Sako 90 S Optilock

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The History of Sako

Sako (Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Oy) is rifle and ammunition manufacturer located in Riihimäki, Finland. It was founded in 1921, after the rifle repair workshop, opened in former Helsinki brewery, became independent of the civil guard. The workshop grew into a weapons factory, which produced hunting rifles as well as cartridges and moved its headquarters from Helsinki to Riihimäki. The first civilian rifle bearing the name Sako, was the L42, prototyped in 1942 and commercially manufactured a few years later.

After the World War II, domestic hunting culture thrived and Sako invested in development of hunting rifles. Due to this investment, domestic sales increased along with export to the USA and the rest of the world. In the 1980s, Sako merged with another firearm manufacturer, Tikkakoski and gained a valuable rifle line called Tikka. The production of military and law enforcement weapons started when Finnish defence forces ordered assault rifles and cartridges from Sako.

The company has changed multiple owners since 1921, but has ultimately been sold to Italian Beretta Holding in 2000. In 2006, Sako celebrated its 85th anniversary by launching a new hunting rifle family, Sako 85. In 2020, Sako introduced S20, the first truly hybrid rifle, designed for both; hunters and tactical shooters. Another novelty presented by Sako in 2020 was a brand new, lead-free Sako Powerhead bullet. In 2023, the company launched a new bolt-action hunting rifle, the Sako 90, and later in the fourth quarter of the same year, they introduced the model 100.

Sako 90 S Rifle (Optilock) Review

Sako 90 is a new model of a bolt action hunting rifle introduced by Sako company in 2023. The 90-model is inspired and evolved from their Sako 85 rifle and comes in various stock configurations, either in wooden Bavarian stock, a laminate stock or even a carbon fiber synthetic stock.

Sako 90 rifles are available in five action lengths - XS, S, SM, M, and L - to correspond with different caliber groups. This range in action sizes aims to minimize weight and align with cartridge lengths, reducing unnecessary bolt travel. Another advantage of varying receiver lengths is the improved structural rigidity of the receiver. Moreover, Sako plans to introduce additional calibers for 90 series in 2024.

The mounting surface of the Sako 90 is available as the integrated Picatinny rail or the designated Optilock system. Strangely enough, that is the name they decided to use for the updated mounting surface, even though the term Optilock was long reserved for their mounting systems. This landing page refers to the latter models in S receiver length. If you are looking for scope mounts that fit the Picatinny version of your Sako 90 rifle, you may find them here: LINK DO PIKATINNYNY LINK LINK

The action and the cold-forged barrel are made from high-quality blued steel, although stainless-steel barrels are also available. Sako 90 features precision-cut checkered panels on the fore-end and pistol grip, and an elevated comb for optimal scope-to-eye alignment. Mechanically, the action is also derived from the 75 and 85 models and houses a bolt with three locking lugs that lock up safely with the housing of the action. The magazine of the rifle which is attached to the well via a two-point release system, is also made of stainless steel and can hold up to five rounds. The release button is located at the front end of the magazine and must be pulled rearwards to drop it. The trigger blade of the rifle is adjustable for length of pull through a small Allen screw, allowing for a precise trigger release. Sako has come a long way in improving the trigger design. The mechanism now includes a five-position rotary adjuster which enables sear weight adjustment ranging from 794 g (1.75 lbs) to 1842 g (4.1 lbs).

The safety on the 90 model is operated from the lever which can be found on the right side of the bolt shroud. Pulling the lever backwards locks the bolt handle and trigger. To safely remove a round from the chamber, the little button in front of the safety lever must be pressed to release the bolt. The safety remains engaged, and the trigger is blocked while the bolt can be opened and closed. By pushing the lever in the forward position, the safety is disengaged, and the rifle can be fired. The barrels on some models are equipped with preinstalled iron sights and the stocks have a rubber recoil pad at the rear end.

The Sako 90 versions using Optilock solution have transitioned from the traditional Sako mounting surface that had a unique tapered shape to a Tikka T3-style 17 mm dovetail mounting system, meaning that some of the dovetail-suitable scope mounts will now fit on the receivers of both rifles as they have the recoil notches similarly positioned. Note that the Sako 90 has no holes on top of the receiver, thus only mounts with side clamps suitable for dovetail installation will be interchangeable with the Tikka T3-style surface.

Sako 90 S, chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor

Figure 1: Sako 90 S, chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor (Source: https://www.sako.global/rifle/sako-90-bavarian)

Sako 90 S Calibers

The rifle can be chambered for the following calibers:

.22-250 Rem.
.243 Win.
.260 Rem.
7mm-08 Rem.
.308 Win.
6.5 Creedmoor
6.5 PRC

Sako 90 S Variants

The rifle is available in the following variants:

Sako 90 Peak
Sako 90 Quest
Sako 90 Quest Ultra
Sako 90 Hunter
Sako 90 Bavarian
Sako 90 Adventure
Sako 90 Varmint

The receivers of the Sako 90 (Optilock) rifle come equipped with a special 16.5 mm dovetail that features two recoil notches, one on the front and one on the rear mounting surface.

The receiver of Sako 90 S, chambered for .308 Win.

Figure 2: The receiver of Sako 90 S, chambered for .308 Win.

Sako 90 S (Optilock)

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Sako 90 S (Optilock)

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Sako 90 S (Optilock)

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension. Rifles that share one-piece scope mounts with Sako 90 (Optilock) are:

Tikka T3
Tikka T3x
Tikka M55
Tikka M65
Tikka M590
Tikka M690
Tikka M595
Tikka M695
Sako TRG 21/41
Sako TRG 22/42
Sako 90 L Optilock
Sako 90 M Optilock
Sako 90 SM Optilock
Sako 90 XS Optilock
Lynx 94 SA
Lynx 94 MA
Lynx 94 LA
Lynx Light Hunter MA
Lynx Light Hunter LA
Lynx TD12 MA
Lynx TD12 LA
Lynx TD15 MA
Lynx TD15 LA
Lynx TD21 MA
Lynx TD21 LA

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Sako 90 S (Optilock)

To meet interchangeability conditions, two-piece mounts must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart. Rifles that share two-piece scope mounts with Sako 90 (Optilock) are:

Tikka T3
Tikka T3x
Tikka M55
Tikka M65
Tikka M590
Tikka M690
Tikka M595
Tikka M695
Sako TRG 21/41
Sako TRG 22/42
Sako 90 L Optilock
Sako 90 M Optilock
Sako 90 SM Optilock
Sako 90 XS Optilock
Lynx 94 SA
Lynx 94 MA
Lynx 94 LA
Lynx Light Hunter MA
Lynx Light Hunter LA
Lynx TD12 MA
Lynx TD12 LA
Lynx TD15 MA
Lynx TD15 LA
Lynx TD21 MA
Lynx TD21 LA

Please note that the Sako 90 has no holes on top of the receiver; thus, this list is only applicable to the mounts with side clamps suitable for dovetail installation.

Best Scope Mounts for Sako 90 S (Optilock)

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Sako 90 S (Optilock)

This INNOMOUNT pivot mount, while primarily designed for the Tikka T3, also fits the Sako 90 using the Optilock system. This compatibility is due to the similar positioning of the front recoil notches on both rifles. It offers a secure and reliable mounting solution for both rifle models.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

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