SOLVED: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

[hamstur]

Tried doing a forum search and couldn't find a previous post on the same topic.

Shot my TRG today and got inconsistent impacts for the first 10 rounds at 200 yards (~2" group). Feeding seemed to require more force than normal. I fed and ejected 3 rounds without firing. Looks like the bullet is catching on somthing causing ticking/score marks along the entire length from the meplat to the case neck. My buddy single loaded 5 rounds and shot a ~0.6" group, then I did the same.

Initial diagnosis with dummy rounds looks like the rounds are either (a) dipping in the magazine and skipping along the front lip or (b) catching the edge of the chamber.

I loaded these 0.005 off the lands, so OAL is sitting around 2.890". Has any other TRG shooter had this issue?

This is a horrendous cell phone pic but clearly shows the scoring:

Thanks!

 

[Hellbender]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

Look at the mag lips, they are probably bent.
Just take a pair of pliers and make them straight and parallel.

 

[frankythefly]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

I would do a search on what a TRG mag is supposed to look like and compare it to yours. Sounds like a mag issue. I have been loading mine 2.930 oal with Berger 155 Hybrids, and 175 smk at 2.850 no issues to date with feeding. When mine was new the first round in a 10 round mag was a little tough to feed but after awhile it became easier and easier after use.

 

[sakoluvr]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

I would no go screwing with the mag just yet.

Is this something that just happened, or is the rifle brand new.

If it just started to do this, was the mag dropped at some point?

Are these new reloads at a new COAL? Just because they fit in the mag does not mean they will cycle properly. Try a shorter OAL before you bend on the mag.

 

[hamstur]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

Thanks for the initial replies! I'm definitely wary doing anything to the mag since they're pricey hunks of metal. The bullets are from a fresh box of Hornady 168, which I noticed have a more distinct ogive & shape than older batches.

Just got an idea to test when I get home: load 10 dummy rounds of the following

- 2x Hornady 168, 0.005 off lands
- 2x Hornady 168, 2.800 COL
- 2x Hornady 178, 2.830 COL
- 2x Hornady 178, 0.015 off lands
- 2x 175 SMK, 0.015 off lands

I'll do standard high speed chambering, with a slower controled extraction and examine the rounds.

 

[sakoluvr]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

I would also cycle some factory stuff, if you or a bud have some on hand. Yeah, those mags are pricey!

I ask again:

Is this something that just happened, or is the rifle brand new.

If it just started to do this, was the mag dropped at some point?

Are these new reloads at a new COAL?

 

[spot69221]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

Sorry I skipped all the other posts, call Beretta. They will send you another.

I had one out of 4 that was just like this, and it looked perfect.

 

[hamstur]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sakoluvr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would also cycle some factory stuff, if you or a bud have some on hand. Yeah, those mags are pricey!

I ask again:

Is this something that just happened, or is the rifle brand new.

If it just started to do this, was the mag dropped at some point?

Are these new reloads at a new COAL? </div></div>

This is something that just happened last weekend. Rifle has about 700 rounds thru it.

Mag has never been dropped. I just finished a full inspection and there are no nicks, dings, scrapes, or dents on the mag.

The only change was the new batch of Hornady 168BTHP. The shape is different than previous batches and length to lands is a whole 0.025" shorter than before, with average COL from 3 rounds 0.007" shorter.

Making some quick dinner then on to the dummy round test.

 

[hamstur]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

Well, after some testing & observation, it appears the bullet is impacting and scraping along the upper edge of the feed ramp.

I can actually see the bullet impacts and watch it slide up the ramp:

I can also see the trail where the bullet scrapes and where the copper jacket shaves off and collects:

The magazine fits very snug & proper in the rifle. I measured the front and rear portion of the lips to see if they are bent but it's a uniform 0.422" from front to back.

Any thoughts? Was going to e-mail issue & pics to Beretta and see what they say.

 

[signut]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

I had a similar issue with the TRG 22's. They would feed FGMM 168's with no problem, but tended to be finicky about anything longer than that round. I measured and tested both of my mags ( have 2 TRG's )and one mag was slightly different in the lip measurement, I think the wider one fed better. Did not write down dimensions or I would let you know.
The throats in the TRG's are long> a 175 SMK is almost out of the case to touch in both of mine, yet seated to standard COAL they shoot great. Guess the bullet is not that sensitive to jump ( applies to the 175 SMK and 155 Lapua Scenar I use.)

 

[frankythefly]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

I didn't think the throat was too long, but every rifle is going to be a little different. At 2.860 OAL the bullet is touching the lands in mine using a (175 SMK). I found it likes a slight jump for the sierras so I load them at 2.850 OAL.

So is the scratching on the casing as well? Or just the bullet?

Keep us posted on what Sako/Beretta has to say, I have never had to deal with them for a customer service issue.

 

[hamstur]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

Beretta customer service has been very responsive! I initiated contact via their website last night and have already exchanged email dialogue 3 times. Current status/recommendation is to:

- Thoroughly clean barrel
- Explained the design of the TRG ramp is intended for the round to impact & guide up the ramp
- Their initial most likely issue: gave standard legal disclaimer they "cannot recommend hand loading" but since the the Hornady bullets were from a new box, they have seen this issue before where the gliding metal from a batch was too soft & this happens
- As a safety note, they recommended check load length of rounds I've been having issues with to ensure the bullet isn't getting pushed further into the shell & causing a potential safety risk
- Asked me to test performance & feed result using factory loaded ammo and confirm results -- if i'm seeing the same issues, they said they will inspect the rifle

The tick marks are only on the bullet, so their thought the jacket from this batch it too soft sounds really reasonable -- especially as I mentioned above, the shape of the bullet is clearly different from any other batch I've ever used, so Hornady definitely changed something.

 

[hamstur]

Re: Sako TRG-22 Feeding Issue

Well, Beretta nailed it. For the last day, I avoided feeding live rounds into the rifle at home just in case there really was something wrong with it.

Test load & ejected 6 different rounds from the mag at high speed: M118LR, LC XM80, BHP Match, Hornady 178 BTHP, 175SMK, Hornady 168 BTHP

All came out with a barely visible line on the jacket where it rode the edge of the ramp except the one loaded with the Hornady 168.

Thanks all! Definitely an interesting lesson for me on what a marred jacket can do to accuracy!