Test Results: Sako 90 Adventure

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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).