Sako TRG 22 Expected Accuracy?

[Bloodstriker]

I'm wondering what sort of accuracy I should be expecting from a TRG 22. I'm getting anywhere from 1-2 MOA at 100m. I'm a newer shooter, but I had a friend try it out and he's at around 1-1.25 MOA. I should mention that the friend is a good shot and is capable of shooting a 1" group at 300M with a 308.
We tried two types of ammo - Federal Soft Point 150g and Hornady Match 155g. Same results.

 

[Muskox]

Twist rate is 1 in 11. I had good luck with the same barrel in a Tikka with 165 Accubonds, 190 Berger Scenars, and 190 SMKs. Was a 3/8ths inch gun with my load with the Accubonds and SMK.

You need more bullet.

 

[kevad68]

Agree with Muskox, a bigger bullet. The Berger 175 Hybrids do the best in my TRG-22, followed by the 175 SMK's.

 

[Bloodstriker]

Thanks. I'll try some of these suggestions.

 

[bm11]

I haven't seen a TRG 22 that won't shoot sub half moa with the right ammo (and right shooter.) When I got mine I went to the range with 168 Gold Medal, 168 TAP, and 175 Southwest Ammo. The average for 12 five shot groups was half inch at 100y.

 

[Will Fennell]

BOTH OF MY TRG22'S( 308 AND 260) are .5 MOA guns with ammo they like....

 

[DamnYuppie]

Mine are very accurate, .5 MOA when I am not under duress. I have shot the 175 SMK's and 155 Scenars out of mine and they are very accurate!

 

[ORD]

I haven't seen a TRG 22 that won't shoot sub half moa with the right ammo (and right shooter.) When I got mine I went to the range with 168 Gold Medal, 168 TAP, and 175 Southwest Ammo. The average for 12 five shot groups was half inch at 100y.

^^ THIS! ^^

The Federal soft points are crap for accuracy as you'd generally expect with the bottom-of-the-barrel stuff you can get at Wally World. Can't explain the lack of accuracy with the Hornady Match 155gr stuff other than operator error(s) as it should perform well in your TRG as 155gr pills are well within the range that should obtain good results with a 1:11 twist tube.

Try out some other proven performers like FGMM, BH, Hornady, Corbon, SWAmmo, etc., in match loads with 168gr and heavier bullets and see if your results improve.

 

[samnev]

As most others have said my 5 shoot 100 yard groups with 168 grain SMK's are 0.5" sometimes less. Best group I have ever shot with it was 0.31". Try the 168 Federal GMM if you don't hand load. If they don't group something is wrong with your set up or scope. By the ay what scope and mount are you using. That might be the problem and are they torqued properly?

 

[Bloodstriker]

As most others have said my 5 shoot 100 yard groups with 168 grain SMK's are 0.5" sometimes less. Best group I have ever shot with it was 0.31". Try the 168 Federal GMM if you don't hand load. If they don't group something is wrong with your set up or scope. By the ay what scope and mount are you using. That might be the problem and are they torqued properly?

NEAR 25 MOA Base, NEAR Alphamount, S&B 5-25x56 PMII.

I'll go check and see what type of Horandy. It was only about $30 for a box. My friend said it wasn't their regular Match stuff.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that the base, mount and rings were installed with a FAT Wrench and torqued to NEAR's specs.

 

[supratt96]

Did you get your TRG new or used? If used, do you know the history of the rifle or the round count? Have you confirmed the scope and mounts are secure and working properly?

I have never heard of a TRG that won't shoot 1/2 moa or better unless something was amiss. mine routinely shoots in the 0.3" range at 100 yds and groups in the .2s are common. Here is a typical target:

 

[Jon Lester]

I think my TRG would group 260 ammo well! It hammers with all the 308 stuff I have ever fed it.

