The cartridge OAL I use is right out of the VV book, ie: 3.602 inches with the 250 grain bullets, they do feed from the mag, though I usually feed them by hand one at a time when I'm at the range.
There is plenty of room in the mag, the chamber limits my max, any longer than book and the bullet is touching the lands and I get little marks on the bullet and crummy accuracy.
Receiver diameter is 1.2850 on the flats, bolt diameter is .765 on the lug end, receiver length is 8 15/16", magwell length is 3.87" and I load my rounds to 3.625" to clear the mag. i don't know about the barrel shank diameter and length because I've never had the barrel off (yet). The barrel diameter at the receiver is 1.1525". Hope this helps. - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
Thank you very much! That's exactly what I needed. Is the bolt diameter measurement taken from the tips of the lugs or inbetween lugs? I would assume inbetween lugs?
If anyone has the dimensions of the shank please help me out, thanks.
[This message has been edited by sr90 (edited 01-30-2002).]
Sr90- the lugs taper forward, so I took the measurement as close to the face edge of the lugs as I could get my micrometer.
Mike- A well built rifle, a little heavy to carry all day. The stock really doesn't fit me very well, and I don't know of any aftermarket stocks. the detachable mag works well, and is one of the better versions of this out there. The 338 Lapua was a bit of a disappointment. I haven't found a load yet that will exceed 2970 fps (with a 250 gr bullet)without pressure signs. On the other hand, the 300 gr Mk's are very accurate in this rifle. But I didn't buy it for target shooting, so I consider that a moot point. I bought the rifle from a friend who needed quick cash, and he had never fired it. He bought it to be his long range ultimate dragon slayer after reading some articles in Soldier of Fortune, I think. The rifle came with a few hundred Lapua brass and the Mk's. I got dies from Hornady and started loading. The only factory ammo I've tried, Lapua 250 gr, weren't particularely accurate. they were also slow, 2750 fps. Handloading has improved speed and accuracy, but as it gets faster, I find the stock beats me up a lot more. I believe the case capacity is there for more performance, I just haven't stumbled on the right combination yet. Right now the Lapua is only 20 fps faster than my 340 Wby, and hurts more to shoot. As a target gun, go for the sniper version, it weighs more. For a long range critter whacker, it works ok. I like to use it for hunting, if I'm not going to walk too much (yeah, I know I'm a wuss-so sue me). The rifle itself, because it handles that big case, can be modified to some other interesting rounds. One of the local fellows rebarreled his for 338-378, with a 30" barrel. The other thing of course is price. I don't know what they are worth in Oz, but here the TRG-S's are a bargain. Well under a grand Cdn. So in all, (I'm sure getting long winded in my old age)I would have to say that for the money, it is a good rifle. I'm going to have to take a rasp to that stock though. FWIW - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
I stumbled upon my TRGS Lapua a little over a year and a half ago while looking for a new elk rifle in .338 Win. I have a soft spot for Sakos and already had a TRGS in 25-06 that I love. At $515 US shipped this Lapua was a super deal.
The TRGS will not win any beauty contests but they really work for me. I am a big guy and with a Decelerator pad the gun fits me great (Edit-you don't want to shoot it with the stock "pad"). Quality is good. The bolt itself is oversize and projects out for good purchase; the action is smooth and bolt lift short. Trigger is nice, set mine for 3.5. As Dan said the mags work well and are secure. good accuracy ~1" 3 shot groups if I do my part. I haven't tried to push mine hard as I feel a 250 Nosler Partition at 2900 will do the job. Because the rifle fits me well, I don't find the recoil too bad but still call it quits after 15 shots off the bench.
Some cons would be brass and magazine costs. When I bought my brass it was $2.50 each and my extra mag was around $50. Also, with low Sako mounts I had to rotate my scope 90 degrees as the windage knob would interfere with ejection of the case.
So far this rifle has accounted for four elk (I have shot two and a bud borrowed it for two more) and really couldn't be more pleased. In my case it really doesn't do anything a .338 heavy mag or .340 Weatherby won't do, but I am very happy with it
Take care, John
[This message has been edited by JKS (edited 01-30-2002).]
Posts: 831 | Location: Mount Vernon, WA | Registered: 18 November 2001
I noticed that you both stumbled across the rifles.
I am about to order a Rem Sendero in 338 Ultra as a test run.
For a little while I was thinking that the 375 Ultra would go with my 375 H&Hs best but have come to the conclusion that a big 338 will be best.
Did own a 338/378 for a while when they were a wildcat. Rebarreled a 416 Wby Mark V. But they are a bit much and also restrict you on actions and the cost of the brass is heavy going.
Before the final decision I thought I would ask about the 338 Lapua in the TRG while the opportunity presented itself.
From what both of you say the TRG is not a rifle that is top end, and the 338 Lapua has the same sort of action restrictions as the 338/378.
Mike
Posts: 7206 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
Thanks, I am interested to see how the action is holding up with the heavy barrel, would you ask him what the contour is, and what it tapers down to at the muzzle?
I am interested in building a longrange rig on a sako action and will be using a 30 inch barrel straight tapered down to .9 inches at the muzzle.
Sr-90- there is no bedding block on the rifle. It seems to be holding up fine so far. the take off barrel shank was approx. 1" in diameter and 1 1/16" long. I can't give you a more exact measurement because all we had with us was a ruler. I'll ask him the taper questions when I see him next. Oh and the gunsmith who did the job says he has a 35-338 Lapua Improved reamer, and that got my attention. FWIW - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
Sr-90, it's Bill Storoschuk at Premier Gunsmiths here in Edmonton. No web site, the phone number is 780 421 1131. I'm thinking a 35-338 Lapua Improved might just be the cat's meow for moose/elk hunting. - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
What would be the max OAL you could load your rounds so they will fit into the magazine? (it sounds like it could be either 3.87 or 3.625 is the max length is that right)?
[This message has been edited by sr90 (edited 02-03-2002).]
Sr90- 3.625" would still be all the length available in the magazine. I don't know of anyone who has modified these mags for greater cartridge length, I would be interested in seeing something like that. - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
can you fit a max load 300 grain sierra into the magazine, and is it a compressed load? If it isn't a compressed load is there much room left in the case?
It depends which powder I'm using. The slower powders are compressed, the quicker ones are not. keep in mind that "slower" and "quicker" here are relative terms. What powder are you curious about? - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
