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AW vs TRG - first top tier rifle advice

Tahoe333

Tahoe333

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Oct 4, 2012
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Northern Utah
I did multiple searches and I couldn't find a comparison-post on the AW vs TRG in 300wm caliber.

I will soon be in a position financially to purchase a top tier rifle. I am by no means wealthy so this would be a once in a very great while purchase.
I have been around firearms most of my life but in the last year I have been bitten by the rifle bug.
My inlaws live in Fairbanks AK so extreme cold environments could be a factor. I would mostly use the rifle to kill paper/steel but an occasional moose, elk, or bear hunt would not be out of the question.
I was considering a true custom build (Surgeon, gap, APA, Les Baer) but I do not reload (yet) and from what I have read reloading makes a huge difference. Maybe I am wrong but why waste a custom build on factory ammo?
*( In all honestly I have recently read about a few blown up actions from improper hand loading and I am quite nervous about starting to reload my own ammo).
Can you please offer me one more piece of advice? I already have a 300wm (sako 75) so should I look into a 308 instead of another 300? If I owned two 300wm would one of them just collect dust in the safe?
As of now I live in SF and I do not have access to extreme ranges but my wife and I are considering moving to a more gun friendly open space state?

Thank you for any advice and sorry for the noob questions.
 
Don't drop your cash if you can't get a good scope for it. If you want a good rife, learn how to reload, you will be happier with the results.
 
I would go with an AW, there awesome guns. The caliber depends, you should consider barrel life, 1500 rounds vs 3000. You could always get a DTA SRS and get both calibers, also nice when you burn your barrel you don't have to send it to a smith.
 
Kid maker - I will be able to "do it up right" all at once for the first time in my life. I am considering spending 8-10k on the full kit. (Rifle, glass, bipod, case, hog saddle)
Bward - I did read that post, very nicely written. That post is what sold me on either the AW or TRG.
Everyone seems ecstatic on the AX. I am not sure if I will need all that Rail? Any opinions?

Does the AI give more possibilities for upgrading/building in the future than the TRG?
 
Rtc111 - I have looked at the dts srs and it is a very cool weapon. On the dta srs your face is so close to the chamber, the risk of a hand reload mishap blowing up in your face is severe? As I said I am a bit nervous about reloading, at least for now. While researching reloading, it seems that a lot can go wrong very easily.
 
If you follow what is documented in the reloading manuals I'd say the odds of "blowing up" your gun is minimal. There just is not enough room to "double" charge larger cases unless you use a powder that is totally wrong.
 
For your preferred environment, I would say go with the AW or AX over the TRG.
The AW model does everything you need for target shooting / hunting etc. The AX model is a must if you want to stick a bunch of tactical lasers, lights, night vision, extra sights etc. on your rifle.
I still think the older AW models with the dovetail mount are about the most rugged setup made.

308 would be nice to have, but I think 300WM or 338LM would probably do you a lot better for your usage ideas. You could get the PSR model and have all 3 calibers, but it costs almost as much as you could pick up 3 used rifles for.

My scope suggestion would be the S&B 5-25x56, but there are lots of choices out there depending on what you like.
 
Tahoe333 said:
Rtc111 - I have looked at the dts srs and it is a very cool weapon. On the dta srs your face is so close to the chamber, the risk of a hand reload mishap blowing up in your face is severe? As I said I am a bit nervous about reloading, at least for now. While researching reloading, it seems that a lot can go wrong very easily.
Click to expand...

A lot can easily and quickly go wrong in many areas of your daily life.

The brakes could go out in your car, and you could crash into a bridge abutment.

You check/maintain your brakes from time to time, repair as necessary, and stop/check when something doesn't feel right.
 
W54/XM-388 said:
For your preferred environment, I would say go with the AW or AX over the TRG.
The AW model does everything you need for target shooting / hunting etc. The AX model is a must if you want to stick a bunch of tactical lasers, lights, night vision, extra sights etc. on your rifle.
I still think the older AW models with the dovetail mount are about the most rugged setup made.

308 would be nice to have, but I think 300WM or 338LM would probably do you a lot better for your usage ideas. You could get the PSR model and have all 3 calibers, but it costs almost as much as you could pick up 3 used rifles for.

My scope suggestion would be the S&B 5-25x56, but there are lots of choices out there depending on what you like.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will only need a scope, I am not concerned about lasers, flir, ect ect. RTC111 now has me curious about the DTASRS, I am doing a web review search right now.
 
I've seen a aw reciever that blew up from a bad load too. Shit happens. Between the TRG and AI without money as a concern the AI would win. Between aw and ax it's strictly which stock u like the feel of better. I have a couple AI and a DTA. Two completely different animals. I wouldn't sell either of em but like going from a ar15 to a aug some people like the bull pup some don't. The SRS is a awesome weapon with a lot of advantages from an American company with good parts availability and a solid future. The AI is the hard use bolt action rifle every other one is compared to. Can't go wrong with either.
 
