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 a listing that features lots of the best trendy sniper and precision rifles made. But that’s solely a part of the story. As satisfying as it’s to see a rifle shoot bug-hole teams with almost any ammunition that’s put via it, what I love equally in regards to the Sako TRG 22 A1 are its refined ergonomics and good design.
Ergonomically, the rifle might be match exactly to the shooter with easy-to-use, elegant controls. Moreover, each part on the rifle that may be manipulated by the consumer features in a easy and flawless vogue. Its craftsmanship is second-to-none.
The design of the Sako TRG 22 A1 can also be a homerun. It is constructed to outlive essentially the most making an attempt environments and is cleverly engineered in order that the operator can simply service all its main elements within the area with instruments stowed inside the chassis.
It is a exceptional firearm, and do you have to get to spend some high quality time with one, you’ll perceive why it is among the greatest sniper rifles in use at the moment.
- Action: Three-lug bolt
- Stock: Aluminum chassis folder
- Barrel: 26 in., 1:8 twist, cold-hammer solid
- Chambering: 6.5 Creedmoor (examined), .308 Win., .260 Rem., .300 Win. Mag., .338 Lapua
- Capacity: 10+1 (short-action cartridges)
- Weight: 12 lb. 7 oz. (empty, no magazine, with three M-LOK sections put in)
- Trigger: Two-stage, user-adjustable, user-serviceable
- Trigger pull: 2 lb. 10 oz. (measured)
- Price: $5,400
Configuration For Evaluation
Sako Sniper Rifles
The TRG 22 A1 is a part of Sako’s household of sniper rifles. It is an offshoot of the TRG 22/42 fashions. The original-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. Mag., .338 Lapua). Like the TRG 21/41 that preceded them, they’ve been common with army and legislation enforcement businesses around the globe, 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 key 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 increased price ticket) but it surely does have the M10’s unbelievable ergonomics.
The TRG 22 A1 Chassis
The chassis on a rifle performs two essential 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 capacity to nice 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. Unlike many chassis which have cumbersome knobs or latches that may dangle up on webbing, vegetation, clothes, and different objects, these controls are tucked out of the way in which. The TRG 22 A1 does a great job minimizing the potential for snags.
Each of these dimensions adjusts in small increments to assist the shooter get correctly aligned behind the scope. Once the shooter has mastered the inventory, these changes might be made shortly within the area to adapt to totally different taking pictures positions.
Changing Grip and Trigger Geometry
The Sako TRG 22 A1 comes with three grip inserts of various thicknesses which are sized small, medium, and huge. They place the online of the taking pictures hand both nearer to or farther away from the set off. The rifle ships with the medium grip put in and, whereas it can work for many shooters, it’s value making an attempt the opposite inserts.
The inserts are held in place by a single T-10 Torx screw on the underside of the grip. Just again it out and the grip will slide proper off. You can simply swap one other as a substitute to check the match.
As a part of this fine-tuning course of, the shooter also can 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 potential to rotate the set off shoe to at least one aspect 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 responsibility that outdoes it on this regard, although some rifles, just like the Accuracy International AXSR, have comparable flexibility.
Chassis’ Strong Connection to the Action
The Sako TRG 22 A1 makes use of three fasteners to safe the motion to the chassis. They are ¼-28 screws, which is the usual measurement utilized in Remington 700 sample actions. But as a result of the Sako’s three factors of connection, as a substitute 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 couple of flip to a turn-and-a-half extra engagement than you’ll discover on a typical 700 motion. That interprets to about 33 p.c 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 increased than you’ll discover on almost every other rifle. Tightening motion screws between 50 and 80 in.-lb. is the norm, with 65 in.-lb. being the commonest advice.
To entry the center and rear motion screws, the consumer removes the set off housing by inserting a T-25 Torx driver via 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 effectively.
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 high of the lug is flat, and matches 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 comfortable, 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 effectively. 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.
While folders make rifle transport and storage simpler, they do have one shortcoming: if mud or snow will get into the hinge mechanism, it might probably forestall the inventory from locking open when unfolded.
During my analysis, I purposely jammed the folded inventory into the snow, and certain 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 do you have to take a folding inventory of any kind into the sphere.
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 via 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 strain 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 turn into widespread sufficient on precision rifles that it’s virtually an anticipated characteristic.
Spuhr mount was used on this analysis. John B. Snow
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 night time imaginative and prescient gear and different gadgets that must 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 different 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 quick, one lengthy, and one with sling mounts.
Comfortable Rear Hook
The chassis features a hook on the underside of the buttstock to comfortable the rifle into the shoulder. It is 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 taking pictures place dictates. It attaches to the chassis by way of a Picatinny rail and might be eliminated and changed with another kind 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 embrace QD sling sockets and Mil-sling lugs, so you should utilize 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 effectively.
Fancy New Colors
While the Sako TRG 22 A1 has been round for a couple of years, the Finns determined to spruce up the platform with the addition of some new Cerakote colours this 12 months. My pattern is in Tungsten Gray; the opposite new finishes are Olive Drab, Graphite Black, and Coyote Brown.
Running the Sako TRG 22 A1
The TRG 22 A1 is among the most intuitive and pure rifles I’ve ever shot. Everything features easily with none hiccup or hesitation. Settling in behind it feels nearly as good as reclining in your favourite straightforward chair.
Slick Three-Lug Action
The three-lug motion is phosphate coated for corrosion resistance and lubricity. The bolt glides simply forwards and backwards within the motion with no chatter, vibration, or dangle ups irrespective 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 straightforward to seize and it gives a number of leverage to extract empties, cock the motion, and chamber the following spherical.
