SAKO 90 VARMINT IN .308 WIN

I have tested, hunted and reviewed all the new Sako model 90s with the exception of the Bavarian stocked variant and this Varmint model on test, which might be a great all rounder, writes Bruce Potts

Why? Well it has all the new attributes of the model 90 but with classic stainless steel metal work and good old laminate wood for the stock material. It has a real blend of old and new and feels so familiar yet incorporates that lovely five point indexed trigger change, enlarged ejection port, twin plunger ejectors, built in Picatinny rails that are so good in the new 90 rifles.

I am sure it will appeal not only to us hunters but also to the target fraternity given the accuracy potential and build quality of this rifle and it is also sensibly priced at £2,550.

STOCK

Let’s look at the stock first as to me that’s what draws the eye in with regards initial appeal, and also if the stock configuration is wrong then the whole rifle is wrong. No surprise this Varmint model utilises a more traditional stock profiling and composition compared to the carbon fibred Peak and Quest Models. It feels very solid and reassuring and I have to say balances the 3.9 kg 90 perfectly around the barrel to action join. Being laminate in construction it benefits from several key features. Firstly, wood is so much nicer to handle than a synthetic stock and although this is heavier than a carbon fibre stock it feels more robust in a strange way. It also has that oiled finish which is easy nourished after a rain storm or inadvertent scratch whilst out stalking. The laminate layers are made of alternate layers of stained dark and light birch and where the epoxy bonds each layer together you have a well-defined dark rim. Overall, the look is very pleasing. Being fully sealed from the elements this stock is not going to warp in extremes of temperature or moisture that otherwise would upset consistent accuracy.

Overall design is very classic with a semi Monte Carlo raised cheek piece for optimal eye alignment with a scope. This cheek piece is well defined on the left side of the stock with a good cheek weld area. A soft black rubber recoil pad is fitted as standard with length of pull at 14.25 inches and you also have the addition of stainless steel quick release sling swivel studs fitted. Being a Varmint model one would expect a wider forend for more stability shooting off bags on a bench or for bipod use and that’s exactly what you get. The wider forend is not extreme as to make it uncomfortable to shoot off hand and has a nice rounded profile that really plants or steadies the supporting hand. To further aid in good handling is the slightly vertical pistol grip ensuring optimal ergonomics when shooting from a prone position or off a support.

You also get a decent coverage of chequering to both these areas with a single panel to the sides of the forend and twin chequered panels to the pistol grip area affording a good grip when needed. So overall a really well thought out and more importantly stable platform from which to bed the action. Sako uses a flat receiver bedding that provides better repeatable accuracy than a conventional round receiver design.

“THIS VARMINT MODEL IS A PERFECT RIFLE FOR THOSE THAT MIGHT NEED TO SHOOT QUITE A FEW ROUNDS IN QUICK SUCCESSION.”

ACTION

As with all Sako actions/receivers they are sized to each specific calibre group. In other words the action size matches the length of the cartridge so the shortest/fastest bolt throw distance is optimised and also ensures that you are not carrying extra weight when out hunting.

The Sako 90 Varmint is equipped with a Picatinny receiver for a robust and easy scope mounting. Gone are the uniquely Sako tapered dovetails on this model but these slotted Picatinny fitments to either bridges of the action are built in so will not come loose.

It’s a push round feed bolt operation and as such ensures repeatable accuracy and smooth operation combined to reliability and maximum safety. The ejection port has been further enlarged and slant cut rearward for maximum access to the receiver so one can top load the magazine if one wishes. Its handy when testing different loads off the bench, too.

Sako`s legendary smoothness is due the receivers being designed to minimise the contact area between the bolt and receiver. The broaching method of manufacture creates straight and smooth internal surfaces that match the profile of the bolt locking lugs for maximum contact. The bolt itself has the three -lug locking arrangement that in turn offers a lower bolt lift and fast bolt operation. Recessed into the head are the new twin plunger ejector studs taken from Sako’s TRG models. This really does a marvellous job of flinging out the spent cases along with primary extraction for the single claw extractor. The bolt handle has a good length and backward slant to it finished off with a comfortable tear drop end and all stainless steel made. Sako have also improved the lock time on the 90 model and this is the time from sear release to firing pin strike on the primer is now down to 1.3 milliseconds. This ultimately should increase accuracy as there is less time from the thought of you pulling the trigger to the rifle firing minimising any movement in the aim.

BARREL

As one would expect, being a Varmint model you have a heavy profile and on this rifle we had the 23.5 inch length, although a shorter 20 inch is also available. This rifle came unthreaded, but they are now 18mm/1 thread pitch as standard.

