Sako's First Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor
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Sako’s first rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor – the A7 Roughtech by Con Kapralos Con puts the Sako A7 Roughtech Pro in 6.5 Creedmoor through its paces at the range. t’s not often I am requested to review rifle in its own right. Clemente Scribani could be employed in the 6.5 Creedmoor, a rifle purely because it is offered in Rossi, Beretta Australia’s Senior Product resulting in a great long-range but low a particular calibre. A new rifle range Manager, approached me with a request to recoil hunting calibre. The Creedmoor Iis usually released to the shooting review the A7 Roughtech in the Pro variant, nomenclature is derived from two sources public and as production continues, some in the new 6.5 Creedmoor calibre. DeMille’s long-time employer Creedmoor calibres may be added and some deleted This would actually be a revisit to the Sports and the historic Creedmoor Shooting from that particular rifle’s catalogue, Sako A7 for me personally, having owned range in Long Island, New York, where the according to market demand. When a one of the first A7s in the booming .300 first national rifle matches were held. calibre comes along that everyone starts Winchester Magnum calibre. This partic- talking about, rifle manufacturers scramble ular rifle was quite lively to shoot but was The Sako A7 Roughtech Pro to grab a piece of the action and add the obviously traded in for something else that in 6.5 Creedmoor close up dazzling calibre to their line-ups, virtually took my fancy. However, the current A7 in It’s only fair that the Sako A7 Roughtech overnight. However, for Sako, of Finland, the Roughtech Pro and Range is a better Pro in 6.5 Creedmoor be reviewed simply treading carefully into the world of the rifle than the original in many ways and I on its own merits. Too many gun scribes 6.5 Creedmoor meant considering what was keen to have another look at the newer compare it unfairly against the Tikka T3x platform would be the first to adorn the Sako A7. or the Sako 85, which are both produced company emblem. One thing was certain For those who haven’t heard of the 6.5 by Sako in its Riihimaki facilities. The A7 – Sako would make its first rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, this cartridge was developed Roughtech is a rifle in its own right and Creedmoor a real cracker! in 2006 by American veteran High Power deserves some respect - something the It was no surprise the A7 option was competitor Dennis DeMille and Hornady likes of legendary American comedian chosen for the 6.5 Creedmoor and the ballistician Dave Emary. It is based around Rodney Dangerfield never used to receive. current Roughtech, both in the Pro and the .30 TC case necked down to accom- Range, has had the Creedmoor chambering modate high ballistic coefficient - 6.5mm The barrelled action added to its line-up. The Sako A7 range has target bullets for shooting out to 1000 The current Sako A7 Roughtech series is been in production for quite a few years and yards. While it has set the long-range built around two action lengths, short (S) offers the shooter and hunter a Sako rifle target shooting world on fire for the past and medium (M), with the review rifle in that is aimed below the renowned Model 10 years, keen hunters also discovered that 6.5 Creedmoor being on the former. The 85 price-wise, but still boasts a feature-rich high ballistic coefficient hunting projectiles stainless steel action measures 215mm by > 64 Australian Shooter Sako’s first rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor 35mm and has a rather slab-sided, angular appearance and features a fully open ejec- tion port which perfectly accommodates the complete overall length (COAL) of the 6.5 Creedmoor loaded round. The open ejec- tion port also permits direct loading into the magazine, something for which the Sako 85 action is also renowned, but the Tikka T3x does not permit. The turn-bolt action comprises a 70-degree bolt lift with the stainless steel bolt utilising a three-lug bolt head, but is fitted with a captive spring-loaded plunger that facilitates case ejection together with a mechanical extractor which ensures cases The Sako A7 Roughtech Pro in 6.5 are positively removed from the ejection Creedmoor in its component form. port. The rear of the bolt has the usual cocking indicator located under the polymer bolt shroud. Bolt removal is carried out The trigger is an exceptional unit and is The three-shot magazine, like the