Sako TRG 22 A1 Examined and Reviewed

The Sako TRG 22 A1 is essentially the most correct out-of-the-box manufacturing rifle I’ve ever examined. That places it on the head of an inventory that features most of the best fashionable sniper and precision rifles made. However that’s solely a part of the story. As pleasing as it’s to see a rifle shoot bug-hole teams with almost any ammunition that’s put by way of it, what I like equally in regards to the Sako TRG 22 A1 are its refined ergonomics and good design.

Ergonomically, the rifle will be match exactly to the shooter with easy-to-use, elegant controls. Furthermore, each part on the rifle that may be manipulated by the consumer features in a easy and flawless style. Its craftsmanship is second-to-none.

The design of the Sako TRG 22 A1 can also be a homerun. It’s constructed to outlive essentially the most attempting environments and is cleverly engineered in order that the operator can simply service all its main elements within the discipline with instruments stowed throughout the chassis.

It’s a outstanding firearm, and must you get to spend some high quality time with one, you’ll perceive why it is without doubt one of the finest sniper rifles in use right now.

• Motion: Three-lug bolt
• Inventory: Aluminum chassis folder
• Barrel: 26 in., 1:8 twist, cold-hammer solid
• Chambering: 6.5 Creedmoor (examined), .308 Win., .260 Rem., .300 Win. Magazine., .338 Lapua
• Capability: 10+1 (short-action cartridges)
• Weight: 12 lb. 7 oz. (empty, no magazine, with three M-LOK sections put in)
• Set off: Two-stage, user-adjustable, user-serviceable
• Set off pull: 2 lb. 10 oz. (measured)
• Value: $5,400

Configuration For Analysis

Sako Sniper Rifles

The TRG 22 A1 is a part of Sako’s household of sniper rifles. It’s an offshoot of the TRG 22/42 fashions. The unique-series TRGs (with out the A1 designation) are heavy-barreled rifles that regulate for cheek peak, size of pull, and different dimensions, though the shares are mounted and don’t fold. The 22 is for short-action calibers (.308 Win., .260 Rem., 6.5 Creed), whereas the 42 signifies long-action cartridges (.300 Win. Magazine., .338 Lapua).  Just like the TRG 21/41 that preceded them, they’ve been in style with army and regulation enforcement companies all over the world, in addition to with civilian shooters.

In 2018, Sako launched the A1 collection—the TRG 22 A1 and TRG 42 A1—which is constructed on an aluminum folding chassis that was first developed for the Sako M10 sniper rifle.

The important thing distinction between the M10 and the TRG 22/42 A1 is that the M10 is a multi-caliber rifle with a quick-change barrel system. The TGR 22/42 A1 doesn’t have this functionality (nor the M10’s considerably larger price ticket) however it does have the M10’s incredible ergonomics.

The TRG 22 A1 Chassis

The chassis on a rifle performs two vital features. First, it attaches to and helps the barreled motion. The stronger and extra inflexible this connection, the higher consistency, accuracy, and sturdiness. Second, it creates the interface between the shooter and the rifle. The chassis’ geometry and dimensions dictate how naturally (or not) the shooter’s physique conforms to the rifle. The extra snug and relaxed the operator is behind the rifle, the higher they’ll shoot.

Chassis’ Adjustable Ergonomics

Chassis that regulate for key dimensions like cheek peak and size of pull are hardly new, however they aren’t all created equal, both. The chassis on the Sako TRG 22 A1 excels for its capability to tremendous tune these dimensions to a level few different chassis can, permitting the shooter to essentially dial in rifle match.

Cheek peak, size of pull, and the peak of the recoil pad regulate by way of low-profile buttons and tabs. In contrast to many chassis which have cumbersome knobs or latches that may grasp up on webbing, vegetation, clothes, and different objects, these controls are tucked out of the best way. The TRG 22 A1 does a very good job minimizing the potential for snags.

