Besides TacOps, the best of the best

[Tcoddington]

I have been looking at TacOps rifles for a few months now, and now I am wondering if anything else is in that category of build quality and accuracy. I think it is pretty amazing build the gun around the ammo and getting the result that Mike is getting. I have been looking at tons of other builders and have yet to find someone else producing something that is catching my eye. I am not worried about cost, just looking for the most accurate, well built gun that will do it with factory match ammo. I just want to see what names pop up, so more research can be done before pulling the trigger.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

AI

 

[Rthur]

There are many Smiths can can build rifles with great accuracy.
A look around this forum covers some of them.
Many can be had for sub T.O. pricing.

R

 

[slayer 2c]

^^^^^ THIS X1000000, my buddy just got an AI AX and it doesn't care what type of ammo you feed it. it stacks them in one hole and calls it a day. With Prime 130's I hit a 4" at 600 at will and the head of a 66% ipsc as fast as I can run the bolt. Shot a class next to a TacOps and its a Bad stick for sure but the AI is just an AI.

 

[Tcoddington]

I thought about AI but I already have 2 amazing custom builds in chassis. I definitely believe AI is the best production gun hands down, but looking more for the best custom rifle possible. Looking for ONE hole groups all day long, and feeling nostalgic about guns when things were simpler. I appreciate all the replies, Tom

 

[missed]

LRI.

 

[45cal4life]

x2 on LRI. They're also active on this forum

 

[B4forever]

I have no personal experience with LRI but the method and precision they use to inlet/bed a stock is incredible. They’d definitely be on my short list for a custom build.

 

[Tcoddington]

I'll take a look at LRI builds.

 

[stello1001]

WTO

 

[EXSOCAL]

LRI or Robert Gradous.

 

[kthomas]

What exactly do you want to accomplish?

If you just want an accurate and well built rifle, there's more then a few gunsmiths that can accomplish that. So can some high end factory guns, like AI as some in this thread have pointed out.

What TacOps specializes in, is taking a R700 action and turning it into a functional piece of art that shoots factory 168 FGMM ammo very well. He's a stickler for details - every Allen screw head is timed, every single edge is radiused. The whole action is reworked, it's really only an R700 in name only by the time Mike is done with it. The use an R700 action as some agencies are bound to the R700 action for liability reasons. There's plenty of posts around SH and elsewhere that go through what makes a TacOps rifle a TacOps rifle, so I won't bore anyone with that.

I own a TacOps rifle, an X-ray 51, as well as custom rifles from other builders. They all have their purposes, and all of them shoot extremely well. Like you I lusted for a TacOps rifle, loved the attention to details and the heritage behind the brand as an agency rifle (Mike has made rifles for over 800 agencies).

There's nothing quite like a TacOps. So if you want a TacOps because you admire the attention to details, love the history and heritage of the brand, etc, nothing else is going to fill that void IMO. If you just want a rifle that shoots your chosen ammo well, there's more then a few good gunsmiths that are promoted on here that can make that happen.

What specifically are you looking for/want in a rifle?

 

[Arc Light]

TacOps builds amazing rifles undoubtedly. If money were no object, I'd certainly have one.

You can find good deals on them occasionally in the PX without the long wait.

 

[Tcoddington]

Thanks again for all the feedback. I believe TacOps will check all the boxes. In a dream world I think I am looking for the TacOps rifle in a walnut wood stock with adjustable cheek piece. This rifle to me will be art in motion, something I have always wanted. Not for comps, not for hunting, just a gorgeous rifle that can shoot incredibly accurate.

 

[Tony1320]

Thanks again for all the feedback. I believe TacOps will check all the boxes. In a dream world I think I am looking for the TacOps rifle in a walnut wood stock with adjustable cheek piece. This rifle to me will be art in motion, something I have always wanted. Not for comps, not for hunting, just a gorgeous rifle that can shoot incredibly accurate.

