AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

BgBmBoo

BgBmBoo

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Jul 8, 2008
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#1
Ok...so I have available the chance to pick up a TRG-42. There is a .300WM and a .338LM.

Now I usaully buy custom rifles for my long range shooting. But...the price(s) for the TRG are at "give away" level...read half + off the cost of say a GAP,Surgeon,etc. And both are NIB rifles.

But...here are my thoughts. I am leaning towards the .300WM.

A) Cause I am not rich and feeding the .338 is probably gonna break my bank account.

B) I am lucky to find a spot to shoot out to 1400+ yards....I <span style="font-style: italic">might</span> be able to squeeze 1600 yards out of the place. Maybe.

Now...for the .338 pluses:

A) I have always wanted a .338LM and at the price of the rifle I could afford to shoot it once in a while but not as often as I would like I am sure.

B) Resale value I would think would be better on the .338.
And heck...you can never have too much rifle, right??

Again...I probably would not even be looking at a TRG, but for the great deal.
I figure for what I would spend on the rifle I could step up beyond NightForce glass to something even better and still be cheaper the what the cost of a custom rifle alone would run me.

Anyways...input please. Would love to hear from folks shooting .300WM ad .338's out past 1200 yards. Oh...and I only shoot targets (ok...if a yote walked across my firing lane I would shoot it) so factor that in.

Take care,Stan
 
#2
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

Stan
Being there done that. Bigger is always better, contrary to what other may say. That said, I favor the 338LM over the 300 WM. I am sure I will catch shit for this.

I see your logic about being able to shoot only out to 1400+. There is nothing wrong with that. I have shot the 300 WM out to 1500+ and I am sure there are a few folks here that have pushed it beyond that. If you think about it. Are you going to shoot 100+ rounds of 300 WM at one setting? Probably not. The same thing can be said for the 338LM as well. One question, what's the twist rate on that TRG? If it a slow twist, then don't get it. Settle for the 300 WM. If it's a faster twist, then I would go for it.
 
#4
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

Also, if you load up on your components, the reloading for the 338LM is not that much more expensive, if you buy in bulk.

So what if it's a little more powder, a little heavier projos. There is nothing like the feeling when you ring that gong repeated at 1900, or 2000 yards.
 
#5
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BgBmBoo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe the twist for the .338 is 1:10 and the .300 is 1:11 on the TRG-42's.

Is that a big limiting factor for the .338?

Take care,Stan </div></div>

With the 1:10 twist on the 338LM, you are GTG for the 300 grains Berger, or Scenar, or SMK. I am now experimenting with the solid projos from Lehigh. It's a 245 grains solid with a BC of .862. Looks promising so far.
 
#7
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

I think 27" is normal length on the SAKO's. My Desert Tactical SRS is 26". I think thats pretty normal for the cal.
I would go for the .338 over the 300 due to the availability of heavier bullets. If you want a .30 cal go with a .308 or something similar. If you want a higher power its worth going to the .338 in my opinion. I shoot my .338 at a lot less than 1000yds most of the time but do get some opportunities to shoot out to 1600 yds+ at times too. You won't always be stuck at the 200yd range so go big. You're right about resale on the 338 over the 300 too. It will be higher value and probably a quicker sale.
Thats my 2 cents.

Frank
 
#8
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

My buddy has a 300WM and loves it, feeds smoothly, super accurate. I would recommend it based on your range. Guys get big calibers and then they sit in the safe because what's the point of a lapua until past 1k. With a 300win you can always go .338 edge down the road and equal lapua performance.

Either way you can't lose, and if you need a spare lapua barrel and some brass, let me know.
Justin
 
#9
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

My AIAWSM has a 27" barrel. 28-30" barrel is a bit long for me. I am pushing the 250 scenars at about 3000 fps already, so an extra inch or two won't be that helpful to me that much more.
 
#10
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

I like the 26" on a 338. If you reload I would for sure go 338, if you don't then you have to determine if you're ok with spending $5 every time you pull the trigger.
 
#11
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

I think the key item is "A) I have always wanted a .338LM".

The recoil with the Sako muzzle brake is not bad on the .338LM and the Sako tripod works well. Once you start reloading the cost of SMK, primer and powder is not that much higher for the 338LM than the 300WM. The brass on the 338LM has to be cross sections to be believed ;-).

Note check the barrel on the Sako, if it does not say 1 in 10, then it is an older 1 in 12 (still shoots the 250gr great and for your ranges is probably better weight).

My Sako TRG-42 has been out west shooting to 1600 yards, however, was not able to go with it last year.
 
#12
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

I would probably buy the .338. Otherwise, if you were just paper punching, why not a .260 or something like that over the .300? I don't have any of the big boy calibers yet, but probably will snatch up a .338 at some point.
 
#13
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

Thanks guys. I have some more thinking to do.

Yes..I reload. And I do have a couple of 1000+ yard rifles currently (.243 and 6XC) so a .260 or other smaller caliber is not needed or wanted. See my video in my post here: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...103#Post2146103

Again...I would not even be thinking about magnum caliber except for the opportunity to pick up one of these TRG-42's at a really good price.

