The Dave G Experience: TAC730 BA TDR

TAC730 BA TDR.

 



Now, in case your wondering what that means, it stands for.....TACTICAL-7TH VERSION-30 CALIBER-BOTTLED ACTION-TAKE DOWN RIFLE. Or, TAC730 BA TDR.  So there you go.

THE BACK STORY:  Every since Daystate introduced the Wolverine and FX has introduced the Boss, I've been interested in testing or owning a 30 caliber Air Gun.  In comes Dave G.  Dave has been around the Air Gun community for some years now making highly demanded custom air gun stocks.  Dave has recently (in the last bunch of years) dabbled into making "FULL" custom air guns based on his own ideas and designs.  This gun, is one such gun. Dave was able to get his hands on some FX 30 caliber ST barrels and VOILA!  I've recently had the pleasure of testing Dave's 177 caliber Raven action and when he received 30 caliber Smooth Twist barrels from FX, I had to try one of his creations.  This takes us to the present................

The TAC730 BA TDR:  The gun is all custom made by Dave except the FX ST barrel, 22 ci bottle, quick connect fitting and QC dust cover.  It's barrel is the FX Smooth Twist at 21" long and 30 caliber.  The barrel is then shrouded for quietness to take the bark out of the muzzle blast.  The air tank or bottle is 22 ci and Dave made the lower tube so that it also holds some air capacity.  Its total HPA capacity is 360 cc's.  It DOES NOT have a regulator either.  The valve tuning takes care of its overall efficiency.  The stock forearms and pistol grip as well as the butt stock is also made by Dave.  Loading and cocking the gun are 2 separate operations.  If the gun is NOT cocked then it is "SAFE".  It can be loaded and carried afield that way but will not fire until you cock the guns hammer.  A quick fill nipple is added to the air plenum/tube for the ease of filling the gun.  No unscrewing the bottle to fill it then screwing it back on.  EASY!  Dave also custom makes his own 2 stage adjustable custom trigger housing.  It can be adjusted to down under a pound in pull weight.  It's a really nice trigger with a great fill and a ton of adjustments to suit each and everyone's "FANCY".  The gun is also right at 41" OAL.  It also has a vast power adjustment range.  So far, I've had it in the 600+ fps range all the way up to over 900+ fps.  The bottle can be filled to 3200 psi MAX.  It also weighs just 1 ounce UNDER 7 lbs with no scope.

Now, on to my opinion on the gun:  So far, and with very little time behind the trigger, I find the gun quite fabulous and it has a damned good feel to it.  Its light and it shoulders quite nicely even though the length of pull is just a hair short for me.  But, I'm also 6'-2" tall and I have the arms of an orangutan.  I would honestly keep the gun 100% the way it is.  Also, the shroud and baffles are pretty effective for a 76+ FPE 30 caliber air rifle.  And for you guys interested in "MOUSE FART" quiet, this gun IS NOT that quiet!  If it were a 177 at 18 FPE then yes, it would be "MOUSE FART".  But its 76 FPE of pure leaden muscle.  So far, this gun has posted a couple of 5/8" groups at 55 yards with some being smaller.  I have a lot of testing to do before I find this guns absolute accuracy potential within my capabilities.  But 5/8" @ 55 yards from me is a good start.

This is the kind of gun that you can hunt with, then set it up atop the mantle and let guest OOGLE at it then bring it down and do some serious target shooting with.

MY VIDEO REVIEW:

Stay tuned for part 2

Tofazfou