ok fellas I've made up my mind a want a 7mm rem mag and had my mind made up on a Tikka T3x. so, to my question. would I gain anything except a better stock by going with a Sako A7 roughtech pro in the same caliber i.e. accuracy,bolt smoothness etc? also, I've heard about sako ejection issue which I've never had in any of my Tikka T3's. what would y'all do? go with a Tikka T3x superlite and get a better stock or go with the Sako A7 roughtech pro??

My SIL bought a used Tikka T3 Lite in 7mm Rem Mag. stock rifle. He mounted a scope and picked up a box of HSM ammo loaded with the 168 Berger. We went to the range and after zeroing it in, we both shot cloverleaf 3 shot groups! he killed a nice 5x5 bull at 250yds and got complete penetration. Good rifle, especially "right out of the box". I love the older Sakos, can't see the extra expense for a modern one myself when Tikkas are around. Hope that helps. Now, just having a "Sako" rifle will give you points in camp, especially around the campfire at night! Everyone loves a Sako!

Sako has just revealed their many new models for 2018.

sako nor tikka isn't chambering the 280 rem are they?

I like Sako’s, I have the older L-61 models. I’m sure the new ones are really good.

Sakos are fine, accurate rifles. Not sure about the model you mention or it's place in the current ejection problem situation. I'd probably go with a Tikka for hunting because it's light, accurate, and works well.

For nice, I'd find a two-lug, or any other model before they moved the ejector to its current position. Don't want to carry them very far, though, just like a couple nice rifles I have myself. I've just become aware of some aftermarket bottom metal for the Tikka as well as metal mags that bump them up a notch for me.

That depends on if you're happy with the factory Tikka stock. If you plan on replacing it the number gets you much closer to the A7 which has better furniture.

I would go with a SS A7 synthetic, I own both rifles T3x and A7 and have owned a roughtech. I hated the roughtech stock, I will probably at one point restock the A7 in an edge stock. It is a 7mm rem mag as was the roughtech.

^^^This ^^^^^

I like the older Sako rifles also, especially ones with beautiful wood, but they are heavy.

The A7 is to me very similar to the T3. I believe it to be better made but not by a whole lot. The A7 does have some nice features. I really like the bolt unlock button, the short bolt lift and magazine retention of the A7, but the A7's I have don't shoot any better than my T3's. Which in reality they would be hard pressed to do because my T3's shoot fantastic.

Sure wish one of them would chamber some .280 Rem's.

You can always go all in and get a 85 Synthetic SS or Finnlight and go kill stuff.

Do your research on sako ejection problems before buying a model 85.

I hear ya on that one mag. I'd love to see either sako or tikka chamber for .280 rem.

Tikka did chamber the M695 in a .280 Rem

I like the Sako A7 in 270 Win except the magazine. Very hard to remove, compared to all other rifles I,ve owned.
Magazines are $85.00 dollars very high.

YOu can get them for 76 bucks on Broker shipped. They are not hard to remove at all, it is just a 2 step process.

Would LOVE to see someone get a special run of T3's in .280 with 24" barrels.

From a function and accuracy standpoint,I don't think you will gain anything with the Sako. It's not like the Tikka stock limits the rifle's ability. You might choose one over the other just based on how it feels in your hands. Personally,I would probably go with the Tikka in a Superlight and do some modifications,like a Edge stock, as I had the money.

Really would be a personal choice of which one you feel fits you better. My tikka in 7rm is just as accurate as my sako which was about double the price. You could buy the tikka and use the saved money for scope/mounts or buy the sako. They’d probably shoot about the same. Blake

Things to consider. While the Tikka's I've observed are very accurate their plastic magazine are junk & expensive. This past hunting season a fellow hunter dropped his loaded Tikka clip with 3 rounds in it. Struck the cold hard ground & cracked like an egg. A new Sako many $$$. My advice pick up a used control round feed Ruger or Win. 70. You now have an action with a brute of an extractor & a fixed absolutely reliable ejector. You also have a sturdy box magazine than you can reload if necessary from the top. No need to remove a clip. Send it off & have it re barreled ( stainless bbl. ) to the cartridge of your choice. You will have a quality rig at less cost than a Sako. Think about it.. There are an abundance of these rifles on the used market.

or a .280 AI - either is what you really want ! Of course, if you don't reload, it becomes a bit of a quest for ammo though,.

