sorry if im posting this in the wrong spot but im trying to get some info on what gun to get, i know alittle about the 700 milspec but the sako long range i dont know alote about. ive just recently have got into long range shooting and dont know alote about it but im learning. i seen the sako and like the features like the heavy fluted barrel b&c stock and of course sakos actions. does anyone on here own one or shot one? i am capable of shooting 1/2 inch groups so i want a gun that will shoot this. any help would be apreciated.
remington 700 5r milspec vs sako a7 long range
- Thread starter lonnie gibson
- Start date
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
You would be much better off with the Sako.
I know the rem. has a great following. In the past ive had several 579's and anytime the word Bofors Steel appeared on the Sako...it would just flat out shoot.
Personally i dont have any experience with the newer Sako. IMO, neither would be a bad option, but if i had to choose which one would be more accurate out of the box, i would pick Sako. But the Remington, would definitely have more available accessories.
Personally i dont have any experience with the newer Sako. IMO, neither would be a bad option, but if i had to choose which one would be more accurate out of the box, i would pick Sako. But the Remington, would definitely have more available accessories.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
First, due to countless bad experience with Remington, my gut response is to run to the Sako. Now, let me use my sometimes feeble brain to give you some of what I believe are pros and cons for each.
Sako Pros
It's a Sako and they have a high degree of success in the area of quality construction.
Detachable mag system standard
Barrels, based on my experience with Tikka, are of very good quality and offer a high probability of accuracy.
Sako Cons
Lack of after-market accessory options.
Magazines are very expensive and often limit overall cartridge length, prohibiting ability to custom tune ammo. Only factory magazines are available at around $80 each.
5R Pros
Plethora of aftermarket bolt on parts for your targeting pleasure.
5R reputation for accuracy.
Most gun cranks can perform any operation desired on the platform.
5R Cons
Generally of poor fit and finish.
Lack of detachable magazines. CDI Precision has great AICS style bottom metal and does free installs.
X-Mark (or whatever they call it now) trigger has been, well, crappy at best. Would plan on a new trigger from Timney first thing.
Bottom Line
I, even as much as I tend to detest them, would make the 5R my choice. The odds are above 50% that you'll get a good one, the aftermarket offerings will keep you buried in the internet parts bins when it's too cold to shoot and it will have a more resale value (brand recognition) if you decide to move on.
Sako Pros
It's a Sako and they have a high degree of success in the area of quality construction.
Detachable mag system standard
Barrels, based on my experience with Tikka, are of very good quality and offer a high probability of accuracy.
Sako Cons
Lack of after-market accessory options.
Magazines are very expensive and often limit overall cartridge length, prohibiting ability to custom tune ammo. Only factory magazines are available at around $80 each.
5R Pros
Plethora of aftermarket bolt on parts for your targeting pleasure.
5R reputation for accuracy.
Most gun cranks can perform any operation desired on the platform.
5R Cons
Generally of poor fit and finish.
Lack of detachable magazines. CDI Precision has great AICS style bottom metal and does free installs.
X-Mark (or whatever they call it now) trigger has been, well, crappy at best. Would plan on a new trigger from Timney first thing.
Bottom Line
I, even as much as I tend to detest them, would make the 5R my choice. The odds are above 50% that you'll get a good one, the aftermarket offerings will keep you buried in the internet parts bins when it's too cold to shoot and it will have a more resale value (brand recognition) if you decide to move on.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
As a died in wool Remington guy who has become highly skeptical of Remington (it pains me to say it) I have to say 5R is the way to go, with the cavaet that on all factory guns you pays your money you takes your chances.
My last Remington purchase new was a little 243 youth model. Nothing pretty, crap stocka nd trigger, but it shoots good and at $350 who is going to complain? In the past I had several horrible experiences with Remington, but those go back 5-8 years when they were downsizing, moving from Ilion to south, and were literally promoting people up the ranks so that they could have them fire the rest and turn off the lights. (I work with one guy who had that very experience). I had a shotgun barrel with the gas block welded cattywampus (scientific term) and two replacements that lacked the gas port holes. Then two 270 WSM 700's with no leade, throated way short and having the very worst barrels ever scoped by the barrel manufacturer who replaced them. According to recent buyers, things have improved. In my mind they could not have gotten worse.
I like the Sako/Tikka models, but for what you are planning to do, I would stick with the 5R. If you do not like it, knock off $100 and sell it...it will go. For $100 it is worth the trial. And lots of guys swear by the 5R.
Welcome to the most addictive hobby...
