SAKO launches new A7 Hunting Rifle with Bells and Whistles Web Site
Beretta, which now owns both SAKO and Tikka, has just introduced the new SAKO A7, based on the SAKO 75, but designed to sell at a lower price point. It retains many of the better features of the SAKO 75, including adjustable trigger (2.2 lb. minimum pull), three-lug bolt with 70° throw, and ergonomic stock. The A7 offers a new 3-round detachable magazine, with an improved latching mechanism drawn from the SAKO 85.
To learn more about the A7, visit www.SakoA7.net, a whiz-bang Flash-enabled website with photos and specs. Caution–the site has obnoxious sound effects and navigation like a video game, but we guess Beretta’s marketing gurus decided “bells and whistles” would sell more rifles.
Unlike most SAKOs, the A7 lacks a dovetail on the top of the receiver that would allow you to mount rings directly to the action without the need for a separate scope rail. In deference to American shooters, who seem to prefer separate mounting rails, The A7 ships with Weaver-style scope mounting blocks front and rear. In our view, the dovetail is actually a cleaner, lower-profile, and more rigid set-up for a hunting rifle, but this is one more example of building a product the consumer thinks he wants, whether it makes sense or not.
Notably, Beretta is marketing the new SAKO A7 with an accuracy guarantee — One MOA for five shots. While that’s not spectacular, few other major gun companies (Cooper being the notable exception) provide accuracy guarantees for their hunting rifles. SAKO claims that “Each rifle must place five shots within one inch at 100 yards or it doesn’t ship.” Sako A7 gun weight (without scope) averages 6.5 pounds, while length of pull is 14 inches. Calibers and twist rates are shown below. Unfortunately, no fast-twist 6mm barrels are offered with the .243 Win chambering.
Maybe they should have spent some marketing dollars on spell-check. The opening page says “wolrd-class accuracy”
Comment by Marksman — January 30, 2008 @ 11 pm
I’m becoming rather upset with what Beretta has done to Sakos. I don’t care for the genetic experiment that is the 85. When someone wants a Sako they want a European styled gun, Monte Carlo, Palm Swell, simple, elegant lines.
I will keep my 75 in 300 Wby (a round hard to get). I tried for years to get a 75 Finnlite in 6.5×55, why ya reckon, if you can find one at all, they go for twice the original price? Duh, Beretta, get a clue.
So I will also hold onto what is the next best thing, my Tikka T3Lite in 6.5×55. I’d consider one of these T7s if they didn’t come with what annoys me about the T3-the three round chintzy clip.
But when it comes down to the wire my T3 puts ‘em all in a quarter at one hundred, wicked sub MOA.
And the scope I got on it cost more than the $500 I paid for the rifle.
You blew it again Beretta.
Sakos have never been for the Eric, Tim and Bubba set anyway.
Comment by cwebefree — June 11, 2008 @ 11 am
Wow that looks a lot like my new Savage Hunting Rifle.
Comment by Hunting Rifle — July 10, 2008 @ 3 pm
Now days “new”, “improved” etc. are just euphemisms for cost cutting. Cheaper materials, less features (”lacks a dovetail on the top of the receiver”)and overall degradation in quality.
Guaranteed one MOA. “With better out of the box accuracy that any other rifle on the planet”……… Sheeesh!!!
When all that matters is the bottom line………what else would you expect.
Sakos have always been for shooters that appreciate quality and are happy to pay that bit extra that goes into it.
I agree with cwebefree..Eric, Tim and Bubba have got plenty of plastic rifles to buy that are quite adequate.
Berreta should be ashamed. It can take decades to build a good reputation but only a couple of years to ruin it.
“beginning of a new era” all right…….unfortunately.
Comment by Neil — July 12, 2008 @ 6 am