Sako A7 BGR from Cabela's input please

I checked out a Sako A7 Big Game Rifle at Cabela's in 30-06. Felt well balanced, like the short bolt throw, 24 inch barrel, and that the safety locks the bolt, and just within my max weight.

Would appreciate any feedback on them.

Can one use low rings?

Thanks in advance.

KLM, I have a Sako Tecomate which I believe is very similar to the rifle you are looking at. My rifle is extremely accurate with many loads, both factory and handloads. I removed the railed bases that came with the rifle (which were red loctited down so beware), and installed talley lightweights and a zeiss conquest 3-9x40. Slightly heavy, but very well balanced and fits me great. Took a bit to get used to the b&c stock with the palmswell, but that's one rifle I likely won't be parting with anytime soon. If you don't like the plastic covered metal bolt shroud, you can buy an all metal one for an 85 and it will fit perfectly (I have an ss one on mine). Magazines are expensive though, but worth buying at least one extra as a spare just in cast sako/beretta decide to stop importing them like some of their other questionable choices. Hope this helps

Craig

There is an interesting read about Sako A7 Cabelas edition.
http://sakocollectors.com/forum/threads/a7-factory-stock-question.8578/

I have an A7 in 25-06. Nicest shooting and most accurate rifle I own

I also have two of them. One early version 30-06, non soft touch. Good shooter, no complaints at all. The second what I have bought used came with a soft touch stock-cal.308. It must have been one of those Cabelas edition rifles the link describes above. It was shooting all over creation when I got it. Wasted 3-4 boxes of ammo trying to find the right one, all in vain. Since the dollar bill wouldn't slide beyond about 1/3 of the barrel, I have took it out of the stock. To my surprise there was a split pillar built into the stock. The barrel was touching only the right side one. I have ground it off so the barrel is 100% free floated again. Probably voided all warranties on it but it shoots great now.

The A7 is a three lug sako action without the Sako ring issues, but with the plastic single stack magazine, and with the floating magazine configuration all sako shave.

This makes it a better rifle than most - the only draw back is the magazine - frankly I think they are more accurate the sako 85's off the shelf - which is why there cost has gone up.

My two A7's walk right with my Tikka's and are higher quality so the A7 is well placed. It somewhat torques me off that I have to get my 85's rebarrelled before they match the performance level of the T3 and A7... But at least I can admit that, most sako guys won't

Originally Posted by Spotshooter

The A7 is a three lug sako action without the Sako ring issues, but with the plastic single stack magazine, and with the floating magazine configuration all sako shave.

This makes it a better rifle than most - the only draw back is the magazine - frankly I think they are more accurate the sako 85's off the shelf - which is why there cost has gone up.

My two A7's walk right with my Tikka's and are higher quality so the A7 is well placed. It somewhat torques me off that I have to get my 85's rebarrelled before they match the performance level of the T3 and A7... But at least I can admit that, most sako guys won't

How many 85's have you owned?

Dink

I just got a Sako A7 Tecomate 300 WSM I love this rifle!
My first SAKO ever so I will have to learn about it as I go.

Looks like an expanded version of the Tecomate, available in additional chamberings. I'm fairly sure Beretta USA was the importer for the Tecomate, but am unsure who is the importer of the Cabela's version. Regardless, no different than my wonderful Cabela's exclusive "Dickinson" shotgun, the importer, not Cabela's, handles any needed warranty repairs. The importer, be it Beretta, or if someone else, will have a service in place to handle such work, if it is needed.

The Beretta imported Sako A7 Tecomate was given the 2011 Outdoor Life Editor's Choice Award and was rated "A" for workmanship, "A" for performance, "A-" for accuracy, and "A-" for value. This Cabela's version appears to be the same build on the A7, but in different traditional chamberings.

I have a safe full of Sako rifles, to include two A7s, one in 30-06, and one in 243win. Both are the original series, pre-soft touch. Accuracy and reliability have been top shelf from both. Though they are fairly light, they are not finicky and easily manage tiny groups from numerous factory loads.

I do not have the Bell and Carlson stock used on the Cabela's/Tecomate version, but I'd see no trouble placing the scope axis at the proper height to match the height of your master eye when the rifle is mounted. With my first generation stocks, both rifles fit darn near like they were custom fit to my dimensions. One uses Talley UL mounts, the other uses LEU QRW mounts. Apparently, I must have an identical twin brother employed by Sako to determine their rifle fit.

The first generation version of the A7 were a huge bang for the buck. This Bell and Carlson stocked version with the fluted barrel bumps the price up a good notch and would have me considering a Sako Finnlight. For me, purchasing this version of the Tecomate would depend upon how good a bargain I could get from Cabela's.

Best

Originally Posted by DINK

Originally Posted by Spotshooter

The A7 is a three lug sako action without the Sako ring issues, but with the plastic single stack magazine, and with the floating magazine configuration all sako shave.

This makes it a better rifle than most - the only draw back is the magazine - frankly I think they are more accurate the sako 85's off the shelf - which is why there cost has gone up.

My two A7's walk right with my Tikka's and are higher quality so the A7 is well placed. It somewhat torques me off that I have to get my 85's rebarrelled before they match the performance level of the T3 and A7... But at least I can admit that, most sako guys won't

How many 85's have you owned?

Dink

More than 3

I just got a Sako A-7 Tecomate in 300 WSM I love this gun!
My WBY`S and Win. 95 405 WCF may never go hunting again!
AMRA

Where did you find the tecomate ?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/

I agree with all of the comments above about the Tecomate A7 in .300 WSM. Mine feeds fine but I should pick up an extra mag. The accuracy has been 1/2" at 100 yards with a few loads and it balances/handles nicely. The trigger was easy to adjust and so far, my opinion would be the same as Outdoor Life's.

Yep need to get a extra mag for mine!
Plus some scope rings for the factory Weaver Bases.
And oh yea A SCOPE!

Any other feedback?

I have two A7's one .270 and one 30-06 Both shoot lights out but the -06 is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. Kimber Montana .308 a very close second..

I won't part with either A7. Ever. I'd love one in a 6.5 and a 7mm-08.

I have an A7 soft-touch stainless in .25-06. I really like the rifle - handles nicely, is accurate with my handloads and I like the feel of the stock. I am using low Talley Lightweights with a VX3 3.5-10x.

I have the A7 soft touch in .270 Win now, had an earlier model in .308. The Soft Touch shoots very well indeed. I use Leupold low rings designed for Weaver type bases with a Zeiss Terra in 3x9x42. Great combo!

Ive got a blued A7 in .243 shot a lot of critters with it shoots great .hard not to reach for it while going hunting.

Originally Posted by Shag

I have two A7's one .270 and one 30-06 Both shoot lights out but the -06 is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. Kimber Montana .308 a very close second..

I won't part with either A7. Ever. I'd love one in a 6.5 and a 7mm-08.

Will add Talley lows are no problem..

I don't see the A7 as enough different from a Tikka to justify the price difference. If you do then I do like the A7. I just like the Sako 75 better.

If it's a Sako, buy it!