Blaser Tactical 2 VS TRG-42

[Herd Thinner]

If someone was to give you a Blaser Tactical or a TRG 42 (which should eliminate the price issue) which would you choose and why. I have not shot either rifle and was wondering if anyone had insight from experience with each platform the pros and cons. Thanks !!!

 

[John1911.com]

I am not going to give you an answer in a way you are asking the question. Because I don't think comparing the design of a Blaser rifle is really a good comparison to another rifle. What I mean is I'm going to get on here and say, "I have a Blaser and the TRG lost". That is simply not the case. You can insert any make in the "TRG" and I would say the same thing.

Frankly I have been playing with some Blaser rifles for about a year and a half. I initially started with a hunting version since I liked the switch caliber capability. Hunting is an endeavor where certain rifles can sit for a while. At least for me. And at least for "special" or big hunts. So…I entertained the idea of a switch caliber. Normally I don't consider them since I am an unabashed, and complete accuracy snob. But those Blaser guys swore up and down I could get a hunting caliber rifle that was VERY accurate.

So….I gave it a chance. Messed with it. Ignored some of the rifle's criticisms from others and formed my own opinions.

Took a while….but I was completely thrilled with how well they shoot and are configured.

So…..since I come from the tactical side of the room, I started to open up my mind to looking at the Tactical 2 as a potential buy "one day". You see, when they first came out, I saw a pic of it (long before I ever knew what a Blaser was) and said something like, "Great. Another 20# bull-$#!T rifle designed by guys who never hump their gear". And promptly ignored it.

Now that I have an idea of what a Blaser is and how it works, I started to look more closely at the Tactical 2. Oddly, it's not heavy at all. Might be an issue with it being too light were I to get it in 338, but a break and or a suppressor is probably a must anyway.

I have one in 308. And like all Blasers, they are weird. They look weird. Etc. Etc. etc. But slowly, I started to actually see the thought put behind the stock design of the tactical 2. Carrying it in the field. Position shooting. Ambidextrious operation. Loading a bi-pod. Shooting with rear bags. Shooting off a pack. They really got it down.

One thing on the Blaser it "seems" they have figured out pretty well is the cold-bore shot. It "seems" so far, that the barrel doesn't shift when heated up. I suspect that is because the barrel isn't torqued intro an action and the barrel is crazy-floated (as opposed to just free). It cools symmetrically so doesn't get pulled up. At least so far.

I think they are neat. I think they are fast. And so far, seems VERY good. But….I reserve the right to change my mind at anytime should something change. My Identity isn't attached to my gear.

The TRG has a great rep. It's expensive and the parts are expensive. The Blaser isn't popular in the United States. (In Europe, it's huge in sales numbers. I keep hearing number 1). It's expensive and the parts are expensive. Maybe even more so than a TRG even.

If you get a Blaser, you WILL be "That guy with the weird rifle". How you react to that is up to you.

For me….I'm loving the straight pull for it's fantastic speed. Ease of cleaning since to all pulls apart, including the barrel. And accuracy.

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Here are some pics of me testing it with 175 ASYM 308 ammo.

https://tacticaltshirts.com/asym-308-175-grain-ammo-100-yards-sig-sauer-blaser-tactical-2-rifle/

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Since it was shooting so well and meet my function standards, I "decided" to keep it. Which mean's it needed to be painted since Black sticks out like a sore thumb in the field.

https://tacticaltshirts.com/home-camo-job-on-your-rifle-sig-sauer-blaser-tactical-2/

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Here is some cold weather / cold bore shot / position shooting I did in cold weather.


https://tacticaltshirts.com/cold-weather-zero-testing-blaser-tactical-2-308-asym-175g-ammo/


TTR

 

[dimar1492]

My TRG 42 is an absolute hammer. Most who own them say the same. I think they are a good value in that price range.

 

[John1911.com]

Another honest criticism of the Blaser is it only ships with 5 round mags. There is no higher capacity available in the US. It seems the Australian military wanted bigger mags and finally bugged Blaser into making an extended mag. I have seen pics and knew they must exist.

So, if you MUST have 10 round or 20 round mags for it or else, that's a deal breaker. I am currently inquiring into the possibility of having some imported. If they even have any in Germany.

My final suggestion is to at least fondle one before you buy. It's so very different from every traditional / Mauser type bolt gun, you might hate it. Or not understand it.

