SAKO TRG(Moved discussion here instead)

38385 Views 23 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Whit, Jan 25, 2011

Nekekami

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2004

Yes, the TRG's can be quite accurate, depending on a lot of factors. I haven't had the opportunity to field test one in the same way that the PSG90 has, so I can't say how it holds up to punishment, other than by hearsay, but from that, it seems to be fairly durable too.

As I mentioned, the weight is focused very far back, which can take a little while getting used to if you intend to shoot at longer ranges.

They are quite costly indeed, but I personally think it's worth it. And so does my buddy, who bought the TRG-42, chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum. He had to pay around $3500 for his, including bipod and a Schmidt und Bender 10x42, but that was a nice package deal.

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G

· #2 · Apr 9, 2004

Although well beyond MY budget, that seems like a good deal. Those Schmidt and Bender scopes can be pretty pricey. I also am a fan of that stock pattern. Although I have had no experience in shooting those bad boys, i have heard that the Fins did it right accuracy-wise, and the gun does a good job taming the angry kick of the Lapua magnum. The only problem I have heard with them is excessive noise. But hey, that goes without saying for any rifle in .338 Lapua Mag!

Nekekami

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 9, 2004

Heh, nasty kick is all relative. After you've fired a Barret M82A1 or an old Weatherby hunting rifle chambered for .450 Weatherby, the .338 Lapua Magnum is pretty nice shooting. Even the memory of shooting the Weatherby makes my shoulder hurt....

As for scopes, yes, the Schmidt und Bender scopes are nice, I'm in a bit of a bind wether I want a S&B or a Hendsoldt(Which is even more expensive). I'm used to Hendsoldt scopes, and absolutely love the extreme quality of the optics. The view through the scope is fairly sparse, but I like it that way. It's not like some scopes where you almost expect Clippy to pop up and ask you "Hi. I see that you are lining up a shot. Do you want help?".

mele

· #4 · Apr 9, 2004

Ah yes, I feel you have a good point.

Though I do use my mil-dots a lot, I still love the old German #1 reticule and am glad that I can still get it put on my leupold scopes. Yes, it can serve as a very useful tactical reticule.

MEL

Nekekami

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 9, 2004

Mel:

The Hendsoldt scope on the PSG90 does have mil-dots, but they are kept small and clean. I.e, if you don't focus on them, they "fade away", so to speak. Unobtrusive and nice.

ulairi

· #6 · May 4, 2004

Sako TRG-42 (.300WM)

After about 13 months of waiting (Thanks, Beretta), I finally took posession of a TRG-42. Had to order at an authorized Beretta dealer, from where the order went to Beretta USA, where it sat as they collect orders from around the country, then to Beretta Italy, where world-wide orders are collected before enough are available to submit to Sako in Finland, who are, generally, rather busy doing military and LE orders. Once the rifle is made, it goes back through the chain. Ugh. Placed the order on Dec 26th 2002, got the rifle in my hands Jan 16th, 2004. Total price was $2,250+8.25% tax (MSRP is $2,898, dealer's invoice is $1,800)

Rifle's pure black, with a Leupold M1 long-range 8.5-25x50, using Sako's rings and ring bases. Sako's own bipod is MSRP'ed at $520 (yes, five HUNDRED and twenty... yeah, they are selling a lot of those...). I'll have to look around to see what othere are out there, I know there are some good ones out there - like GG&G, but I'm equally at ease fabricating my own. One of the features I'd like to have in my bipod is the ability to swivel the rifle while the bipod's legs are dug in and secure.

When I was doing the initial break-in and sight-in, with Federal Gold Medal, I was able to shoot a 3-group so tight within each other that it looked like a single hole at 100 yards. Didn't have any measuring equipment, but at a guess, .25 or better. More skilled shooters could probably do same at longer distances.

Mag, while designed for 10 rounds, has feeding issues when more than 7 are loaded. The rounds dip forward and do not go up the ramp into the chamber. I suspect if the spring were to be modified or replaced with something heavier, it might help. 7 is plenty given the intended use of the rifle. The rile comes with a single mag, and they are quite expensive.

Trigger... is insane in how it operates and how smooth and exact it is. Mine came at 2.5 lb setup, not sure if that is a factory setup or something else. The uptake is minimal, the pull is extremely light and extremely precise. First time dry-firing the rifle with a snapcap, I felt as though all I had to do was think "pull" and the weapon would go CLICK!

Hrmm... not sure what else would interest people. Feel free to ask.

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Jeffvn

· #7 · May 4, 2004

Congratulations! The rifle sounds great. I seriously looked at the Sako TRGs, but the shipping delays were a bit off putting. I was going a bit crazy when my custom rifle was ordered in December and delivered in late April (waiting for the McMillan Stock of course).