Flawless Cycling
During my time vary classes with the Sako TRG 22 A1, I put about 200 rounds via the rifle. Never 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 handy guide a rough method. To make sure that the rifle does this with the bigger magnum cartridges (.300 Win. Mag. and .338 Lapua) Sako added a second plunger ejector within the TRG 42 and TRG 42 A1.
Easy Reloads
The rifle runs off a proprietary 10-round journal that accepts rounds simply—even with gloves on—and slides into the journal effectively with minimal effort. The inside the magazine effectively is barely beveled which helps information it. The journal locks into place in a really optimistic method and doesn’t require any further strain to have interaction the latch.
The paddle to launch the journal is positioned simply in entrance of the set off guard and is simple to govern. When pressed ahead, the journal drops free with out hesitation.
Even 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 worth tags. So when one operates completely, you realize you’re coping with a well-made rig.
Crisp Two-Stage Trigger
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 via 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 strain to have interaction the second stage. Once the slack is eliminated, the set off displays no creep earlier than it journeys with that further pound or so of strain.
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 Safety
The security on the Sako TRG 22 A1 is a paddle positioned inside the set off guard that toggles forwards and backwards. The paddle requires deliberate, however not extreme, strain to change between “safe” and “fire,” and it provides good tactical and audible suggestions when moved. When pushed ahead, the rifle is within the fireplace 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 might be labored whereas the operator is sporting gloves.
Great Recoil Management
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 offer 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 straightforward to identify impacts and misses and keep within the glass whereas operating the motion.
Next-Level Precision
My first vary session with the rifle was an eye-opening expertise. I’ve shot and owned loads of Sakos through the years, 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 via 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 middle 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, putting two 5-shot teams on paper for every. I had one shot I pulled on the ultimate group on account of heavy mirage coming off the suppressor, so I put an additional spherical downrange and discounted that one errant impression.
Most Accurate Rifle I’ve Tested
The common of these eight 5-shot teams was simply .384 inches. That was with 4 totally different manufacturing unit ammo masses with bullet weights from 130 to 147 grains. I’ve evaluated rifles for many years and by no means had a manufacturing unit gun that shot to this degree. Some of my competitors rifles shoot this tight, however they’re doing so with fastidiously constructed handloads, not manufacturing unit 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.
| Load | Group No. | 5-shot Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Hornady 147-gr. ELD-M | 1st Group | 0.558 in. |
| 2nd Group | 0.051 in. | |
| Norma 130-gr. HPBT | 1st Group | 0.529 in. |
| 2nd Group | 0.361 in. | |
| Nosler 140-gr. Accubond | 1st Group | 0.458 in. |
| 2nd Group | 0.400 in. | |
| Remington 140-gr. OTM | 1st Group | 0.462 in. |
| 2nd Group | 0.253 in. | |
| Overall Group Average | .384 in. | |
| Average Size of First Groups | .502 in. | |
| Average Size of Second Groups | .266 in. |
Bullet Fouling and Precision
We’re all acquainted with the thought of fouling a rifle: After a radical barrel cleansing, it might probably take a couple of photographs earlier than the rifle begins taking pictures to its potential. The distinction in group sizes from a glowing clear barrel and one which’s had a dozen rounds via it may be dramatic. Sometimes you’ll see the identical impact, although to a lesser diploma, whenever you change from one kind of bullet to a different.
In my expertise that is most pronounced when switching between commonplace jacketed lead bullets and copper alloy “monometal” bullets. It appears barrels generally have to acclimate to the precise steel composition of the bullets they’re taking pictures.
Keeping that in thoughts, it was putting that the common of the primary teams I shot with Sako TRG 22 A1 was .502 inches—nonetheless a powerful outcome—however that the common of the second teams was simply .266 inches, which is actually wonderful.
While this knowledge is suggestive, I wouldn’t deem it definitive. To actually take a look at the idea that you must foul a rifle when switching from one bullet kind to a different would require a a lot bigger knowledge set. It is one thing we plan to have 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 numerous 1000’s I’ve shot over the a long time. 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.
Cold-Hammer Forged Barrel
A whole lot 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 effectively. While the magnum cartridges within the TRG 42 A1 collection (.300 Win. Mag. and .338 Lapua) have 27-inch barrels. The .300 Win. Mag. is threaded 5/8-24, whereas the .338 Lapua has the European commonplace M18x1 thread pitch.
Servicing the TRG 22 A1
Sako made it straightforward for shooters to handle this rifle, whether or not within the area or at a bench. The designers went to nice lengths to verify an operator can hold the rifle in working situation it doesn’t matter what. It’s reassuring to know that almost any drawback might be addressed with only a few instruments.
Field Tool Kit
The rifle incorporates an on-board device package, positioned 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 neatly designed it with a captured screw, so you possibly can’t lose the fastener.
Contained inside 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 essential fastners on the rifle. They permit you to 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 area. The bolt shroud might 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 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional Accuracy
- Great Ergonomics
- Smart Design
- Rugged and Easy to Service
Cons
- Heavy for General Use
- Expensive
Final Thoughts on the TRG 22 A1
The Sako TRG 22 A1 is a powerful rifle, even when measured towards its peer group that features some actually fabulous rifles made by Accuracy International, Barrett, and others.
While this evaluate discusses the varied options of the rifle in-depth, the expertise of taking pictures the TRG 22 A1 is a little more tough to seize. The rifle is greater than the sum of its elements on this respect.
Sako’s engineers did a wonderful job making a rifle that critical shooters will recognize and revel 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.
Expensive? Yes. But it isn’t as pricey as many customized rifles being bought at the moment and, with treasured few exceptions, it can out-shoot each one in all them.