I'm considering building a custom rifle on a TRG-S action.

Are there any aftermarket triggers available?

What is the difference between the TRG-S and Model 75 action (for .338 Lapua)?

I've read of action screws backing out of the TRG-S, along with a recoil lug that is too small. Can these be solved with a barrel block?

Is there any reason to avoid this action for a custom hunting rifle?

Thanks, Lee

Had a TRG-S in 30-378. I felt it was a plastic POS.

The action requires a better recoil lug in my opinion and if I was rebarreling,I would definately employ a 700 type lug arrangement. The plastic furniture is a big turn off and prone to breakage too. My stock cracked/chipped at the tang and accuracy was lackluster at best(prior even to the stock issues).

It is a Sako only in the same sense,that the 710 is a Remington. That being in name only.

I was not very impressed. Here's hoping your luck is better than mine............

I have 2 TRG-S, 375 H&H and a 450 Ackley custom. My 375 has way over 1000 rounds through it with no problems and unbelievable accuracy, 1/2 inch consistantly. The 450 has two large recoil lugs, one on the action another on the barrel with no problem. Both of my mine have a good bit of space between the tang and stock, which is correct. To me the stock trigger is perfect, 21/2 pounds.

Mike

I haven't come across any aftermarket bits for these Sako's. I also haven't heard of any problems with them. I have one in 338 Lapua, and a friend has two, one in 416 Remington and the other in 338-378 Wby. No problems there either. - Dan

[ 09-07-2002, 21:18: Message edited by: dan belisle ]

I own one in 30-378. Great action. Many have complained about the recoil lug setup but no one has reported a problem, even with the 338 Lapua. Nevertheless a better arrangement would be to embed a metal plate in the stock which is the same thickness as the slot in the receiver. One problem I have encountered is that I have not found anyone who sells an inletted stock for the TRGS, but I'm still working on that. Also, I've yet to determine what dimensions (if any) are the same between the 75 and the TRGS.

I have one in Lapua and really like it. The only thing I don't like (as others have complained) is the stock. MPI (which I don't want) and David Lake will build a stock for a TRG-S. You probably won't need a new trigger. Most are very nice and it's easy to adjust them. Overalll I think they are pretty good guns. As far as the difference between the TRG-S and the 75, the actions are totally different. The TRG-S is designed after the TRG and is a much larger action. Both are nice. As far as building a custom rifle, I would do what Big Stick said and add a Holland Recoil lug, though I've never had any problems with mine, I would just feel better doing it. I've seen some really nice custom TRG-S, but they all had that same stock. As far as the screws backing out, I have never had this problem, my brother has the same gun in Lapua also and he has never had this problem and don't understand why it only happen on these rifles, just doesn't make sense.

Jim

Jim

I have three TRG-s, 7 STW, .338 Win, and .375 H & H. All are accurate, trigger is good.

The recoil "lug" (actually a reverse lug) does look puny. It has been fine, however, in my guns. If I were customizing a TRG-s in a heavy caliber, I'd probably use a Remington-type washer-lug between the barrel and action.

The bolt works the smoothest of any rifle I've ever come across -- tilt the muzzle up about 20 degrees, flip the bolt handle up, and the bolt will slide completely to the rear on its own.

As far as I know, no one is selling a pre-inletted stock for the TRG-s, but this just means a little extra work (and a few extra bucks) for a good stockmaker.

Happy shooting!

When I first saw the M995 action in the TRG-S, I said, Hoo-ah, look at that magazine. 3.75in inside length. Gotta have!

It shot great for about fifty rounds. And then... Well, it would wander a bit. Two, maybe three little half inch groups scattered 2-4" around the point of aim. Round one in group one. Round two in group two, round three back in group one, and so on. Maddening.

It was the recoil lug. Drop the action in the stock, seat the lug in the receiver. Insert front guard screw and tighten. Action moves forward about .030. The movement polished the bluing off the bottom of the receiver. Shiny center streak = movement.

As someone mentioned, the fix was to make a big square block, press it into the receiver slot and then hog out the stock, discard the puny bit of metal, and steel bed the block.

