Sako A7 - first look

[popcan]

Just rec'd my .270 Sako A7 from SakoAlberta this afternoon...

What a light and quick little rifle this is...it's a honey!
I know that a lot of people can't or won't like the synthetic stock on these, but that's perfectly ok, everybody has their druthers. If that's you, don't buy one, you'll be complaining before it even comes out of the box .

At first blush, these do bear a striking resemblance to a Tikka T3 lite, especially in the stock, as the Sako synthetic has the same hollow plasticky feel and sound to it. The "checkering" is by far more positive on the Sako in my opinion though. (I own a T3 as well).

On closer inspection, there are a lot of differences from the Tikkas. Scope mounting is miles ahead, as Weaver rails are included - a bonus for me as I almost exclusively use TPS rings on my rifles.

A7 still retains the composite material bolt shroud, and the mag is also synthetic a la Tikka, but the feed lips are metal on the Sako mags.
Action seems tailored to the caliber, unlike Tikka which is long action for everything. Also, where Tikka utilizes an ejection port, the Sako is a more open conventional design, making it much easier to single load a round (from either side). More rounded receiver design as well, so it looks sleeker than a T3, I think.

Couple of interesting things: there is a bypass on the safety which allows you to keep the rifle on safe, yet you can still open the action. Also the mag is "locked" in the well, so you won't accidentally drop the mag while beating the bushes. I believe these features are available on all newer Sakos? Sako owners can chime in there.

Maybe a bit of a trade off in velocity loss vs quicker handling with the 22" bbl in .270?... something to think about.
The only extra scope I have at the moment is a Nikon Monarch 2x7 - which I find actually compliments the rifle quite well - decent magnification range in a small package that does not overwhelm the rifle, and keeps the whole package light.

Bottom line, I think I'm really going to like this little rife as long as she shoots, and that should be a no-brainer!
Worth the extra bit of cash over a T3? Yes IMHO.
BTW, Heartily recommend dealing with Clay at SakoAlberta....

...

 

[todbartell]

the ability to unload the chamber while on 'safe' is a feature of the Sako 75 & 85. Having to push up on the mag a tiny bit before it releasing is a feature of the 85 only.

Let us know how she shoots

 

[350tracker]

One thing I did notice from your pictures is the bolt handle is hollowed out the same as a Tikka. My Sako 75’s have a solid bolt handle and I think the 85’s as well. I'm curious to see what you think on how well is shoots...

 

[casterpollox]

I like the idea of being able to work the action with the safety on. The Savage uses this as well and its a feature I use all the time.

Nice purchase and the scope does look very nice.

Slim and sleak.

 

[mylesrom]

You can use weaver bases on Tikka's, they are already drilled for that.

 

[Jess]

The A7 is basically a Tikka.

 

[SakoAlberta]

popcan;
Glad to hear she arrived safe and sound and that you think so highly of it. We've sold quite a few and your comments echo others' comments. We've had a lot of people stop by to pick up a tikka(a fine rifle too) but end up with the A7. For me, it balances and points better than any tikka. The stock does have that hollow feeling(unlike the Finnlight) but it also translates into a rifle just over 6lbs. (Sold a lot of .300 WSMs and .270 WSMs to sheephunters)
I had the opportunity to shoot one in .300 WSM that a good buddy had just bought. We just loaded a few from the manual, took it out and it clover-leafed. It should be a great shooter once he has time to actually tailor some loads for the rifle.

 

[popcan]

You can use weaver bases on Tikka's, they are already drilled for that.

but these come installed by the factory already, one less thing. Stainless sling swivels included too.

 

[Algonquin]

Prolly true

The A7 is basically a Tikka.

This is interesting--are they entirely manufactured at the Tikka facility?

I like the look of the rifle pictured and would like to hear, as says TB, how well she shoots and does cold affect accuracy enough to mention.

FM

Still Luddite after all these years...

 

[blargon]

Have not handled an A7 yet, but I can't get past the fact that it feels like a Tikka and shoots like a Tikka, yet it commands 50% more $$.

What are you getting for the $$, other than the Sako name, steel feed lips and $3 weaver bases?

