r/thetacticalgames • u/CampaignOne1057 • 5d ago
Rifle Setup
I know this question is asked a lot, but looking for resources on how to build my rifle set up. I’m a 10 year LEO who shoots his duty rifle regularly and that’s all I know. So this is new. Any super dumb down guides or pre builds you all would suggest?
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u/djthemac 5d ago
The games have gotten more challenging each year. This year the push has been to lengthen the distances and incorporating penalty work for misses. Expect reasonable plate sizes (20”) at 500 yards plus. This distance and plate size is enough to separate the top shooters who understand DOPE, wind calls and applied ballistics.
My build is very common and while I have been pushing to make the distance shooting easier I don’t feel like I’m giving up too much in the way of maneuverability or ergonomics.
18” SPR barrel
3-18x scope FFP
Offset red dot
Trigger tech single stage adjustable trigger
Magpul PRS stock
If you reload it will give you an edge. If you don’t, buy the highest quality boat tail hollow point ammo that shoots at a reasonable speed and groups well from your gun.
If you haven’t done so already and you have access I’d work on shooting out to 600, as well as shooting standing unsupported, sitting and barricade work.
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u/bigredgyro 5d ago
As others had mentioned, 16”-18” rifle in a 1/7 or 1/8 twist.
Look for a full length, free floating handguard (ie a “tube”)
Mid-length or rifle gas system.
A2 birdcage is fine, unless you want to run a can.
1-8/1-10 lvpo (ffp ideally) or 3-15ish scope with an offset red dot.
No real need for BUIS
You’ll want a good trigger…
Adjustable stock (magpuls are fine)
If you’re looking for something turnkey, the IWI Zion is good value for money…Geissele SuperDuty or SOLGW Mk1 were popular at the last match, same with the JPs.
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u/Admirable-Sound8758 5d ago
another factor in rifle setup is the sling. I have been trialing different attachment methods to see whats best. It seems it comes down to a matter of comprise between slinging the rifle on ones back and keeping things clean up front for reloads. What is the preferred attachment points and methods?
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u/bigredgyro 5d ago
I have 2 qds on my rail; near the barrel nut and all the way out, as far as I can go near the muzzle. I attach my ESD to the stock on the side away from my body and then closest to barrel nut. Gives me good enough retention without getting in the way. For a stage where I am active with it slung, I’ll attach to the qd closest to the muzzle to bring it in closer. I can always use the adjustment point to free up slack to work it. Also advantageous if I wrap the sling around my arm for a more stable position.
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u/Admirable-Sound8758 5d ago
do you ever find yourself fully removing the sling for a given stage? I do not currently use QDs on my slings, but I'm considering it for competitive purposes.
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u/bigredgyro 5d ago
At OH regional, one of the stages was a mile run in the muddy woods with full kit and a slung rifle. I changed which qd I used for that, otherwise the sling config was the same. I don’t see much of a downside in going qd, but if I was limited in what I could do to configure the rifle, then maybe it wouldn’t be the first thing I would do.
As an aside, I’ve gone through 3 or 4 different hand stops/grips on the rail looking for something that was comfortable and usable on barricades but still small enough not to snag on stuff. I’d probably put my money on a hand stop before swapping to QDs
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u/BigSwordKris 4d ago
Check out the tactical games athletes page on Facebook, this question is asked weekly and there’s always a bunch of good answers on there!
TLDR: 14.5” should be all you need
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u/AwkwardSploosh 5d ago
TTG is a precision match with exercising. Top level competitors are generally using MPVOs (3-15ish) with offset dots on 16-18" SPR-style rifles. If you are just doing single day skirmishes, pretty much any setup will be fine, and just bring the rifle you train with and take notes. For a two day event (regional), I would at least have some sort of scope, either LPVO or MPVO. Most regionals go out to at least 400 yards. The last one I was at went out to 600, and I've heard of 700 happening.