Having become one of the most recent NATO members, Finland is no stranger to firearm design or manufacturing. During World War II, SAKO produced some of the finest versions of the Soviet Union’s 3-line rifle, the Mosin Nagant, and these models have become highly collectible. In more recent years, SAKO has developed an expansive line of sporting rifles for hunting and target shooting. A standout in the crowd is the TRG 22 A1, a commercially available bolt-action precision rifle. Watch our video above to see this precision-based bolt-action rifle in use on the range.
SAKO’s TRG series of rifles came to fruition in the late 1980s and has served shooters and hunters ever since, with line extensions and improvements along the way. This latest iteration, dubbed the TRG 22 A1, is a platform engineered to perform in harsh environments and provide an amazing level of modularity to the end user, enabling them to optimize the rifle’s configuration for their mission or shooting style.
The model you see here comes chambered for the popular 6.5 mm Creedmoor cartridge. This is the Tungsten version, too, and it comes with either a cold-hammer-forged 20.1” or 26” barrel. The latter is used here on the range. It features a phosphatized external surface treatment that makes it extremely tough, and the 5/8x24 TPI threaded muzzle comes with a knurled protector. SAKO’s TRG action is also robust and fast. With it, you get a 60-degree throw thanks to the coned, three-lug bolt head. You will also see SAKO’s extractor and a plunger ejector used here, too. A large teardrop-shaped knob adorns the removable bolt handle for ease of purchase. The knob also features a Torx stud to serve as a field wrench. And centrally found on the tail of the bolt is a red-ring highlight that is exposed when the gun is ready to fire. A bolt release is found just forward of its handle on the right side of the receiver.
The receiver’s top features a dovetail groove for use with European-style optic mounts, as well as an included 30-m.o.a. Picatinny rail to help make long shots possible with a mounted optic. The action nests within an aluminum chassis, and for this model, it is finished in Tungsten Grey Cerakote along with the fore-end, or handguard, which has a Picatinny rail up top and M-Lok slots at all angles. At the rear is a fully adjustable folding buttstock, which attaches to the vertical pistol grip. Noteworthy, too, are the grip’s replaceable backstraps for a custom fit.
At the range, our testers found another noteworthy feature, which is the adjustable two-stage trigger and safety arrangement. Within the trigger housing, just forward of the shoe, you’ll find the safety there—press it forward to fire. We found this arrangement to take some getting used to, but handy nonetheless. On range, the TRG excels, and though it is weighty at just over 12.5 lbs., it is, however, a stable platform capable of myriad tasks.
SAKO TRG 22 A1 Specifications
Importer: Beretta USA
Action Type: bolt-action, centerfire rifle
Chambering: 6.5 mm Creedmoor
Receiver: steel
Barrel: 26"
Stock: aluminum chassis; adjustable, right-side folding
Magazine: 10-round detachable box
Sights: none; 30-m.o.a. Picatinny rail
Trigger: two-stage, adjustable; 2-lb., 11-oz. pull
Overall Length: 45.4" (extended)
Weight: 12 lbs., 10 ozs.
MSRP: $5,500
