Eurosatory 2024 – A new tool for snipers: Sako TRG 62A1 9.5×77 mm rifle
At Eurosatory 2024 Sako of Finland, the sniper rifle specialist company part of Beretta Defense Technologies, unveils at Eurosatory its new TRG 62 A1, the new member of its TRG family chambered in 9.5×77 mm
The choice of the .5×77 mm calibre, better known as .375 CheyTach, shows Sako’s will to provide snipers with a lightweight weapon capable to deliver lethal effects at greater ranges compared to the current weapons, most of which are chambered for the 338 Lapua Magnum. According to the company the selected calibre delivers 25% more energy at 1,500 metres compared to the widely used .338 Lapua Magnum, muzzle energy being around 50% more, which allows maintaining consistent accuracy at 2,000 metres range.
The new TRG 62 A1 is heavily based on the TRG M10, the action being of course beefed up to withstand the higher energy. The mass of the naked new member of the TRG family rifle is marginally higher, 7 kg, considering that the barrel length has increased from 26 to 30 inch (660 to 762 mm). The stainless steel fluted barrel is cold hammer-forged and has a 1:8 twist rate.
It features a two-stage trigger, pull and weight being adjustable, and a seven-round magazine. The TRG 62 A1 is provided with a foldable stock which is also fully adjustable to fit the sniper’s size, check piece being adjustable in height and butt stock in height and length; not only, the pistol grip is available in three different sizes, small, medium and large.
Depending on the type of sights and accessories the sniper intends to use, three different types of forend are available, all with a NATO Accessory Rail on top, the other seven faces having M-Lok slots; compared to the L size provided as standard, the XL has one extra slot and the XXL two of them, the NAR slots increasing accordingly.
The TRG 62 A1 rifle is designed for long-range accuracy and precision. Chambered in 9.5×77, it features a cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel with and a steel magazine with a seven-round capacity. The TRG 62 A1 rifle is designed for long-range accuracy and precision. Chambered in 9.5×77, it features a cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel with a 1:8 twist rate and a steel magazine with a seven-round capacity.
The barrel has a M18x1 muzzle thread allowing easy installation of a suppressor over the four slots muzzle brake, which according to Sako considerably reduces recoil making the new rifle as manageable as the company TRGs chambered for .338 LM ammunition. An Ase Utra SL11i Bare Lock suppressor was installed on the rifle seen at Eurosatory. Newly developed for the .375 CheyTach calibre, it adds 920 grams in mass, 330 mm in length (the suppressor itself is 350 mm long), it has a 45 mm diameter, and reduces sound by over 30 dB.
Sako brought in the development loop of its TRG 62A1 snipers from various units and backgrounds, whose experience allowed to fine-tune the project leading to considerable improvements and to a soldier-approved design. This without cancelling the family feeling with the other TRG rifles, which will reduce training issues for units and services that should decide switching or adding the new calibre to their armouries.
Beside the new rifle, Sako also developed a family of new rounds. The Sako 111D OTM (Open Tip Match), mostly used for training, is fitted with a 350 grains ball; with a V0 of 930 m/s and an energy at 100 metres of 9,000 J. The Sako 742D Tactical Solid is fitted with a 347 grains ball, has a V0 of 870 m/s and an E100 of 8,170 J, while the Sako 748D ELR (Extremely Long Range) Tactical Solid has a V0 of 880 m/s and an E100 0f 8,808 J. These rounds are already available while a new armour piercing round should soon appear.
As for the TRG 62A1, Sako will start production in autumn this year.
Photos courtesy P. Valpolini
