Sako TRG 42
Sako Ltd. · Sniper Rifle · In Production · 2000
Also known as: TRG-42, TRG42
Overview
The Sako TRG 42 is a bolt-action long-range sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, designed as the magnum-caliber companion to the TRG 22. Introduced in 2000, the TRG 42 features a 690mm cold hammer-forged barrel with 4-groove rifling and a 1:10 inch twist rate optimized for heavy .338 Lapua projectiles. The rifle weighs 5.3 kg empty, making it notably lighter than many competing .338 Lapua platforms. The polyurethane stock with aluminum skeleton provides a rigid, weather-resistant platform with fully adjustable cheek piece and buttplate. The two-stage trigger is factory adjustable from approximately 1 to 2.5 kg. The TRG 42 feeds from a 5-round detachable box magazine and is effective to 1500 meters against personnel targets. The cold hammer-forged barrel is a hallmark of Sako quality, producing exceptional bore consistency that contributes to the rifle's sub-MOA accuracy at extreme distances.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5300 g (187.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5650 g (199.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1200 mm (47.24") |
| Barrel Length | 690 mm (27.17") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 10 N (2.2 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2953 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 6570 J (4846 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 5000 m (5468 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polyurethane Aluminum Skeleton |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- .338 Lapua Magnum · primary — also known as 8.6x70mm, 8.58x70mm, .338 Lapua Mag
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Bolt Lock
- Features: Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Free Floating Barrel, Adjustable Cheek Piece, Adjustable Buttplate, Adjustable Trigger, Accessory Rail, Integral Bipod Mount, Muzzle Brake
Variants
- Sako TRG 22 — Standard Caliber
- Sako TRG 22/42 A1 — Modernized
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 2000
- French Army · as PGM
- Spanish Armed Forces
- Turkish Armed Forces
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
Production
Production years: 2000-present
Exact production numbers not disclosed. Manufactured at Sako's factory in Riihimaki, Finland.
Origin
Country of origin: Finland
Notes
The TRG 42 barrel twist rate was changed from the original 1:12 inch to 1:10 inch (254mm) to better stabilize heavier .338 Lapua bullets up to 300 grains. Weight of 5.3 kg is without optics or accessories. Overall length of 1200mm is with the 27-inch (690mm) barrel; a 20-inch barrel option reduces overall length to 1020mm. The TRG 42 and TRG 22 share approximately 85% of their components, with the TRG 42 having a longer action, different bolt face, and larger magazine well to accommodate the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge.
Background
The Sako TRG 42 was designed by Finnish engineers who understood that extreme cold and long distances demanded a rifle that combined .338 Lapua Magnum power with Nordic precision engineering. At just 5.3 kg empty, it proved that a long-range sniper rifle did not need to weigh as much as a small anvil to deliver sub-MOA accuracy at 1500 meters.