How to Build a Light Tactical Rifle

Converted 303 Enfield in composite stock makes a great LTR.

Light Tactical Rifles (LTR) are special police and security rifles that fill the "gap" between a carbine caliber platform (i.e. 5.56 mm/223) and a larger set-piece heavy sniper rifle. They can be made from a variety of models to suit your requirements for caliber, budget and tasking. These considerations will determine which optics, model and accessories you will be looking for to complete your weapon. A light tactical rifle can be assembled from a basic platform from under $500 to a highly complex system costing nearly five times that much.

Things You'll Need

• Composite stocked light rifle, ideally in the 243-280 caliber range
• Lightweight but reliable optics
• Rifle sling

Instructions

1. 

   Restocked Enfield rifle makes a good economical weapon base.

   The most economical light tactical rifles are simply converted medium-caliber light version hunting rifles with the most popular types being the Winchester model 70, Ruger 77, Savage 110 or Remington 700. These can be had with composite stocks for as little as $350 to $500. Alternatively, surplus military rifles such as 6.5 mm Mausers and 303 Enfields restocked with a light composite stock make a good LTR building block. Quality, economical optics can be added for less than $200 bringing your project to under $700. More purpose-built models with better stocks, fluted barrels and better optics can easily increase the cost.

2. 

   Caliber choice is important.

   Choose the caliber that best suits your needs. The caliber of your tactical rifle should be a basic building block of your design. By definition, the light tactical rifle would be more of a mid-rifle-caliber weapon (i.e. between 5.56 mm/223 and 7.62 x 51 NATO/308 Winchester). This enables aimed shots out to the 300- to 500-meter range. The 6.8 mm Remington SPC (or 6.8 x 43 mm) and 6.5 mm Grendel have been alternatively called the perfect mid-caliber rounds in this spectrum. They typically deliver 40% to 50% more energy than the 5.56 with less felt recoil and over penetration than the full-size 7.62. Another good set of more commonly available rounds in this performance block is the .243 Winchester and .270 Remington which, if considered, opens up several commercial designs.

3. 

   Stay away from building a dedicated heavy rifle such as this 308 PSG-1.

   Keep your stock and barrel selection light and short. The telling point of the LTR concept is to have a handy rifle. Heavy stocked, bull-barreled weapons with bipods, muzzle breaks and 20-power glass optics can rapidly increase your rifle's weight to that of a pair of bowling balls. With a LTR, remember that "less is more." Several manufactures produce stock rifles in a "light" or "mountain" designation with 20- to 24-inch barrels and a weight of as little as seven pounds. With the addition of well-matched optics and a light sling, it is not uncommon to produce a well-rounded LTR that tips the scales at 10 pounds.

4. 

   Optics complete your LTR.

   Complete your rifle with a matched optic choice. Good quality reflex scopes by Trijicon and Aimpoint mounted on a simple weaver base can be used for close-in tactical events (up to 100 meters) with relative precision by a trained marksman. When contemplating shooting to 500 meters, you should have an optics system with a minimum of 4x magnification and a 40 mm objective lens is needed. Leupold and Nikon sell several clear scopes in this spectrum both labeled for tactical use and hunting use from $300 to $500.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to check federal, state and local laws before you modify any firearm to be in compliance.

References

• Ballistic Information
• Remingtons Light Tactical Rifle

Resources

• Trijicon Reflex Sights