Take a look at KW Precision

Keith builds world class rifles for many US Rifle team members and works with a lot of beautiful walnut Cerus stocks

This seems like it would be something you would like

 

[Crabcore]

I am giving a shout out to Terry Cross. His rifles are badass. The Sentinel stock is the best looking stock on the market.

 

[toader]

Check out Weber Custom Rifles.....Rod Weber is ANAL bout the way he builds a rifle!!

PS - TacOps is OUTSTANDING!!

 

[Steelhead]

GA Precision, Gradous, LRI Not necessarily in that order

 

[ubettcha]

https://www.hatchergun.com/tactical_308_NSP.htm.
Shot a rifle he built about 15 years ago in 243 and have lusted for one of his builds since. It seems every time I'm in the market I get something else. I just sold a great 6.5/06ai. Plan to do another 308 and 6.5 creed or 260ai when my barrels get here end of the month.

 

[Totoro]

The list of riflesmiths that can turn out top end rifles is vast;

GAP
KMW
Beanland
LRI
WTO
Ryan Pierce
Gradus
SAC
TBA
HCA
Kampfeld
RBros

ET AL

Pick the maker that meets your personal criteria and sign the check!

 

[mi223]

I think the biggest thing tac ops provides over the others is brand loyalty / recognition. Is it a step above the others? Maybe. Will you be able to shoot the difference? Maybe not.

Gap has a similar following to tac ops. I would say maybe not to the same level but people know and appreciate gap rifles.

I think LRI puts out a very high level attention to detail on full builds. It all depends on what you want.

 

[LRI]

I had a conversation last evening with one of my oldest clients that more or less paralleled some of this.

It's very easy to become entrenched with details such as a group size when it comes to buying a new precision rifle. After all, it's a seductive topic that is a very rewarding experience. When in front of someone known to do a good job at this stuff, it's also about the easiest thing to do. Step one: Start with good parts and have a vetted process.

The part I see as being underscored is the purchase experience as a whole. Ensuring clients are involved is a big deal to me. I've devoted considerable resources to grow that side of my business and its paid off in spades. None of it is cheap though.

It's annoying as a business owner to see your entire staff on a cellphone during the workday. -Annoying until you remind yourself that it's an animal you alone created. LRI's status tracker is a phone app we developed. That's how we send out all the updates and photos to folks who send projects to us. The next chapter in this is just keeping the ball moving forward. Continuous training being the biggest effort followed by machines and software. Being ethical and cutting edge is not a cheap thing to do.

I'm very grateful for the praise we receive on this site. It helped us to put a lot of our products into the hands of folks. The circulation through the shop is what keeps us moving forward.

OP we'd be happy to help with your project.

C.

 

[bigwatchpilot]

Well marketing is marketing. If you believe that TacOps is ‘the best money can buy’ and a Rolex is ‘the best watch made’...not much on here will change your mind. TacOps builds nice rifles on a Remington 700 action. There is a lot more out there, you don’t need a high price tag and long wait for quality.

From what you described I do not see what TacOps offers that you are looking for other than bragging rights at the coffee shop. Lots of good advise on here...

 

[Terry Cross]

Thanks again for all the feedback. I believe TacOps will check all the boxes. In a dream world I think I am looking for the TacOps rifle in a walnut wood stock with adjustable cheek piece. This rifle to me will be art in motion, something I have always wanted. Not for comps, not for hunting, just a gorgeous rifle that can shoot incredibly accurate.

Just a thought.

Whoever you elect to do your work could use a composite stock of your liking with a very wood-like finish.
No worry about scratching, stability or color years down the road.
This is just one example of a "molded in" gelcoat finish.
With the right choice of metal finish, you can morph very modern materials into very traditional appearances.
Any of the shops listed above could do a variation of this for you.

.