Example: to some one who is used to the feel of a 2 or 3 lug bolt turning, this system will feel very sloppy. But it's quite secure. But it expands it's lugs into the barrel itself. It's doesn't have that "drag" of bolt lugs crossing each other. But it's wicked secure and has (I am told by people who took more math than I did) that ultimately the Blaser system has more lug surface area making contact.

Again, just different. I think they run very well.

TTR

 

[farmerbrown]

Good question,

I have a TRG-42 and Rem 700 PSS and my spotter/team mate has a Tac-2 in .308 and .338.

I'll write more later from a PC but I'm sure he has bigger mags (here in Europe) at least for the .308.

The .308 shot rings around the "tuned" PSS (new chamber in original barrel). Now I have a new barrel, not so much.

They are nice pieces of kit and very fast. There's nothing wrong with humping them,and. The stock etc well thought out. Also, he uses the .338 with a suppressor and it's not too bad too shoot - better than my TRG with suppressor (as I discovered last week when I received mine) and no brake.

TRG is amazingly light for such a rifle. He had his Tac first and I bought the TRG second, probably because I'm just a bit more traditional and always wanted one.

The Swiss snipers use the TRG.

The Aussies use the Tac in the 'Stan's and not heard too much complaint.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

CHECKED with owner on magazine capacity: .338 -> 4 rounds whilst .308 -> 5 rounds magazine

 

[Sigma05]

TRG hands down! The Blaser is an innovative design, but will never shoot like a TRG. The main thing being the chambers. The TRG chamber will shoot sub-MOA even with bad ammo. The Blaser is one of the pickiest rifles out there. You'll have to try a bunch of different ammo before you start to find something that works with it. Even reloading becomes a nightmare. I would go with the TRG or you may want to take a look at the Steyr SSG08 as another option.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[John1911.com]

I'm sure everyone's experiences will vary. I haven't experienced any drastic sensitivity to ammo, or any, with the Blaser system. I also have read others claim to see the complete opposite: Will shoot complete crap ammo very well. But…in all honesty, I haven't shot 30 different types of ammo through mine. I have two 308's, 270Wby, 223 and it all shoots well. YMMV as with any individual I suppose.

I haven't experienced any reloading issues on a Blaser either. They are known for having tight chambers right to SAAMI specs (my understanding). I think that is a contributor to their accuracy. One should re-size off the entire case, not just off the neck. Not something out of the ordinary at all. Some shooters would do that anyway since they are seeking as much consistency in their reloads.
[MENTION=92064]farmerbrown[/MENTION] As for the expanded mags in Europe. Do they look like the following? Perhaps we could keep in touch and work out some kind of trade for mags here? Interested?

TTR

 

[Hunt4life]

Trg to answer your question. Just that simple.

 

[vtb]

If you opt to blaser tac 2 you loose most important option usial blaser could offer - it's shorter by almost 2" than any classic rifle with the same barrel lenght.

If you want best classic bolt-action rifle - go with trg.
If you want best sub-moa walk rifle - go with blaser (but nit with tac 2 - pick a professional version and change the stock)

 

[Herd Thinner]

Great information guys. This will help. I would love some trigger time behind each but to even see one is a four hour drive since i haven't seen either at my gun club. Looks like a road trip is needed.

 

[farmerbrown]

Hi again,

No real difference in the chambers.

My "tuned" PSS with a freshly cut chamber is within a thou or two of the Blaser factory chamber. In the end we set it up so we can use the same ammo for both. He uses 43.5 Varget with 175 HPMK.

But my PSS can shoot marginal ammo quite a bit better than the TAC-2.
The "ball" ammo around here is the S&B 147 gn stuff and we all it "shotgun" ammo in the TAC-2.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[John1911.com]

It's going to come down to personal choice. Both are fine rifles. The TRG being more traditional. In my personal experience, it took me a while of trigger time to really appreciate the Blaser thinking. A few weeks ago I was working the bolt on a TRG (pure coincidence to this thread. Could be any Mauser type bolt) and I felt the turn bolt to be "weird".

Which is funny since I spent almost 5 years running an SPR A3g with many hours behind it.

I expect the OP to pick the TRG since is will seem "normal" to him. And to really appreciate some of the finer aspects of the Tactical 2, I had to setup behind the rifle, get all my adjustments squared away and get some trigger time over a few weeks. Did I just admit I bought the Tactical 2 before I knew I wanted it? Yes, I think I just did. But that's how it goes with Blasers. VERY different.

If you get one, great. If you get a TRG, great.

TTR