 

[finbox]

I dont know about the .308 but my .260 shoots lights out

300 yards .94 inch

 

[Bloodstriker]

Did you get your TRG new or used? If used, do you know the history of the rifle or the round count? Have you confirmed the scope and mounts are secure and working properly?

I have never heard of a TRG that won't shoot 1/2 moa or better unless something was amiss. mine routinely shoots in the 0.3" range at 100 yds and groups in the .2s are common. Here is a typical target:

I bought it used. The round count was claimed to be 270, although I have no way of verifying. The scope should be fine as when I dialed in at 25m based on how many mils I was off, the clicks where dead on. Mount and rings should be fine too as I checked the torque specs.

I'll give the rifle another try with some 168gr Match ammo and have a friend check that the scope and mounts are okay. If that doesn't yield any results, it's off to a gunsmith to inspect.

 

[Bloodstriker]

I think my TRG would group 260 ammo well! It hammers with all the 308 stuff I have ever fed it.

Sorry, could you clarify what you mean by "hammers"?

 

[Bloodstriker]

Did you get your TRG new or used? If used, do you know the history of the rifle or the round count? Have you confirmed the scope and mounts are secure and working properly?

I have never heard of a TRG that won't shoot 1/2 moa or better unless something was amiss. mine routinely shoots in the 0.3" range at 100 yds and groups in the .2s are common. Here is a typical target:

Have you ever run cheap ammo through? If so, how did it group?

 

[jbell]

Have you ever run cheap ammo through? If so, how did it group?

shit in = shit out

FWIW I sent my TRG 22 308 out for a new barrel when it opened up to 3/4moa. So ya they shoot. I would say my rifle was at worse a 1/2 moa rifle for 4,650 rounds...

 

[Bloodstriker]

shit in = shit out

FWIW I sent my TRG 22 308 out for a new barrel when it opened up to 3/4moa. So ya they shoot. I would say my rifle was at worse a 1/2 moa rifle for 4,650 rounds...

Understood, but how shitty was the shit that went in?

 

[XL Mammal]

Understood, but how shitty was the shit that went in?

Soft point is great for whitetail, pretty shitty for shooting groups. I'd say 1-1.5" at 100yds is about right. I've never found the 155g Hornady to be as accurate as FGMM 168 or 175. I once tried to go cheap with the Prvi 175g Match because I heard it was good ammo for the price. It shot 2" groups at 100yds out of my TRG. Loaded a mag of FGMM and the groups closed up to 1/2".

 

[Bloodstriker]

Soft point is great for whitetail, pretty shitty for shooting groups. I'd say 1-1.5" at 100yds is about right. I've never found the 155g Hornady to be as accurate as FGMM 168 or 175. I once tried to go cheap with the Prvi 175g Match because I heard it was good ammo for the price. It shot 2" groups at 100yds out of my TRG. Loaded a mag of FGMM and the groups closed up to 1/2".

I never realized it makes that much of a difference. I went out and bought a few boxes of different 168 match ammo. I'll try them out and report back.

 

[supratt96]

Have you ever run cheap ammo through? If so, how did it group?

I have only ever used reloads since factory .260 ammo is rediculously expensive. But I have used several different bullets in varing weights (Berger, Sierra, Hornady, Lapua) and they all did very well, although they were all match grade stuff.

For what it's worth. I don't do any fancy brass prep or bullet/case sorting. Just the basics.

 

[jbell]

When I said "shit in = shit out" I was refering to Bloodstriker asking about shooting cheep ammo. The ammo that I was shooting when my TRG opened up was the same proven handloads I have shot for 4650 rounds.

 

[Bloodstriker]

How many rounds through the barrel before it accuracy starts to fall off? Around 5k?

 

[DamnYuppie]

How many rounds through the barrel before it accuracy starts to fall off? Around 5k?

I am at almost 7k and can still get .5 MOA.

 

[Ramius]

For 308 you can be in the 10k range and still have a good barrel unless you expect Benchrest accuracy.

