Why is the Sako A7 not popular?
- Thread starter Woodbeef
- Start date
I had a Tikka T3 light in 308 which I really liked and bought a stainless Sako A7 in 300WSM when I got an opportunity to buy one at a bargain price ($800). The Sako has a thicker receiver, more access to the chamber by being open on top of the receiver, a button that allows you to open the bolt with the safety on, a change to the mag release to make it more difficult to accidentally release the magazine, and stainless feed lips on the plastic mag. The accuracy of the A7 is superb for a hunting rifle. Each rifle is factory tested to shoot 5 shots into an inch at 100 yards. I doubt I would pay $300-$400 more for an A7, but considering I got one at the same price as the similar T3, it was an upgrade in my opinion.
Yes, I shot my deer this season with Hornady 165 gr bonded bullets and 69 grains of H4831SC. The bullets are reasonably priced and perform well. I'm not getting clover leaf groups or anything like that, but if I take my time between shots they are printing into an inch at 100 yards. I'm not motivated to monkey around much with this load as its not a target gun and this is plenty accurate for my purposes. I shot a big buck in the chest with this at 150 yards and he just fell right on his belly and didn't move a foot. I also shot a doe in the neck and it punched a golf ball sized hole out the other side with predicable results. I'm kinda pleased with the doe shot. I followed her through the snow with my scope and when she crossed the path I whistled, she stopped and I shot. No need to tromp through the snow if I didn't have to. Talk about lazy eh.
i thought sako's are supposed to have about the best oe stock? Maybe not the A7's, but the 75's and 85's? Could you explain that please?
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
Lies my friend, all lies. I've owned factory "Synthetic" and Laminate stocks for my Sako 85. The Laminate is great. The Synthetic is on par with a Model 700 SPS. The Sako 75 plastic stock is the same, only with an uglier profile.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Lies my friend, all lies. I've owned factory "Synthetic" and Laminate stocks for my Sako 85. The Laminate is great. The Synthetic is on par with a Model 700 SPS. The Sako 75 plastic stock is the same, only with an uglier profile.
Actually the SPS has a much better recoil pad. I would hate to own an A7 in a hard kicking chambering. 270 win is lots for me in that light of a gun.
- Location
- Eastern Edge of the Foothills
After reading another current thread in this forum, I have a hard time beleiving this!
As far as I can understand, after being enlightened recently by said thread, you must have a 375 H&H or at a MINIMUM a .338 Win Mag in order to have these kinds of results on a deer.
Anything less than that and the deer will hop away never to be found again!
Yes, I've learned that shot placement is not very important, because if you don't use one of these aforementioned cartridges, you can even hit the deer in the heart, and it will have a good chance at walking away.
So, you must have hit an already wounded or at least very sick deer to have it fall dead right there with such a wimpy cartridge. Very lucky! That was a close one!
You mean 75.
Yes I also like my 75's
Jamie Black R/T
CGN Regular
- Location
- God's Country, AB
I have one....bought it with the burris scope deal at wholesale sports
unloaded the burris scope for 200 bucks
paid 750 for my A7 plus tax basically
Im happy with it....light, shoulders beautifully, detach mag that works, AWESOME trigger, silky action, unload with safety on, three locking lugs, .75" groups with factory ammo on the first three shots ever outta the rifle
Why all the hate? you can buy a 1000 dollar remington thats not that nice
unloaded the burris scope for 200 bucks
paid 750 for my A7 plus tax basically
Im happy with it....light, shoulders beautifully, detach mag that works, AWESOME trigger, silky action, unload with safety on, three locking lugs, .75" groups with factory ammo on the first three shots ever outta the rifle
Why all the hate? you can buy a 1000 dollar remington thats not that nice
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Are you serious ?
Yeah, I'm serious.
If you rather, liken it to the Stevens 200 in the Savage line up, or the Vanguard amongst the Weatherbys. I'm not saying it is a bad gun, or that it has any functional problems. I'm just saying that it is a bit cheesy compared to the rest of their line up.
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
ok, thought you were trolling for a minute
Yeah, its the entry level Sako . Just though comparing it to a 710/770 was a bit harsh
I put an A7 right next to and 85 Laminate and aside from the stock and magazine I didnt' think they were terribly different (I inserted the 85 bolt into the A7 and it cocked but I cant do the opposite)
If both guns had the same stock there is no way I could justify an extra 7-800$ for the 85.
I reload for both (the 85 isnt' mine) and I cant see a difference on paper.
the heavier Laminate stock helps soak up some recoil.
Jamie Black R/T
CGN Regular
- Location
- God's Country, AB
I stand by that statement (as a guy who actually owns an A7)
despite your incredibly insightful arguement of
people will be loyal to their brands and I understand that...maybe folks are just butt hurt sako is making rifles in the mid level now?
At this price point what is the comparable offering from remington? the SPS? VTR? Model 7?
I think ill keep my SAKO lol
They're just a bit nicer than the Tikka. If you can get a smoking deal on one, then I'd go for it, but otherwise I think you get a bit more value out of the Tikka. Personally not a fan of the plastic on either of them, but if I were looking for a lightweight, fantastically accurate short action rifle, I'd go with the A7. Long or magnum, save some cash and get the Tikka. If I I wanted something nice, I'd rather have the 85 (or a used 75).
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
I stand by that statement (as a guy who actually owns an A7)
despite your incredibly insightful arguement of
people will be loyal to their brands and I understand that...maybe folks are just butt hurt sako is making rifles in the mid level now?
At this price point what is the comparable offering from remington? the SPS? VTR? Model 7?
I think ill keep my SAKO lol
I'm not getting rid of my Model 85 LSS anytime soon either. But lets compare it...
Sako A7 SS- 1144$ (Ellwood Epps)
- Plastic stock
- No aftermarket support (Im really talking about McMillan/B&C/HS stocks)
- Plastic mag
- Hockey puck recoil pad
- Integral weaver bases
Remington Model 700 CDL SF- 1010$ (Bashaw, who's not even as cheap as Epps)
- Walnut stock
- McMillans out the wahzoo
- Aluminum mag assembly (not a whole lot better than plastic...but better still
- R3 Recoil pad (amazing, I've used them alot)
- No bulky weaver base/ring junk, Talley Lightweights readily available..
So....the A7 is a better deal how?
Oh...because it has three lugs...
As I said before....
'Nuff said!