A home run. A half MOA banger (8mm Rem). This is my "go-to" rifle (for now). You can remove the scope (Warne QR rings) pull the action from the stock (take down case) go anywhere in the world, put it back together and you're right back on zero. I even had the barrel pulled to refresh the crown, same results.

Recently, I loaned the rifle to a local metalsmith who wanted to develop bottom metal for this action. Bottom metal is necessary for custom stocks because the TRG-S has a molded in triggerguard and, er, floor plastic. The action has a detachable magazine. Jack Sturgis did a great job. His bottom metal uses the attachment bits from the TRG-S stock to retain the factory magazines. If I wasn't so flat out on the M1999 project, I would be building an acrabond laminate on this great action.

And if we ever do detachable mags on the M1999, that Sako centerfeed box would be hard to beat.

Rod, I have experienced the same thing with my TRG in 338 lapua.

Was great accuracy wise for first 100 rounds or so, now it wanders unexpectedly.

I had the crown and free-floating checked.

Been driving me nuts! Who did the work for you or did you do it yourself? Where exactly should I look the see the streaking you spoke of?

Yorick: Actually, I had just moved to Montana at the time, and I went around several shops asking for ideas on how to fix this. Montana Rifleman came up with the block idea, and did the work, including the bedding job for $75.00. That was in 1998.

Pull the action from the stock, turn it upside down and look at the very bottom-center of the rounded receiver. I had a polished to the white streak that ran down the center, intersecting the guardscrew holes.

338 Lapua-how do you get in touch with David Lake about these TRG stocks?

Rod-how do you get in touch with Jack sturgis about the bottom metal? Thanks - Dan

Dan: Montana is full of small cottage industry shops in the gun business. Jack is one of those. No website. No shop phone, etc. His home number is 406-755-8701. No answering machine. Most reliable way of contacting him is a letter. 1221 5th Ave West, Kalispell, MT. 59901.

Thanks Rod. - Dan

That last jog throught woods, a five hundred yard dash to cut off a nice 5x6 Whitetail, finished my TRG-S stock. The foreend cracked circumferentially around the sling swivel stud. Only about an inch to go before the whole tip falls off.

Luckily Mel Smart has a Sturgis bottom metal kit. Guess I'll have to pony up the $$$ and start one of those hand-picked blanks I was saving for M1999 actions.

wouldn't you know it...I didn't come across this thread until after I put my TRG-S in .308 Warbird on layaway...probably would've went with the 300 RUM instead...but, my best friend has the Warbird TRG, and his shot great right out of the box. Mine however, not so much. Setup: Tikka/TRG original mounts and Optilock rings, and Burris Black Diamond 4-16X50 Ballistic Milldot scope with posi lock....with scope locked, I was getting 3" groups at 100yds with factory Nosler Partitions...I hope it's just the partitions that don't shoot, and not my gun....what do you guys think? Any suggestions?

PS...curiously enough, my friend's gun's accuracy has gone down the tubes as of late as well...very interesting

[ 12-16-2002, 09:08: Message edited by: the444shooter ]

I'm prepared to sink some (more) money into this rifle to make it a nice rig...for example, a new laminated stock (if elk ridge makes one to fit TRG dimensions)because I don't want to have this stock crack on me, and a muzzle brake from David Jentry (sp?)...but I don't know if it will be a lost cause. And I don't know what to look for on the crown to see if that's what's causing the problem. I don't know much about the recoil lugs (or lack thereof) in the TRG action...how much does it usually run to install a remington style lug? Any comments and info will be appreciated.

Yeah, I've heard others complain that their RUM's and Warbirds weren't loud enough without a muzzle brake.

While the Remington-style recoil washer would work fine if rebarreling anyway, I think if you don't want to go the expense of disturbing your current barrel I would try the lug pressed (or welded) into the receiver slot and bedded with Devcon or JBWeld in a slot cut from the channel of the stock.

[ 12-20-2002, 00:06: Message edited by: Stonecreek ]

Update - I talked to Jack Sturgis about TRG bottom metal. They made 1 prototype and are thinking of making more. Another dead end.

