The Sako 90 Adventure bolt-action in .308 Win.
Test results at the range
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On the range, the Sako 90 Adventure did not disappoint. Nor did it alter my claim that I’ve yet to find a Sako rifle I could not get to shoot well. It did have some likes and dislikes in terms of ammo, however. Every one of my five handloads bettered MOA accuracy, which collectively averaged 0.737 inches. The best of the lot was Hornady’s 165-grain CX bullet, which delivered a 0.570-inch group with BL-C 2 powder. As a whole, the 11 factory loads did not fare as well, offering a 1.108-inch average.
The star of the show, however, was Sako Super Hammerhead’s 180-grain Bonded Soft Point ammo, with an outstanding 0.280-inch group. Actually, all three Sako loads shot well, with an average of 0.579 inches. I did note, though, that the Super Hammerhead 150s showed incipient pressure signs, with a sticky bolt lift. This may have been rifle-specific, but I suggest caution is warranted in very hot weather.
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For deer- and black bear-sized game, I would not look beyond either a Hornady 165-grain CX handload or any of the Sako offerings I tested. For moose and elk at reasonable ranges, I would even include Sako’s Super Hammerhead 180-grain Bonded Soft Point ammo.
Factory Ammunition
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Brand | Bullet | Advertised Velocity (FPS) | Group Size |
Hornady American Whitetail | 165-grain InterLock | 2700 | 1.170 |
Hornady American Whitetail | 150-grain InterLock | 2820 | .945 |
Hornady Precision Hunter | 178-grain ELD-X | 2600 | 1.075 |
Fusion | 150-grain | 2820 | .990 |
Sako Super Hammerhead | 180-grain Bonded Soft Point | 2493 | .280 |
Sako Super Hammerhead | 150-grain Bonded Soft Point | 2805 | .930 |
Sako Powerhead Blade | 162-grain Expanding Copper | 2674 | .528 |
Browning | 155-grain BXR Rapid Expansion | 2820 | 1.580 |
Barnes VOR-TX | 150-grain Tipped TSX-BT | 2900 | 1.275 |
Norma Oryx | 180-grain Premium Bonded Core | 2610 | 1.255 |
Norma Whitetail | 150-grain | 2822 | 2.170 |
Handloads
Bullet | Powder | Case | Manual Velocity*
(fps) |
Group Size
(inches) |
Hornady 165-grain CX | BL-C2 | Hornady | 2698 | .570 |
Hornady 150-grain SST | Varget | Hornady | 2880 | .715 |
Barnes 168-grain BT TTSX | IMR4064 | Hornady | 2700 | .895 |
Nosler 180-grain AccuBond | W 748 | Hornady | 2610 | .870 |
Berger 185-grain VLD Hunting | W760 | Hornady | 2540 | .635 |
* Manual Velocity refers to the velocity taken from the manufacturer’s reloading manual for that specific bullet and powder charge and all groups are three shots at 100 yards.
For more on the Sako 90 Adventure, see Outdoor Canada’s 2024 Hunting Special (Sept./Oct. issue).