Tikka t3 or Sako A7

[Kieranglen]

Looking to purchase a .243 in the near future, spend hours upon hours looking at them but cant make a solid decision to what to go for. Kind of settled it on being between a t3 or an a7 i know both will be good rifles and they seem to be the ones you get the most package deals on and are reasonably priced. Just wondered what everyones thoughts are?

 

[ChesterP]

T3. Lighter, barrels made probably in same factory, A7 was more expensive when I was looking at them but no better. A7 did initially suffer with some bedding problems as reported after first launch whereby barrel touched stock and didn't fully float properly, affecting accuracy. Not all had this problem but some certainly did as it was widely reported. Stock mount bases for sights were a weak point and many changed them. I looked at one and tried it out when I was looking between that, a T3 or a Bergara. The A7 with an aluminium chassis or spine at least which runs the length of the fore-end back to the action showed promise but I felt it was too heavy for the field, and the plastic part of the stock was too close to the barrel plus I didn't like the mounting points at all. The T3 fitted with picatinny rail was much better as a scope base, as were standard optilocks and the receiver base for these on the T3 was bomb proof.

T3. Sweet spot in model range depends on calibre choice and intended use.

 

[Kieranglen]

T3. Lighter, barrels made probably in same factory, A7 was more expensive when I was looking at them but no better. A7 did initially suffer with some bedding problems as reported after first launch whereby barrel touched stock and didn't fully float properly, affecting accuracy. Not all had this problem but some certainly did as it was widely reported. Stock mount bases for sights were a weak point and many changed them. I looked at one and tried it out when I was looking between that, a T3 or a Bergara. The A7 with an aluminium chassis or spine at least which runs the length of the fore-end back to the action showed promise but I felt it was too heavy for the field, and the plastic part of the stock was too close to the barrel plus I didn't like the mounting points at all. The T3 fitted with picatinny rail was much better as a scope base, as were standard optilocks and the receiver base for these on the T3 was bomb proof.

T3. Sweet spot in model range depends on calibre choice and intended use.

What was your thoughts on the bergara as i have looked at them also but could find much reviews or thoughts on them.

 

[Dickie]

I know not possible at present but get and handle them and if you can try shooting them see how they fit and feel, I doubt in the real world there will be much difference in the rifles accuracy but more yours if it’s a poor fit.

 

[ChesterP]

What was your thoughts on the bergara as i have looked at them also but could find much reviews or thoughts on them.

I liked the handling better than either the T3 or A7, and for a stalking rifle the synthetic stock sporter profile was good. Bolt is silky smooth and trigger is nice but I was put off at the time be reports of inaccuracy on some (hopefully teething issues with initial batches) and the T3 just appealed more on its bomb proof reputation and after market parts bits. I wouldn't buy the lightweight T3 in 308 or over as shooting one, the barrel does jump a lot and obviously recoil is harder than a heavier rifle. I like my stalking rifles to be between 8.5 and 9.5lbs all up as I prefer some mass to help manage recoil. Of all the sporting rifles Iooked at I think I liked the Shultz & Larsen ones best along with the Mauser M12, both of which were a bit more spendy, so finally, purely viewed as a reliable and durable tool I chose the T3. The money saved over the Mauser and S&L went into decent glass. I don't regret that decision.

 

[Border]

T3X

 

[8x57]

Kieranglen are you trying to compare a couple of second hand rifles?
I ask because you say T3 rather than the newer T3X model which has several improvements over the older model. Also have you considered the new S20 which is possibly replacing the A7.

 

[Roestalker39]

The t 3

 

[Kieranglen]

Kieranglen are you trying to compare a couple of second hand rifles?
I ask because you say T3 rather than the newer T3X model which has several improvements over the older model. Also have you considered the new S20 which is possibly replacing the A7.

I have been looking at second hand rifles and new rifles when i say t3 i mean to include t3x models also. I would love to be able to afford a s20 but sadly i can not and im looking to spend less on a full package rifle than i would be for the s20 alone

 

[Cawdor118]

Tikka.

