Sako A7

[Bowjack]

I am thinking of purchasing the Sako A7.  I loved the fit and feel of this rifle, and from what I understand this gun will shoot.  I am primarily a deer hunter and I was thinking of either a 7-08 or 30-06.

The advantage of this rifle over the T3 is that it comes in a short action for the 7-08.

How come you don't hear much about this rifle?  Does anyone have any experience with this firearm?  What are your opinions?

[Harry Snippe]

I am not sure where you are but here in Canada the gun dealers show the T3 lite in 7/08 .

Not much data on the Sako A7 other than they list about four or five hundred more to buy .

[Ghostman]

The reason you don't hear much about the A7 is because it's a new model that was introduced earlier this year. I have 2 stainless A7s in 308 & 25-06 and both shoot exceptional - 1/2"-5/8" 3 shot groups.

[longwinters]

I have all Sako 75's.  But have heard nothing bad about the A7's.  I don't know if you reload, but if you like the 7m-08 it is a better caliber for the reloader than just trying to buy factory ammo for.

I have the 7m-08, 308 and 280.  I like them all.  Of my 3 the 280 is the best shooter (all of them shoot better than MOA), but when hunting I always grab the 7m-08 

Long

[Bowjack]

Yeah, I didn't think you could go wrong with this gun.  I personally have never really liked the feel of the Tikka despite it reported accuracy.  To me the A7 just feels quite nice and has a good accuracy guarantee.

[Bowjack]

I am a big fan of the 3 sisters 30-06, .270 and .280 in long action rifles.  Do you think you lose much if any velocity with the 22" barrel on these rifles than a 24" bbl.

This is primarily why I was thinking of a short action in 7-08 with as I feel you don't lose as much velocity with the shorter cartridges.

Is my thinking and/or reasoning wrong?  If so, please feel free to correct me.

[longwinters]

To be honest, I am not sure that Sako barrels are as fast as some others.  They seem have a longer throat than the magazine will allow for OAL. A gunsmith told me they have something like a forcing cone, like Weatherby, that aids in accuracy, I don't know.  The only reason I don't use the 280 more is that short actions are easier to handle for me and I think that is why I grab the 7m-08 (plus I just love the 7m-08). But with the long action calibers and less than 24" barrel you might lose what, maybe 50-100fps.  That is nothing. Look at trajectory tables, it really is nothing.

Now I have not chrony'd any of my Sako's except the 280.  So my facts are very  limited in scope.  With 140 gn bullets (Ballistic Tips, Accubonds and Sierra) my 280 was real consistent at 2850fps. That was with a warm load but not a hot load.  Maybe my 7m-08 or 308 would show something else.

But I have had 6 Sako's (still have the 3) and helped each of my sons to buy theirs-a 270 and a 30-06.  I am not well off, I save a long time to get my Sako's and 4 of mine were used. But I could not ask for a better shooting rifle with a better trigger.

Have fun shopping.

Long

[Bowjack]

Thank you for your excellent reply.