Sako TRG 22 A1: Review of Finland’s Premier Precision Rifle

As a great admirer of military sniper systems, the TRG series have always been an important rifle to me. Modern long range rifles can be such a sterile platform, folded into a black Pelican case. But the Finnish firearm manufacturer brings a level of design only the Europeans could perfect.

The Sako TRG 22 A1 comes from a line of Finnish precision rifles that have earned a global reputation for reliability and performance. When choosing a precision rifle for hitting steel at distance I had plenty of solid options in front of me, and I ultimately landed on the Sako TRG.

Sako @PrecisionRifle

• NEW Sako TRG 62 A1
• First Look! The New Sako 90 Series Rifles
• Sako TRG M10: The Ultimate Military Sniper Rifle Choice
• Sako 100 – A Premium Hunting Rifle

As my long distance journey progressed I found myself impressed by the 6.5 Creedmoor. When ordering the TRG it was the cartridge of choice. It’s been the ideal system for tackling gravity, wind, and distance. Finished in Coyote Brown, I’ve found this rifle to be designed for the shooter who needs consistent performance. I have owned my TRG 22 A1 for over three years now, using it to test optics, train new shooters and push my own skills. In this overview ill look at what makes the rifle special, how it handles on the range, and how it compares with other rifles in its class.

Design

The TRG 22 A1’s heart is an aluminium chassis. Atop is a one piece rail with a 30 MOA cant which runs along the top of the rifle for mounting optics. The free floating handguard accepts accessories via M-Lok slots. The cold hammer forged 26inch barrel has a heavy contour and a 1:8 twist, making it well suited to the projectiles available in 6.5 Creedmoor. It threads into a steel receiver and ends with a brake on 5/8×24 threads. Unlike the Sako M10, the barrel is not intended to be changed out at home, but this arrangement contributes to the rifle’s rigidity and accuracy. The action uses a three lug bolt with a short 60 degree throw for easy cycling.

The TRG M10, which shares the folding stock and general ergonomics of the 22 A1, adds the multi calibre system. The M10 also differs by using a fluted barrel and can be converted to different cartridges by swapping barrels and bolt heads. The TRG 22 A1 is a little simpler because it is fixed to the one caliber.

Unloaded, the rifle weighs just over 5kg/12lb, add a scope and bipod and the weight approaches 7kg/15 lb. While that’s on the heavy side, the weight keeps the rifle steady and helps tame recoil. Combined with the brake, the 6.5 Creedmoor chambering, the TRG produces only very little felt recoil. I’ve found this stability makes the TRG 22 A1 comfortable for extended use and definitely helps new shooters focus on fundamentals rather than flinching from recoil like other lighter platforms.

The handguard itself is more than a simple tube. Its long top rail continues the 30 MOA cant of the receiver and allows you to position optics or night vision devices well forward. M-Lok slots on the sides and bottom offer plenty of attachment points, and the aluminium shroud doubles as a heat shield from the barrel.

The TRG 22 A1’s stock folds to the right to shorten the rifle for transport and protect the bolt handle. When deployed it locks without any play whatsoever. This is by far the most secure folding stock I have ever seen. Length of pull, cheek height and recoil pad position are all adjusted via recessed buttons, allowing you to have a tailored fit without any protruding knobs as seen on other precision rifles. The pistol grip accepts interchangeable inserts for different hand sizes with three different options available in the box.

A small hook under the buttstock supports your off hand when shooting prone or off the bench and can be replaced with a monopod. I usually have it resting on a rear bag which works well. The rear of the stock also has quick detach sling sockets on both sides. I added a small QD sling swivel attachment via M-LOK to the front of the chassis to attach a TAB Gear PRS Sling. 

The buttstock offers a wide range of small increments. You can raise the cheek rest by about three and a half centimeters, adjust the length of pull by roughly four centimeters and move the recoil pad up or down to fit your shoulder. These let you tune the rifle to your body more a little more precisely than systems that rely solely on spacers. Coaching new shooters I change these settings often and by quickly pressing the buttons and sliding the parts into place, its really no chore at all.

