What exactly is....."Tactical" anyway?

[JMP]

For Remington 700s, it seems that "tactical" usually means a shorter and possibly threaded barrel.

[bruss01]

It means 50% bigger markup than the same item in non-tactical configuration. Also it means that it appeals to video gamers and mall ninjas.

[postal]

Tactical isnt the correct term.

"Precision rifle" is the politically correct term.

It's a durable, accurate rifle with a scope with finger adjustable turrets. Usually a DBM setup. And a sling.

Shooting from standing, kneeling, sitting, prone... off the side of a 55ga drum... supported on a trash can.... supported on a barricade, rooftop, 6ft alu ladder, the cab of a pickup.... or even a shopping cart, or through a chain link gate...

.



The idea, is to be flexible, and tackle any problem given to you. And engage targets as quickly and accurately as possible.

It's REALLY difficult, but a lot of fun. Shooting off a sled on a bench would be uber booring in comparison.

The only thing that adds to price of a rifle capable of being competitive in this sport, is a good quality rifle scope, and a DBM.

That first pic is a savage fp10- cheap rifle... with a bushnell g2dmr 3.5-21 scope that was worth double the price of the rifle until $2.00 of krylon tanked the resale value of it....

[Vu 308]

This is how NCPPRC defines Practical aka tactical precision rifle

What is the Tactical/Practical LR Rifle discipline?

Our discipline is dedicated to long range precision shooting and competition with simulated field conditions in a controlled environment.

We strive to be well rounded rifleman that can perform in various shooting positions, conditions and environments.

What makes this discipline different from other rifle disciplines?

1. There is not standard course of fire or match format. Conditions, rules, and format are subject to change.
a. Rules on equipment can vary from match to match.

b. Style of flavor of match varies with match director and area of operation.

c. Equipment standards. We are pretty open when it comes to what type of rifle one uses to compete with.


The most beautiful thing about our game is that we don't have jerks that sue a club over prize table items.....just saying. We're lucky to not attract clowns like that.

[postal]

The most beautiful thing about our game is that we don't have jerks that sue a club over prize table items.....just saying. We're lucky to not attract clowns like that.

[Cypriss32]

The most beautiful thing about our game is that we don't have jerks that sue a club over prize table items.....just saying. We're lucky to not attract clowns like that.

HAHA...... Love it.


Tactical is invite only. There is a secret club with the handshake and all. Black, OD and TAN only.

If you arent invited or wear snow camo this happens...........

[desert dog]

Tactical used in the manner that the other person was talking about is probably the type of match shooting where you shoot non-standard targets at various (some unknown) distances from different positions like standing, kneeling, prone off of a bipod, an improvised rest or with a tight sling. It usually involves various stages where shots are timed, or you have a very limited time frame to engage a number of targets. Some stages require you to move to different positions, load and reload and shoot off of barricades or from inside vehicles, or elevated platforms, etc.

Great reply, and absolutely true. The word "tactical" really means nothing more than something that is operational during physical activity while conducting tactics. Tactical clothes let you move dynamically and comfortably while conducting tactics and work in conjunction with the gear on your person. Tactical rifles allow the shooter to better perform the tactics necessary to complete a task with the rifle; whether that is winning a competition, humping it to a FFP to take a long shot, surviving a 5-day class at Rifles Only, or setting up to glass sheep across a valley. Tactical gear is built to be tough and reliable, rather than complicated and over-precise. There is very little "universal" tactical gear, most of it is job specific.

The guys that run around town like condor/5:11 billboards give the term a bad name. So do some of the big-belly benchrest crowd. And so do armchair shooters that never go out and train/hunt.

[desert dog]

Tactical is shooting lots of ammo out of 14-16" barreled rifles at 3-23 yards while shooting thru windows/doors/barricades at silhouette targets. It has more to do with ergonomic quick reaction movement and trying to hit within 6-8 MOA accuracy quickly then mid-long range accuracy shooting

So military/LE snipers and citizens training in the same tactics are not engaging in long-range tactical activities that require sub-MOA accuracy??? I completely disagree.

[postal]

the big-belly benchrest crowd. And so do armchair shooters that never go out and train/hunt.

I almost peed!!!!!

[postal]

So military/LE snipers and citizens training in the same tactics are not engaging in long-range tactical activities that require sub-MOA accuracy??? I completely disagree.

Perhaps the confusion is the term "tactical" and "precision rifle" or The term Vu used- "Practical" or the term Randall used "field shooter".....

Off the top my head, if someone said 'tactical rifle' I imagine a mall ninja with an AR, and as muchgear- lasers, lights, extra sights, extra grips etc..... fancy clothing/vests/as many pouches you could possibly hang off it....

So- with this thread the OP stated he was shooting a bolt action, and the passerby used the wrong term 'tactical'.... instead of "precision", or "practical", or "field".

I do agree with your assessment though.

And since the SCPRC annual match is coming up in early Dec.... and San Diego SWAT snipers usually participate (which are VERY good) and some of the Marine Snipers and Sniper Instructors from Camp Pendleton usually participate (also VERY GOOD)... along with a bunch of civilians... All playing a game of "EVERY SHOT COUNTS!".... and makeshift positions and unusual scenarios to see who is able to adapt and get hits on target from 10 yards to 800+....

Mall ninjas welcome.... we could all use a laugh during the down time!

As to the clothing..... yeah, some of it has very useful features, and some with padding built in to knees.... It isnt required. I shoot in jeans or shorts depending on weather, and have knee/elbow pads for stages that need them.