My last Remington purchase new was a little 243 youth model. Nothing pretty, crap stocka nd trigger, but it shoots good and at $350 who is going to complain? In the past I had several horrible experiences with Remington, but those go back 5-8 years when they were downsizing, moving from Ilion to south, and were literally promoting people up the ranks so that they could have them fire the rest and turn off the lights. (I work with one guy who had that very experience). I had a shotgun barrel with the gas block welded cattywampus (scientific term) and two replacements that lacked the gas port holes. Then two 270 WSM 700's with no leade, throated way short and having the very worst barrels ever scoped by the barrel manufacturer who replaced them. According to recent buyers, things have improved. In my mind they could not have gotten worse.
I like the Sako/Tikka models, but for what you are planning to do, I would stick with the 5R. If you do not like it, knock off $100 and sell it...it will go. For $100 it is worth the trial. And lots of guys swear by the 5R.
Welcome to the most addictive hobby...
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
I don't know why you would need magazines, but the CDI trigger guard is $220+ what ever the mags cost. You could but at least 3-4 extra Sako mags. Timney has triggers.
Not sure I see any advantage to the Remington.
Not sure I see any advantage to the Remington.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
Butch, as I thought I explained, it isn't the cost of the Sako mag as much as the mag itself. My experience has been that Sako/Tikka throats are long and internal mag dimensions short so there isn't a lot of leeway for heavy bullets or getting the COAL "sweet spot".
As for the "I don't know why you would need magazines" well I guess you just have a benchers mindset.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Butch, as I thought I explained, it isn't the cost of the Sako mag as much as the mag itself. My experience has been that Sako/Tikka throats are long and internal mag dimensions short so there isn't a lot of leeway for heavy bullets or getting the COAL "sweet spot".
As for the "I don't know why you would need magazines" well I guess you just have a benchers mindset.
I guess I didn't see that the mags were not a problem money wise, just that they were $80 ea. Now that is behind us we would both need to know the cartridge and bullets that he plans to use before talking mag length.
I do know a few LR and FClass shooters that do very well feeding a SS.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
These days the PRS gang has time limits so tight mags are a must. Also, I didn't think F-Class uses mags.I do know a few LR and FClass shooters that do very well feeding a SS.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
I have a couple custom 700s and a custom Sako A7. Now they all shoot being that they have custom barrels, so I cant speak about the factory jobs, but will speak about the actions and functions.
Yes the 700 has a ton of aftermarket parts available. The A7 has some, but not much.
However, when it comes to the function and smoothness of the action, that Sako is way better. I wont describe the 700 because everyone knows how it works.
Withthe Sako A7, I didn't feel I needed to replace the trigger. Adjusted it down to about 1 lb without any honing and stoning. Very crisp and zero creep. Light years better than factory remington Xmark triggers. The 60 degree bolt throw is nicer and cycles very smoothly. It already has a magazine bottom metal so no need to buy anything else if that's the style you like. The safety mechanism locks the bolt for when you're hiking or crawling around on the ground, but there's an extra release button to cycle the action with the safety on if you like. Gives you best if both worlds on safety function. Just another really nice action from Sako.
And it looks better than the Rem 700
Yes the 700 has a ton of aftermarket parts available. The A7 has some, but not much.
However, when it comes to the function and smoothness of the action, that Sako is way better. I wont describe the 700 because everyone knows how it works.
Withthe Sako A7, I didn't feel I needed to replace the trigger. Adjusted it down to about 1 lb without any honing and stoning. Very crisp and zero creep. Light years better than factory remington Xmark triggers. The 60 degree bolt throw is nicer and cycles very smoothly. It already has a magazine bottom metal so no need to buy anything else if that's the style you like. The safety mechanism locks the bolt for when you're hiking or crawling around on the ground, but there's an extra release button to cycle the action with the safety on if you like. Gives you best if both worlds on safety function. Just another really nice action from Sako.
And it looks better than the Rem 700
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
So did I but I'm pretending to be liberal today so I just make s**t up!
LOL
im really likin the sako, i have a tikka t3 in a 22-250 the accuracy and the the smothness of the action in awsome, i was wondering just how good the sako would shoot. im assuming the accuracy on the sako should be very good. i guess if i dont like the sako i can always sell it, and get the 5r.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
I will say that there is one thing I don't like about the A7. That's is the trigger guard assembly. It is made from a fiber/polymer type of material. It's not metal. The bits and pieces for the magazine release are metal, but the framework isnt. Bad thing is if you ever busted it, the dang things cost +/- $250. I've never had any issues with it, just something I wasn't crazy about
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