The Sako TRG (Tactical Rifle, Grenade) is one of the most popular sniper rifles among special forces operatives. It is a series of precision rifles designed for military and law enforcement use that represent an accuracy concept designed to accomplish a single-minded mission: hit the target – whatever it takes. It is considered one of the most trusted sniper rifles on the market.
History
Sako TRG is a series of sniper rifles developed by the Finnish firearm manufacturer SAKO of Riihimäki (Finland). The first rifles were designed in 1989 (TRG-21/41), while the TRG-22/42 was manufactured in 1999—one of the best bolt action rifles you’ll ever use.
The Sako rifles are available with olive drab green, desert tan/coyote brown, dark earth, or black stocks and are also available with a folding stock.
Performance
The Sako gives you performance that surpasses the highest demands for accuracy, reliability, and versatility. It is one of the most accurate rifles out of the box. Today, SAKO TRG rifles are part of armories worldwide, military or law enforcement. The TRG series is more of a ‘budget’ military precision rifle for militaries who want a rugged precision rifle but those who are unwilling to fork over the dough for an Accuracy International.
Any bolt-action centerfire rifle – what Sako makes – will put a full magazine into a circle the size of a quarter at 250 yards if you’re willing to spend time tuning it. Experts pre-tuned Sako rifles at the factory; they shoot well out of the box. Plus, they are beautiful to look at and hold. They used to be priced much higher than other guns, but no longer – Sako didn’t get cheaper; everyone else got more expensive.
In my opinion, ruggedness and long-term durability are what the TRG lacks. It’s a rugged rifle, no doubt. I’ve seen it take quite a lot of abuse in a military context, but I’ve also seen and heard Accuracy International rifles take more abuse. It’s just the nature of the rifle’s design; you could throw my TRG off a hill, and I’d gasp and pray that it still functions. More than likely, it does, but I have no such concern with an AI rifle. Throw it off the side of a cliff; I expect it to survive and function business as usual.
One of the key features of the Sako TRG series is its accuracy. These rifles are designed to be extremely precise and are equipped with several features that help to improve their accuracy. For example, they have long barrels that provide a longer sight radius, which makes it easier to aim accurately. They also have adjustable stocks, allowing the shooter to customize the rifle’s fit to their body and shooting style.
Variants
The Sako TRG series of rifles includes various models in various calibers, sizes, and configurations. Some of the most popular models include the TRG-22 and TRG-42, which are bolt-action rifles in various calibers, including .308 Winchester and .338 Lapua Magnum. These rifles are known for their exceptional accuracy and are often used for long-range shooting and sniping missions.
The SAKO TRG-21 and TRG-22 are designed to fire standard .308 Winchester ammunition. In contrast, the SAKO TRG-41 and TRG-42 versions are designed to fire more powerful .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition and therefore have a larger action and barrel as standard.
In addition to the TRG-22 and TRG-42, the Sako TRG series also includes the TRG-41 and TRG-46, larger-caliber rifles designed for long-range shooting and hunting. These rifles are chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum, respectively, and are equipped with heavier barrels and larger stocks for enhanced accuracy and stability.
The Sako TRG series also includes the TRG-S, a shorter, lighter rifle designed for use in confined spaces or for shooters who prefer a more compact rifle. This model is available in .308 Winchester and .338 Lapua Magnum and is equipped with a folding stock and a Picatinny rail system for mounting optics and other accessories.
SAKO M10 Sniper Weapon System
The company also offers the Sako M10 Sniper Weapon System. The Sako TRG M10 was designed as a user-configurable multi-caliber modular system and did not share its receiver and other technical features with the rest of the TRG line.
The M10 is a purpose-built precision rifle. The Finns valued the importance of machining precision early in WWII. The Finnish copy of the Mosin Nagant was one of the most accurate weapons.
Technical specifications
| Country of origin: | Finland |
| Manufacturer: | SAKO of Riihimäki |
| Caliber: | .260 Remington (TRG-22) 6.5mm Creedmoor (TRG-22 A1) .308 Winchester (TRG-21, TRG-22) 7.62×51mm NATO (TRG-21, TRG-22) .300 Winchester Magnum(TRG-41, TRG-42) .338 Lapua Magnum (TRG-41, TRG-42) |
| Action: | bolt-action |
| Overall length: | 1,000 mm (39.37 in) (TRG-22 510 mm barrel) 1,150 mm (45.28 in) (TRG-22) 1,020 mm (40.16 in) (TRG-42 folded stock 510 mm barrel) 1,200 mm (47.24 in) (TRG-42) |
| Barrel length: | 10 mm (20.08 in) (TRG-22 and TRG-42 folded stock) 660 mm (25.98 in) (TRG-22) 690 mm (27.17 in) (TRG-42) |
| Weight: | 4.7 kg (10.4 lb) empty (TRG-22 black) 4.9 kg (10.8 lb) empty (TRG-22 green/tan/dark earth) 5.2 kg (11.5 lb) empty (TRG-22 fold. stock 510 mm barrel) 5.4 kg (11.9 lb) empty (TRG-22 fold. stock 660 mm barrel) 5.1 kg (11.2 lb) empty (TRG-42 black) 5.3 kg (11.7 lb) empty (TRG-42 green/tan/dark earth) 5.8 kg (12.8 lb) empty (TRG-42 fold. stock 690 mm barrel) |
| Effective firing range: | 800 m (875 yds) (TRG-22 .308 Winchester) 1,100 m (1,203 yds) (TRG-42 .300 Winchester Magnum) 1,500 m (1,640 yd) (TRG-42 .338 Lapua Magnum) |
| Capacity: | 5-round detachable box magazine (.338 Lapua Magnum) 7-round detachable box magazine (.300 Winchester Magnum) 10-round detachable box magazine (.308 Winchester) |
