A little TRG-42 and AI-AWSM (Lapua) porn

[SethB]

Unless there was something seriously wrong with the rifles or ammo, it wasn't the rifles. You can take most box stock PSS's and make 1-2 MOA hits at 1000 yards.

This was 10 years ago. Were they using the 173 grain stuff back then?

[Spooky130]

I think the action is similar, but I am not a SAKO action expert.

I dug through a bunch of your pictures and found a pretty good one of where the handle is attached to the bolt - looks to be the same.

Here's the story... I was working up loads with my rifle for hunting. I was letting my Dad shoot it and he's a big ol' brute. He started to chamber a round and it wouldn't go - so I took it back from him. I made sure the bolt was open and started to pull on the handle and it wouldn't budge. I then started to lightly tap the bolt handle on a cable spool that we used as a shooting bench. The handle snapped off right where it attached to the bolt. It was a great shooting rifle and I was told when I bought it that there was a sniper rifle based on the same action. I was always a little suspicious when it came to that rifle after that experience. Lessons learned in reloading (shouldn't listen to my uncle who said just to fill the case up and cram a bullet in!) and how to remove a stuck round.

Anyhow, when is your magazine article coming out?

Spooky

PS - the MRP you sold me a few years back is running great - and the 6.8 barrel rocks!

[Zak Smith]

Should be out in April. I might have an article on the 260 Rem in SGN that month too.

[Batt 57]

We are in the process of buying two AI's for our SRT.

Zach,

I saw a show on TV last week about a two gun (precision rifle/carbine) match in Colorado. Do you know who runs theses?

Steve

[Zak Smith]

That was the 2006 Practical Rifle Team Challenge, run by my org, Colorado Multigun. For a current schedule of 2007 events, follow the CMG link below..

regards

[Voodoochild]

I think you should send me those rifles with plenty of rounds for my own testing purposes.

[Zak Smith]

G&A's Combat Arms annual with this article is on the shelves now. Enjoy!

Hopefully I'll get paid for it soon.

[Spooky130]

You should! That was the best article in it!

Spooky

G&A's Combat Arms annual with this article is on the shelves now. Enjoy!

Hopefully I'll get paid for it soon.

[Edward Hogan]

I had an AICS 1.0 for a while. and currently have a .300Win TRG42. The AI stock is one Very Heavy dude, basically a stem to stern frame they hang the skin on. The Sako is much more adjustable and light weight. I like the design of the 1.0, but it is like a tank in the weight dept, w/0 the benefits.

The TRG action is, indeed, the TRG-S action except the dovetail scope mounts have different widths and the TRG has a solid topped receiver. The safety cut out on the TRG-S is not present on the TRG. You can use a TRG safety on a TRG-S, but not the reverse. Beretta sells bolt bodies. A TRG42 can be the ultimate switch-barrel gun, although to go from a magnum ctg to .308, you need another stock forend and magazine ($600) plus barrels, and bolt body *$185-$285).

The Sako stock design is definitely more adaptable, cheekpiece risers tailor your stockweld perfectly and allow lateral-horizontal shift that few other stocks enable. The buttpad is almost infinitely variable and can be used with an Anschutz butt hook.

The Sako trigger is really worth having. Extremely strong and ergonomically adjustable. This is the same TRG-S trigger, but with the housing the stock design requires. Did I mention the inside the trigger safety lever? Another REALLY BIG Plus for the Sako.

The Sako does not incorporate a recoil lug, the AI design won't allow the lug to be bedded. It is supposed to be perfectly inletted not to require bedding. Such was not the case with the 1.0 I owned.

The Sako action is simply perfect. It is like working a jeweled mechanism, inspires confidence. The design allows a custom machined substitute if the operator requires it. Super nice to have the integral flange to screw the bolt handle to rather than relying on a tack weld or brazing job to the bolt body. I have heard of those failing also on Remingtons. If you need to clean the Sako in the field, takes 5 seconds to remove the pin. A Rem bolt with a Win70 safety would do that trick too, but those adaptations are a couple hundred more bux.

The Sako can actually improve once you need to rebarrel it. That would be fairly promptly if you choose a .338LM.

I bought my rifle to switch-barrel. I have an assortment of TRG-S sporter barrels and a .338/300 being profiled to match the heavy .300Win.

Beretta/USA is a substantial resource for parts resupply. They are in MD. Takes 72 hrs to get parts. Try that with Accuracy Intl.

If you don't care for the TRG stock; McMillan, and Manners to name a few, can make you a more traditional design. But, I'm betting if you try the stock, invest the time to make it fit you and live with it for awhile, you won't make a change. But maybe you will fork over the $1600 for that wicked looking folding butt stock?

Accessories? They are there for the TRG22/42. But so are aftermarket makers. If you want the best Picatinny rail (for either rifle) you'll contact Richard Near. A Harris Bipod is a super choice and won't scratch your barrel (get the optional rubber bipod foot covers if you go Sako for bipod). Iron sights are out there from many HighPower apperture/micrometer makers. Do you need the big-ass muzzle brake? Maybe? Do you need that 27" barrel (30" w/brake)? Maybe not. Anyway lots to choose from, and they are available.

I admittedly have not fired an AWCS AI gun.
I am not keeping the 8-32x NightForce NXS scope because this rifle cry's out, "carry me!". Put a 24" sporter bbl on the platform and a 1.5-6x Diavari and you really have somthing.

The Sako is The One, if you could only have one.

[Zak Smith]

recoil lug, the AI design won't allow the lug to be bedded. It is supposed to be perfectly inletted not to require bedding.

Comparing the AICS stock to a SAKO rifle is apples to oranges.

The AICS is a patch so the American market can retrofit new stock/chassis technology to our sporterized commercial actions (Rem700) which stem from a 100-year-old design (Mauser copied into '03).

SAKO does not make a product comparable to the AICS.

A fair comparison is the AI-AW/AWM/AWSM to the TRG-22/42.

Takes 72 hrs to get parts. Try that with Accuracy Intl.

TACPRO. And mags aren't $300.

If you want the best Picatinny rail (for either rifle) you'll contact Richard Near.

Per the experience in the article (and in the first post), using the stock screw holes in the TRG receiver to mount a Pic rail may not provide the strength to persist with 338LM recoil.