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TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

T

theriddler

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 24, 2011
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South Dakota
#1
Title says it all.. Im looking for a bolt action rifle i can use for long range shooting. I shoot some competition and do alot of hunting.

I want a .308 so theres no sway there. I really like the look and reviews of the sako trg and i also have heard alot of good things about surgeon custom rifles. I read somewhere they are building a new model using the Accuracy Internationals AX chassis and will be in .308.

They will both cost around the same. What is everyones opinion on which company sells a better rifle? I realize its all opinion but have heard great things about both companies and believe i would be happy either way.
 
#2
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

Never shot the surgeon or the 22 for that matter but i do own a trg42 and was goi ng to buy a 22 but got a great deal on another rifle couldn't pass it up. I will tell you you wont hav any worries with the sko my 338 will shoot like crazy and is not as heavy as you would imagine i think the trg22 is only 10 1/4 pounds or so pretty light for that type of rifle really just personal preference
 
#3
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

Since the 42 and 22 have pretty much the same stock do you believe that it could be used for hunting? I would love to have the 42 but paying $4 a shell would get a little outragous.

i wanna start with a .308 and learn how to reload before i get a .338 lapua
 
#4
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

Surgeon is building gun on the AX chassis. I haven't seen a price on one but if it is like anything else they have, I would say between $5,000 and $6,000 to get into one.

The wait time probably will be a bit,
 
#5
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

I love my TRG-22 in .308, shots like a laser. You will not regret getting one.

Also try not to get a black one. It gets really hot when you are out and about all day, then you go to lay down on it, hard to keep a cheek weld when you a sweating your ass off via your face.
 
#6
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

I own the TRG-22, absolutely rock solid rifle.

You mention hunting... I'm not sure about the Surgeon, but the TRG is HEAVY - I'm talking 15+ lbs loaded and scoped.
 
#8
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

WHen i read about the surgeon, the price for the .308 was around 3,500. Pretty close to the same price i could get a TRG.

weight is not an issue. I want a heavyish gun for long range target shooting. I can handle carrying the rifle out hunting.
 
#10
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

You can find a new TRG-22 with 26" barrel for around $2600 if you look around. On the TRG's, the accessories add a lot to the cost as they are not cheap. The 20" version is just as accurate, but for some reason they have them priced (MSRP) at over $3000. Depending on what you're hunting, you may want the 26" barrel for the added velocity since the 308 is pretty much a pig compaired to other cartridges.

I don't have any experiance with the AX chassis, but the TRG's are very ergonomic and adaptable to the end user.

You can't go wrong with a TRG, they are awesome rifles.
 
#12
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

For that price range I would also look at the AE MkIII and simply put a set of Viperskins on it or wait for the new AI skins to be released shortly if you want the AX style grip.

The AE MkIII is a lot of value and will take any rifle shooter a very long way.
 
#13
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

Just looking at the TRG and Surgeon.

Ive emailed surgeon about the price with no return.. I know the price differs on which action/barrel/and trigger group you get but still trying to get in contact with them.

I was plannin on getting a longer barrel.

By "pig" of a round what exactly do you mean? nothing about a pig sounds good.
 
#14
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

I have a TRG22 in 308 and love it shoots under 0.5" 5 shoot 100 yard groups all day and not much bigger out to 600 yards. I guess the sow's ear 308 turned into a silk purse.
laugh.gif
 
#17
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

By Pig I mean slow and not flat shooting. Don't get me wrong, I like the 308, and shoot it more then any other caliber, but it has it's limitations, and if you understand and accept those limitations, it can be a very capable cartridge.

I just looked on one of the auction sites, and there are very few TRG-22's listed, the lowest cost one is $2,889.95, and from a local dealer who I bought my TRG-42 from.
 
#18
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

I'm running the Surefire brakes on all my TRG's, and use a Surefire 338 can. On the TRG-22 it will shoot 0.3-mils low with the can at 100-yards. I'm happy that the shift in POI is exactly at 6-O'clock with the can, some people have to deal with a POI shift at another position, and have to correct for both windage and elevation.
 
