Sako A7 long range?

[MSU Marksman]

Curious if there are any other reviews on this rifle? I stopped by a local Cabelas and fondled one for a little while. Seems like a good looking, smooth working rifle. I just want to hear a few more reviews of people who have used them in the field before I buy one for myself.

 

[lewwetzel]

I was torn between the long action A7 in .25-06 and the short action Varmint model in .243. Bought the latter (after some hassle due to Cabela's stores' sales staff not knowing the official policy of shipping between stores, but that's another story). At any rate, after over 2 weeks and no back ordered scope rings here yet, needless to say I've only fondled it, so not much help. Did see something in the manual about a single set trigger on the A7s, but don't think this one has it (or I just haven't figured it out yet. ) They do come with a 1 moa guarantee, for what that's worth...

 

[Mike 338]

For the 300 Win Mag, the short magazine puts the Berger 185 Classic Hunter at .225 off the lands. Using H-1000, 78.0 gr., I get a node that shoots 3 shots, 1/3". I get best results right at 2900 fps. Once I get up around 2930 fps and above, the groups start opening up. I'll drop down a tenth and set the bullet back a smidgen more to see if I can keep the occasional spike down.

After hunting season, I'll mess around with the 178 A-max. I like this rifle. Find the sweet spot and you got a shooter.

 

[MSU Marksman]

Couldn't help but notice they were marked down to $1099 on sale right now. And I do have a current vacancy in my safe right now for a quarter-bore ......

 

[wilkup]

Any more information on the A7 LRH?

For the guys who own both:
How does the A7 compare with the Sendero? If you had to pick one, which would you keep?

 

[MSU Marksman]

I'm still a little surprised at the lack of reviews on this gun. Maybe it's a sign?

 

[wilkup]

What I'm trying to figure out is whether the lack of reviews is because of the exclusivity of the product being available only through Cabelas or if they're just not that great...
Sako is supposedly excellent quality.

 

[lewwetzel]

What I'm trying to figure out is whether the lack of reviews is because of the exclusivity of the product being available only through Cabelas or if they're just not that great...
Sako is supposedly excellent quality.

Not looking real good for us A7 Sako owners, at least according to postings in the A7 section over on Sako Collectors Club. Seems like these Cabela's specials were the result of a direct deal between Beretta and Cabela's and the normal Sako factory warranty might not apply to these rifles, but I have not yet checked into this. Not a whole lot of love out there for Beretta from Sako owners since that company took over.
Also appears to be some snobbery directed at the "low end" A7 from owners of other Sako models.
I'm fairly pleased with mine so far, although it's not perfect (Sakos are not without their problems, I'm finding out). A stiff bolt lift, wimpy ejection of cases, and accuracy that can't quite match the other "5-shots-touching" Cabela's "reviews" yet are the extent of my issues so far.
These rifles may end up being a debacle for seller and buyers alike; they might just as easily turn out to be fine and/or be in demand in a few years. Just have to wait and see.

 

[wilkup]

Any updates on this rifle from all you new owners? Cabelas is having a sale and the 7mm is calling my name!
Is this a good rifle to purchase of similar quality to a Sendero? I'm just waiting to hear a resounding yes from current owners before joining the club.
HELP?!

 

[Cascade]

I bought one of the 7mmRM versions a while back. If the base and rings arrive this week I'll take it out this saturday.

 

[wilkup]

After heading in and checking them out, I decided I didn't like it enough to take the chance. Checked out the Tikka T3 Superlite too but the plasticy feel of it wasn't my thing.

Hopefully yours runs well once you things dialed in.

I ended up going with a Howa 1500 stainless I found at Sportsman's Warehouse and dropped it in a B&C Medalist stock, green with black webbing. Will be putting 24'', #4 contour, 280 Ackley barrel on it after having everything trued/squared up. Looking forward to the finished product =) After all the work is completed, I'll still have less money invested into this gun than I would have paid for the Sako!

 

[Cascade]

I purchased one of the sako lrh from cabelas in 7mmRM. I took it home and mounted it with a talley 20 moa base, warne rings, and a vortex viper pst (6-24 ffp).

My first trip to the range i ran a variety of factory loads through it to sight in and determine its accuracy potential. I fired 3, 5 shot groups with the factory loads to put the 5 shot MOA gaurantee to the test at 100yds. It delivered on all 3 tests. largest group came in at .877" with the smallest at .426"(federal 160 gr power lokt deer thug...LOL).

Filled with confidence as to the potential, I began developing loads for the 168 VLD's in this rifle. Loaded to magazine length , or anywhere near it, it sprays rounds like 12 guage. I did persist and find a load that shot well with the vld's but it was too long. so long in fact that a live round could not be ejected.

My second bullet attempt appears to be a keeper. Berger 168gr classic hunters, seated .015 off the lands not only fit in the magazine with room to spare, but produce itty-bitty groups(5 shot groups consistently at or under .5 moa)

testing so far has been at 100 yds but longer distances are soon to come. ill repost results when I have them.

 

[B-P-UU]

I was torn between the long action A7 in .25-06 and the short action Varmint model in .243. Bought the latter (after some hassle due to Cabela's stores' sales staff not knowing the official policy of shipping between stores, but that's another story). At any rate, after over 2 weeks and no back ordered scope rings here yet, needless to say I've only fondled it, so not much help. Did see something in the manual about a single set trigger on the A7s, but don't think this one has it (or I just haven't figured it out yet. ) They do come with a 1 moa guarantee, for what that's worth...

How are you liking the .243? Does the varmint version have a heavier barrel or is it standard contour?

 

[lewwetzel]

How are you liking the .243? Does the varmint version have a heavier barrel or is it standard contour?

Am liking this lower-end Sako well so far; just wish I had more time. Bought it with the intent of reaming it to AI, or maybe an SLR, so haven't bought dies yet. Might just leave it alone now, as the factory ammo I've tried so far has done well: 3 shots with some of that new Winchester 58 gr. plastic-tipped stuff (might be V-max?) usually gets 2 almost touching and all in a perfect vertical string max at 3/4". The only issue - a weird one - is the ammo popping out of the magazine during hot weather; doesn't matter what brand and does it with the spare bought through Eurooptic. Probably the metal lips expanding in the warm plastic; I'll figure something out, even if it's simply putting an ice pack in the bottom of an ammo box.
Didn't look up a chart, but the fluted barrel contour is about on at the heaviest end of "medium" or maybe even a light-heavy (24"), IMO perfect for either a carry-able varmint rifle and maybe deer down the road. There really is a bedding block in the decent-quality B&C (?) stock, and the barrel is (just barely) floated. Trigger isn't single-set like the Euro model A7s, but has a nice feel and is easily adjustable through the mag well; I lowered my pull a half pound but not sure how low it'll go.
I would check with Cabela's on warranty work and get it in writing, as there may or may not be an issue there...
Those Cabela's Sakos are one sale again right now and I'm tempted to to get another Varmint in .22-250. If only they made it with a faster twist barrel in '250, or offered it in .204, it'd be a definite thing.