Sako TRG-S and Warbird

15 May 2001, 05:50

Stonecreek

I have three TRG-S's in magnum calibers. Have no experience with the Warbird, but have been very happy with the performance of others. My .375 is outstandly accurate for a big gun (3/4 inch groups). I like the smoothness of the bolt and the detachable magazine. The gun is just a bit light for heavy recoiling calibers, but for a hunting gun, I don't think it would be too punishing in the Warbird. I would suggest using Leupold ringmounts for greatest mounting versatility on this long action. Other manufacturer's rear rings will likely need a forward extension to clear the power ring on most variables, and may need a rearward extension on the front ring for some shorter scopes. Millett's work fine as is. The old standard Sako rings will be too far rearward. The low Leupold rings clear a 33mm Leupold objective, but barely. Medium height is fine for 40mm objectives, including AO's.

20 May 2001, 17:36

<mnmark>

Stonecreek,
I went and looked at a TRG-S again today and noticed that it requires dovetail rings. I was wondering if you've ever had any problems with the scope rings loosening up. Was also curious about the quality of the trigger (which I heard is adjustable from 2-4 pounds). I also read that the stock is adjustable. Can you fill me in?
Thanks, mnmark.

21 May 2001, 02:46

<acdame>

I have 2 Sako TRG-S's. One in 338 win and the other in .270 win. I can shoot 1MOA with either rifle. Nice crisp adj. trigger, 60 deg bolt throw, detach mag, floated barrel, etc. I bought the SAKO dovetails since I use the same scope on both rifles. Med height for 40mm objectives. Burris scopes have longer main tubes which help for length. Sako does make extention rings forward or backward.

22 May 2001, 06:13

Stonecreek

quote:
Originally posted by mnmark:
Stonecreek,
I went and looked at a TRG-S again today and noticed that it requires dovetail rings. I was wondering if you've ever had any problems with the scope rings loosening up. Was also curious about the quality of the trigger (which I heard is adjustable from 2-4 pounds). I also read that the stock is adjustable. Can you fill me in?
Thanks, mnmark.

The Sako dovetail is a very, very strong mounting system. Because of the taper, with each shot, the mount grips tighter. Redfield even dropped the set screw from its later model Sako mount bases, recognizing that it was superfluous.

The trigger on one of my TRG-S's seems to have a tiny amount of creep, but the other two are just as crisp as the Sako trigger on the old L-61R series, which is excellent.

The butt plate comes with two tapered shims installed. You can remove both to reduce the length of pull, or you can remove just one to change the angle of the butt (pitch) to better suit you. The change is very small, but may be worth it if your individual needs require it.

Have fun!

03 July 2001, 18:27

<KilgoreT>

Stonecreek,

Tonight I was looking at SAKO's catalog thinking of the TRG-S in .338 Lapua, perhaps even rebarreliing for a .375-338 Lapua and 495 A-Square as I beginning to play with BIG BORES.
What is your impression of these stocks and weight for 5,000-6,000#?
I have not seen one of these, but have been a SAKO fetishist for decades. I assume that the same ring mounting system is used on these actions.

03 July 2001, 19:56

RMiller

all I can say is that this spring at the sportsman show I was looking at a trg-s in the warbird and didnt want to put it down. I am also interested in what comments this gets. I had a sako synthetic AV in 375 H-H that I was very impressed with. It shot very well.

04 July 2001, 04:23

Stonecreek

Kilgore:

I really like the TRG-S action and like the detachable magazine better than I thought I would (one advantage is that in jurisdictions where you are not allowed to carry a loaded gun, the pre-loaded magazine can be popped into the gun quickly, putting you into near instant action when needed.)

If rebarreling to a true big bore, I would definately use a heavier contour barrel than the factory barrel as the weight will be needed. I assume that a competent gunsmith could easily relieve the factory stock channel to accomodate the replacement barrel. I would have no qualms about the stock being able to take the recoil without damage. You might also want to weight the buttstock with a mercury recoil reducer, which would not only dampen recoil, but would help balance the heavier barrel.

Although I'm not particularly recoil-shy, I think the factory-weight .338 Lapua would be pretty tough on the shooter. I had a .340 Weatherby in this gun (which I traded for a .338, mainly because I prefer the conventional shoulder). In an extended sighting session with the .340, I actually damaged my shoulder and it took several months for the discomfort to go away! My recommedation would be that if you get a .338 Lapua, be sure to use a recoil-absorbing rest when shooting from the bench. Occasional offhand shots, as in hunting usage, should present no problem.

Any scope ring/base which fits the conventional Sako will also fit the 995, just be aware that the distance between the rear bridge and front ring is longer on the 995, making short scopes difficult to mount without extension rings.

Good Luck!