Every of these dimensions adjusts in small increments to assist the shooter get correctly aligned behind the scope. As soon as the shooter has mastered the inventory, these changes will be made rapidly within the discipline to adapt to completely different capturing positions.

Altering Grip and Set off Geometry

The Sako TRG 22 A1 comes with three grip inserts of various thicknesses which can be sized small, medium, and enormous. They place the online of the capturing hand both nearer to or farther away from the set off. The rifle ships with the medium grip put in and, whereas it’s going to work for many shooters, it’s value attempting the opposite inserts.

The inserts are held in place by a single T-10 Torx screw on the underside of the grip. Simply again it out and the grip will slide proper off. You’ll be able to simply swap one other instead to check the match.

As a part of this fine-tuning course of, the shooter may also change the place and orientation of the set off. By loosening the T-10 on the underside of the set off, the operator can transfer the set off ahead and backward to tweak the set off attain.  It’s additionally attainable to rotate the set off shoe to at least one facet or the opposite, if desired.

Between the grip inserts, the adjustability of the set off attain and place, and the adjustability of the inventory, the Sako TRG 22 A1 is customizable to a level surpassed solely by goal rifles utilized in Olympic disciplines and comparable competitions. There’s definitely no rifle constructed for army obligation that outdoes it on this regard, although some rifles, just like the Accuracy Worldwide AXSR, have comparable flexibility. 

Chassis’ Sturdy Connection to the Motion

The Sako TRG 22 A1 makes use of three fasteners to safe the motion to the chassis. They’re ¼-28 screws, which is the usual dimension utilized in Remington 700 sample actions. However as a result of the Sako’s three factors of connection, as an alternative of two, makes it the stronger system. I measured the quantity of thread engagement on my rifle and located that the screws within the TRG 22 A1 have a few flip to a turn-and-a-half extra engagement than you’ll discover on a typical 700 motion. That interprets to about 33 % extra engagement per screw, which improves the rifle’s ruggedness and reliability.

One fascinating factor in regards to the Sako TRG 22 A1 is that the specs name for the motion screws, and even the screw that holds the set off housing in place, to be tightened to 133 in.-lb., which is considerably larger than you’ll discover on almost another rifle. Tightening motion screws between 50 and 80 in.-lb. is the norm, with 65 in.-lb. being the most typical advice.

To entry the center and rear motion screws, the consumer removes the set off housing by inserting a T-25 Torx driver by way of a gap within the set off guard and loosening a screw. To get to the entrance motion screw, take away the device package in entrance of the journal nicely.

Floating Recoil Lug

The entrance motion screw pins the rifle’s recoil lug in place. The lug is a small block that slides right into a minimize within the entrance of the chassis physique. The highest of the lug is flat, and suits right into a machined flat on the underside of the TRG’s motion. The match between the lug, chassis, and motion is designed with a little bit of play. When tightened, the three items self-center on one another to create a cosy, stiff match that doesn’t introduce any torque or stress into the system that might probably degrade accuracy. It’s a sensible, easy, and cost-effective system.

Stiff Folder Mechanism

The folding portion of the inventory was designed for stiffness as nicely. When the inventory is deployed, there’s no detectable wiggle or play. When folded, the inventory locks in place. A button on high of the chassis simply in entrance the hinge permits the consumer to fold and unfold the inventory.

Whereas folders make rifle transport and storage simpler, they do have one shortcoming: if mud or snow will get into the hinge mechanism, it may stop the inventory from locking open when unfolded.

Throughout my analysis, I purposely jammed the folded inventory into the snow, and positive sufficient I couldn’t lock the inventory open till I had cleared the hinge, which took some doing. This isn’t a criticism of the Sako TRG 22 A1, as all folders are vulnerable to this, however it’s one thing pay attention to must you take a folding inventory of any sort into the sector.