How is this a dead end? The proto mentioned is going into my custom stock. It is a production quality part, for which I'm likely to pay between $150 and $200.

Given the limited market, I wouldn't expect Jack to make several hundred on his dime. You want one, send a deposit and ask him to make one.

YA, I want one, but he said they were 'thinking' of making more. If you get more info, I'd appreciate an update.

Well, Jack hasn't seen my money yet. I'll take care of that this week. Maybe he'll become more excited with a little cash coming in.

Rod.

Well, ktg was close to the mark. I stopped by Mel Smart's shop as that was where the bottom metal was. From Mel I learned that is NOT Jack Sturgis' project but Acra-bond Laminate's. Mel commissioned Jack to build a prototype so he could use the metalwork to create a pattern stock for the TRG. All there is today is one metal workup with a number of issues to solve. No prints. No drawings even.

Mel's had some heath problems lately, so this was going nowhere. And if it goes nowhere, my go-to rifle is laid up indefinately unless I buy another plastic stock from Benelli.

So Mel and I worked out a deal. I need two Acra-bond laminates for the TRG-S. One for the 8mm and another for a .416 Rigby I've a mind to build. I'll do the "design for manufacturing" bit and get the CAD work done on my dime. Then, I'll go out for bid on the bottom metal and get ready to produce them. I'll run my semi-broken stock down to Dennis Olson for pattern work-up. All my costs will be applied to the two laminated stocks I need for the TRG.

The TRG-1 bottom metal will use the factory guard screws (without washers), leaf spring, magazine, and the magazine latch and spring. It will include a recoil block designed to be pressed into the receiver. The bottom metal will be two-piece: trigger bow and magazine frame, clamped together by the center guard screw in a manner that captures the leaf spring. The fit will such that the bottom metal appears as a single piece once installed.

This is not an MRC deal. If you want to get in line for the first production run, you should call Mel Smart at Acra-bond Laminates: 406-257-9003. Tell him you saw this post and want to be included in the first run of parts. Price? Hard to say at this point, but I'm betting we can do this with surprising economy. Figure around $100 for now. Plus or minus $30 or so. I'll know more when I get minimum lot quotes from the metalshops.

The444shoter,

It could very well be the partitions. In my Sako 75 stainless i get 3" groups out of the 160 grain partition. It shoots fine with other bullets. My barrel hates partitions which is a pitty as it was my first choice hunting bullet. Im gonna try the 175 grain and see if i have any better luck with that.

Thanks Rod. I'll give Mel a call next week, after the holidays. I assume he will be making the stocks for this as well? - Dan

Dan: First comes the bottom metal. No sense in making a stock without those essential elements. Then my stock will be used to make a pattern blank. After the blank is made, Mel will bed my action into the blank and then we have a finished pattern from which Acrabond Laminates will make semi-inletted or completely inletted stocks. The plan is to offer bottom metal, or bottom metal and stocks, or bedding customer TRG-S actions in bottom metal equipped stocks.

I just spoke to Mel Smart. Very friendly guy and full of info. If you call, make sure you have about a half hour. Sounds like it will take a little time for the project, but he'll get us taken care of. Thanks to Rod too.

I have a TRG-S made the first year of production. I bought the thing sight unseen in 30-378, with visions of the new M-75. Needless to say, the stock left quite abit to be desired, and the safety works different than the 75s (can't open the bolt on safe). I did brake the gun with the most effecient brake (read ugly) I could find, the JP Enterprises brake. Recoil is down to the .270 level, lug seems to be holding fine. I still have interest in a differnt stock, if for no other reason, to get rid of the one that's on it. I am very interested in seeing this custom stock, should it ever be made. In the meantime, I think I'll look for that white streak to see if I'm having the same problem!

Not only does that rising plunger lock the bolt, it blocks the striker. Since that big centerfeed magazine is a detachable box, unloading is swift and safe. The one in the chamber - go off safe and extract. No need for a 3-position safety.

Remember, this is my PRIME hunting rifle and if I don't get that stock done by the end of June, it's out of the game for next year and I'll be very unhappy.