The controls are very intuitive. The two stage trigger is user adjustable from about two to four and a half pounds. A large bolt knob and short 60 degree throw make cycling a pleasure. The ambidextrous safety paddle sits forward of the trigger and locks both the firing pin and bolt, a button above the paddle lets you open the bolt while still on safe. Steel ten round magazines feed smoothly and drop free when released, and they accept cartridges loaded with longer than standard specifications, which benefits those who handload their own ammunition.

One feature that sets the TRG 22 A1 apart from other chassis rifles is the small tool kit hidden in the handguard. Three Torx drivers are accessible in the field by using the T25 head built into the bolt knob. This well thought out feature allows you to adjust the stock or tighten screws on the rifle without bringing a toolbox with you.

Only three screws hold the action to the chassis, and loosening them lets you remove the handguard for cleaning. I’ve found routine cleaning is straightforward, run a rod through the free floating barrel, wipe down the barrel  and the bolt with oil to prevent any rust.

In The Field

On the range the TRG 22 A1’s performance exceeds what I was expecting from it. I knew it would perform well, but I’m still blown away with how well it groups. With match ammunition it routinely prints half minute groups at 500 meters at my local range. At 800 to 1 000 meters I can easily get it to hold one minute of angle when conditions are favorable.

The heavy barrel stays cool for longer strings of fire, and the action cycles incredibly smoothly. The recoil is gentle thanks to the muzzle brake and the rifle’s weight. Even after a busy day behind the rifle, my shoulder doesn’t feel punished.

The magazine has fed reliably, and the three lug bolt extracts and ejects spent cases cleanly. In the three years I’ve owned it I haven’t experienced any failures to feed or eject, a testament to the craftsmanship of the rifle. The rifle’s trigger contributes heavily to this consistency, its crisp break encourages good follow through on shots. With a good optic and steady shooting position, the TRG 22 A1 is truly at home. I’m happy with my choice in the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, with its excellent ballistic coefficient and mild recoil, I have found it complements the rifle nicely.

My TRG Setup

Looking at my accessories, I’ve paired my TRG with the 5-25×56 Schmidt & Bender PM II, secured in a Spuhr SP-4002 mount. I run an Atlas bipod and added a SureFire SOCOM muzzle break. I also have a Cole-Tac two round holder on the side, I’ve found it handy to have a couple of extra rounds easy to access. For ammunition I mainly shoot Norma & Hornady match ammunition with great results.

Against The Competition

There are several rifles that compete with the TRG 22 A1 in its class. The Tikka T3X TAC A1 offers similar features at a lower price and comes in at a lower weight, but its adjustments are a little less refined, its bolt has a slightly longer throw and it lacks the Sako’s integrated tool kit.

Barrett’s MRAD allows you to change calibers by swapping barrels and bolt heads, but that modularity adds weight and complexity, and I personally feel the trigger does not feel as crisp as the TRG.

Accuracy International’s AX series shares the TRG’s military pedigree and three lug bolt but uses separate tools for adjustments and feels a little more utilitarian and less refined compared to the TRG. All three competitors perform well, but I do feel that none match Sako’s blend of ergonomics, design and attention to detail.

When you balance barrel length, weight, adjustability and features like the built in tool kit, the TRG 22 A1 remains the most refined of the group. You can read more about the top precision rifles available on our site, where we go into a much more detailed look at the top eight rifles available.

Summing Up

After three years behind my Sako TRG 22 A1, I’ve come to trust it completely. It’s the rifle I reach for when I’m confirming ballistic data, practicing long range fundamentals, or introducing new shooters to the art of precision shooting. Watching their faces light up when they hit the 500 meter plate for the first time never gets old.

The TRG 22 A1 rewards discipline in the fundamentals but forgives small mistakes, offering a balance between precision and approachability that few rifles achieve. Every bolt throw feels deliberate, and over time I’ve come to feel genuinely connected to the rifle. Born from a lineage proven in arctic trials, it’s a rifle that reminds me why I fell in love with precision shooting in the first place. For that moment when the faint crack on steel echoes out across the valley.