Any Sako A7 shooters?

reeljob

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Minuteman
Jan 10, 2009
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Galax, VA
I just ordered a Sako A7 Big Game chambered in 300 win mag. I have been looking for a lighter weight hunting/LR rig. I found the ss version fluted, threaded, 1-11" twist in the spiderweb stock.
Just wondering if any of you guys have any experience with this rifle. I was looking at the Tikka and stumbled upon this one, they had one more in the warehouse so I jumped on it at a great price!
Model is ​​​​​​ JRMBG31TB.
 
It appears nobody on the Hide is familiar with this rifle. I received the rifle and she is slick! The action is smooth as butter and the lines are beautiful. SS fluted, 24" barrel threaded in a little, but not much heavier sporter weight profile. Stock has an aluminum bedding block and barrel is free floated. I have ordered two flush cups and a rail for my Atlas to install soon. The stock is very nice and has the feel of a HS Precision.
I worked up a load of Retumbo and a 208 Amax and headed out to the range. With the SWFA 5-20 HD she is turning in tiny holes at 100 and sub moa past 700 so far. Snowing here today so further distances where not visible today.
I had looked at the Tikka and had ordered this rifle thinking the barrel was varmint weight. I was a little disappointed to find that it was not but after handling the rifle I felt this would make an awesome light weight hunting rig. The provided factory muzzlebreak is very effective and recoil was quite manageable even on frozen, slick ground with the Harris.
Aftermarket support is not there yet like the Tikka and mag is limited to three rounds and OAL lacks where I would like the 208 to be but accuracy is definitely there as would be expected from Sako.
Disappointed at first but estatic now, the A7 in the Roughneck stock is going to be a table provider no doubt.
 

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I'm pretty familiar with them. Probably my next hunting rifle in '06 or 6.5 CM. The Roughtech stock is really nice. I haven't seen one of the threaded ones in person yet, but I've seen them on buds and other places. Any pics? Especially of the brake and thread protector? Also, did you use the provided bases or something else?
 
I'm pretty familiar with them. Probably my next hunting rifle in '06 or 6.5 CM. The Roughtech stock is really nice. I haven't seen one of the threaded ones in person yet, but I've seen them on buds and other places. Any pics? Especially of the brake and thread protector? Also, did you use the provided bases or something else?

I will get some pics up shortly. The published info states a standard muzzle thread but it is actually a metric. I am currently using the provided bases but I did order a Talley one pc 20 moa pic rail yesterday.
Definitely a great candidate for a lighter, LR hunting rig!
 
Thanks! Congrats on the new rifle too! They do make the range version too. Same rifle with heavy fluted barrel and raised comb. Similar to a Sendero in weight and balance, but not ideal to carry. I think you did good!
 
I have an A7 in .243 and it’s an awesome rifle. Very accurate out of the box and the bolt is super smooth.


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I am Brent from Coloado. I just purchased an A7 in 300 win mag 2 weeks ago and I like it very much. Replaced the scope mounts with Talley 20 MOA alluminum mount(helped improve 3 shot groups at 100 yds by approx 25%). Using hornady brass, cci magnum primes,hornady 208gr, 71gr H4831, loaded to max magazine length, Bushnell elite 6-24x,bipod and rear bags, have been able to shoot 2 separate 3 shot groups in ideal conditions of 1.1 inch at 300 yards and 0.5-0.8 inches at 100 yds. Seems to like a firm shoulder hold for best results. Made the mistake of shooting one round without hearing protection, I will never do that again. ( approx 2750 -2825 fps).
 
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Does not appear to be tapered. As A side note I spoke with Jeff at CDI Precision and if there is enough interest he will begin making bottom metal for the long action. AICS mag capability will be a worthwhile upgrade!
 
The only gripe I ever had with my A7 was the ejected brass falling back into the action due to hitting the scope turret cap (low profile turret). Other than that the action is damn nice.
 
I sent Jeff my A7 (long range model) a couple of years ago for a couple months to look at to build bottom metal for. He wound up having too much on his plate to do it. He offered me a free bottom metal for my trouble. I never took him up on it as it wound up being a year or 2 before I needed another. Wish it hadn't been so long, could use a free model 7 DBM now.... Good guy though.
I wound up selling the gun for that exact reason. The mag was the restrictive part. I couldn't ever get the OAL that I wanted to run without single feeding. (Limited to exactly 3.34)
There was exactly zero options to get around that issue.
I had LRI flute the bolt. Looked awesome. Had Murphy precision make a custom taper 30moa rail. Modified KMW's Sako Quad bolt knob to fit. Was a pretty slick gun and would still have it if there was a bottom metal solution.
 
I'm new here and really glad to see these informed posts on this model Sako.
I've ordered the exact same rifle in 300 win mag, and will pick it up in a few weeks. Based on reviews of the gun and researching, I ordered the AtlasWorxs alloy trigger guard and replacement mounting bolts. Have it in hand and it appears top quality, so I will also order their Alloy bolt shroud. The only plastic left that might concern me is the magazine.
I've also have the EGW Picatinny 20 moa scope mount (Vortex recommended) and Vortex PMR rings in .97 height to attach my Vortex Viper PST 3-15x44 FFP scope that I am stealing from my 6.5 Grendel build.
I'm hoping I'm on track to have a very accurate and lightweight meat bringer and steel shooter.
I'm still doing my homework on a bipod, I've already got one on my Grendel build with a Picatinny mount, and as I think a bipod would only be used at the range, I may just go without.
 
I have an A7 in .308, nice little hunting rig. Never had any plans to do anything with it other than but but this does make me want to tinker.
Having done a complete build on my Grendel, researching which parts would create the best rifle for my application, I quickly learned that there is no perfect rifle. Everything is a comprise, be it weight, price, reliability or accuracy.
I feel the Sako A7 is everything a long range big bore rifle should be in the basics, and the cost compromise to the higher cost Sako's is largely the bits and pieces.
I hope you love your Sako, I plan to make mine a heirloom my son will enjoy equally in the years to come.
 
Having done a complete build on my Grendel, researching which parts would create the best rifle for my application, I quickly learned that there is no perfect rifle. Everything is a comprise, be it weight, price, reliability or accuracy.
I feel the Sako A7 is everything a long range big bore rifle should be in the basics, and the cost compromise to the higher cost Sako's is largely the bits and pieces.
I hope you love your Sako, I plan to make mine a heirloom my son will enjoy equally in the years to come.

I appreciate that sentiment, I had not really considered that honestly but i suppose i should. I still treasure my first rifle my father gave me. Ill give you one guess what it was....not a Sako.
 
If you're anything like me, I would hope is was a vintage Weatherby.

Indeed.

Mark V in 300 WTBY Mag - you have never seen a 12 year old with a bigger grin then when my father finally let me shoot it. Then gave it to me. More than a few of my friends have been gifted extra brows from that vintage bushnell.

The A7 was acquired for bad weather hunting, didnt have a wide range of caliber choices at the time. I figured it was not a big deal as at you couldet see past 50 yards in the trees anyway so stopping power vs an 06 was negligible. That and it left the door open for another stainless Sako in a magnum caliber in the future !

I need to stop buying rifles and start buying scopes!


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