I'm looking at purchasing a Sako stainless rifle in 30-06 or 300 Mag to be my all-around hunting rifle. I'm looking at the pricing and wondering what the major difference between an
A7 and the 85 that makes the 85 so much more expensive. I picked up a Forrester this fall and that's what sold me on buying a Sako. Any help would be appreciated.

A7 has an action closer in design to the 75 than the 85 . Push feed vs semi controlled feed .
No scope mounting dovetails on the A7 . Comes with alloy Weaver - style bases . Polymer vs steel bottom "metal" and magazine . Polymer boltshroud . Two piece bolt with bolthandle attached by a screw on the A7 .
Plunger ejector on A7 vs mechanical blade ejector .
Bedded slightly differently too from memory .
A7 is halfway between a Tikka T3 and a Sako 85 IMO .

Just go find a nice used Finnbear in 30-06 or 300 win. The new sakos don't compare to the older guns in my opinion. I looked at an A7 and was not impressed at all and I think that the 85 is way over priced. That is only my opinion. Daryl.

I've got a bunch of the 'older' Sako's, L-461's etc. and I prefer the 75's and 85's. I would not go to an A-7, it is the 'cheapy' version of a Sako, and built of less stern stuff.

Every single 85 I have, which is a bunch, has been VERY accurate. All of my 75's have also, maybe just a little more tweaking of the loads or such, but I also have several more 75's than 85's.

It is definitely worth the money in my opinion to step up to a 75 or 85, even though the 85 has been the current production model for a few years now, you can find NIB 75's for really good prices.

Good shooting!

+1 to Fish30114

We are two of the bigger Sako fans around here and probably for the same reasons. They shoot great, are smooth, have superb triggers and feed well.

I do a bit of work on rifles but never on the Sako's, they just don't need anything to shoot well. The McMillan Edge stock looks like something I might have to try eventually but they still work just fine out of the box. They don't need to be rebedded or have pressure pads removed etc. like a lot of other rifles OTB.

You might decide on the 75 vs 85 on whether you prefer the Monte Carlo style stock with a Wundhammer swell like you'll find on the 75's or the 85's if you prefer a straight Classic style stock.

I much prefer the mag release on the 85 version. IMHO the semi-control round feed on the 85 is not that big of a deal vs push feed on a 75 - both usually work perfect.

I haven't shot an A-7 yet but have read some good reports on them. If you just can't afford a 75 or 85 you might consider one but I think you could find a new or like new 75 for about what the A-7's are selling for.

I don't know that there is a really bad choice when it comes to Sako rifles (as long as it's not one of the recalled ones HC ), Good Luck..................DJ

I'm a Vintage Biggot myself "A" actions or L61R's for me

http://forums.accuratereloadin...3221043/m/3361034321there is another thread just like the one you posted called (A7 vs finnlight) on page 2.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushchook:
A7 has an action closer in design to the 75 than the 85 . Push feed vs semi controlled feed .
No scope mounting dovetails on the A7 . Comes with alloy Weaver - style bases . Polymer vs steel bottom "metal" and magazine . Polymer boltshroud . Two piece bolt with bolthandle attached by a screw on the A7 .
Plunger ejector on A7 vs mechanical blade ejector .
Bedded slightly differently too from memory .
A7 is halfway between a Tikka T3 and a Sako 85 IMO .

Incorrect, The bolt is closer to a 75 but the action design is taken from the 85. http://www.biggamehunt.net/sec...Review-09090804.html