Test Results: Sako 90 Adventure

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.

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

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).