trig- in the typical Sako manner with a small identical to the one fitted to the Sako 85. gerguard and magazine recess, is fabri- elongated button on the left-hand side of It is fully adjustable for let-off by utilising cated from polymer containing nylon and the action. The top of the action is quite a a small hex head key through a slot in the fibreglass, but holds stainless steel feed departure from the other Sako and Tikka magazine well. As supplied from the factory, lips which allows better case feeding and rifles, in that it is drilled and tapped to the trigger pull is satisfactory at 3lb but top loading into the magazine from the accommodate the more common (and less some owners would undoubtedly prefer it a ejection port. While the A7 magazine is expensive) scope mounting bases modelled tad lighter. The safety mechanism, which is perfectly adequate and functions without around the Browning A-Bolt pattern. part of the trigger group, has the two-posi- any problem, many Sako A7 owners are Anything that will fit the A-Bolt will fit the tion safety provided by a sliding safety latch hankering for a five or 10-shot detachable Sako A7. with a small tab just in front which permits magazine similar to what is offered in the The rifle does come fitted with a set of the bolt to be cycled when the safety is Tikka range. Maybe Sako could look into alloy Weaver-style bases, but I suggest on ‘SAFE’. The detachable box magazine this for us diehard A7 owners? replacing these with steel bases such as located in front of the trigger group is of a The barrel is one of the distinct features the Burris XTB, which is precisely what I three-shot configuration and utilises Sako’s of the Sako A7 Roughtech Pro, and in the did with this review rifle. For scope rings Total Control Latch (TCL) system. This 6.5 Creedmoor is in the form of a medium to match the Burris XTB steel bases, I requires the magazine to be pushed up contour #3 stainless steel barrel measuring plumped for the Burris Zee Signature before the latch can be depressed to release 620mm in length with a series of flutes rings in the 30mm ‘High’ specification. the magazine from the well. It is a foolproof along its length. The fluting certainly adds For owners who like a one-piece base-ring system borrowed from the Sako 85 and to the rifle’s aesthetics but also reduces the system, the Talley product is another I ensures a magazine will never accidentally barrel’s weight slightly and aids in cooling thoroughly recommend. fall out. the barrel when it becomes a trifle warm. Internally, the cold hammer forging method of construction produces a superbly finished barrel and in the 6.5 Creedmoor cham- bering has a twist rate of one in 8” with four grooves. Such twist rate and finish will be appreciated by shooters and hunters wishing to use the high ballistic coefficient (BC) 6.5mm projectiles the Creedmoor was designed around. The right side of the Sako A7 Roughtech Pro action. The layout The stock of the bolt handle, safety and bolt The stock of the Sako A7 Roughtech over-ride button is clearly evident and works very well for the user. Pro is the major advancement over the original version of the A7. Both the new > The Sako A7 Roughtech Pro in 6.5 Creedmoor as reviewed. It is a feature- rich hunting rifle made by folk who know a thing or two about design and function. 66 Australian Shooter Sako’s first rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor Roughtech models in the Pro and Range have an excellent new stock fitted, which improves not only the handling of the rifle but immensely benefits the bedding of the barrelled action to the stock. The stock on the Roughtech Pro is made from a hardened polymer material, which comes in either a tan or black color with a spider- web finish in either black (on the tan stock) or white (on the black stock). It is of a pleasing American-style with a straight comb plus a slightly raised cheekpiece and a well-proportioned grip with a slight palmswell. However, internally is where the stock shines in that it contains a full-length aluminium chassis running from the butt, through the bedding section to the fore- end. This chassis platform ensures the barrelled action is positively mated to the stock to result in a free-floated barrel but also minimises any stock flex, something that was quite evident in the first A7 range. Hornady’s Precision Hunter ammunition was the pick of all the loads tested, with the best group This Roughtech stock is as good as you being this 7mm three-shot cluster at 100m. can have and complemented the test rifle beautifully.