Ask a fellow rifleman, “What’s the difference between a tactical, target competition, ELR competition, and hunting rifle,” and surely there will be an earful of difference. Some of the more common differences heard; a tactical rifle must have a detachable magazine capable of holding several rounds, a target rifle must have a scope with power adjustment up to at least 30X, an ELR rifle must weigh 30 pounds or more with a minimum case capacity rivaling that of the Cheytac, and a hunting rifle must weigh 6 pounds or less. One of my favorite, the difference between a target rifle and a tactical rifle can be as simple as a can of flat black paint. This is just the beginning with differences in debate with equipment the common denominator. But don’t all four have a stock, action, barrel, and sights? Is there a better manner when defining the difference between the rifles outside an equipment debate?
The shooting platform under the intended use and purpose of the firearm using precision and/or accuracy as the measure in defining the difference is a more appropriate method of distinction. After all, couldn’t the same rifle and ammunition be used for all four regardless of the makeup of the equipment? Consider the same rifle and ammunition used for target, tactical, hunting, and ELR application. What’s the difference? Simply, the platform or the manner in which accuracy and/or precision are determined and measured under each application. Start with raw mechanical precision. This is what benchrest and F-Class competitors load develop for in target competition. High target precision is the ability for a series of shots to group tight most often under a warm barrel. Competitors additionally have the ability to take sigher shots to center this group before shooting for record. The succession of a 5 to 20 shot group of 1/3 MOA or better mid-range often defines the “target” rifle of the serious competitor shooting under very stable platforms. Now take the same rifle with ammunition and factor in “tactical” use. Tactical application most often stresses a first shot for record without the use of sighting shots often followed up by a few succeeding shots. First round cold bore and succeeding rounds have to be factored into the platform to include positions that are traditionally not as stable as benchrest or F-Class. Both cold bore and warm bore accuracy and precision become the measure with a series of three to five shots forming the group in relation to the target center. The “tactical” rifle is set up in most likely field position and a three to five shot string including cold bore is taken at the desired range, preferably mid-range in low wind conditions. The “tactical” rifle is broken down from platform, barrel allowed to cool, and reestablished following another three to five shot string on the same target. The 10 shot group (5X2 string) or 9 shot group (3x3 string) is measured for precision and noted for accuracy relationship to target center. A ½ MOA group or better often defines the serious “tactical” competitor under stable field positions. This group will grow under less stable tactical field positions due to shooter precision combined with mechanical precision. Now take the same rifle with ammunition and factor in “hunting” use. Hunting application most often demands the first shot to connect with vitals. A follow up shot may not present an opportunity. Hit me in the knee first swing with a baseball bat and I probably won’t stick around for another try. This makes succeeding shots as part of the measurement unreliable. A “hunting” rifle is set up in most likely hunting application. A single shot is aimed for the center of a target. The hunting rifle is broken down from platform, the barrel is allowed to cool and the rifle is reestablished with another single shot taken at the target center. This process is completed for ten single cold bore shots. The ten shot “group” is then measured in relationship to target center. In other words, the distance from target center to the farthest outlying shot is measured. This radius is then doubled to determine target precision as related to target center accuracy. A “hunting” rifle with two times radius of ¾ MOA or better often defines the considerate hunter shooting under a stable hunting platform. Additionally, accuracy capability will grow with less stable hunting positions. Lastly, take the same rifle and ammunition and factor in “ELR” use. With long times of flight combined with inaccuracies and uncertainties, hitting any prudent sized target first shot let alone with subsequent shots is difficult and often relates to luck if air and mirage are moving at any pace. 1.5 MOA and greater for five to ten shots is not uncommon for the conscious competitor “ELR” rifle.
With the same rifle and ammunition under four different applications, I often experience best case MOA under target platform of 1/3 MOA grow to ½ MOA under tactical platform to ¾ MOA under hunting platform to 1.5 MOA under ELR platform. The next time you hear someone say their hunting rifle shoots in the 1s and 2s, ask them if it is a hunting rifle or a target rifle, then have them take you to public lands and shoot under the intended use platform and conditions. This will most likely be an eye opener to everyone in observation. Yes there is a difference in application........Platforms Matter!
The shooting platform under the intended use and purpose of the firearm using precision and/or accuracy as the measure in defining the difference is a more appropriate method of distinction. After all, couldn’t the same rifle and ammunition be used for all four regardless of the makeup of the equipment? Consider the same rifle and ammunition used for target, tactical, hunting, and ELR application. What’s the difference? Simply, the platform or the manner in which accuracy and/or precision are determined and measured under each application. Start with raw mechanical precision. This is what benchrest and F-Class competitors load develop for in target competition. High target precision is the ability for a series of shots to group tight most often under a warm barrel. Competitors additionally have the ability to take sigher shots to center this group before shooting for record. The succession of a 5 to 20 shot group of 1/3 MOA or better mid-range often defines the “target” rifle of the serious competitor shooting under very stable platforms. Now take the same rifle with ammunition and factor in “tactical” use. Tactical application most often stresses a first shot for record without the use of sighting shots often followed up by a few succeeding shots. First round cold bore and succeeding rounds have to be factored into the platform to include positions that are traditionally not as stable as benchrest or F-Class. Both cold bore and warm bore accuracy and precision become the measure with a series of three to five shots forming the group in relation to the target center. The “tactical” rifle is set up in most likely field position and a three to five shot string including cold bore is taken at the desired range, preferably mid-range in low wind conditions. The “tactical” rifle is broken down from platform, barrel allowed to cool, and reestablished following another three to five shot string on the same target. The 10 shot group (5X2 string) or 9 shot group (3x3 string) is measured for precision and noted for accuracy relationship to target center. A ½ MOA group or better often defines the serious “tactical” competitor under stable field positions. This group will grow under less stable tactical field positions due to shooter precision combined with mechanical precision. Now take the same rifle with ammunition and factor in “hunting” use. Hunting application most often demands the first shot to connect with vitals. A follow up shot may not present an opportunity. Hit me in the knee first swing with a baseball bat and I probably won’t stick around for another try. This makes succeeding shots as part of the measurement unreliable. A “hunting” rifle is set up in most likely hunting application. A single shot is aimed for the center of a target. The hunting rifle is broken down from platform, the barrel is allowed to cool and the rifle is reestablished with another single shot taken at the target center. This process is completed for ten single cold bore shots. The ten shot “group” is then measured in relationship to target center. In other words, the distance from target center to the farthest outlying shot is measured. This radius is then doubled to determine target precision as related to target center accuracy. A “hunting” rifle with two times radius of ¾ MOA or better often defines the considerate hunter shooting under a stable hunting platform. Additionally, accuracy capability will grow with less stable hunting positions. Lastly, take the same rifle and ammunition and factor in “ELR” use. With long times of flight combined with inaccuracies and uncertainties, hitting any prudent sized target first shot let alone with subsequent shots is difficult and often relates to luck if air and mirage are moving at any pace. 1.5 MOA and greater for five to ten shots is not uncommon for the conscious competitor “ELR” rifle.
With the same rifle and ammunition under four different applications, I often experience best case MOA under target platform of 1/3 MOA grow to ½ MOA under tactical platform to ¾ MOA under hunting platform to 1.5 MOA under ELR platform. The next time you hear someone say their hunting rifle shoots in the 1s and 2s, ask them if it is a hunting rifle or a target rifle, then have them take you to public lands and shoot under the intended use platform and conditions. This will most likely be an eye opener to everyone in observation. Yes there is a difference in application........Platforms Matter!