Free-Floating Handguard

The octagonal-shaped handguard on the Sako TRG 22 A1 is held in place by two T-25 Torx crossbolt fasteners that pinch the rear of the handguard so it grips the cylindrical extension that juts off the entrance of the chassis. The rearmost fastener slides by way of a groove machined within the extension to correctly index the handguard with the chassis. This additionally ensures that the handguard can’t work its manner free even when the bolts aren’t tightened appropriately.

A notch on the highest of the handguard that matches across the Picatinny rail on the receiver additionally helps the handguard index correctly.

The handguard extension doesn’t contact the barrel or the receiver, so stress on the handguard doesn’t get transmitted to the free-floating barrel, which contributes to the Sako TRG 22 A1’s accuracy.

About the one criticism I’ve of the Sako TRG 22 A1 is that the handguard doesn’t incorporate an integral ARCA rail alongside the underside. That characteristic has grow to be widespread sufficient on precision rifles that it’s nearly an anticipated characteristic.

30 MOA Rails

The handguard has a full-length Picatinny rail alongside the highest with a 30 MOA declination that mates up with the 30 MOA declination on the rail on the receiver. This permits for problem free mounting of evening imaginative and prescient gear and different gadgets that have to be aligned with the rifle scope.

Sako machined numbers in each different grove, going from 20 to 52, to assist return equipment to the identical place after they’ve been eliminated.

The opposite seven flats on the handguard have M-Lok slots. There are greater than sufficient to mount no matter gizmos you need. The rifle comes with 4 M-Lok rail sections: two brief, one lengthy, and one with sling mounts.

Snug Rear Hook

The chassis features a hook on the underside of the buttstock to cosy the rifle into the shoulder. It’s well-shaped and can be utilized a pair methods. The hook can both match within the internet between the thumb and index finger or be hooked by the fingers of the non-shooting hand, relying on what the capturing place dictates. It attaches to the chassis by way of a Picatinny rail and will be eliminated and changed with another sort of bag rider if desired.

Sling Mounts

The chassis has mounting factors for a sling on the buttstock and simply ahead of the hinge above the grip. These mounts embody QD sling sockets and Mil-sling lugs, so you should use both attachment system. The mounts are ambidextrous, which is a pleasant contact.

The rifle comes with a small M-Lok sling attachment that goes on the handguard for the entrance of the sling. It features a QD socket and Mil-sling lug as nicely.

Fancy New Colours

Whereas the Sako TRG 22 A1 has been round for a number of years, the Finns determined to spruce up the platform with the addition of some new Cerakote colours this yr. My pattern is in Tungsten Grey; the opposite new finishes are Olive Drab, Graphite Black, and Coyote Brown.

Working the Sako TRG 22 A1

The TRG 22 A1 is without doubt one of the most intuitive and pure rifles I’ve ever shot. Every thing features easily with none hiccup or hesitation. Settling in behind it feels nearly as good as reclining in your favourite simple chair.

Slick Three-Lug Motion

The three-lug motion is phosphate coated for corrosion resistance and lubricity. The bolt glides simply backwards and forwards within the motion with no chatter, vibration, or grasp ups regardless of how soiled it will get or how aggressively the shooter works it. The knob on the bolt deal with is outsized and juts out at an angle that makes it simple to seize and it gives loads of leverage to extract empties, cock the motion, and chamber the subsequent spherical.

Flawless Biking

Throughout my time vary classes with the Sako TRG 22 A1, I put about 200 rounds by way of the rifle. By no means as soon as did I expertise any failure to feed, extract, or eject rounds.

The rifle makes use of (after all) a Sako-style extractor and a plunger ejector. The ejector kicks the empties away from the receiver in a quick method. To verify the rifle does this with the bigger magnum cartridges (.300 Win. Magazine. and .338 Lapua) Sako added a second plunger ejector within the TRG 42 and TRG 42 A1.

Straightforward Reloads

The rifle runs off a proprietary 10-round journal that accepts rounds simply—even with gloves on—and slides into the journal nicely with minimal effort. The within of the magazine nicely is barely beveled which helps information it. The journal locks into place in a really optimistic method and doesn’t require any additional stress to interact the latch.

