Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

[*Nine]

I just picked this up from Benchmark yesterday. I went with the 42 on their recommendation that I use a long action so that I have all the latitude I want with seating depths, especially with the longer bullets available. The relatively short cartridges feed with no trouble out of the magazine. So far I've just started working up loads, but shooting the 180 SMK I'm able to push 3100fps before I see real pressure signs using H4831SC and I max out on case capacity with H1000 and get no pressure signs, but only see 2950fps. I'll dial it back to about 3050fps and continue to use the 4831SC as it seems initially to shoot well there and the brass seems happy.

Specs:

TRG-42
Benchmark 27" 3 groove 9 twist barrel, with melonite
Muscle brake
Spuhr 44.4moa TRG direct mount
S&B PMII 4-16x42

In the coming week I'll finish dialing my loads in and I have my first match with it scheduled for July 30 to see what it can really do.

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

It was only a matter of time before people really started messing with caliber conversions in the TRG. I'm loving it and that is a beautiful rifle. I am thinking my TRG-22 is headed for 7-08 or 6.5 creedmoor.

Josh

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

I think the TRG platform is awesome. I bought it with the specific intent to rebarrel it, I never even shot it in the factory configuration.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

now that is a black beauty!!!
congrats.

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

I didn't even look at where you were located initially...Should have know it was WA. You guys have the TRG Mafia up there. Team Send It is the one making me want to go 7-08 in the TRG.

Josh

 

[81sfo]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

I couldn't be happier with my trg22 in 260 rem 20". Nice 7wsm!!

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MinorDamage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't even look at where you were located initially...Should have know it was WA. You guys have the TRG Mafia up there. Team Send It is the one making me want to go 7-08 in the TRG.

Josh</div></div>

Yeah, I saw my first TRG at a match here a couple of years ago and now there are a bunch of us running TRGs.

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Forwardeyes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I couldn't be happier with my trg22 in 260 rem 20". Nice 7wsm!!</div></div>

I almost bought that TRG22 that was sold on here last week for like $2k. I'd have done that in either .260 or 7-08 and replaced my .260 Rem700 with it.

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

Nice mate

So the magazine is unmodified at all? No feeding issues at all??

Got a bloke thinking!

Cheers

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

The rifle looks menacing in all black! That's exactly what I was thinking of doing. Selling my current 7WSM and rebarreling a TRG42 300WM into a 7WSM.

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ackley Improved</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice mate

So the magazine is unmodified at all? No feeding issues at all??

Got a bloke thinking!

Cheers
</div></div>

The magazine is totally unmodified. The 7 round .300WM magazine will take 6 rounds of WSM, and it feeds great whether the rounds are fully rearward in the magazine or if they move forward under recoil.

The big question that Benchmark and I had when building this is if the mags would work, and if not what we'd have to do to make them work, but happily it turns out they work just fine with no mods.

 

[Massoud]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

Good pick to go with the TRG, what did you do with your take-off barrel? Thanks,
Justin

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Massoud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good pick to go with the TRG, what did you do with your take-off barrel? Thanks,
Justin</div></div>

It's sitting on my shelf right now. The only rounds through it are whatever they test fire at the factory.

 

[Massoud]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

Would you like to get rid of it?
Justin

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Massoud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would you like to get rid of it?
Justin</div></div>

PM inbound.

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM


Well, it looks like you've cost me some coin.... WSM it is!

On another note, what sort of contour is the maximum that can fit into the TRG chassis? Not saying I would go that... but would go slightly over factory!

Cheers

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ackley Improved</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Well, it looks like you've cost me some coin.... WSM it is!

On another note, what sort of contour is the maximum that can fit into the TRG chassis? Not saying I would go that... but would go slightly over factory!

Cheers
</div></div>

My contour is Rem Varmint, and it has plenty of clearance, though where the barrel passes over the bracket that holds the front sling mount there's not a whole lot of room left to go with a bigger barrel.

 

[steve123]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

Nice!

 

[Skyking]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

Looks good. Getting some nice speeds there. How are you liking the melonite on your barrel? Who did it for you? I have mine getting treated right now. Did you shoot it at all before the treatment?

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

So far I'm liking it. I got it melonited in the hope that it'll last a bit longer than a non-melonited barrel. I believe Benchmark sends them to MMI to have the meloniting done. I didn't shoot it before it was sent for melonite.

 

[SScott]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

Great looking rifle, I am glad to hear that a Rem contour worked without removing the sling stud.
I can't wait to see is it sometime this Fall, as my Summer is pretty booked up with the kids sports.
SScott

 

[*Nine]

Re: Benchmark built TRG-42 in 7WSM

An update... if anyone is thinking along the lines of a WSM in the TRG make sure your bolt face opening is large enough to actually allow all your brass to seat. 90% of my Winchester brass works fine, but due to manufacturing variances some of the case heads were just a hair too big to work. I headed up to Benchmark today with my bolt and one of the cases that didn't fit and a slight touch-up of the bolt on the lathe got everything working great.