Sako A7——-gone too soon?

[High Plains]

About 15 years ago I saw the Sako A7s fairly regularly on a particular hunting show. For whatever reason, those rifle aren’t made anymore. Call it model progression, I don’t know, but I recently stumbled upon and bought a barely used A7 chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. The stock is nothing special except for the recoil pad. The action and trigger are superb. Accuracy with handloaded Hornady Interlocks was equally impressive, in my humble opinion.
What this boils down to is if I see another A7 I’ll likely grab it.

 

[jmr40]

By all accounts they were good rifles. But the Tikka's did the same thing, barrels made in the same factory, for less money. Never owned one but have handled a few. I wouldn't have paid the difference for one over a Tikka.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

By all accounts they were good rifles. But the Tikka's did the same thing, barrels made in the same factory, for less money. Never owned one but have handled a few. I wouldn't have paid the difference for one over a Tikka.

I've shot both, a Sako and a Tikka. The Sako was a 70's vintage Finnbear that belonged to my uncle. Beautiful wood and a smoother action than I have ever operated. The Tikka was an early 2000's rifle. Ugly plastic stock, but an action nearly as smooth as the Sako and very accurate. For the money, I would opt for the Tikka, unless I came across a nice vintage wood stocked, blue steel Sako.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Had a Sako Finnbear in .270 Win made in 1964. Probably the most accurate deer/elk rifle I owned. Beautiful, smooth, just a great rifle. Another buddy of mine still hunts with it in Idaho and Wyoming with it. Got the deer on the left with it in the mountains behind us.

 

[High Plains]

It makes sense that a lower cost rifle made by the same company can displace a more costly, older model. I’ve heard several people speak well about the smooth action of their Tikka T3 and how it is “the one” to use for a custom build. If the dated rifle can be replaced then it likely is——profits still matter to Beretta and since their Tikka is a good rifle it seems to me they haven’t lost anything.
My friend Roy took a stainless steel Sako to Africa and brought back a wall full of trophy plains game.

 

[Peakbagger46]

When I was in the market for my do it all western big game rifle a decade ago, I looked hard at both the A7 and the Tikkas. The outstanding Bell and Carlson stock, improved action (ability to unload with the gun on safe), and more secure magazine release made the Sako worth the premium.

Nine or ten big game animals later, I don’t regret my decision (in 30-06) in the least. I wouldn’t mind picking one up in short action but that’s definitely not a need, the ‘06 is perfect for my use.

 

[rayatphonix]

I have 2 models of the A7, Long Range and Big Game, and the Tikka in several calibers. I consider the A7’s superior due to the Roughtech stocks. At that time the Tikka stock wasn’t nearly as nice IMO. Several models of the Tikka now sport the Roughtech stocks, so my choice would different these days.

 

[Mercy Me]

I'm pretty familiar with them. Probably my next hunting rifle in '06 or 6.5 CM. The Roughtech stock is really nice.