Sako has a nice feature where you can open the bolt with the safety engaged, but how much is that worth really compared to a standard tikka?
This is my dream rifle, short, light and very good looking! The price tag is what makes it a dream though...
no kidding.... these are really quite pricey I will agree. Chambering offerings aren't what they used to be either frankly. Hard to justify when Tikka exists. And you can always drop one into a chassis or custom stock for still much less than this. Too bad.
am so satisfied with my 85 carbonwolf😂😂
3k
You are a really terrible shot.Why don't you adjust the scope to hit the bulleye ?
Why would he do that when he's only testing ammo? Goes to show what you know about rifle shooting. He actually has an excellent shot.
lmao, yeah he really sucks haha, hope that was sarcastic, only rookies say things like that seriously, ammo test day isn't about dialling it in, it's choose an ammo and hold dead center, we prefer to see them splash in the white while doing this...just fyi ;)
Great Review: any chance you could do the Tikka T3X Lite in 6.5 credmoor for stalkers in the UK?
I will put that on the list.
not sure if I heard, what ring height are those and I assume that's a 50mm scope?
I'm finding 1.05" ring height the money spot for cheeking, I have no doubt a 44mm would clear at that but maybe a 50mm would also? the high comb and low integral picatinny is a rarity in this day and age, especially at these weights!