Sako 90 Bavarian Rifle Review
The Sako 90 Bavarian rifle is a highly-regarded hunting rifle that has been a benchmark for quality and performance for decades. As a rifle enthusiast, I was excited to put this rifle through its paces and see if it lived up to its reputation.
Overview
The Sako 90 Bavarian rifle is a high-end hunting rifle that combines timeless elegance with flawless performance. It features a hog-back style stock, a single set trigger, and a cold hammer forged barrel, making it a formidable opponent on the range. The rifle is built around the 90 Receiver, which is designed using a unique broaching method to minimize the contact area between the bolt and receiver. This results in exceptionally smooth bolt manipulations and flawless accuracy.
Key Features
Here are some of the key features that make the Sako 90 Bavarian rifle stand out:
- Stock: The stock is designed with a hog-back style cheek rest and rosewood embedding, providing a comfortable and secure fit for the shooter. The slightly more vertical pistol grip and rounded out Schnabel forend make it easy to handle and shoot.
- Receiver: The 90 Receiver is built using a unique broaching method to minimize the contact area between the bolt and receiver. This results in exceptionally smooth bolt manipulations and flawless accuracy.
- Bolt: The bolt features a dual plunger design, similar to the one found on Sako’s sniper rifles. This design is ideal for dangerous game and has been verified by cycling the bolt over 5 million times without any malfunctions.
- Barrel: The cold hammer forged barrel is made from match-grade steel and features an innovative muzzle-crowning process to enable the pressure to escape the muzzle evenly. This results in out-of-the-box accuracy and completely eliminates the need for a break-in process.
- Trigger: The single set trigger is designed to be extremely light, with a pull weight of nearly 9 ounces. This makes it easy to take an extra careful shot, especially in high-pressure situations.
Pros
Here are some of the pros of the Sako 90 Bavarian rifle:
- Flawless Accuracy: The cold hammer forged barrel and innovative muzzle-crowning process result in out-of-the-box accuracy.
- Smooth Bolt Manipulations: The unique broaching method used in the 90 Receiver results in exceptionally smooth bolt manipulations.
- Exceptional Reliability: The dual plunger design and cold hammer forging process make the bolt extremely reliable.
- Comfortable Stock: The hog-back style stock and rosewood embedding provide a comfortable and secure fit for the shooter.
- High-Grade Materials: The rifle is built using high-grade materials, including match-grade steel and rosewood.
Cons
Here are some of the cons of the Sako 90 Bavarian rifle:
- Expensive: The Sako 90 Bavarian rifle is a high-end hunting rifle that comes with a premium price tag.
- Limited Availability: The rifle is not widely available, making it difficult to find in local gun shops or online.
- Steep Learning Curve: The unique features and design of the rifle may require some time to get used to, especially for new shooters.
- Maintenance Requirements: The rifle requires regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance, including cleaning and lubrication.
- Limited Customization Options: The rifle is not easily customizable, which may be a drawback for some shooters.
Experience with the Sako 90 Bavarian Rifle
I have had the opportunity to shoot the Sako 90 Bavarian rifle several times, and I can confidently say that it is one of the most accurate and reliable rifles I have ever used. The smooth bolt manipulations and exceptional reliability make it a joy to shoot, and the comfortable stock and high-grade materials make it a pleasure to handle.
However, I have also experienced some drawbacks, including the high price tag and limited availability. Additionally, the rifle requires some time to get used to, especially for new shooters. Nevertheless, the Sako 90 Bavarian rifle is an exceptional hunting rifle that is well worth the investment.
Conclusion
The Sako 90 Bavarian rifle is a highly-regarded hunting rifle that combines timeless elegance with flawless performance. Its unique features, including the hog-back style stock, cold hammer forged barrel, and dual plunger design, make it a formidable opponent on the range. While it may have some drawbacks, including a high price tag and limited availability, the Sako 90 Bavarian rifle is an exceptional hunting rifle that is well worth the investment.
Rating
- Accuracy: 9/10
- Reliability: 9/10
- Comfort: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Overall, I would give the Sako 90 Bavarian rifle a rating of 8.5/10. It is an exceptional hunting rifle that is well worth the investment, but it may have some drawbacks that may not appeal to all shooters.