Tahoe333 said:
Kid maker - I will be able to "do it up right" all at once for the first time in my life. I am considering spending 8-10k on the full kit. (Rifle, glass, bipod, case, hog saddle)
Bward - I did read that post, very nicely written. That post is what sold me on either the AW or TRG.
Everyone seems ecstatic on the AX. I am not sure if I will need all that Rail? Any opinions?

Does the AI give more possibilities for upgrading/building in the future than the TRG?
Click to expand...
I did have an AX, but I sold it as I liked the AW better. In regards to comparing the TRG or AI to the DTA, I don't feel like the DTA is in the same league. Several of my friends and I had DTA's at one point, and they all had problems ranging from mag problems to ejection to igniting the round.
 
one of the most important factors to consider between the two is the fit/ feel of the stock - I tied to like the AI but did not care for the thumbhole or pistol grip on a precision rifle
 
I would rather lug a trg around for hunting. That being said it sounds like hunting is low on the list of priorities, get the AI and proper rifle for hunting.
 
I am leaning towards DTA SRS, I can have a 22" 308 and then upgrade to a 338lm one day. (when ammo costs less then a fine steak dinner).
The Trg is still one of my favorites - I have ruled out the AI (thumb hole)
 
Tahoe333 said:
I am leaning towards DTA SRS, I can have a 22" 308 and then upgrade to a 338lm one day. (when ammo costs less then a fine steak dinner).
The Trg is still one of my favorites - I have ruled out the AI (thumb hole)
Click to expand...
I don't blame you for not liking the pistol grip, I never did either. Viper Skins change the ergonomics for very little cost.

DSCF3946-1.jpg
 
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DTA is very nice and the new A1 is a insanely nice rifle with a lot of advantages over even the last gen of the SRS
 
Two notes on TRG - great trigger, really nice; fussy ejection, at least on the TRG-22. You have to pull that bolt back with a degree of authority and speed, or your case will stay in the receiver and jam everything up when you push the bolt forward to chamber your next round. You'd get used to it, but it makes me a little nervous at times.

Second, on caliber selection and reloading. First, reloading should be a given - you'll do it some day anyway and you may wish to so from the start. Second, if you're going to reload, then make the most of caliber selection. If you are hunting big beasts, maybe 300 Win Mag really is for you, but otherwise if it's about distance I'd go 260 or 6.5 CM or some other high efficiency caliber.

If you do go "exotic" it obviously narrows factory loads to a degree - but I personally think it's worth the trade off. Sako TRG doesn't come factory in any of these anymore so points against it for that.
 
afranke - I am using my Sako 75v 300wm, sn3 3.8-22x44 (no muzzle break) to work on my basics at the Chabot 200yd range. I have met some really nice people at Chabot but I need to find a longer range.
Would you have a recommendation?
 
You are in luck (assuming you don't mind a drive) - Folsom Shooting Center near Rancho Murietta has a 500 yd steel range and a 1,000 yard range (with intermediate distances available). To shoot at a grand, hook up with a shooting club - they're listed on the center's website.

Closer to home may be Petaluma with 300 yds, but I can't vouch for it - haven't been there. And besides, 300 might as well be 200. 500 or 1k - much better.
 
I should also add that shooting on the long ranges unless at an event requires membership; the good thing is that once you take the orientation, you can allegedly go open the middle ranges yourself if there isn't an event going. Call ahead for all details of when the orientations are - they're something like first Saturday morning if every month.

The grounds are really incredible - we are lucky to have access.
 
afrancke said:
Two notes on TRG - great trigger, really nice; fussy ejection, at least on the TRG-22. You have to pull that bolt back with a degree of authority and speed, or your case will stay in the receiver and jam everything up when you push the bolt forward to chamber your next round. You'd get used to it, but it makes me a little nervous at times.

Second, on caliber selection and reloading. First, reloading should be a given - you'll do it some day anyway and you may wish to so from the start. Second, if you're going to reload, then make the most of caliber selection. If you are hunting big beasts, maybe 300 Win Mag really is for you, but otherwise if it's about distance I'd go 260 or 6.5 CM or some other high efficiency caliber.

If you do go "exotic" it obviously narrows factory loads to a degree - but I personally think it's worth the trade off. Sako TRG doesn't come factory in any of these anymore so points against it for that.
Click to expand...

Sako is chambering the TRG in .260 as a factory offering now, so there is that...
 
afrancke said:
I should also add that shooting on the long ranges unless at an event requires membership; the good thing is that once you take the orientation, you can allegedly go open the middle ranges yourself if there isn't an event going. Call ahead for all details of when the orientations are - they're something like first Saturday morning if every month.

The grounds are really incredible - we are lucky to have access.
Click to expand...

