Hello this is my first post on this site and I’m hoping someone can lend me their expertise. I recently purchased a Sako TRG 42 in 338 Lapua as a step up over my .308 and have fired 30-40 rounds through it. A mix of Sellier & Bellot and Federal. The rifle itself functions flawlessly and I’m very happy with it. However after looking at my spent brass, I’m noticing a slight bulge in the neck on all the casings. I’ve been searching online for similar problems but can’t find anything helpful. The accuracy is good and everything else appears normal. This is my first 338 Lapua but I haven’t observed this happening on any other caliber I shoot, so it has me a little concerned. Anyone know what’s causing this and if I need to send the rifle in for warranty or is it nothing to worry about?
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Sako TRG 42 problem/question?
- Thread starter F. Syver
- Start date
Eww, damn. Bolt lift feels good? What does the case head look like?
Definitely not right. It’s almost like it got chambered with one seriously messed up reamer (hard to believe from Sako), or the headspace is so off that it’s dangerous.
Definitely not right. It’s almost like it got chambered with one seriously messed up reamer (hard to believe from Sako), or the headspace is so off that it’s dangerous.
Yeah, the bolt lift feels fine. I haven’t noticed any stickiness. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary until I collected the brass.
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Personally I'd have it checked out before firing it again. Either by a local trusted gunsmith or by Sako (via Beretta USA). You either have a poorly cut chamber or headspace is drastically off (my take on it with as much data as a picture can provide). I can already see a clearly developed line above the case web.
You are shooting factory loads which makes it sort of a pain to do with a bullet seated in it, but if you could measure the difference between an unfired piece of brass and a fired piece that would sort of answer one variable. Hopefully you have a pair of calipers around to do this with some accuracy.
A little forewarning: Dealing with Beretta is going to suck!
You are shooting factory loads which makes it sort of a pain to do with a bullet seated in it, but if you could measure the difference between an unfired piece of brass and a fired piece that would sort of answer one variable. Hopefully you have a pair of calipers around to do this with some accuracy.
A little forewarning: Dealing with Beretta is going to suck!
Yeah, I returned it to Beretta for repairs on the 12th and it is currently “awaiting inspection” at Beretta. The return process was easier than I expected it to be. That said, I have no idea how long it will be gone. I’ll update again when I have more info.
I just received the rifle back from Beretta today. There was no documentation in the box with it, just five new fired casing all showing the same issue I was originally worried about. I then called Beretta customer support and was told the rifle was test fired, the headspace was checked and everything was correct and within factory parameters. I’m still concerned by the brass deformation. I think I should probably find a gunsmith and get a second opinion. Any thoughts on this?
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There is a bulge in the shoulder of the fired casing. You can see it in some of my earlier photos. Here’s another with an unfired round for comparison.
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I defer to the last sentence in post #4...
Two options: Just keep on them, focus comments on the photos and see what they come back with. Either that or just outright buy a new barrel.
That's just how they are to deal with, unfortunately.
Two options: Just keep on them, focus comments on the photos and see what they come back with. Either that or just outright buy a new barrel.
That's just how they are to deal with, unfortunately.
Time for a 338lm ackley, lol. That will clean up that shoulder problem
Haha, I’ve barely had the chance to shoot 338lm as is but I can’t say the thought of converting it to 338 ackley didn’t cross my mind. I’ll talk to my sales rep at eurooptic and try to get beretta to repair or replace this rifle. I’m really disappointed about this. My other Sako’s have been flawless.
I'm sure the rifle itself - apart from this issue - is beautiful. But for the price, better service should be expected.
I can’t believe they let that slide.
That is absolutely unacceptable/ridiculous
i’ve got a TRG 42 and 300 Winchester Magnum and it is a tack driver/flawless machine
Beretta simply doesn’t want to fix it because Beretta doesn’t get parts to fix TRG’s in the United States. so the problem you’re having is that they don’t have spare parts to repair those things because usually they show up and they’re flawless
One possible solution for it if you’re not gonna try to get your money back, is the call of KRG and see if they make a replacement barrel
i’ve got a TRG 42 and 300 Winchester Magnum and it is a tack driver/flawless machine
Beretta simply doesn’t want to fix it because Beretta doesn’t get parts to fix TRG’s in the United States. so the problem you’re having is that they don’t have spare parts to repair those things because usually they show up and they’re flawless
One possible solution for it if you’re not gonna try to get your money back, is the call of KRG and see if they make a replacement barrel
It’s either going to be repaired, replaced or I’ll try to get my money back. If I have too much trouble with Beretta USA I guess I’ll buy an AI instead. I love the rifle apart from the chamber issue and I love my Sako hunting rifles, my biggest disappointment is the range time I’ve missed out on.
The proper and ethical thing to do in this situation if Barreta USA does not have the replacement parts is to simply swap out your rifle for a new one. Anything less is unacceptable in my opinion.
I talked to Josh at Eurooptic, the salesman I bought the rifle from. He was able to get me in touch with a rep that was higher up at beretta and the rifle is going back in for service. Hopefully this time the issue will be resolved. I can’t recommend the Eurooptic sales team enough. They’ve been extremely helpful.
Excellent. No doubt EO will get shit done for you.
One look at that brass and it's obvious. Can't believe Beretta even sent that shit back to you like that... well, from past experience I guess on second thought I'm not surprised.
Just for clarity: Sako, LTD. is not the problem in the chain. It's Beretta being Beretta! Stupid. For instance, Sako, LTD. wanted to sell parts - Beretta says nope, we are only going to sell "assemblies" for end-users. Need a firing pin, buy the whole bolt. Need a trigger pack spring, buy a trigger pack. Stock sling eyelet, buy the stock... Ughh.
I finally have an update. I requested a replacement or refund and Beretta refunded me the cost of the rifle, as they wouldn’t have a replacement until late summer. I’d have preferred a replacement but a refund was welcome. I’ll probably end up back ordering a matching rifle from Eurooptic? I purchased a bunch of the factory accessories at the same time as the rifle. And aside from the chamber issue, I loved the TRG platform. On one hand, dealing with Beretta has been frustrating enough to make me wary and I’ve considered getting a different rifle entirely. On the other, my Sako’s have been flawless except for the TRG. Any thoughts or recommendations?
I’d order another one from EO. I love the TRG. I’m on my second 338 42. Always regretted selling my first.
KRG makes spare barrels for the TRG...
Beretta, in the US, will not import spare Sako barrels. Bastards.
Beretta, in the US, will not import spare Sako barrels. Bastards.
I always dreamed of a TRG 42 but I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with berreta if I have issues or need parts.
PVA offers TRG shouldered prefit barrels. They are the only ones that I know of that do.
I have three TRG 22s and have swapped all the bolts around between the three and checked the headspace with go and no/go gauges and they all checked out.
I have three TRG 22s and have swapped all the bolts around between the three and checked the headspace with go and no/go gauges and they all checked out.