 

[bryn]

I’ve had both and T3 everyday of the week.
bryn

 

[wully1234]

Looking to purchase a .243 in the near future, spend hours upon hours looking at them but cant make a solid decision to what to go for. Kind of settled it on being between a t3 or an a7 i know both will be good rifles and they seem to be the ones you get the most package deals on and are reasonably priced. Just wondered what everyones thoughts are?

I have both the t3 lite 223 and a7 243 , the a7 is a little step up with the picatinny rail, 3 lug bolt, nicer feeling less plasticcy stock and extra magazine catch ,although the lite mag has never fell out.. both are the same weight or very close as far as I know
Never had any accuracy issues with either , both will shoot same or touching hole if you can with the right load.

 

[David.evans]

T3x out of the box you will be hard to beat it

 

[Kieranglen]

I have both the t3 lite 223 and a7 243 , the a7 is a little step up with the picatinny rail, 3 lug bolt, nicer feeling less plasticcy stock and extra magazine catch ,although the lite mag has never fell out.. both are the same weight or very close as far as I know
Never had any accuracy issues with either , both will shoot same or touching hole if you can with the right load.

But which is your favourite to shoot? Iv held both in a shop that are fully kitted out with scope and mod and i have to say i liked both, maybe getting to fire them both would be a different story.

 

[wully1234]

A7 is definitely more comfortable with the grippy rubbery and slightly more refined.. both are equally as capable.. maybe choose the best scope/mod combo

 

[TundB]

Not sure these new Tikka models have been available in UK yet but worth to check, which looks great to me.

 

[Koenig]

One won’t shoot better than the other out of the box. So it comes down to what you like the look and feel of (appreciate you can’t handle either at the minute). If you really are undecided I’d wait until you’ve had hands on.

 

[andyk]

If there's not much in the price, I'd say go for the A7. I have one (in .270) and it's nicely made and accurate.

When I was looking at it alongside the T3X and Sako 85 it seemed something of a hybrid of the two. Things I liked are that it has a shorter bolt lift (from the 3 lug rather than 2 lug bolt), the option of being able to lock the bolt on safe and also open it (the T3X either locks the bolt or the safety is off) and you can top load the magazine.

I also think the stock is nicer when I compare it to my T1X, which uses the same stock as the T3X.

Downsides I would say are that there are less aftermarket parts (if you're into that) and the magazines are both hard to come by and very expensive.

I wouldn't say it's miles better than the Tikka, the action is very similar and I wouldn't be surprised if the barrel is the same but if you can get it within a couple of hundred quid of the Tikka, I think its worth it.

 

[ejg]

If I think back what actions were used at an international PRS comp we had in Ireland last year I can not remember seeing any 3 lug actions. These guys shoot a lot... some burn out a barrel in two months also shots are fired fast and need to be accurate at long range. No better test for an action and still very few three lug actions present. T3's are doing extremely well at these comps in the last years. This and the simple easy way to have a universal bedding in a T3 as one of very few actions that allows one bedding to take from 22lr right up to 9.3x63 T1X/T3 actions. I think the T3 is the one to beat.
edi

 

[Kieranglen]

If there's not much in the price, I'd say go for the A7. I have one (in .270) and it's nicely made and accurate.

When I was looking at it alongside the T3X and Sako 85 it seemed something of a hybrid of the two. Things I liked are that it has a shorter bolt lift (from the 3 lug rather than 2 lug bolt), the option of being able to lock the bolt on safe and also open it (the T3X either locks the bolt or the safety is off) and you can top load the magazine.

I also think the stock is nicer when I compare it to my T1X, which uses the same stock as the T3X.

Downsides I would say are that there are less aftermarket parts (if you're into that) and the magazines are both hard to come by and very expensive.

I wouldn't say it's miles better than the Tikka, the action is very similar and I wouldn't be surprised if the barrel is the same but if you can get it within a couple of hundred quid of the Tikka, I think its worth it.

My two local gun shops are rather useful as one has the t3x package and one the a7.
The T3X is a blued barrel lite has a burris 4x scope an atec moderator and a bipod and comes in at £2200, the A7 is a roughtec stock stainless barrel same burris 4x scope and a wildcat moderator and comes in at £1650.
I dont class myself as any kind of expert on pricing but i feel he has the T3X WAY over priced. I also from first feel preferred the Sako but standing in a gun shop throwing a gun around is never quite the same as actually using it.