Sako Question Part Two - A7 and Finnlight

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buckchaser

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The feedback from my previous question was pretty unanimous - Sako rifles are worth the cash in the minds of those who responded.

I have handled the Finnlight/85 in person, but have only read about the A7.

Is the A7 a worthy "Sako lite" or should one simply save up their pennies to afford an 85?

I'd like to gather as much background info as possible before seriously going into "shopping mode".
 
Guess it depends what your end use is but for a solid, lightweight rifle it fills the bill well and is priced right where it should be.
 
Dollar for dollar I am a bigger fan of the A7 than the 85. And I like the 85.
It really comes down to what you are willing to spend on "features" as some call them.
 
I have owned a Sako A7 (stainless, in 7mm-08), and I am currently an owner of a Sako M85 Finnlight (stainless, in .308).

I sold the A7 because I just could not get used to a plastic trigger guard, bottom 'metal', and detachable magazine.
Yes, I made the A7 look very pretty by exchanging the plastic bolt shroud with a stainless one from a M85 (perfect fit)..
but I like the look of stainless with walnut, and Sako does not make an aftermarket wood stock for it (big minus for me).
So, although it handled and shot beautifully, I just could not 'love' it. It got traded.

My Finnlight is a significant step up in quality. It is not the 1st M85 I've owned but, so far, its my favourite.
Beautifully finn-ished, light in weight, but built like a tank. Now I just have to acquire a second factory walnut stock for it.
When I do, she will wear pretty walnut 10 months of the year, and she will look similar to this Sako M85 Hunter in SS:

Sako_85_Hunter_SS_Walnut_20_zps883d62d7.jpg


and then don her composite stock for hunting in the rain here on Van. Island :

Sako_85_Finnlight_01_zps8d601e5d.jpg
 
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Probably depends on your sole use for the rifle. Are you banging it through the bush and swamp, having it ride in a scabbard for a day to get to your camp etc. I have a T3 that is cresting the 10 year old mark now and I am just putting a new stock (B&C) and powder coating to give the rifle a bit of a face lift. I was in a similar spot when I bought mine, I really wanted the Sako 75 but I thought if I scuff this gun up or somehow damage it that $1800 sako might make you cry seeing it damaged the $1000 A7 probably wont. With pretty much all rifles having a 3 or 5 shot 1" guarantee I find it hard to start spending more than $1000 on a hunting rifle. I am a sako fan and will probably buy one some day, likely wont be my workhorse though.
 
Bowie said:
I personally would not buy an A7. If you are happy with that much plastic, buy a Tikka and save a few bucks.
Just my opinion though.
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Or for $100 more I can get a tri-lug and maybe even an action that is properly proportioned to the cartridge I chose. And I can top load. All very important to some.
 
A-bolt243 said:
Probably depends on your sole use for the rifle. Are you banging it through the bush and swamp, having it ride in a scabbard for a day to get to your camp etc. I have a T3 that is cresting the 10 year old mark now and I am just putting a new stock (B&C) and powder coating to give the rifle a bit of a face lift. I was in a similar spot when I bought mine, I really wanted the Sako 75 but I thought if I scuff this gun up or somehow damage it that $1800 sako might make you cry seeing it damaged the $1000 A7 probably wont. With pretty much all rifles having a 3 or 5 shot 1" guarantee I find it hard to start spending more than $1000 on a hunting rifle. I am a sako fan and will probably buy one some day, likely wont be my workhorse though.
Click to expand...

This is the post I most agree with. I have had two 85s (Hunter and Bavarian). Actions were great. IMO better than the Kimber and Cooper I have owned. I traded the Hunter for the Bavarian because I really wanted one. I then traded the Bavarian because I knew I would cry if I scratched it. I just went out and bought an A7. I looked high and low at the Finnlight and the A7. In my financial position, I could simply not justify the extra $800(ish) outlay. That question can only be answered by you. Accuracy is the same. Weight is the same. Stock is cosmetically different but has a lovely "soft touch" finish. The action is essentially the same as the Sako 75 which many like better than the 85. I am very, very happy with the purchase.

Here is an excellent article that summarizes differences between the two you are considering and the Tikka T3.
 
Bowie said:
It is properly proportioned - as long as you are shooting a .30-06 lol.
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But what if I want a .308?

I still don't understand why Tikka bothers with SA cartridges.......
The only reason I would buy one would be to get a .338 Fed and punch it out to .338-06.

Potato, steak. Same plate right? ;)
 
rem338win said:
... Potato, steak. Same plate right?
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Why not just order a bigger, thicker, juicier steak? with a nice bottle of red wine ... and forget the potato.

This is 2014 for craps sake! A extra 300-400 bucks these days is nothing really. Buy the rifle you desire, the one you NEED (in every way).
If you do not buy THAT rifle, the one you REALLY want, then eventually you'll sell the cheaper option for a loss anyway.
(too many guys have a safe FULL of cheap rifles that now they really don't want).
 
rem338win said:
But what if I want a .308?

I still don't understand why Tikka bothers with SA cartridges.......
The only reason I would buy one would be to get a .338 Fed and punch it out to .338-06.

Potato, steak. Same plate right? ;)
Click to expand...

I built my 338-06AI off a Sako m75 Greywolf that was a IV action caliber (was a 25-06) with a new barrel. Can it be built off a 338 Federal??
 
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