I just reviewed their web site completely. Thank You, looks very promising.
 
Arbiter said:
Sako is chambering the TRG in .260 as a factory offering now, so there is that...
Click to expand...

Not anymore - unless there is a new run of them. I saw serial #1 up for sale on here yesterday, though. I guess it's somewhat of a non issue in that you can't get a factory rebarrel anyway so if one likes everything else about the TRG, might as well get a known quantity used TRG and have it rebarrelled aftermarket if a 6 or 6.5 caliber is one's desire.
 
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Tahoe333 said:
Can you please offer me one more piece of advice? I already have a 300wm (sako 75) so should I look into a 308 instead of another 300? If I owned two 300wm would one of them just collect dust in the safe?
Click to expand...


I would get a .308 in either of these rifles first. Since you already own a 300wm you can use that power if you had to for hunting. But .308 is cheaper to shoot, the barrel will last much longer, it is less punishing, and the rifle in the caliber is cheaper. Plus you can switch to a .260/6.5creedmoor, etc. if you want to easily with the short action .308.

I wrote the review cited above and own the TRG and AI. Personally between the AIAW and AIAX, I prefer the stock of the AIAW. But I have only handled AX chassis system rifles, not the real thing yet so I'll hold off on any firm opinions.

Between the AI and TRG, the TRG is much lighter (around 2-3lbs.) which is pretty significant if you are lugging it around all day. Both are still heavy rifles, but the TRG would probably be what I'd take hunting if I was on foot for long stretches. But the AIAW is a rugged beast and if I were bouncing around on an ATV/Snowmobile/Truck to get to a hunting locale the AW would be a solid choice. I also think the trigger on the AW is probably more reliable than the previous generation of TRG. The 2013 TRG has an updated trigger, but I've not seen it yet to comment on differences or test it in field conditions to see how it compares. But it sounds like they maybe did change some significant things to address trigger concerns.

As for the thumbhole on the AI. Frankly I never use it. I don't normally wrap my thumb around the hand grip of any rifle because I find I'm more accurate just lying it next to my index. However sometimes I find I do grab the thumbhole and shoot it really well. I tried the pistol grip stock sides and didn't notice a difference one way or another. I went back to the thumbhole because I liked it better.

The above is also an interesting point too because the AI you can quickly change stock sides which is not a common feature on other rifles. You can alter colors quickly to a pre-painted set for hunting, etc. if that is important. You can also replace damaged sides (if that ever were to happen which is unlikely) in a few minutes. No gunsmith required. Finally, you can change out thumbhole/pistol grip in minutes as well. When my AIAW gets filthy dirty or dusty, I just pull off the stock sides and rinse off the entire bare rifle and stock sides in the shower and set it out to dry. No need to worry about bedding issues, water damage to the stock, etc. It's the lowest maintenance rifle I've ever owned.
 
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afrancke said:
Not anymore - unless there is a new run of them. I saw serial #1 up for sale on here yesterday, though. I guess it's somewhat of a non issue in that you can't get a factory rebarrel anyway so if one likes everything else about the TRG, might as well get a known quantity used TRG and have it rebarrelled aftermarket if a 6 or 6.5 caliber is one's desire.
Click to expand...

Not according to the thread on the 2013 upgrades and currently-produced models:

trg22.jpg
 
I agree with those saying to go with the .308
If you want to shoot longer ranges, you can easily swap the barrel to a .260 or other 6,5mm caliber.

Also, much cheaper to shoot, so you can shoot more often.

I'm no hunter, but these guns are heavy. Use your 300wm for hunting, the AW (or TRG) for target shooting.

I wouldn't bother with the AW personally, it's being replaced with the AX. If you want to spend a bit less, and have more money for ammo/reloading gear: AE (Unless this isn't as good in cold-weather?? then go with the AW/AX for sure)
 
XOR - I will spend some more time looking at the AX. I will also keep an eye out for reviews on the 13' trg.
That DTA SRS is still lurking in the background.
 
I have had both and for every guy that likes one, there's another voting for the other. Personally there's just something about the TRG (especially in green) I really like. Just picked up a 2013 TRG22 in 308. Had an AW and will probably get another one, just had an offer I couldn't pass up soon after I bought it.

I too agree that the 308 is the way to go, much cheaper to shoot which is a big deal with the prices on ammo these days.
 
Snipe10 - Can you provide a extensive review on the 13' TRG?
I am still having trouble choosing between the AX, TRG. I really like Sako, tho the tapered dovetail mounts on the 75v was a monstrous pain in the ass with 34mm rings. (Optilocks do not have the liner in the 34mm).

Thanks to rtg111 I can't get the DTA SRS out of my mind. Does the DTA have proven lineage/pedigree?
SIGH --- undecided on which rifle, maybe it's time to start researching glass: Premier, SB, March???? USO
 
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