I've shot cheap Walmart 308 ammo out of my TRG-22. No problems out to 900 yards. At 1000 it is a bit more challenging(!)

 

[jbell]

My TRG 22 went south over night at 4,650 rounds. I verified everything was good to go like optics and mounts, suppressor, shooter (had someone else shoot it), action screws ect, cleaned the bore, changed brass and nothing. I went from a solid 1/2 moa (or less more times than not) to somewhere around 3/4 moa. I never ran anything hot threw it, 175g @ 2600fps.

 

[Shrek183]

I have 1100 rds of 175 grain Black Hills through my TRG 22 w/20" barrel. I am still getting 5 round groups in .5 moa. Good ammunition makes the difference.

 

[ghorsley]

"I'll give the rifle another try with some 168gr Match ammo and have a friend check that the scope and mounts are okay. If that doesn't yield any results, it's off to a gunsmith to inspect"

DONT DO THAT YET. Get a couple of boxes of the following: BlackHills Match 175 and FGMM 175. Give the rifle and ammo to someone you know is a good shooter. Allow them to change the rifle setup to fit them. Don't insist on watching. When you get the rifle and targets back you will know what to do.

 

[Bloodstriker]

"I'll give the rifle another try with some 168gr Match ammo and have a friend check that the scope and mounts are okay. If that doesn't yield any results, it's off to a gunsmith to inspect"

DONT DO THAT YET. Get a couple of boxes of the following: BlackHills Match 175 and FGMM 175. Give the rifle and ammo to someone you know is a good shooter. Allow them to change the rifle setup to fit them. Don't insist on watching. When you get the rifle and targets back you will know what to do.

No problem. But can you explain?

 

[Arbiter]

No problem. But can you explain?

Shooter error is the number one cause of every single problem a gunsmith or repair tech will ever encounter.

 

[Bloodstriker]

Shooter error is the number one cause of every single problem a gunsmith or repair tech will ever encounter.

I agree. I just want to rule out the possibility that the used rifle has a shot out barrel.

 

[ghorsley]

I wouldn't worry about that just yet because you have no real history for comparison. The barrel is cold hammer forged and will shoot a lot of bullets.

Again give it to a real 1/2 MOA shooter. You may have to work a bit to find the right guy but they are out there.

 

[Bugaboo]

Cold-bore shot at 300m with 168gr Remington Premier


I can't do this every time, but the rifle can.

 

[ghorsley]

" I can't do this every time, but the rifle can.[/QUOTE]"

One hole in that dot w/168 Gr bullet would put the dot at what....1/2 MOA. You say your rifle is capable of doing that consistently at 300 meters? That is some rifle you have there bud.

 

[sniperdude]

nice ! and especially for a cold bore shot....the one that matters most

Cold-bore shot at 300m with 168gr Remington Premier


I can't do this every time, but the rifle can.

 

[Bloodstriker]

Okay, here's what I was shooting:

Federal Power Shok 150gr Soft Point
Hornady 155 gr OTM W/C Match

I bought the following to try out:

Hornady 168gr A-Max Match
Hornady 168gr BHTP Match
Norma 168gr Diamond Line
Federal 168gr Gold Medal Matchking BHTP
Federal 175gr Sierra Matchking BTHP
Lapua 155gr Scenar

 

[jbell]

I cant remember is this has been posted here or not (and don't feel like rereading this whole thread) but make sure the bore is good and clean especially the throat. Also if the rifle has been shot a lot with a can or brake and the muzzle has a heavy carbon build up and some how some of it has been removed but not all I have seen this cause accuracy issues with more than one rifle. If so clean it all off well, just go easy on the crown.

 

[stefan73]

For me I have had success with 175 grn SMK's and 155 grn Lapua Scenars. I have not had much success with 168grn SMK's.

The ammo you listed isn't doing you any favors!