#21
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

i know how the 308 shoots. Our M24 (im in the army), out past 1200 meters we figured it drops 30 feet or so.

I want to start with the 308 for target shooting and reloading. I will eventually move up to the 338 lapua.

Out hunting i will never shoot at an animal, other than coyote, past 400 yards. So, for the hunting aspet 308 will work plenty fine.
 
#22
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

Hey alpine is it possible to get some pics of your setups emailed to me? Im in afghanistan at the moment and most pictures that are uploaded through photobucket and such i cannot see.
 
#23
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

Alpine, sounds about right at $2900. EuroOptic is $3,048 - and definitely worth the extra $100 in my book.

Plus if you buy local you pay sales tax, which is easily $180+
 
#24
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Semmens</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey alpine is it possible to get some pics of your setups emailed to me? Im in afghanistan at the moment and most pictures that are uploaded through photobucket and such i cannot see. </div></div>

I'll get some pictures to you on Friday. by the time I get home from work, it's too dark to take good pictures. If your e-mail address is not in your profile, please PM it to me.
 
#25
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: reloader-1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Alpine, sounds about right at $2900. EuroOptic is $3,048 - and definitely worth the extra $100 in my book.

Plus if you buy local you pay sales tax, which is easily $180+ </div></div>

True, I've bought both Nightforce and S&B scopes from EuroOptic, and they are a very good company to deal with
 
#28
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

I saw the AX chassis on sale at Midway for $1899. Fitted with a Surgeon barreled action and Jewel trigger, it's hard to imagine this coming in for less than $5k. I expect that this rig would also weight at least 3 or 4 pounds more than a TRG. You said you don't mind carrying a heavy rifle in the field, but I sure wouldn't want to hump a 17+ pound rifle around for very long.

I have a TRG-22; one of the Euro Optic .260s and I love it. It is nearly benchrest rifle accurate and has great ergonomics. I have never handled an AX, but hard to imagine it has much more to offer than the TRGH other than a bigger price tag. But who knows... If I shot one I might think differently.
 
#29
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

The luck that I have had with surgeons actions my vote would be with them and the AX. Really couldn't go wrong with either tho
 
#30
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lakeway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I saw the AX chassis on sale at Midway for $1899. </div></div>

I think you're incorrect, should be closer to $1399.

J
 
#31
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Semmens</div><div class="ubbcode-body">..... I shoot some competition and do alot of hunting.....</div></div>

TRG-22 fits the bill.

I hunt in steep country and shoot F/Class comps with mine - .260 barrel for FO, hunting, and LR targets, .308 for F/TR and hunting in close.
 
#34
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

IMG_1082.jpg

TRGs are awesome for the money. I have a Stiller TAC .308 in an AX chassis and it is heavier but it also has a heavier barrel profile. The TRG is a great rifle at a great price. If you want a folder, pick up the KRG folder and their mag release and you will have an awesome, accurate setup for less than an AI AX or Surgeon AX. The AX is a great setup, no doubt, but more expensive.
 
#35
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

TRG and Surgeons are quite a bit off in price. I don't have a surgeon built rifle, but I do have a surgeon 591 action with a bartlien 5r built by bartlien in a AICS chasis, and I'll tell you, I wouldn't trade it for anything. First day of load build up (and less than 30 rounds) at 100 and I shot a .255 five round group on the AI bipod and my shoulder. Surgeon and GA Precision (GAP) have def cornered the market (to me) in high performance long distance.

GAP would be a lot closer in price to the TRG and an all out better build rifle. TRG's are fantastic, but you are paying for the show and the name. They, much like most large rifle manufacturers have to account for all bullet sizes in the range of the caliber. If you go with a company like surgeon or GAP and have the rifle built for you, you can send them a (no powder unprimed) round and they will match SAMMI spec to the rifle tightening your groups. You just have to know what round or size round you are using.
just my two cents.
 
