The McMillan TAC-50 is a powerful sniper rifle that has earned its reputation as a long-range anti-material and sniper weapon. This bolt-action rifle is designed for precision shooting and is widely used by elite military and law enforcement units in various countries. In this article, we will look closer at the features, capabilities, and variants of the McMillan TAC-50.
Design
The McMillan TAC-50 was first designed in the 1980s and is based on the previous designs of the McMillan Brothers Rifles company. However, the military did not adopt it until 2000, when the Canadian Armed Forces designated it the C15 Long Range Sniper Weapon. The TAC-50 is a manually operated, bolt-action rifle that fires .50 BMG (12.7×99 mm) ammunition. It has a heavy match-grade barrel and an effective muzzle brake that reduces recoil.
The rifle is fed from detachable box magazines, holding 5 rounds. The stock of this weapon is made from fiberglass and is adjustable for length. For storage, the stock can be removed. The TAC-50 comes with a bipod and is designed to be used from a bipod only. The rifle has a scope rail and can mount various telescopic or night sights. Although this weapon has no backup iron sights for emergency use, Canadian armed forces use this weapon with 5-25x magnification sights.
Capabilities
The McMillan TAC-50 is a versatile weapon that can be used for long-range anti-material and sniper operations. As an anti-material weapon, this rifle can destroy sensitive enemy equipment, such as parked aircraft, radar units, trucks, and other important assets at long range. It can also be used for the remote destruction of explosive ordnance.
As a sniper rifle, the TAC-50 can neutralize enemy snipers at standoff range. The rifle can also hit enemy soldiers hiding behind cover and walls, as its powerful ammunition can penetrate through bricks and concrete. The TAC-50 is capable of outstanding accuracy and provides 0.5 MOA groups with match-grade ammunition, which is approximately 15 mm at 100 meters. This sniper rifle has an effective range of 1,800 meters, making it one of the world’s most accurate and long-range sniper rifles.
Records
Soon after its introduction, the McMillan TAC-50 set two records. In 2002, Canadian sniper Arron Perry made a record kill in Afghanistan from 2,310 meters using his TAC-50 rifle. He broke the 34-year-old record for the longest sniper kill in combat, set by Carlos Hathcock in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Perry’s record was surpassed a few days later by another Canadian sniper, Rob Furlong, who made a kill in Afghanistan from 2,429 meters using the McMillan TAC-50.
In 2009, another record of 2,479 meters was set by a British sniper, Craig Harrison, in Afghanistan, using the L115A3 sniper rifle. However, in 2017, it was again destroyed by a Canadian sniper armed with the McMillan TAC-50.
The McMillan TAC-50 rifle was used by a Canadian Joint Task Force 2 sniper to make the longest-recorded sniper kill in history. The incident occurred in Iraq during the 30 days leading up to June 22, 2017. The Canadian sniper took down an ISIS fighter from an astonishing distance of 3,540 meters, translating to 3,870 yards or 2.20 miles.
As of now, this shot stands as the longest-recorded sniper kill in history. The McMillan TAC-50 rifle was instrumental in achieving this feat, and a video camera and other data verified the shot. Despite this remarkable achievement, the Canadian sniper’s identity remains undisclosed. Canadian soldiers made two of the top five longest-recorded sniper kills with the McMillan TAC-50 rifle.
Variants
The McMillan TAC-50 has several variants introduced over the years, each with its improvements and modifications. Here’s a closer look at some of the most notable variants:
TAC-50 A1
This is an improved version of the original TAC-50 introduced in 2012. It features a new stock with an integral cheekpiece and a monopod, which has moved the balance point for the bipod forward. Other improvements include a smaller pistol grip and repositioned magazine release lever, making the weapon easier to operate while wearing gloves. Additionally, the TAC-50 A1 has a new bipod lighter and sturdier than the original version. Its legs can adjust vertically, as well as forward and rearward.
TAC-50 A1-R2
Introduced in 2012 alongside the TAC-50 A1, this rifle version features a built-in hydraulic piston in the buttstock, which reduces violent recoil generated by the .50 BMG chambering. This makes the weapon more comfortable to use for the shooter.
C15 Long-Range Sniper Weapon
This is the Canadian Army’s designation of the McMillan TAC-50. The rifle is used by Canadian snipers and has been employed in various conflicts worldwide. It has proven to be an effective long-range anti-material and a sniper rifle, with a reputation for outstanding accuracy and performance.
Mk 15
This is the United States Navy SEALs‘ designation for the McMillan TAC-50. The rifle is used by the SEALs for long-range sniping and anti-material missions and has been proven to be a reliable and effective weapon in the field. Its accuracy and range have made it a favorite among elite military and law enforcement units worldwide.
Technical specifications
| Country of origin: | United States |
| Manufacturer: | McMillan Brothers Rifles |
| Entered service: | 2000 |
| Caliber: | 12.7×99 mm (.50 BMG) |
| Weight: | 11.8 kg |
| Length: | 1 448 mm |
| Barrel length: | 737 mm |
| Muzzle velocity: | 805 m/s |
| Magazine capacity: | 5 rounds |
| Sighting range: | ? |
| Range of effective fire: | 1 800 m |
| Accuracy: | 0.5 MOA |