CAD files back by next Friday.

Rod (posting from MRC but on a personal issue)

FWIW--I have one in 30-378. Love much about the gun except 2 things--would like more room in the clip to hang out bullets AND like all yours it is a finicky shooter. Same thing you guys report--a couple bullets shoot together then flyers. I finally settled on 150 barnes xbts. It'll put them into a 4" group at 300 yds. Not fantastic but not bad. Funny thing isthe barrel seems to need to be fouled by about a dozen shots (xlc's) before it settles down and shoots. What a pain that is on a 70 degree day!! Shot and wait, shoot and wait, shoot and wait, shoot and wait--ok now its ready to go hunting!!
Have to admit the price was right--about $625 brand new---I wonder what lazzeroni does to these guns different than the stock version. My local smith says for about $500 he'd love to take the gun and turn it into a tack driving 338-378 with a custom barrel for me!! I just may take him up on it someday.

kraky: I have a feeling it would take more than a new barrel. Mine has a Krieger in 8mm Rem. And this only "highlighted" the problem by making those wandering groups tighter. Imagine all these nice tight .60 groups spread 3-4 inches apart. Maddening. It's the factory recoil lug, which has got to go.

First pass of CAD files received tonight. A couple of small corrections needed. A day or two more and I'll be talking to metal shops for quotes.

In the meantime, I'll try to find a place where I can post an image for you guys to review.

Rod

Thanks Rod, keep it up. - Dan

He had seen the lug/beding problem and was going to address it somehow. I'll keep watching and see what you hardworking guys come up with!!

Having never seen or heard of a TRG-S in stainless it remains only to select the blueable alloy for the bottom metal. 4140 is not so desirable to machine. Dennis Olson suggested 12L14, which a couple of machine shops I talked to liked much better.

I'd like to hear some opinions of others. Prints are done (except for this detail) and will be going out to bid soon.

Rod.

[ 01-24-2003, 07:52: Message edited by: Rod@MRC ]

Because the action isn't available in stainless, I would suggest using a metal that takes plating well. My action is being nickle plated right now.

[ 01-24-2003, 00:24: Message edited by: ktg ]

Here's screen shot from the Solidworks .sldprt file. Imagine it in metal.

Maybe I am missing it...will it still use the clip? If so, how will you attach the spring that holds the clip in?

Thanks for helping all of us poor TRG-S owners

Jim

338Lapua: Sure...look closely. The two pieces of bottom metal form a .020 slot for the existing leaf spring to reside in, trapped by the center guard screw hole.

This assembly uses the factory guard screws, minus the washers. You slip out the magazine retainer from under the molded in pin, paying particular attention to the captive spring. These bits fit right into the new bottom metal which is bedded into the new stock. The factory magazine fits right into this frame and is retained by the transplanted latch.

My TRG-S factory stock is down at Dennis Olson's where, when the first article of the bottom metal is available, he will create a pattern using Mel Smart's classic magnum stock design. AND THEN...I have an Acrabond Laminated Special Selection blank that will become the first ever TRG-S custom stock. And I'll no longer hunt with an ugly gun.

Rod,

Thanks for the reply. Please post pic's and pricing info as soon as your project is completed. I am very curious.

As far as being the first custom stocked TRG-S, MPI already makes a stock for them. It's around $650 the last time I checked, bedded etc.

Jim

Rod, Any progress reports? The brown truck just showed up with my freshly plated barreled action from Robar. Looks like they do good work. The action is even smoother than before.

Working on it. The shop that I've asked to quote has been flat out with MRC stuff and so I've been "kind" not to ask for the impossible. I asked him to quote me 50 units as a trial run. I met Jim Lazzeroni at the Shot Show and he is interested also. I imagine I'll have a number this coming week, and if it's not too bad, I'll tell him to run them.

Then, off to Dennis Olson, who has my action and is waiting on the bottom metal to make a pattern. After that, my Special Select Acrabond Laminate blank goes into the Panograph.

I'm going to have the shop make 45 units in 12L14 and 5 in 416. Most TRGs are blue.