#36
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

My Surgeon Scalpel 300WM in an AICS 2.0 cost $5000 new. The 308 isn't far from that.
The AI AE MKIII is a good bit less than that.
And, I think, the TRG22 is even less than that.
I have never seen a bad shooting TRG22 and many shooters like the TRG stock better.
I will not suggest that you buy any one or the other until you get behind all the candidates and see how they feel to you. That, IMHO, is the most important aspect of any rifle purchase.
As for Viperskins, I just installed a set on one of my AICS chassis and they are very nice. It gives the gun a totally different feel and look. I am waiting on the new AI skins before buying any more though.
 
#37
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

TRG 22, I love my 260 TRG from Euro Optic. 3200 out the door wasn't a bad deal considering what you get and to find something comparable it would cost more, and take longer to get. No reason for "custom" when it comes from the Sako factory.
 
#40
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

I have a custom Surgeon XL and a custom TRG42. Yes they are both magnum actions but the comparison should be similar to the short actions.

The Surgeon I've had for years. Every time I get it out of the safe I think to myself what a fantastic and accurate rifle it is and am still impressed with how smooth the action is.

I bought the TRG42 to try out for a while just to see what all the hype was about with plans to resell later so I could try out a AIAE or AW. Those plans have changed! That TRG is frikken awesome! It holds it's own with the Surgeon and has a even smoother action. I paid a good $1000 less for the TRG. Definitely a bargain for what it is compared to other high end rifles out there.

Often I wonder which one I'd sell first if I had too. I cringe at the thought,LOL.
 
#41
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

The TRG comes in .260 also? I havent done too much research on that cartridge but isnt that a better, more accurate, flat shooting round than the .308?

Would the .260 be better for me since ill be probably doing more hunting with the rifle than competition? I like shooting F-class and wouldnt matter which round i use for that as long as they both can reach 1000yards.

Hey Jon ill PM you my email address can you email those pics to me? Im currently in afghanistan and cant view pictures on forums. I can download them off email though.

I think ive made up my mind about the TRG. Is there any aftermarket parts that are reccommended for it?
 
#42
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

For all of you using the .308 version. Im trying to figure out which factory ammo the TRG likes better. Most people reload i understand but someone out there has to buy ammo from the store.

Any ideas?
 
#43
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

The TRG in .260 was a one time special run. Not sure if there are any new ones left, check with EuroOptics. If not, you would have to go to the used market if you had your heart set on .260 or just rebarrel a .308.

I've seen FGMM 175g work in every .308 I've ever seen on the line including Rem 700s, TRGs, and AIAEs. Start there and then if it doesn't work for you there are other options like Corbon, BlackHills, Hornady, and SW Ammo.
 
#44
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

Sounds good. Thank you for the help. I did check euro optics webpage and there were no .260s on there and have been emailing them about the rifle so i should get a resopnse back soon to see if they even have any left.

thank you for the info on the box ammo.
 
#47
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Semmens</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds good. Thank you for the help. I did check euro optics webpage and there were no .260s on there and have been emailing them about the rifle so i should get a resopnse back soon to see if they even have any left.

thank you for the info on the box ammo. </div></div>

Give them a call... last time I talked to them there were two left. They've been off of the web page for a while.
 
#48
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The_Surgeon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Surgeon is building gun on the AX chassis. I haven't seen a price on one but if it is like anything else they have, I would say between $5,000 and $6,000 to get into one.

The wait time probably will be a bit, </div></div>

For that dough I would just buy and AX .308
 
#49
Re: TRG-22 or Surgeon AX

I have both a TRG in .260 and a Surgeon in .223 with a Krieger barrel and Jewel trigger on an aics chasis with Viperskins. Not apples to apples, but a reasonable basis for comparison. Both are great guns, the fit and finish of each is flawless and the actions are smooth as can be. My TRG is more accurate than the Surgeon and the ergonomics are, for me, superior. I have big hands and the grip and trigger posture of the TRG fit me better. I also love the TRG two stage trigger, and how easy it is to adjust. I have mine dialed in to just a hair above 2 pounds trigger pull and it is smooth and the second stage breaks crisp. I also notice that is the recoil impulse of the TRG is "smoother" more like a firm push than a quick snap that I feel with the Surgeon. In either case, both are great guns, but for me the TRG is superior, especially considering the fact that the Surgeon with Viperskins is about 50% more expensive than the TRG.
 
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