 

[Bloodstriker]

I cant remember is this has been posted here or not (and don't feel like rereading this whole thread) but make sure the bore is good and clean especially the throat. Also if the rifle has been shot a lot with a can or brake and the muzzle has a heavy carbon build up and some how some of it has been removed but not all I have seen this cause accuracy issues with more than one rifle. If so clean it all off well, just go easy on the crown.

Clean bore when I took it out that day. I did install a muzzle break for the first time.

 

[jbell]

Who made the brake? Have you shot the rifle with out the brake? I have seen poorly made/designed (I don't know which) cause some big accuracy problems.

 

[finbox]

Take break off and shoot

 

[Bloodstriker]

Does a brake effect accuracy?

 

[snipe10]

When you find some ammo that works, stick with it, I shot FGMM 168 and got 1/2 groups so never tried anything else. Now I buy any and all FGMM I can whenever I find it, although the price is killing me. Can't have too much, also works great in my JP LRP 07

 

[pawprint2]

Based on all the posts it seems if you aren't getting at least 1/2MOA at the absolute maximum group size, send it back! You don't want to be the only guy with a TRG that isn't shooting 1/2MOA. I'd even add, looking a posted group sizes from a lot of guys with "custom" rifles, the average TRG will out shoot (group size) most of the custom guns. It's hard to imagine why someone would spend so much more money on a "custom" action, stock, trigger etc., not to mention the "name" gun smith, and be happy with a rifle that won't shoot as well as the average TRG!

 

[jbell]

Does a brake effect accuracy?

Yes sir, it very well can. However it should not in theory if properly designed and mfg. What brake is it? If it is a Sako, Near, Roedale, Badger ect I highly doubt it is the problem. If it is a "custom" mfg or unknown then remove it and give it a try. I have seen first hand a brake take an accurate rifle and turn it to shit quick. Its worth the time to give it a try.

 

[Bloodstriker]

Yes sir, it very well can. However it should not in theory if properly designed and mfg. What brake is it? If it is a Sako, Near, Roedale, Badger ect I highly doubt it is the problem. If it is a "custom" mfg or unknown then remove it and give it a try. I have seen first hand a brake take an accurate rifle and turn it to shit quick. Its worth the time to give it a try.

It's the Sako.

 

[Bloodstriker]

Based on all the posts it seems if you aren't getting at least 1/2MOA at the absolute maximum group size, send it back! You don't want to be the only guy with a TRG that isn't shooting 1/2MOA. I'd even add, looking a posted group sizes from a lot of guys with "custom" rifles, the average TRG will out shoot (group size) most of the custom guns. It's hard to imagine why someone would spend so much more money on a "custom" action, stock, trigger etc., not to mention the "name" gun smith, and be happy with a rifle that won't shoot as well as the average TRG!

Sorry, I'm confused. What are you saying?

 

[DamnYuppie]

Sorry, I'm confused. What are you saying?

He is saying that he thinks we are all full of shit. 1/2 MOA is really quite good regardless of the rifle, to get the claimed accuracy many are purporting, myself included, you have to be somewhat skilled. Yet I have seen many a thread on this site where various people state 1/2 MOA of brand XXX rifle, so I wouldn't worry about it. If you are a capable marksman a TRG-22 is a 1/2 MOA or better gun.

 

[Bloodstriker]

He is saying that he thinks we are all full of shit. 1/2 MOA is really quite good regardless of the rifle, to get the claimed accuracy many are purporting, myself included, you have to be somewhat skilled. Yet I have seen many a thread on this site where various people state 1/2 MOA of brand XXX rifle, so I wouldn't worry about it. If you are a capable marksman a TRG-22 is a 1/2 MOA or better gun.

Thanks for the clarification. I definitely am not skilled enough but there are a few at my range that are. I will have them test it for me.

 

[Bloodstriker]

Well, I had a chance to test out a few different boxes. I was able to get under MOA this time. I'll post up the results shortly.