The paddle to launch the journal is situated simply in entrance of the set off guard and is simple to govern. When pressed ahead, the journal drops free with out hesitation.

Although that is precisely how a removable field journal system is meant to work, they typically don’t—even on top-end rifles with hefty value tags. So when one operates completely, you understand you’re coping with a well-made rig.

Crisp Two-Stage Set off

Two-stage triggers are the norm on sniper rifles, and the Sako TRG 22 A1 isn’t any exception on this regard. The set off is user-adjustable with a pull weight that may set between 2.6 and 4.6 kilos.

I turned mine all the way down to its minimal break weight, which got here in at 2 kilos, 10 ounces. To regulate the set off, insert a Torx T-10 driver by way of the smallest of the three entry holes within the set off guard and switch the adjustment screw counterclockwise.

The preliminary take-up on my set off requires a contact over a pound of stress to interact the second stage. As soon as the slack is eliminated, the set off reveals no creep earlier than it journeys with that additional pound or so of stress.

The crisp, constant break gives glorious set off management and, together with the power to fine-tune the set off geometry mentioned above, contributes considerably to the rifle’s distinctive accuracy.

Ergonomic Security

The security on the Sako TRG 22 A1 is a paddle situated throughout the set off guard that toggles backwards and forwards. The paddle requires deliberate, however not extreme, stress to modify between “protected” and “hearth,” and it offers good tactical and audible suggestions when moved. When pushed ahead, the rifle is within the hearth place.

When engaged, the protection mechanically blocks the set off, which is what you need, and locks the bolt in place. As with different options on the rifle, the protection will be labored whereas the operator is carrying gloves.

Nice Recoil Administration

The Sako TRG 22 A1’s top-flight ergonomics, glorious controls, and weight—totally kitted out with scope, bipod, and suppressor, mine tipped the scales at 17 lb. 4 oz.—mix to present the rifle glorious recoil administration.

With the chassis correctly adjusted and the shooter sq. behind the rifle, it isn’t tough to keep up your sight image after breaking the shot. I discovered it simple to identify impacts and misses and keep within the glass whereas operating the motion.

Subsequent-Degree Precision

My first vary session with the rifle was an eye-opening expertise. I’ve shot and owned loads of Sakos over time, together with the distinctive M10 sniper rifle when it was first launched, so my expectations have been fairly excessive. That mentioned, the primary 40 rounds I put by way of this 6.5 Creedmoor amazed me.

I used to be at an outside vary in Colorado with temperatures within the higher teenagers and a reasonably brisk crosswind blowing up the canyon. I bore-sighted the rifle, aimed on the heart bull, and hit low proper subsequent to one of many different aiming factors.

I shot the rest of that 5-shot group, adjusted the purpose of goal on the Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56, and shot one other. I repeated this with three different masses, inserting two 5-shot teams on paper for every. I had one shot I pulled on the ultimate group resulting from heavy mirage coming off the suppressor, so I put an additional spherical downrange and discounted that one errant impression.

Most Correct Rifle I’ve Examined

The typical of these eight 5-shot teams was simply .384 inches. That was with 4 completely different manufacturing facility ammo masses with bullet weights from 130 to 147 grains. I’ve evaluated rifles for many years and by no means had a manufacturing facility gun that shot to this degree. A few of my competitors rifles shoot this tight, however they’re doing so with rigorously constructed handloads, not manufacturing facility ammunition.

One fascinating factor I seen on the goal was that the primary 5-shot group with every load was bigger than the second 5 five-shot group.

Bullet Fouling and Precision

We’re all accustomed to the thought of fouling a rifle: After a radical barrel cleansing, it may take a number of photographs earlier than the rifle begins capturing to its potential. The distinction in group sizes from a glowing clear barrel and one which’s had a dozen rounds by way of it may be dramatic. Generally you’ll see the identical impact, although to a lesser diploma, if you change from one sort of bullet to a different.