./

 

[Tcoddington]

Well marketing is marketing. If you believe that TacOps is ‘the best money can buy’ and a Rolex is ‘the best watch made’...not much on here will change your mind. TacOps builds nice rifles on a Remington 700 action. There is a lot more out there, you don’t need a high price tag and long wait for quality.

From what you described I do not see what TacOps offers that you are looking for other than bragging rights at the coffee shop. Lots of good advise on here...

Don't have a Rolex and my coffee is Maxwell House. I own a farm that doubles as my own range, so I can keep my low tech shooting skills on par. This is not for anyone else it just time for a classic rifle that I probably will not out perform. I am not chasing equipment but skills and I would like to know the rifle will keep me humble and training hard. Also I am starting to prefer the looks of rifles from years ago because I usually range with mils and only carry one bag. Thank you everyone for their input!

 

[jinxx4ever]

love beautiful wood stocks. Maybe from being in costruction for over 35 years. Built my own home and hand built every cabinet in it. Built a lot of custom cabinets over the years for clients. Never tried to build a wood stock. maybe one of these days. Hate plastic

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Joel Russo stock

/ stock convo

 

[LRI]

love beautiful wood stocks. Maybe from being in costruction for over 35 years. Built my own home and hand built every cabinet in it. Built a lot of custom cabinets over the years for clients. Never tried to build a wood stock. maybe one of these days. Hate plastic

 

[Tcoddington]

Man, those Russo stocks are perfection! I understand there are many other builders doing different types of builds. I have a couple custom rifles and they are great builds, but I want the best rifle that meets my expectations. I started the thread to make sure I am not looking over builders that are smaller doing incredible work and I have gotten some good leads. I have shot 2 TacOps rifles and the attention to detail and accuracy, showed that love was poured into the build. A TacOps sitting in a Russo stock would be a good looking rifle to me!

 

[Tcoddington]

Found these 2 Russo builds, damn good looking rifles

 

[kthomas]

Found these 2 Russo builds, damn good looking riflesView attachment 7230624

Have Mike do up a rifle in all Black-T, and drop it in one of Russo's stocks like that.

That would be pretty damn cool.

 

[bigwatchpilot]

I have a farm as well, and like classic looking rifles. Not much into chassis systems. I do have a DTA and that is a far departure from classic.

I still love wood stocks and I really like carbon barrels. This was posted before not sure who built them but I think they are perfect mix of old and new...

This also allows you to pick a gunsmith and enjoy the experience of building exactly what YOU want. Lots of cool stuff out there...I would never second guess a quality build and think it was less than a TacOps rifle.

 

[Tcoddington]

I have a farm as well, and like classic looking rifles. Not much into chassis systems. I do have a DTA and that is a far departure from classic.

I still love wood stocks and I really like carbon barrels. This was posted before not sure who built them but I think they are perfect mix of old and new...

This also allows you to pick a gunsmith and enjoy the experience of building exactly what YOU want. Lots of cool stuff out there...I would never second guess a quality build and think it was less than a TacOps rifle.

View attachment 7230663

Those are amazing looking rifles!! I really like the carbon fiber and wood. I didn't mean to jump, I just wanted to relay its not for show but my idea of the perfect rifle and I want the best in quality which I know Mike can produce. Taking a box of factory ammo and shooting it through the same hole really caught my intention especially from a Remington. It was also the fit and finish or attention to detail that showed me a new level of rifle building. Again everyone, thanks for the help

 

[ldunnmobile]

While I don’t own one anymore ....
AI all the way if you are talking best of the best.

 

[kthomas]

While I don’t own one anymore ....
AI all the way if you are talking best of the best.

"Best" is subjective. Really depends on what you want to do and what the end goals are.

For some people, AI's are the best. I have been around and shot a lot of AI's, got a bunch of my shooting friends that own them. Excellent rifles, but for me they do not embody "best of the best".