 

[popcan]

I like the look of the rifle pictured and would like to hear, as says TB, how well she shoots and does cold affect accuracy enough to mention.
FM

For what it's worth, Sako guarantees a 5 shot MOA group. Seeing is believing though.
How cold are you talking about? I will use this for coyotes/wolves this winter, via snowmobile, but I'm not going out if it's minus 15.

What are you getting for the $$, other than the Sako name?

all the stuff mentioned in the original post.....plus a few things I didn't mention. But like I said, lots of people can't or won't like it, for a variety of reasons. To each their own, carry on!

 

[blargon]

all the stuff mentioned in the original post.....plus a few things I didn't mention. But like I said, lots of people can't or won't like it, for a variety of reasons. To each their own, carry on!

Not saying I don't like it, I've had 3 Tikka's, and they're a pretty good value for the $$. I just figured for the extra $$ they could have come up with a better stock...

So, open-top action, safety button, steel lips, $3 bases, and $500.

 

[popcan]

Not saying I don't like it, I've had 3 Tikka's, and they're a pretty good value for the $$. I just figured for the extra $$ they could have come up with a better stock...

So, open-top action, safety button, steel lips, $3 bases, and $500.

Agreed, no doubt they want some money to stick the Sako name on it... I don't care what they call it as long as it works.... it's just my opinion that there is enough there over the T3 that I like. Would I be just as happy with a T3 Lite in .270? Probably.

I have a semi-custom Rem .308 that likely cost more than double the price of a factory version.... does it shoot twice as good? Maybe not. But I enjoy it twice as much!

 

[mylesrom]

Well, I wouldn't mind trying one, I am just hard pressed to see the 1199 price tag compared to 650 for the tikka....

 

[sheephunter]

Of all the lightweight offerings in this price range, the A7 is definitely the clear choice. If you are looking for custom gun performance at an off-the-shelf price, you won't go wrong with this rifle. I've got one coming any day now in .270WSM that will be my new sheep rifle for 2009. For serious mountain hunters, the A7 definitely hit the mark!

 

[sheephunter]

Well, I wouldn't mind trying one, I am just hard pressed to see the 1199 price tag compared to 650 for the tikka....

Not sure where you are buying synthetic stainless Tikkas for $650 but I'd buy a truckload at that price if I was you. Let's compare apples to apples here.....synthetic/stainless Tikka is $899.99......you should be able to pick an A7 up for just over a grand!

 

[SakoAlberta]

Of all the lightweight offerings in this price range, the A7 is definitely the clear choice. If you are looking for custom gun performance at an off-the-shelf price, you won't go wrong with this rifle. I've got one coming any day now in .270WSM that will be my new sheep rifle for 2009. For serious mountain hunters, the A7 definitely hit the mark!

That's exactly who has been buying them, sheep hunters.

 

[SakoAlberta]

Not sure where you are buying synthetic stainless Tikkas for $650 but I'd buy a truckload at that price if I was you. Let's compare apples to apples here.....synthetic/stainless Tikka is $899.99......you should be able to pick an A7 up for just over a grand!

When it comes the prices, guys had better be picking up what they need now if hey can find a store selling at prices set with an 'at par' dollar.

 

[sheephunter]

When it comes the prices, guys had better be picking up what they need now if hey can find a store selling at prices set with an 'at par' dollar.

Hopefully Sako/Tikka prices don't increase as much as say the Remington/Winchesters do as Sako doesn't come to Canada through the U.S. like the others do but we'll see.

 

[mylesrom]

Not sure where you are buying synthetic stainless Tikkas for $650 but I'd buy a truckload at that price if I was you. Let's compare apples to apples here.....synthetic/stainless Tikka is $899.99......you should be able to pick an A7 up for just over a grand!

Well wholesale still has them on for 679..... cabelas.ca has them for 739.00 just because epps cranked up there prices, doesn't mean everyone has yet..... My local shop is putting some on for 599 in stainless this Saturday and giving out a free pair of burris binoculars (according to them a 200 value).... so they are not 899 unless you wish to pay that. So right now that makes the A-7 at least 500 bucks more.

The sako A-7 stainless is 1199.00.