We will see. I will post what I decide on.

Take care,Stan
 
#14
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

If both these Sakos are 60% of the normal price, I would be inclined to buy both, and sell one to help buy better glass for the one you keep. You could make a little money and still sell one cheaply enough to give someone else a nice deal.

Either rifle will make it to the distances you shoot. If all you do is punch paper, or shoot steel, the 300 will have plenty of power to ding a plate at that distance, and will save you money on reloading.

Additionally, if you do think of tactical ammo, the 30 caliber bore of the 300 would allow you to load tracer, AP, or API bullets...not very accurate, but may be more "versatile" if you have "unusual" needs on occasion. However, the 300 will simply never have the downrange energy of the 338...or the expense of loading for it either.

I have a TRG22, and also a McMillan built M40A1 in 300 win mag..both are fabulous rifles. You will really enjoy the ergonomics of the Sako.
 
#15
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

Or you can always go with the AIAWSM system and get an extra barrel for the other caliber. Waiting for my 300 WM barrel and bolt to supplement my AIAWSM in 338LM.
 
#16
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unknown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If both these Sakos are 60% of the normal price, I would be inclined to buy both, and sell one to help buy better glass for the one you keep. You could make a little money and still sell one cheaply enough to give someone else a nice deal.

Either rifle will make it to the distances you shoot. If all you do is punch paper, or shoot steel, the 300 will have plenty of power to ding a plate at that distance, and will save you money on reloading.

Additionally, if you do think of tactical ammo, the 30 caliber bore of the 300 would allow you to load tracer, AP, or API bullets...not very accurate, but may be more "versatile" if you have "unusual" needs on occasion. However, the 300 will simply never have the downrange energy of the 338...or the expense of loading for it either.

I have a TRG22, and also a McMillan built M40A1 in 300 win mag..both are fabulous rifles. You will really enjoy the ergonomics of the Sako. </div></div>

If you look at my sig. picture you can see my old TRG-22. A good rifle. I do really like the Sako stock...and the trigger.
I am not getting 60% off the street price..more like 25%. But that still puts it way below a custom or a AI by more then half.

Take care,Stan
 
#17
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

i got 300 win mag surgeon , and i will eat bread and water every day for the rest of my life before i will ever sell it , the 300 is practical and still hits like a sledge hammer @ 1k+ reasonable component cost. also it does not kick the dogcrap out of you when you shoot and make you develop bad shoot habits, i got a .50 "kinda same animal as 338" and i have to watch my fundamentals very carefully when shooting it for extended time
 
#18
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

As the 300 WM hardly can do anything better on papertargets than the other long range guns you have, it seems like the most intelligent solution is .338 at least as long as you handload.

If you have the oppertunity to get the TRG42 with the folder for a decent price, do yourself a favour and buy that one.
The TRG folder is 50% of the point with that rifle, as its quickly adjustable and you get the stock to fit you perfectly regardless of shooting position.
It's normally a terrible expensive stock, but its superb.

Håkan
 
#20
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

Having had both calibers I would say 338 lapua all the way. While the 300 is an amazing round the 338 has been a lot more fun to shoot, it hits harder and is easy to load for. Recoil is not bad at all either. My 338 will eat anything and puts all different weight powders and bullets into the same tiny groups. The brass is expensive as hell but once you have it it lasts quite a while. I say if you do not get the Lapua you will regret it and buy it later(ask me how I know that!!).

Sandbogg
 
#21
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

Just to make life harder, the 300 Win Mag maybe flatter to a 1000+ yards if you are loading a low drag bullet. Following are my Trajectory Comparison Notes from prior to this springs trip to Wyoming (everything was shooting higher than the calculations, be warned ;-).

Disclaimers: Rough notes from pre trip planning and gun/barrel shopping. The 333LM velocity maybe low by 100fps, but the 250gr SMK load was shooting well in the TRG-42 and a couple of DTs. The 250gr Lapua Scenar I was shooting in the TRG-42 has a better BC, but went with all SMK for the trip (rifle went but not me). 300Win Mag and 243 Win is from manuals only, use with a grain of salt. Let the 300 Win Mag PSS get away (mistake) and the load development for the 243 DT is in the future.

Trajectory-4500ft-v3a_html_53d1c448.jpg
 
#22
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alderleet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">300 win mag is the new military standard, which means surplus ammunition in a military caliber will be availiable.

</div></div>

Ya...kinda....sorta.....

The RFP for the .338LM is out there right now.
 
#24
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

Stan,

I have a Tikka 300WM, and have shot it extensively at very long distances. The 338 guys really don't have that much on me until past a mile (especially if they're shooting the 250's). The 300WM is a highly effective ELR rifle with the right load, and it's capability is grossly underestimated by most. If you're limited as you say, the .338 really offers you nothing over the 300 except additional cost and a sore shoulder.

Having said that, I'd get the .338.
wink.gif
The 300 does not differentiate THAT much from the rest of your collection AND it's 1:11 twist. The heavies *might* not stabilize in that barrel. Besides, how many times in your life will you get the chance to own your own cannon? Not just ANY cannon, but a TRG 42? Go BIG!

