| McMillan Firearms TAC-50 | |
|---|---|
 A Canadian Army McMillan TAC-50 (C15) Long-Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW) | |
| Type | Anti-materiel rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2000–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan War in Iraq (2013–2017) |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | McMillan Firearms |
| Produced | 2000–present |
| Variants | TAC-50A1, TAC-50A1-R2, TAC-50C |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 26.0 lb (11.8 kg) |
| Length | 57.0 in (1,448 mm) |
| Barrel length | 29.0 in (737 mm) |
| Cartridge | .50 BMG |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Muzzle velocity | 823 m/s (2,700 ft/s) (750 gr A-MAX load) |
| Effective firing range | 1,800 m (1,970 yd) |
| Maximum firing range | Estimated 7,700 m (8,420 yd) (750 gr A-MAX load). Confirmed 3,540 m (3,870 yd) |
| Feed system | 5 round detachablebox magazine |
| Sights | Customizable; 5-25xtelescopic sight standard inCanadian Forces |
TheMcMillan TAC-50 is a long-rangeanti-materiel rifle. The TAC-50 is based on previous designs from McMillan, which first appeared during the late 1980s. From May 2017 until November 2023, it held the record for thelongest confirmed sniper kill.[1][2][3] McMillan produces several .50 caliber rifles, based on the same proprietary action, for military, law enforcement and civilian use. It is produced inPhoenix, Arizona, in theUnited States byMcMillan Firearms.
The TAC-50 is a military and law enforcement weapon, which, designated as the C15, has been the standard long-range sniper weapon (LRSW) of theCanadian Army since 2000. Rifles of the TAC-50 family are guaranteed to provide 0.5 minute of angle (MOA) groups withmatch-grade ammunition under ideal conditions.[4]
The McMillan TAC-50 is a manually operated, rotary bolt-action rifle. The large bolt has dual front locking lugs, and its body has spiral flutes to reduce weight. The heavy match-grade barrel, made by Lilja barrels, is also fluted to dissipate heat quickly and reduce overall weight, and fitted with an effectivemuzzle brake to reduce recoil. The rifle is fed from detachable box magazines, holding 5 rounds each. The stock is made fromfiberglass, and is designed to be used from abipod only. The buttstock is adjustable forlength of pull with rubber spacers, and can be removed for compact storage. The rifle has no open sights; it can be used with a variety of telescopic or night sights.
In Canadian service, the standardtelescopic sight was the McMillan endorsedLeupold Mark 4 16x40mm LR/T M1 Riflescope optical sight that has since been replaced by theSchmidt & Bender 5-25×56 PMIItelescopic sight.[citation needed] McMillan also endorses the Nightforce NXS 8-32x56Mil-dot telescopic sight for the TAC-50.
The TAC-50A1 variant was introduced in 2012. The TAC-50 A1 has a new take-down fiberglass stock with a forend that is 5 in (127 mm) longer than the TAC-50 stock. This moves the balance point for the bipod forward. The stock includes an integral cheekpiece and a monopod on the buttstock with an option for vertical adjustment. The stock incorporates a smaller pistol grip to fit a wider range of hand shapes, with and without gloves. The magazine release lever was repositioned ahead of the trigger bow to make the system easier to operate with gloved hands. For the A1 variant a new lighter bipod with legs that adjust vertically, as well as forward and rearward, to fine-tune the rifle for elevation was also developed.[5]
The TAC-50A1-R2 variant was introduced in 2012 alongside the TAC-50A1 variant. The A1-R2 variant is effectively a TAC-50A1 rifle system with a hydraulic recoil mitigation system (a proprietary hydraulic piston in the buttstock) added to reduce the considerable amount offree recoil generated by the .50 BMG chambering, and hence increase user comfort.[6]
The TAC-50C is an update to the TAC-50A1. The TAC-50C features the new folding Cadex Dual Strike chassis system. It includes an adjustable cheekpiece with vertical adjustment and an adjustable length of pull. The stock incorporates a smaller pistol grip to fit a wider range of hand shapes, with and without gloves. ThreePicatinny rail sections allow for customization of accessories.
An unnamed CanadianJoint Task Force 2 sniper made thelongest recorded sniper kill with this weapon in Iraq, hitting anISIS fighter at a range of 3,540 meters (3,870 yd; 2.20 miles) in the 30-day period leading up to 22 June 2017.[7] The previous record of 2,475 meters (2,707 yd; 1.538 miles) was set by British sniperCraig Harrison in 2009 in Afghanistan, using a.338 Lapua Magnum chamberedL115A3 Long Range Rifle sniper rifle.[7]
Two of the top five longest recorded sniper kills were made with the McMillan TAC-50 rifle, both by Canadian soldiers.
Canada:Canadian Army,JTF2 Original TAC-50 designated as theC15 Long-Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW) when it entered service in 2000.[8][9] The C15 was then updated to the TAC-50A1 variant in 2014, and designated theC15A1 Long-Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW).[10] The rifles were then upgraded again to the TAC-50C variant beginning in 2017, and designatedC15A2 Long-Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW).[9]
France: Infantry of theFORPRONU[11] andFrench Navycommandos.[12]
Georgia:Army &special operations forces.[13]
Israel: Used by special forces units.[14]
Jordan: Used by SRR-61 (Special Reconnaissance Regiment).[15]
South Africa: In service withSouth African Police Service Special Task Force.[16]
Turkey:Turkish Gendarmerie andSpecial Forces Command[17]
Ukraine:Ukrainian Army[18]
United States:United States Navy SEALs designated as theMk 15.[19]{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Longest confirmed combat sniper-shot kill 2017-2023 3,540 m (3,871 yd) Long-Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW) w/Hornady A-MAX .50 by CanadianJTF 2 sniper(name withheld) | Succeeded by |
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