SAKO A7 Bolt
Is there anything a person can do to improve the "stiffness" on a Sako A7 bolt. The way it is I can't see how it's possible to cycle the action with the rifled shouldered! I have owned a lot of Sako's over the years with "butter smooth actions" for which they are known for, and I was really disapointed when I recently purchased an A7.
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Welcome to the forum and enjoy! If I were you, since it's a new purchase, instead of fixing it yourself, I'd return it and have them fix it.
I have a M995, and you're right, the action is buttery smooth.
Good luck!
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I have not handled one of these yet, but I presume that the actions are very similar, if not the same, as the Sako Model 75 and the Tikka 595/695 and Tikka T3. I have several of these, and yes, they are extremely smooth and require very little effort to operate, even with the rifle shouldered.
If there is a flaw in your A7, take it back and request warranty service. If it is merely a bit of a break-in issue, spray it with something like Rem-Oil or another good product, and work and cycle the action and trigger while you watch some XXX-rated movies or the Super Bowl. It will likely work in, unless again, there is some manufacturing or significant finishing flaw.
The by way, I noted that the A7 was picked in a fairly recent article as one of the most accurate out of the box rifles available. There was a link on the homepage of GunBroker with the article, and the A7 was near the top of the list with something like a .6 or .7 inch average group size.
Sako, keep up the good work!!0 -
quote:Originally posted by stevecrea
I have not handled one of these yet, but I presume that the actions are very similar, if not the same, as the Sako Model 75 and the Tikka 595/695 and Tikka T3. I have several of these, and yes, they are extremely smooth and require very little effort to operate, even with the rifle shouldered.
If there is a flaw in your A7, take it back and request warranty service. If it is merely a bit of a break-in issue, spray it with something like Rem-Oil or another good product, and work and cycle the action and trigger while you watch some XXX-rated movies or the Super Bowl. It will likely work in, unless again, there is some manufacturing or significant finishing flaw.
The by way, I noted that the A7 was picked in a fairly recent article as one of the most accurate out of the box rifles available. There was a link on the homepage of GunBroker with the article, and the A7 was near the top of the list with something like a .6 or .7 inch average group size.
Sako, keep up the good work!!
Very bad presumption. The A-7 is nothing like the Sako 75, or 85. It is actually what appears to be a cheapened version of the T-3. The T-3 is buttery smooth, but the A-7 is a complete flop. It was Sako's attempt to be price competitive with the lises of the Remington 700 SPS, Savage, and lastly their sister T-3. Some claom it to be a Sako stamped T-3, but it is not even close.
To answer the question of the original post, yes there is something you can do...Get rid of it and get an 85, or a T-3.
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EDIT 1
No you didn't have the brain fart, their management did. If I were in your shoes, I would list it on the auction, or take it to a gunshow. There has to be someone out there who has their mind set on owning a Sako, just because it has Sako's name on it.0 -
Thanks tsr1965, sounds like you have handled one. I own 691's, AV's, AII's, 75's, 995's and several Tikka's and just thought I would check out the A7. A serious "Brain-Fart" on my part because I knew things have changed since the new "Takeover"! I would hate to pass this thing on to a friend or someone, so I guess I'll just "throw it in the corner" and chalk one up to experience! 0 -
tsr:
Please don't tell me that the A7 is as clunky as a Savage, a Remington, or a Ruger. Please!!!!0 -
quote:Originally posted by stevecrea
tsr:
Please don't tell me that the A7 is as clunky as a Savage, a Remington, or a Ruger. Please!!!!
No it is not, but by far the T-3 Spanks it. Sako basically came out of their market to make this thing. Yes, I do understand they are now owned in part or whole now by Beretta, but some one known for sleek, sturdy, and extremely accurate rifles with a hefty price, does not want to get into the 2x4 market that others have been playing for years. But they did it anyway. JMHO, but the A7 is a piece of JUNK. The flagships of the SAKO line are the model 75's, and the 85. The 85 is the newer rendition, but the 75 is the no corner's cut rendition. If you can find a 75 in one of the RUM calibers, grab it!!!!!0 -
Well, I have an AV, a 75, and a Tikka 595. For me, the actions, 70 degree bolt lifts, excellent triggers, and good accuracy all matter to me. They make many of the old American standbys look like Model Ts. But perhaps I should not mention any names. As you point out, Sako is trying to capitalize on its name with a lower price point product. They must shoot quite well, because as I indicated, it was one of the top shooters in the test, with an average group size of .7 or so. But of course, that is just one rifle. 0 -
tsr:
I cannot determine whether you are merely disappointed that the A7 is not as good as other Sakos and Tikkas (after all, it is much cheaper than the 85, so what would you expect?), or whether you are implying that is is inferior to a host of other clunky rifles such as Remys, Savages, Rugers, Marlins, and others.
It seems that many of us are like the frog that is put in a pot of cool water that is slowly heated to boiling. As the water warms up slowly, the frog cannot discern that he is slowly being cooked to death, and will not jump out to save himself. These manufacturers, especially some of those I named above, are slowly, but surely decreasing the workmanship in many of their products. This is all in the name of "marketing", "cost efficiency", etc. The marketing comes in where they try to cut in areas that few can discern or differentiate.
Yes, I know it is all about money and economics. But, crap is still crap.0 -
quote:Originally posted by stevecrea
tsr:
I cannot determine whether you are merely disappointed that the A7 is not as good as other Sakos and Tikkas (after all, it is much cheaper than the 85, so what would you expect?), or whether you are implying that is is inferior to a host of other clunky rifles such as Remys, Savages, Rugers, Marlins, and others.
It seems that many of us are like the frog that is put in a pot of cool water that is slowly heated to boiling. As the water warms up slowly, the frog cannot discern that he is slowly being cooked to death, and will not jump out to save himself. These manufacturers, especially some of those I named above, are slowly, but surely decreasing the workmanship in many of their products. This is all in the name of "marketing", "cost efficiency", etc. The marketing comes in where they try to cut in areas that few can discern or differentiate.
Yes, I know it is all about money and economics. But, crap is still crap.
Steve,
Feel free to e-mail me, as this discussion does not belong here...it is rather lengthy.
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