Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308Win?

Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308Win?

Trying to do the samething with my AIAWs,but no go. The only system that I am ware of that has such capability is DTA arms.
 
Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308W

No. This rifle is not designed for multi-caliber capability. Just get the TRG-22, and have a great pair of purpose-built rifles! They can share a number of the very well made (but expensive) accessories...
 
Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308W

Yeah the more Sako's the better
smile.gif
I just got my first - a tan TRG-22.... have to resist the urge to buy the bigger brother (TRG-42 338 Lapua)
 
Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308Win?

Can the TRG line be changed out like the AIs? Can a you take a TRG22 and change out to say a .243 and switch back and forth?
 
Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308Win?

Hi Bacarrat

The TRG42 in 338 Lapua magnum is a very long action with an oversized boltface to accommodate the 338 LM cartridge. You will not find a clean bolt swap that will enable you to fire and extract a 308 diameter cartridge.

I faced very much the same issues as you did in that I wanted to convert a TRG42 in 338LM to a 6.5x284 for hunting and tactical shooting. Getting another rifle (like a trg42 in 300winmag) was not an option for me. In the end I had to get a gunsmith to work on the boltface in order to get it to extract a 6.5x284 cartridge. This involved silver soldering a ring into the existing boltface, as well as milling away part of the channel that holds the extractor to enable it to extract a case of smaller diameter. On top of that I had to modify the magazine holder to properly feed the shorter 6.5x284 cartridge - I had to narrow the lips that grip the cartridge body and I inserted a piece of cardboard into the front of the magazine to ensure a straight up feed of the rounds.

Bottom line - I agree with the comments earlier in the thread that it is probably going to be easier to get a trg22 if you want a 308 and getting the additional rifle is a possibility. The alternative requires a fair amount of modification, and this would reduce the second hand value of the existing trg42 rifle.

Cheers
Jaco
 
Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308Win?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JvT_404</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi Bacarrat

The TRG42 in 338 Lapua magnum is a very long action with an oversized boltface to accommodate the 338 LM cartridge. You will not find a clean bolt swap that will enable you to fire and extract a 308 diameter cartridge.

I faced very much the same issues as you did in that I wanted to convert a TRG42 in 338LM to a 6.5x284 for hunting and tactical shooting. Getting another rifle (like a trg42 in 300winmag) was not an option for me. In the end I had to get a gunsmith to work on the boltface in order to get it to extract a 6.5x284 cartridge. This involved silver soldering a ring into the existing boltface, as well as milling away part of the channel that holds the extractor to enable it to extract a case of smaller diameter. On top of that I had to modify the magazine holder to properly feed the shorter 6.5x284 cartridge - I had to narrow the lips that grip the cartridge body and I inserted a piece of cardboard into the front of the magazine to ensure a straight up feed of the rounds.

Bottom line - I agree with the comments earlier in the thread that it is probably going to be easier to get a trg22 if you want a 308 and getting the additional rifle is a possibility. The alternative requires a fair amount of modification, and this would reduce the second hand value of the existing trg42 rifle.

Cheers
Jaco </div></div>

I think you need to reread my post.
 
Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308Win?

I bought a .473" bolt body for my TRG-42 back in January. The bolt for the TRG-s fits the 42 perfectly. You need an ejector, extractor, bolt handle and you can swap your firing pin assy in 5 seconds. Definitely need a new extractor even if you used all your other bolt parts.

Since you asked about doing a barrel swap on a .338 Lapua, you will need a .300win magazine. That mag would need a bit of work on the lips to reliably hold the .473" body of a .308win.

I have tested my mags with 6.5 Swedish ctgs. Seems to work fine. That case is about .480" in diameter.

Unless you just have to use the .308win, I would look at using a necked up .284win case as it measures .500" and gives you .30-06 velocities. You got Lapua brass in the 6.5/284 for necking up if you are a precisioneer, and you can throat your barrel for long bullets so you don't have to seat them below the shoulder.

I have heard some horror stories about removing Sako barrels. I've removed the barrels on 3 of my 995s and a Vixen. A Brownells action wrench has never failed me. None of my barrels were ever harmed.

The TRG-42 is The Finest Switchbarrel platform going. No other company offers bolt bodies of perfect interchangeable dimension for .473, .533, and .590 boltface ctgs.
 
Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308W

If I understand correctly:
You need:
1) new barrel (in the original case .308)
2) new bolt for .308 (preferably complete)
3) modified .300 magazine

Are all the above available from Sako/Beretta?
Would I need a gunsmith to change/fit properly?

Thanks!!!
 
Re: Caliber switch for TRG-42 from .338LM to .308W

You can switch calibers. But from a 338 LM to a 308 Win would be hard. The issues to over come would be the bolt and magazine. You will still need a 308 bolt face with the bolt being a magnum long action bolt length. Then you'd need to alter the mag to feed for a 308 Win. I would go ahead and make it a 300WM instead of a 308 Win.

But yes, you can change calibers on a TRG with a barrel vise, like you would on a Rem 700 switch barrel.
 
Hey mate, bit of an old post but;
Not certain on what to do about a magazine (perhaps a 300WM magazine with adjusted lips and a spacer in the rear like the 6BR mod for AICS mags).
As for the bolt, the Sako TRG-S (M995) was chambered in 30-06 I believe. You can buy a bolt body for it and use it in your TRG42.
Here’s a link, but it’s not in stock. Find one in stock somewhere and figure out a mag and you’re good to go (easier said then done).
 
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Hey mate, bit of an old post but;
Not certain on what to do about a magazine (perhaps a 300WM magazine with adjusted lips and a spacer in the rear like the 6BR mod for AICS mags).
As for the bolt, the Sako TRG-S (M995) was chambered in 30-06 I believe. You can buy a bolt body for it and use it in your TRG42.
Here’s a link, but it’s not in stock. Find one in stock somewhere and figure out a mag and you’re good to go (easier said then done).
Really appreciate your help with this! I think I'll shoot it for a bit and then sell it or trade for a TRG-22. Thanks so much for your advice!