Shoots nice too. Have you taken it back to longer ranges yet?

How about posting a picture of your new shooter in the Gallery.

mele

· #8 · May 4, 2004

Sounds excellent. When I purchase a .338 Lapua for personal use, it will probably be a TRG-42....

MEL

ulairi

· #9 · May 4, 2004

Jeffvn said:
Shoots nice too. Have you taken it back to longer ranges yet?

How about posting a picture of your new shooter in the Gallery.

The range where I shot the rifle has targets out to 700 yards, so the limiting factor is my skill, time, and a need of a spotter. GRIN.

Once I get my bipod (either buy it or make it), I'll put up the photos.

Mulga

· #10 · May 5, 2004

ulairi

Howdy. Ive narrowed my choises to a SAKO TRG 22 or a custom remington 700. The sako come with a lot of good features. Im looking at one of the cheeper ones. Black stock, blued reciever and stainless barrel (AUD$4420). Its an absolute s*#t load for a rifle about $1000 dearer than a custom rifle (though a darn sight easier and quicker). I would also look at getting a sako Bipod(AUD$689), bases and rings.

A few Questions

What is the fit and finish like?

How would it stack up against a battle hardened rifle like a AI AW or a IBA chandler

What has the durability of the rifle been like so far?

I have a 3 turret scope, what mounting options did you use? Ive heard the sako trg quick release mount doesnt work with 3 turret scopes.

Is it really worth the money :?:

Post some pics

Cheers

Mulga

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Nekekami

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 5, 2004

Uilari:

About the feeding problem, your particular magazine must be faulty. My pals magazines feed properly when loaded with 10 rounds.

Mulga:

The fit and finish of the TRG-22/42 rifles is absolutely great. And, it can shoot well below 0.5 MOA out of the box. The durability of the rifle is good, and have earned it a spot in some military forces, even though my personal guess is that the AI AW series is still more durable.

As for battle hardened, if all you're going to do is target shooting at a rifle range, and some hunting, you don't need it.

There are mount bases that support three turret scopes available for the Optilock system.

If it's worth the money? As always, that's up to you.

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ulairi

· #12 · May 5, 2004

Mulga said:
What is the fit and finish like?

I'll agree with Nekakami on that one - excellent fit and finish. The bolt slides through effortlessly, disassembly are reassembly is a breeze - first thing I do with any weapon is I try to see what it takes to take it apart according to the manual (and the, one hopes, put it back together, without any spare parts left over... 8) ). No problems there. Having cleaned the weapon off from the the factory shipping grease - nothing catches, no abnormal noises, none of that.

Mulga said:
How would it stack up against a battle hardened rifle like a AI AW or a IBA chandler

Sorry, haven't a clue on that one - I'm a civilian. Can't be too bad since quite a few armies use the weapon in field conditions. Of course, it won't take the same kind of abuse that an M16 could take, let alone an AK-47..., but then again, it is a different requirement for the weapon system. What *do* you plan on doing with it?

Mulga said:
What has the durability of the rifle been like so far?

Haven't owned it for that long - so cannot say. Have not read any reports in all of my research about the Sako rifles about riliability problems.

Mulga said:
I have a 3 turret scope, what mounting options did you use? Ive heard the sako trg quick release mount doesnt work with 3 turret scopes.

The problem with Sako TRG's is that the base mounting rail is a part of the weapon - and it is not standard. GG&G or Badger Ordnance do NOT have stuff that'll fit - you have to use either Sako's own or Leupold (perhaps other scope manufacturers, too). I chose Sako and had to take a dremmel tool to the recoil stop pin - it was about 3mm too long. Once I got that resolved, no problems. The scope I have is a 3-turret (Top, Left, Right) - so I have no issues, but I'm not using the quick release setup either.

Note: I asked Sako about using Picatinny/1913 stuff, they said:

Sako Finland said:
You would go to your suplier and ask them to place an order for a TRG Picatinny accessory rail,Part number is S151W231. This is installed on the TRG and it will then take any scopemountcompatible with U.S. Mil. Std 1913.

Mulga said:
Is it really worth the money :?:

I've not shot enough to guage yet, but so far, I'm loving it.

Mulga said:
Post some pics

Hehe. As soon as I finish dealing with the Bipod story, will do. http://www.sako.fi should have enough pics

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AsmoTiC

· #13 · May 5, 2004

Thought

Heya everyone, first time posting here. Thought that i'd reply to this thread, and ask your thoughts.

The Sako TRG-22 is what $3500-$4000, and this won't include a Scope or Bipod. The Rem 700P is around $700-750. What is the better deal, assuming you'd throw some upgrades into the 700P (New Stock, Trigger, Etc.). Could you get the 700P up to par for less money?

