My New 10m Rifle

[PeakChick]

Dan (DanoInTx) PM'd me last week and being the purveyor of temptation that he is, offered me a chance to buy his TAU Brno 200 D Senior. Being the strong willed individual that I am, I resisted this offer, for all of 5 minutes, maybe. Dan shipped me this lovely Czech 10m rifle on Monday and I received it on Thursday, safe and secure. I've had a few days to play with it now and thought I would offer a few words a couple of photos of her and her work.
This is a CO2 powered 10m rifle. TAU makes this rifle in the Senior version and a Junior model. The Senior has a somewhat larger, fuller stock, longer sight radius and a bit more heft than the Junior. As mentioned, they are CO2 powered, can run on 12gm powerlets or a bulk fill tank. I'm currently shooting it with 12gm carts. for convenience. These rifles shoot in the low 500s, perfect for 10m use. I'm getting 30-35 shots at nominal velocity per cart. This rifle has adjustability in the stock cheek piece for height, and in the butt for pad elevation. The trigger on this rifle is truely of match quality, 5 way adjustability, delightful 2 or 1 stage pull. The sights are TAU built diopter rear and aperture front. I'm running a 3.5mm, clear aperture front insert and really like the no line aperture ring.
This rifle and I need a lot of practice time together, but I thought I'd offer an initial impression.

Pics below of the rifle and 10m targets, shot from an informal bench rest, rifle in my Anschutz glove an the rest, butt unsupported on my shoulder. 5 shots each, 10m, RWS R10 Heavies:

[ribbonstone]

Excellent rifles...had the pleasure of shooting one, but unfortunately not owning one.  Think you're going to really like the rifle.

Forget how large the little bulk tank is...not real big, something like 2.1 or 2.5oz. if I remember correctly.  That's enough to get a shooter  120-140 shots or so at this speed.

[mikeiniowa]

It looks like the rifle is doing exactly what it was made to do, get out there and start practicing, it's going to take some time but if you stick with it your off hand groups will be almost as good.....do some upper body work to get the strength and steadyness needed......I had the EM-612 out for a few rounds yesterday, just about dead calm so it was good out door shooting weather, still have the 4X scope on it but was doing some one to two inch groups off hand at 20 yards, also got rid of a few sparrows while I was at it....the grackles are back for the summer but don't think the 612 has enough power to do them in, I have found you can get a bit better by using a smaller bulls eye, a .22 wad cutter hole at ten meters is hitable most of the time.......

[dank]

Am sure thee is a bit but just how much difference is there between this and your AR?

The targets you posted would suggest only a little?

[PeakChick]

Dan, there is just a little difference between my TAU and my AR2078A. The AR is a $200.00 rifle (based on a lower end sporter design), with a tune by MM. The TAU is a $550.00 - $700.00 Czech built, purpose designed target rifle. The real differences are in build quality, as one would expect. The trigger and ergos are a big difference. The TAU has a truely match quality trigger with adjustment for first stage, second stage, blade height, blade length of pull and blade cant. The TAU has superior ergonomics, and the cheek piece height and but pad are adjustable. The sights are of superior quality. The pistol grip angle and feel are much better than the AR.
Yes, there is just a little difference between the TAU and the AR, but in 10m shooting, a little difference is a very big thing.
One might note that in the scheme of things in 10m AR competition, the TAU is a very reasonably priced 10m rifle. Compare the TAU to cost of mid to top line 10m Anschutz, Steyr, FWB, or Walther 10m rifles, they all run $1500.00 - $3000.00. No the TAU really isn't up to true international level competiton, but then neither am I.  

[dank]

Thanks peak.
I have two 78d's .177 & .22. I asked because I have been thinking about the AR stock for the 177.
Sounds like you've got a nice one there with the Tau. Now I gotta go buy a lottery ticket.

[PeakChick]

Dan, generally speaking, I do like the ergos of the Ar stock, once the LOP has been altered. My only real criticism is the shape of the finger groove on the pistol grip, too square, just not right. For someone with wood working talent this would be no problem. I have seen some beautiful examples were it was reshaped and stippling applied. I'd like to have mine like that.

[shadow]

Peak you surprize me, a 10m shooter. wow she is a sweetheart and the stock is fantastic, Dano alway's has some fine shooter's floating in and out and I'm sure glad that you got your hand's on that one. The group's look great  out of the gate and I'm sure that you two will settle in nicely together. Congrat's for sure Peak and please keep us updated on you and your new 10m baby. I alway's admired those shooter's, love the look's but I alway's knew that they wouldn't apply to my hunting need's so I'll just follow your progress and drool now and then lol. Ed

[NMCA_Ron]

I like!  Nice rifle, Peak!

[DanoInTx]

Just to followup a bit on what Stephanie said about the ergonomics.  I also own a TF79T, which is 99% of an AR2078 minus the fore stock where mine has an air tank.  I found the AR stock to not only be too short, but like Peak said, the grip just doesn't fit human hands.  There's a really odd what I guess is a finger groove in the AR stock that for me at least just digs into the palm of your hand.  I did a fair amount of reshaping on my AR stock prior to bedliner, and while it feels pretty good, the Tau just feels GREAT!  With all of the adjustments for LOP, cheek height, buttplate angle, trigger pull, etc, etc, you can really dial the Tau in till you can pick the gun up with your eyes closed, shoulder it, get comfortable, and when you open your eyes you are looking straight through the rear diopeter and through the front tunnel.  I've felt tuned AR triggers, and they are fabulous, but the edge here still goes to the Tau, 5 way adjustable, crisp, clean, excellent.  Accuracy on my Tau, or I should say Peak's Tau was great at the 10M it was designed for, the barrel on my AR is not so good....although I know this is the luck of the draw, I lost the bet I guess:)