What significant differences exist between the Sako A7 and Tikka T3 Lite rifles? They look the same to me with DBM, same length barrels.......is the Sako A7 just a chance for marketing the Sako name at an entry level price? As far as accuracy goes, every Tikka T3 Lite I've seen or worked on or sold through my store regardless of chambering has been a sub 1" out of the box rifle with factory ammo. Just wondering what the difference in the two models is if any. GHD

We think Sako killed it's own market by bringing out the T3 and the A7 was as you said, a lower cost entry with the Sako name.

I'd buy the Tikka.

GHD,
I don't own a Sako but the 3 Tikka's I own shoot like crazy. It's your call on this one.

gd,
I believe the only appreciable difference is that the A7 comes in actions that are appropriately sized for the cartridge. All T3's are the same action length, but have bolt stops added for the shorter rounds.
I looked at the A7 when they came out and was not impressed.
I know Cliff and some of the others have heard this story before, but a couple of years ago I sold off a bunch of my rifles to fund my first custom rifle.
Among those I kept were a Browning A-bolt 30-06 because it was the first deer rifle I bought on my own and I kept my Tikka T3 in 270. I sold off all my "Remchesters", but couldn't part with the Tikka.
They are a wonderful rifle for what you pay for them.
Ken

I remember when Ken went through his purge. I failed to bring up the point he made about the action length.
Actually, this can benefit the handloader. I have re-barreled a .243 to .257 Roberts and if I want to seat the bullets out further, I can use a standard length (.30-06) magazine as the action length already accomodates the additional length of the cartridge.