Sako use the cold hammer forged method for match grade barrel making which has served them well and does offer out of the box accuracy and longevity to the rifling. In .308 Win the rifling twist rate was 1 in 11 inches so it will stabilise all but the very heaviest of .30 cal projectiles.

Further enhancements on this Varmint comes with a fluted stainless barrel that reduces the weight and aids in cooling after repeated shots and the stainless steel is highly weather resistant.

Feeding the Varmint is via the five-shot detachable double stacked stainless steel magazine. It has a generous length for long seated reload bullets and has Sako’s push in the base and then operate the release lever to stop accidental magazine ejections.

The trigger is my favourite with its new five indexed pull settings without needing to disassemble the rifle. Just use the taken down tool supplied with the rifle to adjust from lowest to highest in a clockwise rotation. The lowest setting on this actual gun when tested with the Lyman trigger gauge was 1 lbs 14ozs, position three at 2lbs 9ozs and heaviest at 3lbs 10ozs. This is so convenient and a really useful feature. The trigger blade is also adjustable back and forth (10mm) and on this Varmint model a single set trigger is available as an option.

IN THE FIELD

I fitted a bipod and shot off the bench with a rather nice Steiner Ranger 4 scope and Burris Signature ring set up. With a FX True Ballistic chronograph I was able to record accurate velocity readings and is so much easier than using a traditional shoot through design. It would also be nice to see the difference in velocities this longer barrelled Varmint version of the 90 would have over some of the shorter barrelled .308 Win 20 inch barrelled guns tested recently.

I sighted in with some Remington 150gr Core Lokt ammunition at 100 yards which yielded a nice three shot group measuring 1.10 inch. Velocity was 2744fps for an energy figure of 2,508ft/lbs.

Sako lighter 123gr Game Heads, which always shoot so well, shot a speedy 2,988fps for 2,439ft/lbs with 0.77 inch groups. I like this load for so many species of deer as it expands well but does not destroy too much of the venison and its also good for fox if needed.

Similarly, the 150gr Sako Game Heads ups the bullet weight more suited for red or sika deer and again sub MOA accuracy at 0.86 inch at 2,873fps /2,750ft/lbs.

I found some more Geco Express 165gr Express Tip factory ammo which are a great all rounder and shot 0.61 inch groups at a sedate 2,591fps/2,460ft/lbs.

Next came the lead free offerings and the Hornady International ECX 125gr factory loads are my go to deer load where lead free is mandatory. They expand due to their lighter weight yet still penetrate well and dump all of the energy within the beast for a lethal result. This Varmint model shot 0.55 inch groups at 100 yards at a very good 3,012 fps and 2,519ft/ lbs. This would be my choice my choice.

Now the reloads, and I tried some heavier target type ammo for those that like to practice steel target shooting and the best were the Hornady ELD Match 178gr bullet that shot very consistent 0.5 inch groups loaded with

45.25 grains of Swiss RS50 powder (OAL 2.790 inch) for 2,601fps and 2,675ft/lbs energy. Also the Berger VLD 168gr hunting bullet has the ballistic characteristics of a Match bullet, but is deer legal as it expands shot at 2,734fps/2,807ft/lbs and 0.98 inch groups loaded with 47.0 grains of Swiss RS50 powder (OAL 2.766 inch).

The best lead-free load was a toss up between the Barnes 150gr TTSX bullet or the Hornady GMX 150gr bullet, both loaded with 47.0 grains of RL15 (OAL 2.791 inch) they shot 2,766fps/2,549ft/lbs and 2,799 fps/2,610ft/lbs respectively. Accuracy went to the Barnes with inch groups whilst the GMX hovered around the 1.25 inch mark.

Best traditional lead cored hunting bullet were the Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tips loaded with 45.0 grains of Vit N133 powder (OAL 2.788 inch) for a velocity of 2,983 fps/2,470ft/lbs and 0.45 inch groups.

Out in the field for hunting purposes it is quite heavy at just shy of 4kg (without scope) but its balance, rigid nature and good balance belie those stats. Yes, you will feel it out on a long trek on the hill but if you shoot from a high seat or use an ambush tactic for deer then the steadiness this Varmint model offers might just be your poison.

CONCLUSION

I genuinely like all the new Sako Model 90 rifles as Sako can be relied on to produce rifles that real shooters want and demands that will shoot quite often better than their owners! This Varmint model is a perfect rifle for those that might need to shoot quite a few rounds in quick succession without fear of zero shift due to a hot barrel and just enjoy a more traditional laminate stock and stainless steel rifle. There is a Sako 90 for everyone.