I'm a similar kind of a hole, I run a tikka sporter in 223 with a Bushnell xrs up top.
That's a 9lb rifle with a dead baby on top. 34mm tube, ffp, 4.5-30x50, with a horus h59 reticle.
I hate regular hunting style stocks now, before this gun I had a savage model 10 action inside an adjustable McMillan a5 with a 26" rock creek in 260 screwed onto it. Sightron SIII 8-32x56 on top. Before the McMillan and rock creek it sat in a choate tactical, factory 308 tube. My first introduction to tactical style stocks, won't go back unless it's a double rifle, shotgun, or levergun.
I hike the 13-16lb rifle I'm using in an eberlestock lo drag, miles, and if it's winter I may be in snow shoes, these are/were all coyote guns.
What does this mean to you... Maybe nothing, but my Bushnell xrs is $2k and those quick dynamic shots using a reticle says a)front focal plane and b)capable reticle and c)accurate dimensions. All of which this scope has and a second focal plane scope will lack.
But, on a sako a7 with a "hunting" style stock, lightweight... If you want it to sink trigger down, I'd look at March, 3-24x42 should be possible in your $$.
Insistent on sfp... Certainly a guy could do worse than a Z6 or z5.
I say all this for this... Do as you wish, it only takes a second to realize I don't use what's "right" to some, but it's me, so 2much can do 2much, you can do you, I'll do me, and we'll all be happy regardless of who's "right."