R: [ad_1] For hunting enthusiasts, the Sako and Steiner Combo offers an unmatched experience.
Discovering the Sako and Steiner Combo
I have never owned or tested a Sako rifle that didn’t perform excellently. Some exhibited such surgical precision that they left me astonished. This includes my earliest Sako rifles, from before the era of synthetic stocks and the widespread expectation of MOA accuracy for centerfire hunting rifles. Yet, precision is just one aspect of the Sako and Steiner combo reputation. The ultra-smooth actions are renowned for cycling as smoothly as if on ball bearings, and the company’s commitment to quality, finish, and attention to detail is unparalleled. For more details, click here.
Excellence in the Sako and Steiner Combo
Over the years, Sako has sustained a high level of quality while introducing enhancements with each new model. The latest offering, the Model 90, continues this tradition. The Model 90 comes in seven variants. Three are tailored for mountain and backcountry hunting, and four are designed for more traditional small and big game pursuits. I had the pleasure of testing the Adventure variant, which belongs to the latter category. Available in 14 calibers, ranging from .22-250 Rem. to .300 Win. Mag., I chose the .308 Win. for my test model. The Adventure’s design and functionality aim to provide a versatile, go-anywhere rifle.
Features of the Sako and Steiner Combo
The Sako and Steiner combo features an adjustable, low-noise fiberglass stock reinforced with carbon fiber. Additionally, the Sako match-grade, cold-hammer-forged barrel, the multi-adjustable Sako trigger, and carbon fiber reinforcements around the receiver and recoil lug are noteworthy. It also boasts a tungsten Cerakote-coated stainless steel action with a machined Picatinny interface, ensuring both durability and precision. 
The Sako 90 Journey is compact and lightweight
The Sako 90 Journey is compact and lightweight. Sako claims its bolt is “the most dependable, field-tested and proven bolt on the market.” It has been cycled more than 5 million times without failure. Given the three-locking lug design, it’s hard to argue with that assessment.
Reliability of Sako 90 Journey
Combined with the Sako Model 90’s reinforced and improved receiver, the action is smoother, faster, and more reliable than ever. The trigger presents a world-leading lock time of under 1.3 milliseconds. It also has five marked pull-weight adjustability settings (without disassembly), making for excellent, user-friendly, and accuracy-generating performance.
Features of Sako 90 Journey
The trigger blade position on the Sako 90 Journey is adjustable for optimal shooting ergonomics and hand sizes. The Model 90 uses a flat receiver bedding that generates improved repeatable accuracy over traditional round receivers. By allowing gases to escape evenly, the precisely crowned barrel muzzle also contributes to the rifle’s accuracy.
For the entire vary check outcomes, go to www.outdoorcanada.ca/sako90test.
Impressions of the Sako 90 Journey
I was instantly impressed with the Sako 90 Journey’s compactness, maneuverability in tight areas, and lightweight design. Even after adding a Steiner Predator scope with its 2.6-ounce H-series rings, the rifle weighed just eight pounds. The trigger was also impressive, with user-friendly access to the trigger-pull weight adjustment. It broke consistently with no creep or over-travel, ranging between three pounds and three pounds one ounce. The ultra-smooth cycling of the bolt and perfect eye-to-scope sight alignment, thanks to the adjustable comb, were notable features.
Performance of the Sako 90 Journey
The scope provided a versatile match for the Sako 90 Journey. While lower magnifications are ideal for woods, the ballistic turret and 16x magnification extend its potential beyond short range. The rifle did not disappoint at the range. It reinforced my belief that I have yet to find a Sako rifle that doesn’t shoot well. Each of my five handloads achieved better than MOA accuracy, averaging 0.737 inches. The best was Hornady’s 165-grain CX bullet, delivering a 0.570-inch group with BL-C 2 powder. Factory loads averaged 1.108 inches.
Ammo Preferences for the Sako 90 Journey
The star performer was Sako Super Hammerhead’s 180-grain Bonded Soft Point ammo, with an impressive 0.280-inch group. All three Sako loads shot well, averaging 0.579 inches. However, I noticed the Super Hammerhead 150s showed incipient stress indicators with a sticky bolt lift. This may be rifle-specific, so caution is advised in very hot weather. For the deer- and black-bear-sized game, I recommend either a Hornady 165-grain CX hand load or any of the Sako options I tested. For moose and elk at reasonable ranges, I would include Sako’s Super Hammerhead 180-grain Bonded Soft Point ammo.
THE RIFLE SPECS
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Weight: 6.4 lb
Whole size: 40.1″
Barrel size: 20.1″
Price of twist: 1-11″
Journal capability: 5 rounds
Drop at comb: Adjustable
Size of pull: Adjustable
The Versatile Steiner Predator Scope
I received my test rifle equipped with a Predator 8 scope from Steiner’s new collection. This series includes 2-16×42, 3-24×50, and 4-32×56 models. According to the company, it’s the “most versatile and precise line of hunting optics ever made by Steiner, featuring the powerful 8x system.” Given its wide magnification range and objective lens size, my 2-16×42 test scope was an ideal match for the journey. For more details, click here.
Features of the Steiner Predator Scope
The lightest and most compact scope in the lineup, the Steiner Predator scope features an integrated, customizable ballistic turret. This allows hunters to accurately compensate for bullet drops. When speed-dialing is necessary, there are three numbered movable rings that can be set to preferred distances. The turret’s audible and tactile mechanics provide reliable and intuitive operation. Zero Mode enables quick returns to zero without losing the sight picture.
Advanced Optics of the Steiner Predator Scope
Additional features include high-contrast glass, best-in-class clarity, an extra-wide field of view, and industry-leading light transmission. The high-contrast lens coatings ensure brilliant, crisp images with edge-to-edge sharpness and optimal detail recognition. For twilight or long-range hunting, or in windy conditions, the Predator offers an illuminated reticle with 11 brightness settings. The rear focal plane E3 Ballistic reticle with cascading sub-tension and windage dots is perfect for blustery days.
Durability and Warranty of the Steiner Predator Scope
The Steiner Predator scope is nitrogen-filled for fog-proofing and waterproofing up to three feet. It also comes with the transferable Steiner Heritage Warranty, which includes a full replacement at no cost for the product’s lifetime. The electronic components are covered for three years.
THE SCOPE SPECS
Magnification: 2-16x
Goal lens diameter: 42mm
Tube measurement: 30mm
Size: 13.5″
Weight: 23.4 oz
Area of view at 100 yards (low/excessive): 7.7’/62.7′
Eye Reduction: 3.7″
Parallax: 20 yards to infinity
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