Stiller TAC30 vs Predator for Reloads

[txaggie929]

Setting up a 6.5 CM build right now,. I'm being told that I may want to consider a Predator action if I plan on running any hand loads, as apparently the Tac30 is pretty tight in regards to OAL for your cartridge. What's your experience?

Also, Tac30 vs Tac30 A/W.....any arguments for or against?

 

[b6graham]

are you set on stiller?

there are a lot of better options at the same pricepoint or cheaper

origin, nucleus, kelbly atlas tac, etc etc

 

[txaggie929]

I'm working a trade and this is my only option as far as actions go.

 

[Supersubes]

What are you gonna do with it? Is this a tactical rifle?

The Tac 30 feeds from AICS pattern magazines fine. No need for more action cutout length, as that’s not what’s limiting OAL, the magazine is. The predator, which is a hunting action, may have a larger cutout for guys that want to run wyatt’s internal magazines.

I wouldn’t bother with the AW cut, AW mags are hit or miss with two lug actions. But if you’re using AICS mags, the cutout won’t matter and they’ll feed fine into either.

 

[txaggie929]

It's going to be mixed use - hunting & a range toy.

 

[Tweedycarcass23jonb]

I'm working a trade and this is my only option as far as actions go.

I love my AO Stiller tac 30aw. Nothing wrong with Stiller. It’s super smooth and doesn’t bind. Feeds perfectly off aw mags if you happen to use an aw cut.
Not sure how the predators differ though. Maybe a different feed ramp angle? No clue.

 

[Josh Elam]

I have a TAC30 that I’ve shot over 6000 rounds thru with no issue. There are other actions I plan to run in the future but I’ve shot many classes and comps along with a few in rain and nasty conditions without a hickup.

 

[Tweedycarcass23jonb]

I love my AO Stiller tac 30aw. Nothing wrong with Stiller. It’s super smooth and doesn’t bind. Feeds perfectly off aw mags if you happen to use an aw cut.
Not sure how the predators differ though. Maybe a different feed ramp angle? No clue.

On that note above about using aw mags and two lug actions I would recommend having AO set it up in your stock. I think it was $100 depending if it needs bedding or not. Only necessary if you happen to run aw mags. For reliability.
I like them their still the shortest 10 round mags on the market and they load like ar15 mags just push the round down to load them.

I had two different tac30 aw actions and neither would go into a manners mini chassis without binding on aics Magazine Lip catching on the bolt fluting when trying to close the bolt. So don’t go with the aw cut and a manners mini chassis without plans on having it fitted for either mags.
Just my experiences.

 

[txaggie929]

Ok. so with an AW action, can I run both the AW mags and AICS mags?

Haven't decided on a stock yet. Looking at a Magpul hunter or a McMillan

 

[txaggie929]

I have a TAC30 that I’ve shot over 6000 rounds thru with no issue. There are other actions I plan to run in the future but I’ve shot many classes and comps along with a few in rain and nasty conditions without a hickup.

So you AICS mags only, correct? And do you run only factory loads or handloads?

 

[Tweedycarcass23jonb]

Ok. so with an AW action, can I run both the AW mags and AICS mags?

Haven't decided on a stock yet. Looking at a Magpul hunter or a McMillan

I think if it goes into a chassis you can. From all the replies I got from members about mags in the mdt acc chassis they said they run aw mags and I know that chassis is specific to aics pattern mags. So both yes.

Now in my manners stock that’s been fitted for aw I cannot run aics. the mag latch is to high up for the aics to latch.

Krg sells an extended mag latch for $25 you can file off a little at a time to fit your aw mags yourself into their chassis and you’ll get the standard height mag latch with the chassis so you could run both in that chassis as well just swap latches if you wanted to I guess.
I stick to my aw mags they work and have never failed once. I’d recommend sticking to just one style and brand. Test them to make sure they never fail you.

Can I ask do you have a stock or chassis in mind?

 

[b6graham]

the footprint of the mags is the same. it's the action that matters. dual feed versus single

that being said. mag catch may be an issue as mentioned. AW designed around 3 lug actions for a reason though plents of Bighorns and now Lone Peak run AW mags

 

[txaggie929]

I think if it goes into a chassis you can. From all the replies I got from members about mags in the mdt acc chassis they said they run aw mags and I know that chassis is specific to aics pattern mags. So both yes.

Now in my manners stock that’s been fitted for aw I cannot run aics. the mag latch is to high up for the aics to latch.

Krg sells an extended mag latch for $25 you can file off a little at a time to fit your aw mags yourself into their chassis and you’ll get the standard height mag latch with the chassis so you could run both in that chassis as well just swap latches if you wanted to I guess.
I stick to my aw mags they work and have never failed once. I’d recommend sticking to just one style and brand. Test them to make sure they never fail you.

Can I ask do you have a stock or chassis in mind?

Was considering the Magpul hunter or a McMillan or a Bell & Carlson, but hadn't narrowed it down to any particular models of those two manufacturers.

 

[Tweedycarcass23jonb]

Was considering the Magpul hunter or a McMillan or a Bell & Carlson, but hadn't narrowed it down to any particular models of those two manufacturers.

Good brand choices. I don’t think you can go wrong with either of those. If your going Stiller aw. I’m wanting to switch over to a chassis and be happy to let my manners go to you. I haven’t bumped it back up in the px for a few days. It’s a manners mct3 so it is of the hunting/ tactical style. Like a McMillan m40 stock. All setup for aw. Let me know I’ll forward the link to px section it’s in brand new condition as well. Good luck with build any questions keep asking we’ll all help out best we can.

 

[txaggie929]

Good brand choices. I don’t think you can go wrong with either of those. If your going Stiller aw. I’m wanting to switch over to a chassis and be happy to let my manners go to you. I haven’t bumped it back up in the px for a few days. It’s a manners mct3 so it is of the hunting/ tactical style. Like a McMillan m40 stock. All setup for aw. Let me know I’ll forward the link to px section it’s in brand new condition as well. Good luck with build any questions keep asking we’ll all help out best we can.

Send me the link to your stock please.

I appreciate everyone's input. All this is new info to me and there is reading for days and days when I search the topics. And half of them go down rabbit holes that aren't pertinent to the info I'm looking for.

 

[davere]

I have a TAC30 AW in a Manners T4A w/ Surgeon bottom metal. It runs AW mags just fine, and I can also run AICS pattern magazines, as well. I'm about to switch into an MPA chassis to gain some weight, so we'll see how that goes...

Edit to add... basically all I run is handloads. No issues, there, either - except that I did notice that when I loaded Berger 140 Hybrids, the last round in an AW mag would catch on the ramp. That's the only bullet I've seen that issue with - I suspect I'm on the borderline for some dimension, and the Hybrid is the only bullet that doesn't quite get there.

 

[txaggie929]

Decided on the TAC30 A/W for the shorter mag and the possibility that it will also use an AICS mag too.