Sako A7 vs Tikka T3
- Thread starter sleepy_ep
- Start date
I've had both and I would take the Sako over the Tikka only if the price gap is reaonably narrow. I wouldn't pay $400-$500 more for the Sako A7. Both of course are excellent rifles. The added features of the A7 are nice additions, but not essential IMO.
My T3 was a tack driver. It was a 308 stainless with plastic stock. All loads shot very well in the rifle. I ended up buying an A7 in 300WSM and selling my 300WM and 308. I don't regret it, the A7 is going to be a good hunting companion for years to come. Took a couple of deer with it this fall. I'm ok with the plastic stock. Its very stiff plastic compared to other makes. I climb tree stands and ladders and a wood stock would take too much abuse banging about, but if its wood your after, the T3 would be a great choice. 270 is long action so that's what the T3 is made for. I read that posted article, very detailed. I would only add that with a T3 the ejection port is very small and the A7 is fully open from the top. If that matters to you.
In case you ever wanted to manually load a round through the port. It's harder to do on the T3.
It looks like what they did with the T3 was to make a thinner receiver, then mill out less of an opening for the port. The A7 is definately thicker, but both are light guns with the plastic stock. I'd like a 223 with laminate stock for shooting at the range. The T3 is sized for a long action, but they put shorter cartridges in it. So its appropriate for a 270. The A7 has two different size receivers from the sound of things.
you might be, if your hunting, and you have taken all your shots, and you still need a follow up, no need to remove the magazine to reload, just drop a round in from the top and close the bolt and take your shot...
good at the range as well, as you can take one shot at a time, no need to remove the magazine, and if your testing different loads, it just makes it all that much easier.
and no worries on the article, it's been around for a while, but it does a really good job of comparing them...
Either rifle would be fine, and is a whole lot nicer than a lot of other entry level rifles, like the Remington 770, etc. They are both probably better guns than most American mid-grade rifles, except for cosmetics.
People dump on the A7 and Tikka because they are a bit cheesy in apprearance, and contain more plastic than the better Sakos. I am guilty of that as well, (especially the plastic bolt shroud). It does not mean they shoot any less accurately, or are less reliable though. Liken it to buying a bottom line Lexus, or BMW. Not as nice as the high end ones, but a whole lot nicer than a loaded Neon.
People dump on the A7 and Tikka because they are a bit cheesy in apprearance, and contain more plastic than the better Sakos. I am guilty of that as well, (especially the plastic bolt shroud). It does not mean they shoot any less accurately, or are less reliable though. Liken it to buying a bottom line Lexus, or BMW. Not as nice as the high end ones, but a whole lot nicer than a loaded Neon.
I have the t3 and would have no problem telling anyone to buy the t3 but the sako is probley a higher quality firearm. But if the price differnce of $300 more the sako cost is going to make you buy a lower quality scope because you have a certain budget in mind buy the tikka with a better quality scope.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
The A7 is a piece of Junk especially in 270 and any other '06 based cartridge........Its just that someone forgot to tell that to the deer.
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