Sako A7 V.S. Tikka T3

thatmikeguy

thatmikeguy

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For those of you who bought a Sako A7, Was it worth the extra money? Are you getting
More for your money over the Tikka T3?
I already have a Tikka T3 in 223 and i love it. I have thought about an A7 but i Remain unsure.
The A7 is expensive for me but if its actually better then i might be willing to cough up the extra.
 
Seems to me like a Tikka with a Sako stamp on it. A friend of mine bought the A7 and really likes it. But it is startlingly similar to the Tikka. The A7 even has the same plastic magazine like the Tikka, and the barrels and actions come from the same factory. So all your getting is a slightly different stock.
 
The A7 has a number of differences and enhancements. The magazine has stainless steel feed lips on the A7. The mag release was redesigned to require pushing the mag in while pressing the mag release. Supposedly to reduce accidental mag dropping. The receiver is significantly thicker on the A7, allowing a much larger ejection port. This facilitates feeding a single cartridge in from the top. The T3 is tight for space in that area. The A7 comes with weaver style mounts on the receiver, the T3 requires you to buy something (pricey factory or cheaper aftermarket). The A7 has a 3 position safety that allow you to lock the bolt down or allow it to be opened while safety is on.

I had a T3 and now have an A7. I wouldn't say the above differences are massive, but they are appreciated refinements.
 
I stand corrected. Thanks Grizzly. I'll admit that I've only seen the A7 in action, and only fondled the Tikka in a store. So it is safe to say my experience in the little things with the are lacking. You learn something every day folks! :D
 
ht tp://www.biggamehunt.net/reviews/sako-a7-review


If you can get an a7 for a grand with a e1 3-9 then its a decent deal. Otherwise stick with the t3.

Lots of comparison pics.
 
Ive had both, I really liked my A7, my dad liked it more and I sold it to him but only because I found a Sako 85 Finnlight that seemed a little shinier at the time.

T3 or A7 ? I would go A7 again as i prefer the open action port.
 
I own both, A7 in 7mm-08 and T3 (laminated) in 300 WSM. Both are stainless and are great rifles. The A7 I bought new as a combo with burris scope & rings, changed out the scope to a nikon and is all I needed to do with the A7. The T3 I bought as a second owner from a friend that only shot 25 rounds with it. I have bought a one piece picatinny rail scope mount from Evolution Gun Works Inc, Leopold mark 4 scope rings and a nikon scope. Also I had to replace the plastic bolt shroud on the T3 (cracked) with a stainless steel I bought from Vertebrae. Both are similar rifles function the same the difference is the A7 has a bolt release botton next to the safety to action the bolt with safety on also the magazine has steel feeding lips (A7) which ables the magazine to be loaded in or out of the rifle which I like. The other difference I found is the T3 bolt feels just alittle loose but after replacing it the bolt shroud (plastic to stainless steel) fixed that problem. I did read somewhere the bolt shroud on the A7 is the same as Sako 85 which my next step is to replace the plastic to stainless for the A7. Nothing wrong with the A7 bolt shroud but I want to see if it will work.
 
Last edited:
Grizzlypeg said:
The A7 has a number of differences and enhancements. The magazine has stainless steel feed lips on the A7. The mag release was redesigned to require pushing the mag in while pressing the mag release. Supposedly to reduce accidental mag dropping. The receiver is significantly thicker on the A7, allowing a much larger ejection port. This facilitates feeding a single cartridge in from the top. The T3 is tight for space in that area. The A7 comes with weaver style mounts on the receiver, the T3 requires you to buy something (pricey factory or cheaper aftermarket). The A7 has a 3 position safety that allow you to lock the bolt down or allow it to be opened while safety is on.

I had a T3 and now have an A7. I wouldn't say the above differences are massive, but they are appreciated refinements.
Click to expand...

Excellent summary Grizzlypeg...thanks!
 
I love my A7 and my oldest son loves his T3, we're both very happy. Both are mighty fine rifles. It's just that he pinches his pennies more than I do!
 
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