Desert Tactical Arms 338Lapua VS Sako TRG42

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foxbat

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I'm sitting on the fence..having finally decided on getting a 338Lapua (because I can!), I was all set on getting a Sako TRG42.
Then, the option of the Desert Tactical Arms bullpup popped up, coutesty of Target Sports and the Shooting Edge.
I managed to handle one of the Desert Arms units, and it seems very nice.
They have managed to make the trigger pretty good, despite the bullpup configuration, and it is certainly 'handier' than the Sako.
Price wise, there's not much to choose, once you factor in the $$ needed for the rail, brake and bipod on the Sako.
The Sako is a known quantity...quality, accuracy, dependable.
The Desert Arms...not so much...small company, very little in the way of reviews available. The available ones indicate good accuracy, reasonable recoil (with the muzzle brake mounted), but very little else. Price on replacement barrels seems steep, but probably not much difference compared with the Sako.
The Desert Arms has the capability of calibre change, but I am a little leary on dropping $5K on a unit with so little history.

I would appreciate board members' thoughts, suggestions, etc, etc.......
(Edit...at the last minute, I also was considering the PGW Timberwolf, and would appreciate comments on this as well!)
 
The fast twist TRG-42 is quite the package. Like you say, priced pretty similar to the DTA. If you truly need the short OAL of the DTA, it wins. If you do not, the TRG is a better purchase in the long run IMO.

This is for the simple reason that, while innovative, the DTA uses a proprietary barrel extension. For me, this is a drawback, as once the first barrel is burned out, it could be a major gong show to rebarrel.

So, $ to $, I think a fast twist TRG 42 is the way to go. It is probably worth the extra cash to get a Twolf though.
 
sako6br said:
Just curious. What is the intended use of this rifle? I know the Sako TGR42 was built for military applications. I suppose you could shot gophers at 2000 yds.
Click to expand...

The aim is to punch paper, or, punch 'something's' light out at 1000M. and beyond.....
 
I am hoping to pick up a 338 also and like the timberwolf the best however it is more cash. I really like the feel of the trg and as I am a tikka fan it is a good choice for me. One more option for you if you can wait a little is the new savage 338 coming out. Will be the cheapest one out there and is supposed to be a shooter.
 
I personally would look at the Timberwolf more than the other 2 options. I liked the fact they are a Canadian company, plus they are great guys to deal with. The quality of the Timberwolf is amazing, and it shoots amazing.

Plus keep in mind the Canadian Military chose the Timberwolf over the Sako in trials too. :D

** Edit I noticed one thing that further makes me vote for the Timberwolf. That Desert Arms weighs in at 12.4 pounds (Sako is 11.75), whereas the Timberwolf is 15 (mine weighs 17 with scope and bipod). There is next to no recoil with the Timberwolf because of that extra weight, so without that 5 pounds your shoulder is gonna be sore).**
 
I think PGW makes great stuff and definitely uses the best components and barrels hands down, but you can build an equivalent (or better) rifle for less money than these assembled rifles. There is a hefty premium paid for buying a ready-to-shoot rifle of this sort.
 
IMHO, and I will get flamed for this, the T-Wolf is overpriced for what you get :nest::stirthepot2:. For close to 7000$, you're getting a Krieger barrel in a custom, bedded action on a McMillan A5 stock (yawn). I don't use emotion to make my purchases, so the fact that it's Canadian, although cool, wouldn't be enough to convince me to buy it.

It obviously has its merits if it got picked up by the CF, but it's not my idea of "bang for the buck"; I'd go with the Sako, and you could still brag that it's used by the military... Finnish, that is.

Do let us know what you choose!
 
Who said shooting a heavy rifle = less recoil a good muzzle break on a lighter does wonders to your shooting experience and is less fatigauging than a heavy rifle while carrying . Having shot the AMP DSR in 338 the Desrt Arms will be a enjoyable experience
 
We also make a very accurate custom 338 Lapua. As well we have the option of going to the 338 Lapua AI variant for no extra cost.

With one of our rifles you have the choice of customizing almost every part and facet of the rifle to make it exactly what you want. We have done heavy match versions and lightweight hunter versions.

Custom338LMAI.JPG
 
redman said:
IMHO, and I will get flamed for this, the T-Wolf is overpriced for what you get :nest::stirthepot2:. For close to 7000$, you're getting a Krieger barrel in a custom, bedded action on a McMillan A5 stock (yawn). I don't use emotion to make my purchases, so the fact that it's Canadian, although cool, wouldn't be enough to convince me to buy it.

It obviously has its merits if it got picked up by the CF, but it's not my idea of "bang for the buck"; I'd go with the Sako, and you could still brag that it's used by the military... Finnish, that is.

Do let us know what you choose!
Click to expand...

To clarify slightly....for $6700.00 you are getting a rifle equipped with a scope rail and muzzle brake in addition to:

-Custom fitted Storm iM330 case for all components.
-Spare magazine.
-Cleaning kit

You can also get the Ackley improved for the same price not to mention the folding chassis stock for the same price (equipped with the same gear also). The rifle can also be customized however changing things from the usual spec will add to the delivery time...

So by all means leave emotion out of it however please make sure to consider what other goods a Timberwolf may come with that others do not...
:)
 
Back on topic...If I had to choose between the TRG and the DTA only I would pick the DTA as it is a wonderfully designed piece of kit by a company that is run by good people. If you have an issue you can talk to the owner/designer and that probably won't happen with Sako/Beretta...
 
I have a TRG 22 and it is by far the most accurate rifle I have including some custom rifles that cost much more. I fired both the Timberwolf and a TRG 42 and for the money I would take the TRG 42 hands down. The Timberwolf is a fine rifle but in my opinion the Sako for what its designed for is just as accurate and serves several countries just fine.
 
rsp1761 said:
To clarify slightly....for $6700.00 you are getting a rifle equipped with a scope rail and muzzle brake in addition to:

-Custom fitted Storm iM330 case for all components.
-Spare magazine.
-Cleaning kit

You can also get the Ackley improved for the same price not to mention the folding chassis stock for the same price (equipped with the same gear also). The rifle can also be customized however changing things from the usual spec will add to the delivery time...

So by all means leave emotion out of it however please make sure to consider what other goods a Timberwolf may come with that others do not...
:)
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for clearing that up, nothing like getting it straight from the source! Fair enough, you do give the buyer everything they need to get started (sans optics), but it's worth noting that the Sako goes for just under 4k$ and doesn't need a scope rail (integrated dovetail), so all he needs is a Sako:
- Muzzle brake, ~300$
- 3-ring tactical mount, ~650$ (NEAR probably makes one for less)

And he'd still have cash left over for the accessories you describe plus a bunch of top notch reloading components.

rsp1761 said:
Back on topic...If I had to choose between the TRG and the DTA only I would pick the DTA as it is a wonderfully designed piece of kit by a company that is run by good people. If you have an issue you can talk to the owner/designer and that probably won't happen with Sako/Beretta...
Click to expand...

Although it is a bit over a grand more than the Sako, I too think it's worth considering - looks pretty darn solid and I like the end-user barrel swap-out... Looks a lot like the DSR-1...

dtasrs.jpg

dsr1-308-1.jpg
 
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