The Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous is the firearms industry’s premier launch event. Each year, our best writers and content creators convene for three action-packed days on the range, working with the latest firearms, ammunition, optics and accessories hitting the dealers’ shelves–many still under lock and key. Tactical rifles being one of my specialties, I drew the assignment of picking three top tactical rifles from Rendezvous. Although it was tough to narrow it down to so few, I was able to manage.
Three of the Top Tactical Rifles at Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous
1. Wilson Combat’s .300 Ham’r Protector Elite Carbine
While .300 BLK is okay for inside work, the great outdoors requires a bit more reach. The .300 Ham’r is a harder-hitting round that fits standard AR-15 lower receivers and generates energy levels that approach .308 WIN. The Protector elite was nimble to wield, produced minimal recoil and was incredibly accurate out to the 600-yard targets that we had to work with. On top of all the features I need in a rifle, it also delivered many wants, such as cozy furniture and snazzy finish schemes. (wilsoncombat.com)
2. Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical
The long-range game seems to be dominated by high-dollar offerings full of features that most shooters simply won’t use. Mossberg always strives to deliver the most affordable firearms possible with a zero-compromise attitude toward quality. Months before I shot it at Gunsite, I had the chance to fire this rifle out to 575 yards, connecting every time. The Patriot LR Tactical features an adjustable cheek-riser, 20 MOA rail and a lightweight stock complete with V-block bedding. Altogether it is one hell of a package for $1,085 MSRP. Initial offerings are chambered in 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win. (mossberg.com)
3. CZ 600 Trail
Tactics need to be swift, so compact, lightweight rifles are naturally going to shine. The CZ 600 Trail can be collapsed down to just 27.2 inches and fired in the closed position. In a flash, the user can whip back the four-position stock and have a conventional-fitting bolt-action rifle ready to do some work. The Trail is available in .223 Rem. and 7.62×39, a cartridge that I’d love to see more bolt guns chambered in. My favorite features were the collapsible stock, chambering options, and the ultra-positive case ejection it displayed. (cz-usa.com)
