Long Range Rifle Questions

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1668763

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Hello,

This is my first proper post on a forum (ever)!

I am thinking about buying a long range precision rifle. I am thinking about an Accuracy International, Sako TRG, Haenel or others in .308. I would like to humbly ask any owners/frequent uses of these types of rifles for their opinions.

Best,
1668763
 
Pm sent.

I have a SAKO TRG22 in 308 and it's been one of the most accurate rifles I have ever shot. Magazines are expensive, but rifle is sub 1/2 MOA.

Have not heard of Haenel, but AI are great as well.
 
I'd like to present a word of caution... and ask about your motivation and expectations...

If you want a cool "sniper rifle" then coolness is your primary factor and you might lean toward something widely used by popular military snipers.... like what you've mentioned.

If you want a practical and accurate long range rifle.... that's a different discussion...

You will not find anyone using an out of the box rifle from any of the above winning in a major PRS match or F-Class.

You will at the very least find rebarreled versions of the above in a typically non standard caliber.... or more likely some made from scratch custom rifle that likely costs less than any of the rifles you mentioned.... and will out perform.

In the competition world, barrels are much like the brakes on your car... it will not last and you will replace it... probably annually.

Having said that... I have a Cadex and really like it. It shoots under 1/2 MOA easy with a variety of hand loads... but it is not my only LR rifle.
 
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Dear all,

I have absolutely zero interest in any cool factor or making lots of noise. I want something that is well made, accurate and dependable. I mentioned AI and others because in my conversations with people these are the names that seem to be held in the highest regard, sort of like Feinwerkbau or Anschutz in the target shooting world. I do not want to compete with the rifle, merely to shoot as well as I can. I was keen on .308 because it seems to offer a good ballistics, wide selection of bullet types and manufacturers as well as being cost effective compared to larger or more unusual calibers. Several of the features that come as standard with the rifles I mentioned appeal to me, such as magazine feeding, large top rails which make optics mounting much easier and they all appear to be quite ergonomic.

Best,
1668763
 
If that is your requirements you will be well served with any high or even some lower end rifles that you can build.

I started with the 700 5R and then upgraded to the Sako TRG-22 as it was the least expensive of the above options, but the accessories are stupidly expensive.

If you want one of the "higher end" rifles it's all about preference, but you will be well served with Cadex, Sako, AI, PGW etc.
 
I bought my first precision rifle six years ago. Like you I was looking at the military rifles as I wanted accuracy and durability.

After a ton of research, I narrowed my search down to two companies building such rifles: AI and PGW.

The deciding factor for me at that time was that one vendor had an AI AW rifle in stock and offered me a military discount, so I bought the AW.

Fast forward to today: Over the years I have shot several competitions and have put thousands of rounds through my AI. I have also had the opportunity to shoot a PGW coyote rifle as well as a Sako TRG.

It is my opinion that they are all quality rifles that shoot lights out, you really can't go wrong with any of them. I have the means to buy and run whatever I want. I am still shooting my AW and would not trade it for anything. It fits me great (which is important when selecting a rifle) and is here to stay.

I will mention that AI has two small bonuses over most others. Their AW/AT and AX mags will accept a cartridge length of 2.980" which allows you to hand load short action rounds way out there and you can change barrels yourself with no experience, just follow the instructions.

I wrote a review of my AI rifle a few years back:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...rifle-review?highlight=accuracy+international
 
The ai will offer you the most customization options. That being said. You can't go wrong with any of the options. The haenel will be the rarest which usually translates to harder to support in the unlikely event you break something. I say play with them and go for what you like the most. The pgw offerings are also excellent choices.

As for my experience out of all of those I only have owned an ai so it's the only one I can vouch for but it has never missed a beat. Always shot great. With the ai brake has excellent recoil management.
 
Not to knock the Cadex, but I sold mine off last year and went to a Tikka TAC-A1 in 6.5CM and it will shoot as good if not better than the Cadex I had in the same cal. Just sayin.
 
J996, that is an incredible review! I was really impressed with your impression of the rifle. I was wondering if you had any experience with the new AT 308 and if it was an improvement over the older AW. I initially was looking at the AX 308 and the Sako TRG but they both seem to have more rails than are required for humble civilian applications. I was wondering if anyone had experience shooting the rifles in inclement weather such as rain or snow/cold? Where I shoot it gets very humid through the year and there is a lot of moisture to be dealt with.

Thank you all so much for your advice and help!
 
1668763 said:
J996, that is an incredible review! I was really impressed with your impression of the rifle. I was wondering if you had any experience with the new AT 308 and if it was an improvement over the older AW. I initially was looking at the AX 308 and the Sako TRG but they both seem to have more rails than are required for humble civilian applications. I was wondering if anyone had experience shooting the rifles in inclement weather such as rain or snow/cold? Where I shoot it gets very humid through the year and there is a lot of moisture to be dealt with.

Thank you all so much for your advice and help!
Click to expand...

AT- Basically the AW with flush cups, length of pull adjustable trigger and quick change barrel option. I have handled them and the action feels identical. Both the AW and AT can be fitted with either pistol grip or thumbhole skins.

Rain - Have had it out a few times in the pouring rain. Not much gets into the action as it is a closed top receiver. These rifles have no bedding so immune to temp change. I pull the skins off, stand the rifle beside the woodstove, wipe it down after, oil it, put it away.

Snow - Google PSG-90, that is the Swedish army designation for the AW. They were designed for arctic conditions and the Swede’s have been using them since the 90’s (AW stands for “arctic warfare”).

As far as I know it is very difficult to blow one up, there was one guy on Snipershide that used the wrong powder and it blew the magazine out and jammed the bolt. AINA was able to repair his rifle if I recall correctly.
 
1668763 said:
Dear all,

I have absolutely zero interest in any cool factor or making lots of noise. I want something that is well made, accurate and dependable. I mentioned AI and others because in my conversations with people these are the names that seem to be held in the highest regard, sort of like Feinwerkbau or Anschutz in the target shooting world. I do not want to compete with the rifle, merely to shoot as well as I can. I was keen on .308 because it seems to offer a good ballistics, wide selection of bullet types and manufacturers as well as being cost effective compared to larger or more unusual calibers. Several of the features that come as standard with the rifles I mentioned appeal to me, such as magazine feeding, large top rails which make optics mounting much easier and they all appear to be quite ergonomic.

Best,
1668763
Click to expand...

Well I applaud your reasoning for a 308... it is a great all purpose caliber with plenty of ammo choices.

As a comparative base line for you...In F Class, there is often surprisingly little to no spread in scores between F Open (any caliber) and FTR (308). Interestingly calibers that on paper should out shoot a 308 do not in practice on a known distance range... This is true even among top shooters.

on the other hand ...

You might keep in mind the recoil consideration that is the center of focus for PRS competition in favor of moderate to hot 6 mms. PRS is a very real world approach to shooting and if a kit works well there, it will work well just about anywhere. (not considering foot pounds of energy and terminal performance)

I drift between 308 and 223 in PRS and only use 308 for F Class. I seem to prefer the 223 for PRS for the low recoil, and I like the 308 for F Class for better performance at 800 to 1000 yards. Out to 600 yards, the 223 (75-80 grain load) is neck in neck to the 308.
 
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