I wouldn't trade any of my custom rifles, including my TacOps, for an AI.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

BTW, Mike R will build one of his rifles on a custom action instead of a R700. He builds those because of agencies. Also, everything I have put down the barrel on mine have been just as accurate as the rounds the rifles were designed around. Right now I have three Tac Ops rifles with one on order. His wait time are about 6 months right now. Also, there's a Delta 51 for sale in the SH rifle for sale section.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/wts-nib-tacops-delta-51-6-200.6953150/

 

[Tokay444]

Rifles Refined

Rifles Refined brings class and style to the precision rifle world. Buy one of our made-to-order wood AR grips for your precision rifle chassis or AR style firearm. Inquire about ordering a full custom rifle stock made from the finest woods and exotic materials available.

www.riflesrefined.com

 

[m1marty]

I've owned rifles from several people listed so far (and a few that haven't been- Connor, Mike Lau, NorCal etc) Each and every one of them have been great in their own ways. Not sure I could pick a *best*. I will own a TacOps someday as I've been following the rifles for many a year now.
That said- LRi will get the call for my next rifle (as soon as I find the right 6 digit) Their videos on machining and end results helped a lot in making that choice. What sealed the deal for me was a recent small order I made with them. It was like 130 bucks but between the PMs here, the gal that helped me over the phone and the follow up emails- it left me with a warm and fuzzy I seldom get with shops. If that is what I can expect over what amounts to a small sum- I can't wait to see what the rifle does.
Aaron

 

[1moaoff]

That is still one awesome stick!!!!!

 

[1moaoff]

Mike wont be building rifles forever. He is known as an artist for what he does.
they MAY be cheaper now than when he retires. Just a thought. I may likely be wrong though.

 

[Scampo]

I own a TacOps Lima 51 since 2015. I also have a GA Precision, as well as a rifle put together by the folks at Warner Tool with an old Nesika action (that I bought used from a friend). All of them can shoot a dime covered hole at 100. But everything about the TacOps is done with such attention to detail and is the one I always reach for first especially when going beyond 100 yards.

Mike R is building me an X-Ray 51 in 6.5 CM on a surgeon action and DBM. Because as 1moaoff said - he won't be building them forever.

Is TacOps the best? Not sure since there is the element of the shooter. But I will say my TacOps rifles will never be for sale.

 

[Snipe260]

Gradous are badass! All the makers mentioned are tops in the trade!

 

[Aqua Mark]

GAP or Spartan Rifles will also do one ragged holes.

 

[6brshooter]

I own a farm also, that I can stretch to 1320. Ai works dandy for me.

Lri did bush both my old ae bolts, props to Chad.

 

[MikeRTacOps]

Man, those Russo stocks are perfection!

Russo has to be Italian like Frank Galli Those are nice no doubt...

Mike R.

 

[IW21]

Well marketing is marketing. If you believe that TacOps is ‘the best money can buy’ and a Rolex is ‘the best watch made’...not much on here will change your mind. TacOps builds nice rifles on a Remington 700 action. There is a lot more out there, you don’t need a high price tag and long wait for quality.

From what you described I do not see what TacOps offers that you are looking for other than bragging rights at the coffee shop. Lots of good advise on here...

I believe what the OP is wanting, is just that^^^ something to put on his mantle.

 

[sierracharlie338]

There is a mystique about TacOps for sure. I carried a Tango 51 around for years. One of my favorite rifles to shoot over the years. With that being said though...

LRI did just a barreled action for me that I slapped into a AX chassis. That thing was an absolute hammer! I can only imagine the attention to detail on a complete build. I have two rifles being built by another smith right now but my next one will be headed to LRI.

 

[aard3]

LRI.

A lot of other smiths do great work also, but LRI has another advantage...they are FAST. They can build a rifle in a week, where others take months.

 

[sierracharlie338]

LRI.

A lot of other smiths do great work also, but LRI has another advantage...they are FAST. They can build a rifle in a week, where others take months.

Great point also. Mine was built and back to me in 7 days!

 

[Average guy]

Pure artwork brother