Does anyone have a TAC OPS rifle here?

They seem a little bit comical to me - "Ooh, look at how TACTICAL we are!". No prices on the website, and 20 different models of the same gun. Personally what they're offering would be worth about $1000 to me (I'm not seeing why I'd rather have it than a stock 5R) and I'm sure they charge more than that, so it's unlikely I'd ever be a customer.

These rifles are the real deal! To someone like the above poster and anyone who never shoots past 300 yards it may be overkill. To a precision rifle shooter that really knows how to drive the rifle and regularly shoots in excess of 1000 yards it is absolutely worth it. These are not your grandfathers Remington 700 and about all they share is the basic look and have the same action footprint. They are custom rifles designed for ultimate accuracy. I believe he still has a 1/4 MOA guarantee and it is no joke. The rifle is probably more accurate than most shooters. The 5R the last reply compared it to is an absolute hunk of junk in comparison and only someone who has absolutely no knowledge of quality custom precision rifles would make such a comparison.

All that being said if you are not absolutely serious about long range precision shooting it may not be worth it for you. If a half inch group is too big for you and you are interested in PRS (Precision Rifle Series) type matches or ones run Competition Dynamics (Zach could chime in on these if he is still around in here) such as the Steel Safari it may be worth it.

Now the scary part is the prices since it was mentioned they are not on the site (have not seen the sight for awhile so don't know) but they are around the $3000-$5000 + range. There are also other great options similar to TacOps like GA Precision that make excellent rifles or factory sticks like Accuracy International that are equally as good but they all run in that same price range. Remember you'll also need money for quality glass that will run you $1K plus.

If you are not ready to drop that type of coin I'd recommend going much cheaper to something like a Tikka CTR, RPR (Ruger Precision Rifle). Or get a 700 and immediately take it to a decent smith to true up, remove that factory barrel for scrap metal and throw away the factory stock. Replace that junk barrel with a Bartlein and have it bedded in a quality stock like a McMillan. Add a better trigger to replace the last bit of garbage that Remington puts on them and you're gtg.

Or if you really just want a plinker for 100-300 yards get one of those Remington 700 5R models and head the range.

about all they share is the basic look and have the same action footprint.

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What is an action footprint?

The size, shape and the location of the mounting holes on the action so they will fit into a stock. Most the custom rigs anymore are 700 clones so they look like 700 actions but are modified to be more accurate and reliable. The Tango 51 mentioned may be a trued 700 action with all the upgrades.

COLOSHOOTR said:

Or if you really just want a plinker for 100-300 yards get one of those Remington 700 5R models and head the range.

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Ridiculous. The stock 5R has a bedding block Bell & Carlson stock and the barrels consistently shoot well with military overrun ammo since the rifling and reamer is the same setup used for the M40s. Put the same base, rings, and scope on it and it will do exactly the same job at the TacOps at exactly the same range.

Which raises the question of exactly what you get for your $2000-4000 extra. Sure it's a McMillan stock, which you may or may not prefer. They cost a few hundred. It's got BlackT finish instead of Cerakote. Meh. You do get a tactical bolt knob. That's gotta be worth something They do true the action, but that doesn't seem to make that much difference any more. It doesn't say what the bottom metal is (if it's not stock BDL?!?).

If you're going to do this, I'd recommend Georgia Precision. They'll quote you an honest if expensive price, have many useful options (do you really want to be chambered for factory .308?), explicitly state they skim bed in addition to pillar bedding, and throw in a Timney trigger and PTG bottom metal. The TacOps people seem to stick with the Remington trigger.

The Big D said:

Ridiculous. The stock 5R has a bedding block Bell & Carlson stock and the barrels consistently shoot well with military overrun ammo since the rifling and reamer is the same setup used for the M40s. Put the same base, rings, and scope on it and it will do exactly the same job at the TacOps at exactly the same range.

Which raises the question of exactly what you get for your $2000-4000 extra. Sure it's a McMillan stock, which you may or may not prefer. They cost a few hundred. It's got BlackT finish instead of Cerakote. Meh. You do get a tactical bolt knob. That's gotta be worth something They do true the action, but that doesn't seem to make that much difference any more. It doesn't say what the bottom metal is (if it's not stock BDL?!?).

If you're going to do this, I'd recommend Georgia Precision. They'll quote you an honest if expensive price, have many useful options (do you really want to be chambered for factory .308?), explicitly state they skim bed in addition to pillar bedding, and throw in a Timney trigger and PTG bottom metal. The TacOps people seem to stick with the Remington trigger.