The chances of me spending $4000 for the Sako are almost non-existent, but if nothing else then for discussion I thought i'd ask.

I currently shoot a Winchester Model 70 .300 Mag with a BOSS installed. I've found that it's a little punishing to shoot for long periods of time, and with the light barrel tends to need more downtime to cool at the range. So i'm looking to get a .308 Heavy Barrel. Just wondering outloud I guess.

Jeffvn

· #14 · May 5, 2004

The TRG-22 is a nice rifle, no question.

Check out the various threads that focus on the 700P, lots of discussion and alternatives, like the Savage 10FP.

Obviously what you intend to do with the rifle has a lot to do with recomendations about chamberings and equipment. As an upgraded 700P owner, I can say if you intend to change out the stock, barrel, etc, then buy something cheaper than the 700P and pile on the upgrades. You'll spend a heck of a lot less than $4,000 and have a rifle that should be very accurate.

Personally, I think you should look hard at Mel's SC-1. You can pick your chambering, like 6.5x55 or 7 Rem. Mag. and you'll still have $2,500 in your pocket to buy a scope , bi-pod, whatever.

AsmoTiC

· #15 · May 5, 2004

Thanks for the reply Jeffvn. Still mulling around all my options. I intend to use the new rifle for long range targets. I've got a local range that offers 700yards, so the option to shoot 300+ is available to me.

Not to hijack the thread at all, but along some same lines of questioning as above. Are there any opinions on the Winchester Model 70 Stealth series? Again looking at .308. Sounds like it would be similar to my current Model 70 .300 Mag, but with a 26" Heavy Barrel. Anyway, just more topic for discussion.

Mulga

· #16 · May 5, 2004

Nekekami

As for battle hardened, if all you're going to do is target shooting at a rifle range, and some hunting, you don't need it.

I knew that question would raise some eyebrows. I was looking for a benchmark to appraise the SAKO TRG with. So many reviews try to compare a SAKO TRG 22/42 with Remington M700 P's etc which in my mind like comparing a MG with a Ferrari. When looking for a bench mark you find the best currently available and guage everything else from there.

And as for what Ill be doing with it yep mostly target shooting at a rifle range, and some hunting. Im just like those people who buy a 4x4 suv and never takes it offroad.

Mulga

Nekekami

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 5, 2004

AsmoTic:

For USD3500-USD4000, you should definitely be able to get a TRG-22 or TRG-42 with a scope if you look around a little.

As for getting a Remington 700 up to par cheaper, not likely unless you restrict the performance envelope to the target range only(And since this is a sniper site, that condition should, after all, be a minor part). The TRG-series, like the AI AW series, is made to survive the harsh conditions of arctic climate(seeing as it's made in Finland, it's fairly obvious why it's made to survive that), and it's able to have that performance straight out of the box and in the field, without requiring an armourer to customize it for you with barrel swap and stock swap etc.

Mulga:

Two different areas entirely. The TRG 22/42 is a purebred military rifle with some use in the LE sector and for competitions. The Remington 700 is a hunters rifle primarily, but the action has become so common that other stocks, barrels etc are readily available. The few Swedish hunters I know who have customized Rem700's aren't too keen to take them into the woods during winter.

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Ferrer

· #18 · May 7, 2004

Portuguese Shooter

Hi guys. My name his Bruno and I'm portuguese.

I proudly own a SAKO TRG 22 Stealth and I can tell you Mulga that I also love buying the best stuff even thoough I'm not going to be using it to the limit.

For benchmarking SAKO I refer to Maj Plaster's Ultimate Sniper where he says SAKO is one of the best bolt action rifles he ever shoot.

1/2 a MOA its the worst my rifle did after aprox 400 rounds out of the box. Rugged as a AW... enough to be used in action in Iraq by the Polish SOP, Italian ... and maybe by our GNR SOG also in Iraq after a demo I'll be doing in Portugal on their HQ next month. I bought the 22 because it's enough to give that immense pleasure of sharpshooting without shoulder punishing and expense.

I got Mel advice on the caliber and Plaster on the ammo ( Fed GM 308 168g / 175g ). It's just amazing putting three bullets on one single hole 100m away without sand bags / bean bags just the SAKO bipod.

If you go for this rifle you'llbe paying exactly what you getting. A good sniper level rifle with a lot of experience and attention on the details.

Speaking like this may look like marketing...but after 6months waiting and getting what you ever dream its pretty GOOD.

'Laaki Ja Vainaa' ' Um tiro Um Morto' ' One Shot One Kill'

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Ferrer

· #19 · May 8, 2004

My SAKO TRG 22 Stealth:

'Laaki Ja Vainaa' ' Um tiro Um Morto' ' One Shot One Kill'[/img]

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mele

· #20 · May 10, 2004

Excellent!! Thanks for the pic

MEL

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