John
 
#25
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

For me Sako TRG-42 in 300wm over a cutom build any day of the
week. If I had a custom rifle from one of awesome smiths out there
I would sell it and buy a Trg or an Ai, it's just a preference.

Like you stated the ergonomics and the trigger of the Sako are superb
which are 2 of the features I allways look for in a rifle. As for the caliber
living here in rural Nevada you have to drive for hours to find a place to
to shoot the 338 to its full potential where as inside the 1500yd mark
those areas are more attainable. Also the jump In recoil shouldn't be as noticeable as compared to your other calibers.
 
#26
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johndoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For me Sako TRG-42 in 300wm over a cutom build any day of the
week. If I had a custom rifle from one of awesome smiths out there
I would sell it and buy a Trg or an Ai, it's just a preference.

Like you stated the ergonomics and the trigger of the Sako are superb
which are 2 of the features I allways look for in a rifle. As for the caliber
living here in rural Nevada you have to drive for hours to find a place to
to shoot the 338 to its full potential where as inside the 1500yd mark
those areas are more attainable. Also the jump In recoil shouldn't be as noticeable as compared to your other calibers.



</div></div>

Since you don't have a custom from many of the great smiths on this board, how do you know then that you would sell the custom for a TRG??

Don't knock what you haven't tried, or owned??


OP, buy what is more geared toward you and your style of shooting. Buy both, then sell the one you don't really really want. Or keep both.. lol
 
#27
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

If your not going to hunt then it's not an issue to have the 338. I shoot 1k matches against a few 338's and more times than not, my little 6.5 beats them. I also just got a 300RUM, I do plan on shooting it at 1k now and I might go to 338 EDGE eventually but I'm still not sure. The BC on the 208 AMAX's are great and the new Hornady 225gr bullets that will be out next year might just be the ticket as well. Out to a mile you won't sacrifice anything with the 300 other than energy and if your not hunting then it doesn't matter. If I were in this situation I would get the 338 but only because I plan on hunting one day.
 
#28
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johndoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For me Sako TRG-42 in 300wm over a cutom build any day of the
week. If I had a custom rifle from one of awesome smiths out there
I would sell it and buy a Trg or an Ai, it's just a preference.

Like you stated the ergonomics and the trigger of the Sako are superb
which are 2 of the features I allways look for in a rifle. As for the caliber
living here in rural Nevada you have to drive for hours to find a place to
to shoot the 338 to its full potential where as inside the 1500yd mark
those areas are more attainable. Also the jump In recoil shouldn't be as noticeable as compared to your other calibers. </div></div>

Interesting. Have you owned a custom built rifle from GAP,Surgeon, LA Precision,etc.?
As you may notice in my sig picture below...I have owned a TRG-22.
I have also owned a few customs. Would I trade one of my customs for a TRG?? Nope...but thats just me. A custom is exactly that...custom...one off. No one has the exact rifle. It was built to my specs...exactly the way I want it. You get the picture.

Don't get me wrong...the TRG's are nice rifles....but the only reason I am looking at another one is purely cause of the price. Even at standard pricing the TRG-42 is about half of a custom in the same caliber.

Anyways...I spoke with the gent today who has the two TRG and it seems he might have the .338 sold. I knew they would not last long at the prices he was asking.

Take care,Stan
 
#30
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

Sorry to hear about the 338LM not being available anymore. There is an article featuring it in the current issue of Special Weapons Mag.
 
#31
Re: AAHHH!!! TRG-42..338 or .300!?!? What to do??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BgBmBoo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johndoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For me Sako TRG-42 in 300wm over a cutom build any day of the
week. If I had a custom rifle from one of awesome smiths out there
I would sell it and buy a Trg or an Ai, it's just a preference.

Like you stated the ergonomics and the trigger of the Sako are superb
which are 2 of the features I allways look for in a rifle. As for the caliber
living here in rural Nevada you have to drive for hours to find a place to
to shoot the 338 to its full potential where as inside the 1500yd mark
those areas are more attainable. Also the jump In recoil shouldn't be as noticeable as

compared to your other calibers. </div></div>



Yes owned plenty of customs and still do have some lurking around.
They were my go to rifles for year until on a whim I got into the foreign
stuff and never looked back.

Interesting. Have you owned a custom built rifle from GAP,Surgeon, LA Precision,etc.?
As you may notice in my sig picture below...I have owned a TRG-22.
I have also owned a few customs. Would I trade one of my customs for a TRG?? Nope...but thats just me. A custom is exactly that...custom...one off. No one has the exact rifle. It was built to my specs...exactly the way I want it. You get the picture.

Don't get me wrong...the TRG's are nice rifles....but the only reason I am looking at another one is purely cause of the price. Even at standard pricing the TRG-42 is about half of a custom in the same caliber.

Anyways...I spoke with the gent today who has the two TRG and it seems he might have the .338 sold. I knew they would not last long at the prices he was asking.

Take care,Stan

</div></div>
 
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