^ This ^

but realistically 22" is fine in both the .280, and .30'06; both are only loaded to 60K psi
If your plan is to set-back & re-chamber etc. to AI , just get a .270 or .30'06 donor and rebarrel !

If your plan is to load up the .280 to 65K psi ( ala .270 Win ) , Carry On, ( with either length ).
Your ears will like the longer bbl, and your analytical mind will like the extra MV

Tikka before an A7 IMHO...You want a Sako? Buy a Finnbear. Finnlight, or an older L61R. These are real deal Sako’s.

Tikka before an A7 ? Based on what ? How many of each do you own/owned?

I personally own three L461 Vixens. One in 222 Rem, one in 223 and one in 17 Rem. I also own an AV in 300 Wby and a Sako 75 Deluxe in 300 ultra mag. AV’s are just like a Finnbear without all the “bling”. Last, I own a Sako L579 Forester/Bofors barrel in 243.
So, based on my ownership on Sako’s and comparing them to an A7. I stand by Tikka being a better rifle for the money than an A7.

But you never owned an A7 and apparently a T3 or T3x. I don't comment on things I don['t own and use, so you are basing your evaluation on hearsay.. I have both and have owned 75's and AV's in about any decent hunting cartridge . The A7 has a better more secure magazine system, a smoother action then the T3x and costs maybe 150 bucks more . Note I am comparing a T3x synthetic vs Sako A7 synthetic. I have yet to have a AV shoot as well as a 75 and only owned one 75 that will shoot with a T3x or A7. Real Deal Sakos GMAFB.

Correct, I’ve never owned an A7, just held them, looked them over when I was considering buying it. But, comparing it in fit and finish of the AV, 75, L461, L61R, or an L579, the A7 wasn’t even close in craftsmanship...If you are trying to say your A7 is as good or better in build quality than the above mentioned. Then you are only trying to inflate your low ideals of a quality built rifle. The A7 isn’t even close. Now, you may have a fine shooting A7 and good for you. Their are a lot of people who have a great shooting Remington SPS too. But, that’s doesn’t make it the same quality as a 1990’s Sendero or VSSF. I have shot the Tikka T3 and found it had a nice action and good accuracy out of the box. And, for the price not a bad bargain. IMHO, the original OP may like the Tikka better than an A7, but, he may like a really well made Sako even better. Unlike you, pard.

[/quote]
Correct, I’ve never owned an A7, just held them, looked them over when I was considering buying it. But, comparing it in fit and finish of the AV, 75, L461, L61R, or an L579, the A7 wasn’t even close in craftsmanship...If you are trying to say your A7 is as good or better in build quality than the above mentioned. Then you are only trying to inflate your low ideals of a quality built rifle. The A7 isn’t even close. Now, you may have a fine shooting A7 and good for you. Their are a lot of people who have a great shooting Remington SPS too. But, that’s doesn’t make it the same quality as a 1990’s Sendero or VSSF. I have shot the Tikka T3 and found it had a nice action and good accuracy out of the box. And, for the price not a bad bargain. IMHO, the original OP may like the Tikka better than an A7, but, he may like a really well made Sako even better. Unlike you, pard.[/quote]


So your opinion doesn;t mean diddly since you have not had either T3 T3x or an A7. It is a hunting rifle not a showpiece, the metalwork on an A7 is the equal of a 75,85 whatever with the exception of the magazine and plastic . I have had older Sakos if you had read my post, they didn't shoot as well as the current versions, some had a squirrely recoil lug system(sako aIII) , I only started getting really good accuracy with a Stoeger 75 30-06 which shot circles around my Sako Fiberclass AV in the same cartridge. The 75 SM 300 WSM was a tack driver. The Deluxe had a nice magazine system but still could not shoot with a Tikka or A7.

In short I might have owned a dozen sakos of all flavors since the mid 80's, the standouts in the accuracy department were the 2 75's I mentioned 75 and an older A7 i owned which I had to rebed. I will see how this one shoots but I will not buy another one unless the 85 gets redesigned. A well made rifle is not worth crap if it doesn't shoot as good as it looks. Have a great day Pard LMFAO

I hope you guys feel better now.