Sako A7 vs Win M70 extreme weather --- thoughts?

D

deerfarmer

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I have a hankering for a stainless synthetic rifle and am torn between these 2 firearms. I've never owned either and unfortunately I'm not in a position to handle either of them at the moment. Was looking for some feedback on what owners of them like or dislike.

I like the A7's safety position, overall look of the rifle and accuracy guarantees, but I'm wondering if it's the kind of rifle that will be around 20 years from now, or will I have a nice barrelled action and a beat up stock?

Model 70 EW has a nice B&C stock on it but I'm not sure how I feel about the wing style safety?
 
I have used M-70's since the early 70's, so I'am partial to them. The 3 position wing style safety is very good and easy to operate. All the way rearward the trigger and bolt are inoperable. Halfway forward, and it is a positive indent so there is no fiddling to get it half way, and the triger is locked but the bolt is operable. Huge saftey feature when loading and unloading the rifle. All the way forward and everything works, all safety's off.

This type of three position safety is very popular. Kimber uses it on there rifles as well as many custom rifle makers. I can't say much about Sako as I have never used one. They say they are good rifles and like M-70's they have a good reputation and a strong following.
 
I have owned 2 W70 extreme weather and one Model 70 alaskan. I still own 2 of the 3. Both the extreme weathers grouped solidly under 1" @ 100yds shooting factory ammo. I'm not talking about having shot a couple good groups, I mean they did it many times. The Model 70 alaskan took some handloading but it easily groups well below MOA now.

I love the stock, action, balance and feel of the extreme weather. It is a great rifle. The 3 position wing safety on the model 70 is perfect for a hunting rifle.
 
Sounds like the M70 safety is very well liked. One of these rifles will likely become my main hunting rig so I'm kind particular to feel and function. I'm looking to cross over from Model 700's :) ... still like them just want to try something new and these 2 rifles have a lot of features I like.
 
I have the Sako A7 short action and really like it. I like the DM. Some folks call it a mistake by Sako, but I have no problems with it. I did see a warning somewhere not to use a bi-pod with it, so I don't. Apparently the sling stud could break out and taking a chunk of the stock with it.
 
I'm a Sako fan. I have had my first sako rifle I bought new back in 1997 - Sako m75ss 300WM...still my main rifle today!! I have several Sako m75 rifles now, plus a couple Tikka T3's.

Cant cooment on the new Winchester, never handled one, nor needed to!
 
I'd take the M70 anyday. Better stock, better safety, hinged floorplate instead of a DM...I think it's more of a sturdy no nonsense hunting rifle than the Sako.
 
My buddy picked up an A 7 in 30-06. Nice shooting and feeling gun. I am sure it will be around 20 years from now. Personally I think the sako is higher quality then the winchester.
 
I like my Sako A7 in 300WSM. Can't see how I could improve on it for a hunting rifle. The detachable mags work great, and the plastic stock is very functional. To me, its a higher end, accurate, no frills, all weather rifle. The trigger is superb, bolt, mag and safety are all slick to use. Has a nice low glare matt finish on the action and barrel. Looks like they bead blasted it to give it a frosty appearance, rather than a machine finish.
 
I had an a7 and still have my m70 extreme weather. No brainer the m70 is the better gun.

Stock is much better, all steel, easy bolt disasembly, fluted barrel feee floated.

Sako has a tupperware stock, not free floated, plastic bolt shroud, magazine, trigger guard. The recoil lug is a joke. 1 inch square piece of aluminum that sits in the plastic stock.

Buy a tikka if you want a rifle with the budget cuts of the a7. T3 is worth the money. A7 is not.


M70 ew hands down.
 
I've had a couple A7s. Both very lightweight and super accurate. I broke the stock at the front sling swivel on the first one but they've since reinforced that area of the stock adding a bunch more strength and a couple ounces of weight. Of the two you listed I'd take the A7 hands down but both are nice rifles.
 
Ive wanted a m70 since I can remember. Picked up a new fw at christmas for myself and let me say it did not disappoint. Everything about it seems alot better then whats out there in turns of feel and strength. The action is a chunk of steel with an integral recoil lug. The bolt seems heavier duty as well And hey its a mauser copy made by fn is there anything better?
 
First off I am not a Winchester guy, I am a sako guy. But of the two listed I would pick the Winchester hands down. You are getting much better value with te Winchester. The sako will shoot great, but you are just getting better features with the Winchester. Higher qulity stock, bottom metal, bolt shroud and safety.
 
I'd take the M70 any day of the week. It's a better rifle without any of the obvious shortcuts.

There is more to life than marginal improvements in average accuracy.
 
Very good feed back all - much appreciated! I've read about people not liking the B&C stock size before as well. I have a medalist on one of my rem700's and don't find it bulky at all. Does the model 70 have something a little different? I did notice the M70 B&C has a nice end cap on it which I like. Keep em coming!
 
If you're buying one of the new A7's, the bipod issue has been taken care of, probably 1 - 1 1/2 years ago. I've got a .270 from before then, and it is extremely accurate with not only hand loads but also factory, and I definitely like the weight, sold my Weatherby because it was just to heavy to pack around. I'm looking at buying a couple more in different calibers. I do like detachable mag's is a big reason over the M70, also the weight of the synthetic stocked M70's is not light. IMHO
 
I used to own Winchesters (and Remingtons) but I sold them.

Last January I bought a Sako A7 in 7mm-08 and that gun was sooo accurate! But there were a couple of things that I did not like about it (e.g. the plastic trigger guard), so I traded it.
What did I trade it for? No, not a Winchester M70. I traded it here on EE for a minty 2nd-hand Sako Greywolf (SS/laminated) in .270 .. and she is a beauty!

My suggestion? Do NOT buy a lower-end Sako .. instead, be patient, and when you find one .. buy a mint-condition 2nd-hand high-end Sako .. (for probably the same price as a new plastic-stocked Remchester). You will not be disappointed.

Quality - there is really no substitute.
 
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