Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Sako A7 or Tikka T3x in .308

Hey guys,

I'm going to pick one of these two guns for hunting Eastern whitetails this fall. I'd like to get a .308 and i'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to get the Sako A7. I believe the A7 is a true short action and has a more secure magazine system. Not sure which has the better mounting system. I've seen that article online which compares the Sako 85/Sako A7/Tikka. Just looking to get opinions from guys on here who are a lot more knowledgeable about guns than I am. Which one would you pick and for what reasons? Thanks for any info.

Tikka is my pick.

The A7 is nice but you really don't get much more rifle over the Tikka. I like the Tikka magazines better and you have a lot more options for aftermarket stuff with the Tikka should you choose to upgrade in the future.

Tikka unless you just have an extra $500 burning a hole in your pocket.


Okie Uohn

I agree with the above. You can mount a rail on the Tikka if you want and it's not like the Tikka mags are dropping out,so no more secure system needed. If I really wanted an upgrade,I would spend the extra I would have spent on a Sako ,on a Mcmillan.

Having owned both, go with the Tikka. Best value for your dollar even if
the A7 shot as well.

Agreed, go with the Tikka, to their credit they both have drilled and tapped receivers unlike the cheesy clamp-on Sako 85/75 mounting system....Good luck.....Hb

Tikka and forget about it.

Sako A7 is drilled and tapped . Browning Abolt bases fit it

I like the magazine,action opening much better on the A7 , the synthetic stock is flimsier then the TIkka . There is not a 500 dollar difference between both in stainless, I suggest someone shop around a little better.

Why Tikka went to that drop magazine instead of the 595/695 is beyone me. It is the biggest detractor for me even more so then the plastic bottom "metal"

You can't go wrong with either rifle.... if the cost is the same I'm going for the A7. If not then ,Tikka all the way.... this is coming from a guy who owns 14 T3's and one A7

Another vote for the Tikka. I put EGW scope rails on mine because I like the ring spacing options it provides.If you handload take advantage of the Tikka being a long action and buy a 30-06 length magazine 10 minutes worth of work with a dremel and a file on the bolt stop and your in COAL heaven.

I'll be the dingbat that says Kimber Montana though. Always wanted one in 308..

Once you get a tikka t3x and put it in even a b&c and add the mountain hardward bottom metal you are treading in Montana water.

If you're going with a .308, I'd get an A7. Might as well have a short action rifle if you're getting a short action cartridge. That said, the T3 in .270 is an excellent deer rifle. Similar recoil to the .308, but flatter shooting. I love mine.

I am with Okie John, above - Tikka, unless you have an extra $500 burning a hole in your pocket. I have owned 5 Tikkas, including a T-3 Hunter in 308. My favorite for big game is the T-3 Hunter in 6.5x55 Swede, but I like them all.

I have owned about as many Sakos, too. I had a few stinkers in the bunch of Sakos, but none of my Tikkas were. Buy your favorite caliber and be happy.

Is the .308 in a long action Tikka that big of a deal? I hear the bolt throw is a short action throw. I'm guessing you'd only be saving a few ounces if it was a true short action, obviously a slightly shorter gun.

I actually just checked the A7 and the weights are listed as the same for 270/30-06/308

those weight numbers cannot be correct.

link to sako a7

I have the Stainless A7 in 308. Took it out shooting pigs a couple of weeks ago. A mate had a Tikka in 308 along as well.

The ability to top up the mag from the top without taking the magazine out is a great feature when multiple targets are in the offing. It's also nice on the range for the same reason. The A7 seems nicer in the hands as well, a true short action.

The A7 magazine allows an OAL of 2.907 which I love. I can load any VLD bullet to kiss the lands and still fit in the magazine.

The only downside for me is it's only a 3 shot mag, but I carry it with one up the spout which gives me 4.

I decided all those things were worth the extra few hundred bucks. Both nice rifles.

I should add that even though the A7 stock is plastic, it's kind of a soft touch feel thing and carries and shoots real nice. No slipperiness even when sweaty. Really stiff for plastic, which may be contribute to the excellent accuracy. Great recoil pad too.

I was going to put it in a Macmillan but given I like the factory stock so much I saved myself a lot of money over the Mac.

I agree on the A7 stock, the soft touch finish does feel great......Hb