The first pic I posted, is me during my 1 minute prep time getting ready to shoot through the chain link. (note the chamber flag is still in, and no mag hanging out the bottom) Jeans, t shirt, hat.

This is me shooting the shopping cart... I noticed, someone flipped the cart on it's side to use the sidewalls of the cart as a low bench..... The rule of this stage, was "the rifle must be supported by the cart".... On it's side... I saw that front wheel turned sideways, and the height was perfect for low prone....

So... Knee/elbow pads go on- go low prone on the front wheel of the cart....(needless to say, the more you watch others tackle a problem, gives you a better idea of a course of action.... I only saw this position after someone before me dumped the cart on it's side.)

---edit--- funny looking at the pic now... there's a shooting mat sitting right next to me that I didnt use... But it didnt matter since I have good knee/elbow pads... (hint- check out a motorcycle shop and look in the offroad section for slip on elbow pads with hard plastic shell and soft inner liner- about $20)

[Steelplate45]

The OP is going to have a headache

after shooting a tactical match with 7mm Mag. I have done it, and I speak from experience.

I now have a 243, I have a great time shooting, and no headache on the way home.

[postal]

Your 700 is not tactical unless the stock folds up in several different directions and has huge thumb wheels all over it.

In addition you need atleast 8-14 picatinny rails mounted on it.They hold the gps unit the lazors the bi-pod the flashlght the movie camera the toaster a washer and dryer and a bread maker.

The two rear most rails are for all the camoflauge make-up and a guide on how to kill the enemy with a paper clip and two drops of Chuck Norris sweat.Unfortunately Chuck Norris has never sweat so that rail is optional.

If your scope is mounted without the aid of a tire iron cheater bar and atleast 12 bolts with 7/8-13 threads your gun isn't tactical.The nuts on those bolts must stick out horizontally atleast as wide as the stock but preferably much wider.

The muzzle brake must be spelled muzzle break or it can't be used and the entire rifle can be any color as long as the color is black.

If the muzzle break has 32 holes in it 30 of them should point straight down so it can kick up the most dirt possible.

One of the most important features of a tactical rifle is the bolt handle.If the bolt handle is the size of a coffee cup you can't shoot well and may suffer from what is commonly called Small Sausage Syndrome or triple "S" for short(no pun intended).A tactical bolt knob must be larger than a coffee can.

A tactical rifle must have a magazine that hangs down low enough that you are required to dig a fox hole so you can use your 48 inch bi-pod without it touching the ground when fully extended.

You are also required to wear appropriate clothing in order to own a tactical rifle.Your camoflauge pants must have 22 pockets and a sword scabbard.Your T-shirt must say Sniper on the front and back both and have the phrase Don't run you'll only die tired on it as well.

You cannot own or even know about about tactical rifles past the age of 23 years.
You already know more about shooting and reloading than Tony Boyer and your gun with its $18 factory barrel will shoot 1/4 inch groups all day long.Naturally this is at atleast 1,000 yards but most likely much farther and of course off-hand

The buttpad on a real tactical rifle is made from tungsten steel spikes because recoil and blood are exciting and don't affect your accuracy.

Your first and last name are Operator and you have never had any parents ever.You were assembled.You do your own dental work with a Bowie knife and 58% of your exterior must be covered in tattoos.

When you drive to the range your trailer hitch must be 72 inches off the ground for extra clearance even though your rig has never seen dirt.On your back window is a sticker of a little kid urinating on something with a sinister grin.You must also have a dog in the truck weighing atleast 100 pounds.

[LynnJr]

The most beautiful thing about our game is that we don't have jerks that sue a club over prize table items.....just saying. We're lucky to not attract clowns like that.

You ought to shoot at the Sacramento range were on his first day on the job the sawed off runt of a President says he can give the prizes to anybody he wants to get one and raffle rules don't apply.
He might be small in stature but believe me he is an colossal idiot

He got lucky in court when the 500 pound blob running the match failed to do anything correctly so they got away with what otherwise is against the law.

The blob was also taking pain killers by the bag full while running matches and Bob Dorton who sits on the board knows that.When something happens and the truth comes out they will close that range forever and all because of poor management.

If you ever met the sawed off runt president with the short fuse you would understand he doesn't have a clue and got voted in by the same crook ruining the match.

In court the e-mails from over a dozen shooters in attendance were entered into the record which is open to the public.It is a good read on what the real shooters think of how the president allowed an 80 year old shooter to get ripped off by the 500 pound pain pill swallowing blob.

If anyone doubts that is exactly what took place just ask Jim O'connel.
Jim told the blob what to do but the blob held one of his world famous votes then pulled the wool over the little runts eyes.

The little runt shoots tactical and gives the prizes to who he wants to get them which should answer any real shooters questions.

[Epaphroditus]

I've evolved beyond tactical ... I'm all strategical now. 75% mark-up minimum.

[ar15barrels]

The most beautiful thing about our game is that we don't have jerks that sue a club over prize table items.....just saying. We're lucky to not attract clowns like that.

You ought to shoot at the Sacramento range were on his first day on the job the sawed off runt of a President says he can give the prizes to anybody he wants to get one and raffle rules don't apply.
He might be small in stature but believe me he is an colossal idiot.

For those just joining us for our weekly episode of the Lynn show, the user above "Vu 308" is the president of the Folsom shooting club that Lynn was referring to...