Help me choose first LR rifle

[Baron85]

I just sold my 308 ar while the market was hot and am looking for a nice bolt action to learn the long range game. I have shot out too 600 yards with my ar and we are currently clearing more land on the family ranch to try to get 1000 yds but looks like we will be around 900.
Gun will mostly be used you shooting steel and paper, and possibly in the future try my hand at a tactical match. The import and things to me are consistency so I know it's me pulling shots not the gun so I can learn, resale value, and initial value performance for the dollar. I have fondled the sako trg22, savage hs precision, kimber tactical, and various remingtons. My favorite feeling gun is the trg followed by the savage and kimber tied for second. I have not liked the feel of the Remington action so not really considering them. I really like the look of the accuracy international ae, and the fnh a3g, as well as the many customs.
My budget for rifle is 3000-3500. I have sent a few pms to people selling guns on here and have been to the local stores. My current options are sac custom build $3500, trg 22 $3200, fnh a3g $2300, savage hs precision $1100, accuracy international ae $3500, tikka t3 in roedale stock $2100, savage 260 in Xlr chassis with vortex pst and reloading goods$3000.
What would you wise men recommend to a noob this will probably not be my last rifle but I like quality and want something that will hold value which I fear the savages won't? I like the sac, trg, and ai but are they really worth 3x the price what will I gain by going this route? The fn is tempting because I grew up hunting with winchesters and like the actions but the price seems kinda high for what it is ( I know it's bedded by gap and guarantees 1/2 moa). Help put me into the gun I need please explain your reasoning so I can learn why to go that direction.

 

[Baron85]

Forgot one thing I will need a threaded barrel for my tbac I know some are threaded and some will need to be sent off to be threaded.

 

[XOR]

If you get the TRG and decent scope you may never have to upgrade anything ever again. It will be accurate and reliable. The AI AE is also an excellent rifle, but is heavier. It would be hard to go wrong with either. But if you think the TRG stock fits you better than others then I'd consider it strongly.

 

[Baron85]

Thank you for your reply. One of my hesitations with the trg is I have read that parts and service are hard to come by. Not sure if that Internet ninjas or the truth. I have not been able to get my hands on an ai to compare but really liked the trg.

 

[popeye089]

Make a list of what's important to you in the rifle, and then narrow your options. Once you determine that then either start looking for it or have it built

 

[XOR]

Thank you for your reply. One of my hesitations with the trg is I have read that parts and service are hard to come by. Not sure if that Internet ninjas or the truth. I have not been able to get my hands on an ai to compare but really liked the trg.

No I do think Beretta service stinks. But that was my experience. Others have had great experience with them. You can get most TRG parts direct from Brownell's as well. But most importantly, TRG rifles have very few problems anyway so service is unlikely.

I own a TRG and AI and honestly it's a bit of a toss up on which I prefer. The AI is very robust on all counts, but the TRG is lighter and probably has better ergonomics overall. But both are rugged, reliable, and accurate in field conditions with excellent triggers and actions that need no tuning to work well.

 

[Baron85]

What am I gaining with the trg over the fn or savage with a good stock and barrel? The fn guarantees 1/2 moa and savage shooters are are claiming that kind of accuracy. I'm just wondering what I'm getting for the extra 1-2k dollars. Not trying to argue just learning.

 

[XOR]

You are getting a rifle that is going to work under any conditions you are likely to face and has been tested by numerous militaries to do the same. You will not need to get a gunsmith to mess with it, ever. You will not have to buy stock upgrades, barrel upgrades, magazine upgrades, bolt upgrades, bipod upgrades, trigger upgrades, etc. It will work out of the box reliably and accurately under all field conditions. It will hold 1/2 MOA in rain, sleet, snow, hot, and cold. It will do it if you drop it, don't clean it, and otherwise treat it poorly. A lot of rifles shoot 1/2 MOA, but may not do it reliably in all weather and conditions. The TRG and rifles like AI will though. That's why they are more money.

Buying a TRG if you have the funds is likely to save you money vs. doing all the intermediary steps on other rifles. IMO.

 

[XOR]

One thing with the TRG though is you also need to budget in money for at least one spare magazine and the TRG bipod which is a must have on that rifle.

 

[Sniper260]

Popeye had it right.. if you can afford that budget stop thinking anything savage or factory made and go custom. You can build a custon rifle exactly how you want it for that price!!

 

[Baron85]

Out of the choices what will hold value the best? Sac custom, ai ae, trg22, and I saw last night they will be releasing a limited run of trg42 in 300 win mag.

 

[XOR]

The TRG and AI will hold value best. Other factory builds are likely second. Customs are the worst in many cases, but it depends who did the work.

But then, I don't buy stuff based on what the next person will pay for it. I will buy what is best for me off the bat. So if you think you need a custom rig or would enjoy it better, then that is the best choice.

 

[Baron85]

Well I have always liked the trg sound like its one of the best options as well. Are there any model changes in the trg line that I should watch out for? Such as a certain generations that had problems or certain ones that performed better? Is a trg a trg? I just got off the phone with euro optics and the guy said they have made some improvements to the trigger, and bolt handle. Is it worth paying new price for that or will a used on be just as good?

 

[XOR]

The mods just introduced seem more evolutionary. They have done that through the years. So the trigger was made more robust in some areas, same for the bolt and bolt retention lever. Haven't played with one to know if it is worth it or not for an upgrade. The fundamentals of the stock, receiver, etc. are still there. TRGs are known for a good trigger, so the upgrade trigger I suspect is just as good as the old.

Old or new TRG though is going to perform. I have fired thousands of rounds through my TRG and it always works and is always accurate.

 

[VKC]

TRG is a great rifle no doubt. I was just never really happy until I got a custom rifle.

 

[Baron85]

Thank you everyone for the info and suggestions I came across what I think was a great deal on a trg 22 this weekend and bought it. I feel I made the right choice for me it is amazing.

 

[Kevin1]

You are getting a rifle that is going to work under any conditions you are likely to face and has been tested by numerous militaries to do the same. You will not need to get a gunsmith to mess with it, ever. You will not have to buy stock upgrades, barrel upgrades, magazine upgrades, bolt upgrades, bipod upgrades, trigger upgrades, etc. It will work out of the box reliably and accurately under all field conditions. It will hold 1/2 MOA in rain, sleet, snow, hot, and cold. It will do it if you drop it, don't clean it, and otherwise treat it poorly. A lot of rifles shoot 1/2 MOA, but may not do it reliably in all weather and conditions. The TRG and rifles like AI will though. That's why they are more money.

Buying a TRG if you have the funds is likely to save you money vs. doing all the intermediary steps on other rifles. IMO.

LOOOL, it reminds of a quote from the Terminator movie:
"Sarah Connor: Watching John with the machine, it was suddenly so clear. The Terminator would never stop, it would never leave him. And it would never hurt him, never shout at him or get drunk and hit him or say it was too busy to spend time with him. It would always be there and it would die to protect him. Of all the would-be fathers who came and went over the years, this thing, this machine was the only one who measured up. In an insane world, it was the sanest choice."

 

[bushido23]

What is considered a good deal

Baron,

I was also considering a TRG. What is considered a "good deal" to you? Hate to ask price, but curious.

Thank you everyone for the info and suggestions I came across what I think was a great deal on a trg 22 this weekend and bought it. I feel I made the right choice for me it is amazing.