04 July 2001, 07:41

<KilgoreT>

Stonecreek,
Thanks for your $0.02. I always use sissy bags, shot not sand, when developing loads. My .300 Win. with 50 250 gr. Barnes after 100+ 190 & 200 grain bullets taught me that 20 years ago.
Barrel profile: My .30 cal. SAKOs are .65" @ 24", before they went with the "light weight" fad in the '80's. What is your muzzle (26"?) diameter of your .338 TRG-S?

04 July 2001, 11:21

Stonecreek

Kilgore:

My .338 is the Winchester, not Lapua. Don't know if I made that clear. It has a 24" barrel, and although I don't have it here with me to measure, I believe it runs about .600" at the muzzle. My 7mm STW does have a 26" barrel, and I think it has a similar contour. In fact, all of the 995's I've seen have a similar, relatively slender contour, even in .416 Remington!

My pre-'72 (pre Garcia) Sako L-61's have about the same barrel contour, while I have an early post-garcia AIII .30-06 with a barrel more like your .65". I have just purchased another early Garcia in .300 Winchester which has arrived at my dealer's shop, but I haven't had a chance to pick it up, so don't know its barrel dimensions. I generally prefer the slimmer contours, but that's with sub .30 caliber chamberings.

I used to use sissy bags, but quit after I designed and built a very simple benchrest made out of a piece of channel iron. I've even considered trying to have it manufactured and marketed, but haven't seemed to get around to investing the time, money, or trouble.

05 July 2001, 18:22

<KilgoreT>

Stonecreek,

Thanks for your reply. I prefer the heavier ~#4 barrels, and as I move into Big Bores, I think I'll mock up barrels to get the feel of .375s and .510s to minimize a $1,000+ custom mistakes. I'm fancying building a SAKO/McMillan stocked 495 A-Square generating a modest 6,500#, which at the bench may knock all my testerone out of me.
Dakota and H-S Precison use heavy barrels on their .338 Lapua rifles. I think I'll contact SAKO to get the data on the '41 and 'S.
I intend to get into 1 km plinking. Since I don't lift weights like I used to, I'll be shy about factory-S and get them for the actions and "spare" barrels and stocks.
Hope you and yours had a safe 4th, Independence Day.

07 July 2001, 03:31

Stonecreek

I think that the factory TRG-S stock is a McMillan; you might want to check that out.

Since the TRG-S is several hundred dollars cheaper than the other Sakos, I'm not sure why more people haven't tried it in a custom gun. Good luck with your project.

07 July 2001, 05:29

growler

I have a SAKO TRG-S custom barreled in 300 RUM. It has a 27" .70 at the muzzle gain twist barrel. The action is sooth and feeds well from the clip or single. I used the SAKO optilok ring and base combination and have had no trouble. The rifle with shoot sub .5" if I do my part. Recoil off the bench is not too bad with a decelerator recoil pad. This combination is close to the Warbird but brass and dies are easier to come by.

10 July 2001, 10:12

<mark300>

I own a sako trg-s in 7.82 warbird with stainless barrell and added gunner's choice muzzle brake.. This rifle shoots better than any other hunting rifle I have had. Shoots 165 Nosler BT's and 178 Hornady A-max's 1/2 moa out to 5oo yards. Milk jugs at 1000 yds. are in deep s--- with the A-max. I don't have a chrony but muzzle velocity works out to be 3600 with the 165's and 3575 with the A-maxs.. I have found that H-1000 and Ramshot Bigboy are more accurate and with less pressure than RL25..
Harvested one whitetail last year at measured 386 yards. DRT-Dead Right There..
The brass is a little pricey, however i have reloaded some 6 times. In my opinion, which is not worth much at all, the sako trg-s in 7.82 warbird is worth every dollar.. I wish it had come along years ago; i would not have purchased the other so-called magnums....

11 July 2001, 13:36

<Hoghead>

I also own a Sako TRG-s "Warbird" 7.82. I have not had a chance to hunt with it yet, but have a B.C. moose hunt schedualed for this Sept. I have cronoed mine and it shoots right at 3600 fps using RL25 and 180 gr nosler partitions. This weapon is extreamly accurate all the way out to 1000 yds!!!! I also put the Burris signature 4x16 on it that is sold only by Lazzeroni. (a mil dot scope ) I have shot Wby for twenty years. Both .300 and .270. And I wish that the Lazzeroni would have been available way back when. It is a pure pleasure to shoot. Not to mention the varities of loads that can be worked up for it!!! Plenty for any animal that walks North America. Even the big bears.
Hoghead

quote:
Originally posted by mnmark:
I was curious to see if anyone out there has had any experience with the Sako TRG-S and .308 Warbird combination. Am particularly interested in accuracy, quality, shootability, etc. Any comments are welcome, either about the rifle, cartridge, or both. thanks in advance.
-Mark