In my expertise that is most pronounced when switching between normal jacketed lead bullets and copper alloy “monometal” bullets. It appears barrels generally have to acclimate to the precise metallic composition of the bullets they’re capturing.

Retaining that in thoughts, it was placing that the typical of the primary teams I shot with Sako TRG 22 A1 was .502 inches—nonetheless a formidable end result—however that the typical of the second teams was simply .266 inches, which is de facto superb.

Whereas this information is suggestive, I wouldn’t deem it definitive. To essentially take a look at the idea that it is best to foul a rifle when switching from one bullet sort to a different would require a a lot bigger information set. It’s one thing we plan to take a look at sooner or later.

Included in these teams was one which measured a scant .051 inches—by far the very best group of the various 1000’s I’ve shot over the many years. That was with Hornady’s 147-grain ELD-M ammo. That ammo additionally occurred to shoot the most important group with the Sako TRG 22 A1, which was .558 inches.

Chilly-Hammer Solid Barrel

Plenty of the credit score for this accuracy has to go to the barrel. The Sako TRG 22 A1 has a 26-inch barrel that’s cold-hammer solid. In 6.5 Creedmoor it has a 1:8 proper twist and is threaded 5/8-24 on the muzzle for the American market.

In .308 Win., the rifle has a 26-inch barrel threaded 5/8-24 as nicely. Whereas the magnum cartridges within the TRG 42 A1 collection (.300 Win. Magazine. and .338 Lapua) have 27-inch barrels. The .300 Win. Magazine. is threaded 5/8-24, whereas the .338 Lapua has the European normal M18x1 thread pitch.

Servicing the TRG 22 A1

Sako made it simple for shooters to maintain this rifle, whether or not within the discipline or at a bench. The designers went to nice lengths to ensure an operator can preserve the rifle in working situation it doesn’t matter what. It’s reassuring to know that virtually any drawback will be addressed with only a few instruments.

Area Instrument Package

The rifle accommodates an on-board device package, situated within the polymer palm swell beneath the handguard and simply in entrance of the journal.

To entry the device package, take away the bolt from the rifle and use the Torx T-25 bit machined into the bolt knob to detach the package. Sako well designed it with a captured screw, so you possibly can’t lose the fastener.

Contained throughout the package are three Torx keys: a T-25, T-15, and T-10. With them you possibly can tighten and repair any of the vital fastners on the rifle. They will let you take away the handguard, regulate the set off pull weight and set off geometry, swap out the grip inserts, tighten the motion screws, reconfigure the sling attachments, mount the included M-Lok rails, and take away and refine the place of the recoil pad.

Toolless Bolt Takedown

The bolt can be taken aside and serviced within the discipline. The bolt shroud will be twisted off by hand giving entry to the firing pin and firing-pin spring, and reassembled the identical manner. Sako features a device that makes this takedown and reassembly course of simpler to carry out, however anybody with average hand power received’t want it.

Sako TRG 22 A1 Professionals and Cons

Professionals

• Distinctive Accuracy
• Nice Ergonomics
• Sensible Design
• Rugged and Straightforward to Service

Cons

• Heavy for Normal Use
• Costly

Last Ideas on the TRG 22 A1

The Sako TRG 22 A1 is a formidable rifle, even when measured towards its peer group that features some actually fabulous rifles made by Accuracy Worldwide, Barrett, and others.

Whereas this assessment discusses the assorted options of the rifle in-depth, the expertise of capturing the TRG 22 A1 is a little more tough to seize. The rifle is greater than the sum of its components on this respect.

Sako’s engineers did a superb job making a rifle that critical shooters will admire and luxuriate in, whether or not they’re carrying the gun as a part of their job or simply utilizing it for competitors or different leisure functions.

Costly? Sure. But it surely isn’t as pricey as many customized rifles being offered right now and, with treasured few exceptions, it’s going to out-shoot each one in all them.