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The 5R has nothing to do with the M40 used by the Marines as the M40 is pretty much a custom rig and has nothing to do with a factory rifle. You're thinking M24 used by, and currently being replaced by, the Army. Sure the M24 does use the same 5R rifling but the M24 gets way more attention by the Remington Defense guys and is made with better quality control. I've owned 700's and a B&C Medalist stock was used on one. Still it's no comparison to a custom rig with a blue printed and trued acton. You also get a way better barrel and pillar bedding. The Tango is just one of the lower priced options offered and you can get a rifle from him that has all the options you complain he does not have. You're going to pay for it though just like you would getting one from George.

Personally I'd go GA Precision if I had a choice because I like the rifles George and his crew make but a Tac Ops rifle is not a joke like you make it out to be. The problem is his website is not great but he is a rifle smith not an IT guy so what do you expect. He probably does more business by word of mouth in the precision rifle community than by his Web site. I'm not saying they are the end all be all of Precision rifles either. It's a custom rifle that is as good as any other of the top players making precision rifles. No I don't own one either but I know people who do and I've gotten hands on time with Tac Ops rifles so I've seen the quality put into the product first hand.

By the way since you brought up the M40 you do realize it uses a McMillian stock and not a B&C or HS Precision stock right? The McMillan stocks have way more options, can be properly bedded, are lighter weight and can be better fit to the shooter in most cases. They even have a folder option too. Once again in a whole different league than a B&C or HS Precision v-block stock.

Run these things hard and you'll see why they are in a different league than a factory 5R. That is if you even get a 5R with the holes aligned to put your scope base on straight and get a 1/2 MOA barrel. Remington quality control isn't what it used to be....

A friend has one.

I'll keep his price out of it except to say that while not inexpensive by any means - it was well worth it... To him.

If a fella wants a somewhat military grade, short action, threaded muzzle rifle which will need absolutely NO tweaking - it's the pooh!

Stick to the couple three top tier off the shelf rounds, know how to shoot up to the rifle's abilities and you're in.

If a Savage (which is no slouch) is good enough - don't even bother with one of these.

Want to have the down range effect of an M-40 or M-24? Get one.


Todd.

Take a look at Surgeon Rifles also. Have a friend who has a couple. https://surgeonrifles.com

Olympus said:

Take a look at Surgeon Rifles also. Have a friend who has a couple. https://surgeonrifles.com

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I'll probably be using a Surgeon action for my next build if I don't get a GAP or another AI. They are really, really, really nice!

You're thinking M24

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You're right, my mistake.

My point is not to badmouth the McMillan stocks. They're fine. My point is that there are very few practical differences between the $1000 Remington and the $3500 wonder rifle from Tac Ops other than a stock that costs a couple hundred more. That shouldn't be the case. If it was my $3500, I'd want a nicer action than a 700, choice of caliber+twist+chamber reamer, skim bedding, an upgraded trigger and safety system, and AICS-pattern bottom metal from a reputable source.

Tac Ops rifles are full custom one hole punching rigs. A lot of hand work from a master smith with attention to detail and top of the line components. Comparing them to a 5R is like comparing a Mustang GT to a Ferrari. Get your mind right.

@horsemen61

Have you ever actually seen HD images of those rifles? The fit, finish, and style are peerless. Everything about hose rifles screams precision, down to the hand engraved (yes they do it by hand, not by laser) floorplate art and barrel markings.

Sure the website sucks, but the rifles are pure quality made by a highly skilled American craftsman.

Oh, and they shoot one hole groups, routinely as seen on every test target that comes with the rifle.

Not to compare applies and oranges. You get what you pay for. As for an out of the box shooter the 700 Milspec does well. It uses a short action versus the M40 long action. It also has an H&S Precision Stock which has a bedding block. It does share the barrel technology. Why would I know? Well I know because I have a friend that builds M40's for the military and other projects at the factory in Ilion. The town where I was born and the town where my Uncle and Grandfather retired from "the Arms" as it is known locally. I am plugged in so to speak. I own one and enjoy shooting it. Most accurate rifle I own.

As for a custom rifle built on the 700 Action. What a great starting point. The cost is high due to good ol American Labor. I found an review of the Tango 51, they say its the real deal.

http://www.tacticaloperations.com/swatapril2000/