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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 327
Campfire Member
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Thinking of buying a Sako A7 does anyone have any experience with them.
Thanks
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861 |
I bought one in 300WSM a couple weeks ago.
Screwed on a set of Talleys and a 2-7x33LR Leupold. It is a light handy rifle. Feeds cartridges like butter, you cannot tell that it evens picks one out of the magazine.
The stock ain't much but I imagine it will work just fine. I would however recommend bedding the recoil lug area. The A7 has sort of a floating lug that simply sits loose in the stock. Not a very assuring setup.
Only had it out to the range twice but load work-up appears to be about done. The only 2 bullets I've tried so far(168 A-Max/180 Partition) have gone a hair over MOA at 400 yards shooting 5 shot groups. They also both share the same POI.
The action is a little sticky extracting fired cases(light loads) but should slick up after some more shooting.
If you can deal with the 'plastic' I would say buy one.
And don't forget to send in for the free hunting coat. I got mine about a week after mailing in the rebate and it is actually a very nice jacket/coat.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,347
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,347 |
i have looked at the A7 and Tikka T3, i think for the difference in $$$, i would get the Tikka and put more $$$ on scope and rings.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21,959
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21,959 |
I bought one in 300WSM a couple weeks ago.
Screwed on a set of Talleys and a 2-7x33LR Leupold. It is a light handy rifle. Feeds cartridges like butter, you cannot tell that it evens picks one out of the magazine.
The stock ain't much but I imagine it will work just fine. I would however recommend bedding the recoil lug area. The A7 has sort of a floating lug that simply sits loose in the stock. Not a very assuring setup.
Only had it out to the range twice but load work-up appears to be about done. The only 2 bullets I've tried so far(168 A-Max/180 Partition) have gone a hair over MOA at 400 yards shooting 5 shot groups. They also both share the same POI.
The action is a little sticky extracting fired cases(light loads) but should slick up after some more shooting.
If you can deal with the 'plastic' I would say buy one.
And don't forget to send in for the free hunting coat. I got mine about a week after mailing in the rebate and it is actually a very nice jacket/coat. Good info. there, Sam. I have been thinking about one of those as well. One of these days, perhaps! 
"For joy of knowing what may not be known we take the golden road to Samarkand."
James Elroy Flecker
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861 |
The only thing I really don't like is the plastic covered shroud.
Purely cosmetic as the shroud itself is metal.
Same great trigger as the 85 and I actually prefer the straight stack magazine(3 down) to the staggered stack(4 down) on the 85. Rifle feels a little slimmer and feeds smoother.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,756
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,756 |
You go Sam! I'm glad you got a new toy, and I'm interested in how do you compare to your "Old Faithfull" mod 85? Is the 85 $600 bucks better? or any better for that matter?..................547.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861 |
Hey Craig!
I almost tossed the 85 in a juniper patch the other day. Went to cycle a round and the bolt slid right over the cartridge. Cartridges where hanging up on the head end and not clearing the top of the mag so the bolt couldn't catch it. Had to remove the follower/spring and give the spring a couple tweaks before it would work. Highly irrating.
I could live without the plastic on the A7 but of course then they'd want another couple hundred for it. Bought it for lightweight beater and it should work just fine. The stock is less solid/cheaper feeling than the 85's and the action isn't quite as slick(yet).
I would rather shoot the 85 but think I would rather carry the A7.
Probably alot worse ways to spend money....(grin)
Last edited by SamOlson; 11/01/09.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,756
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Excellent Sam! I'm thinking of buying an A7 for the same reason, I think it would make a perfect lightweight beater,and it's even supplied with weaver type bases that actually attach to the receiver with genuine screws (what a novel idea) I hunt some rough steep country at times and tend to fall a lot so I hate to take My pet rifles in there, but an A7 in .308 win might just be the ticket, how much? about $800.00 or so maybe?...........Enjoy Sam..............547.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861 |
Craig, FWIW Talley also offers LW's for the A7.
The blued rifles go about $800, S/S for $900.
Forgot to mention the stock has a pressure point about halfway down the barrel. I ground it down to remove contact when I bedded the rifle.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,736
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,736 |
A pressure point? That is weird for Sako.
BTW- Whittakers (Chris) said he would sell SS non WSM's for $749 shipped. I believe I'll order one tomorrow.
Dave
But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13
I DON'T NEED A WSM AS I HAVE A WEATHERBY!
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,463
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,463 |
I'm really liking the A7. Wish Sam would give us a report on his
WSM.
Are they making a 260?
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 417
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 417 |
I now own two of them. One in 7RM and the other in 25-06. The 7RM shoots phenominally well! 150 Ballistic tips, 4 shot groups under 1/2 inch at 100 yards. Velocity 3050.
Bob257
7mm fan!
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,736
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2003
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I also found a NIB Sako 85 Finnlite in 7RM for $1400. I don't think a fluted barrel and slightly better stock is worth $500 though.
But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13
I DON'T NEED A WSM AS I HAVE A WEATHERBY!
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,756
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Sam, Thanks for the heads up on the Talley's for the A7, if I decide to get one I'll for sure buy a set of these, and I love me some Talley lightweights it's the only ring/base I use now.............547.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,861 |
Roger that on the Talleys Craig. Here's a pic to give a guy an idea. Low LW's and a 2-7x33LR Leupold. It should weigh about 7.5lbs ready to rip. ![[Linked Image]](http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/montanasam/Roundup2009128.jpg) I'm really liking the A7. Wish Sam would give us a report on his WSM.
Bob, I gave a rundown a few posts up. Haven't shot it a whole lot yet, wanted to go to the range after work but it was dark. Here's the first groups at 400 yards. Shot it once before on the first trip out at 200 to get an idea about velocity and zero'd. 180 Partitons at 2.86" COL with 64 grains of R17 inside WW brass and a CCI250. Didn't chrony these rounds but 64.5 of '17 made 2975 on the first trip(slighty sticky bolt lift). Guessing 64 grains should go about 2950fps, right where most 180's have always shot best in my two previous 300WSM's. 168 AMAX at 2.89" COL with 64.5 grains of R17. Same POI and about 5" including the flyer in each group. Not too bad for such a squirrely little rifle second time out. Loaded up more of the same last night but pushed the bullets in another .010" hoping to eliminate the flyers. ![[Linked Image]](http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e78/montanasam/WindySonuvabitch025.jpg)
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