Tikka T3 vs Sako A7

Ive been looking at both those guns also and im likely going with the A7 because im buying a 308 and the A7 comes with a short action where the Tikka has a long action no matter what caliber you buy. Also the A7 has steel feed lips on the clip where the tikka is all synthetic.
 
satyr said:
Ive been looking at both those guns also and im likely going with the A7 because im buying a 308 and the A7 comes with a short action where the Tikka has a long action no matter what caliber you buy. Also the A7 has steel feed lips on the clip where the tikka is all synthetic.
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I imagine the only advantage to the metal feed lips is that resistance to wearing out. Seriously though how many thousands of rounds would have to be passed through a polymer tikka mag to wear it out? If that is a concern buy an overpriced spare tikka mag for $100 and you are still ahead of the game cost wise. You could probably buy a spare tikka mag for the tactical model or a varmint model and gain a round or two in capacity. I looked at both of these rifles and think the tikka is the better buy. You don't really gain enough going with the A7. Plus my hunting partner has a tikka in 270wsm and it is a hell of a gun. Accurate enough for any hunting and no slouch at the range either. Personally I am not a fan of either stock but in my opinion the tikka has a nicer looking stock. Is action size really even that big a deal? How much difference between the two is there really? My suggestion would be go with the tikka buy a spare mag and you still have a few bucks left over to take your wife out to dinner aka smooth the gun purchase over.
 
I think that the short action is worth it if it applies to the caliber your looking at, the A7 doesn't have any major features compared to the T3 but imo it has enough small improvements to justify the extra price also if you ever plan to sell the gun the resale value of a Sako is better than a Tikka.
 
I think if you are getting an A7 it's because you want an accurate and LIGHT rifle to carry. Whether you prefer a T3 or A7 for that role, is called personal choice. :)

There is only a superficial comparison to T3 IMHO, as there are enough significant differences to the designs.

As mentioned above, A-7 comes in proper sized action for caliber, not just a long action with stops like T3's. You can top load - from either side- on the A-7. You get a narrow ejection port only on a T3. You can work the A 7 action with the safety on - like other Sakos, if you want to.

There are some other differences too, but I'm not going to list them all. Some people just won't like the rifle no matter what. But that's why they make so many .... :D


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ehntr said:
I'm contemplating filling my A7 stock with expanding foam...to deaden the hollow sound. Anybody do this?
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Yes, and it doesn't really add that much weight. I like using strips of 'pink' fiberglass insulation. Not permanent, not messy, kills the sound and light weight too boot. :cool:
 
Just mounted a 2-7x33 leupold on mine tonight in low burris rings....still very light. LOP is perfect for me....cant wait to test drive it.

I believe it will be a Jack O'Connor special 270 winchester...130 gr. bullets in front of H 4831 . Will test Balistic tips and Hornady SST's and go from there.
 
sheephunter said:
Why buy a 5lb 15 ounce rifle and then add weight to it??????
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Well you're right, it will add weight but not heck of a lot...probably wouldn't even notice any weight change. I'm just thinking that I'd trade a few ounces for a stock that doesn't sound like the beating of the war drums lol.
 
I personally havent noticed or cared on how hollow it feels, I signed up for a light rifle and that's what I got. When I want to pick up something with some meat I reach into the safe and come out with a 61R....To be Honest ive been busy concentrating on the business end of that A7 and on the targets.......so far so good.

rings001b.jpg


This is just a bit of load development.....very promising
 
I prefer the A7 to the T3, in particular the ejection port. I also like the A7 bases compared to the T3 rail with Optilocks, that of course can be fixed with real aftermarket bases. Both have junky stocks. Both are incredibly light, but I'm not sure I'd want, say, a .270wsm in a long action if it can be avoided. The real question is, it it worth the extra few hundred bucks in my opinion? I don't know that that would be enough of an upgrade, but I do know they both shoot like sweethearts.

I'd still prefer an 85 over either, regardless of weight. If a regular sporter is too heavy for me, then I think I need to spend more time on the treadmill instead of in front of the PC!
 
ive have had alot of problems with my A7 and the magazine. but it is amazing how many people blast them without even knowing.. to start with the a7 is a 3 lug bolt.. pretty similar to the 85.
 
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