Tactical Solutions X-Ring VR Semi-Auto .22LR Precision Rimfire Rifle

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Tactical Solutions has earned their reputation as a precision rimfire manufacturer. The X-Ring VR with GRS Hunter Light stock in Nordic Wolf is one of their flagship rifles. I ordered one from the catalog and was excited as a kid when I opened the box. It’s a 10/22-pattern rifle, but every single part is upgraded, high-quality, and, aside from the magazine and stock, machined in Boise, Idaho. This rifle is an example of master craftsmen at the top of their trade. I couldn’t wait to scope it and head to the range.

Tactical Solutions’ barrels are what first put them on the map. They are built with a deeply fluted aluminum shroud that surrounds a thin steel barrel liner. It’s a stiff, lightweight, and accurate product that looks great. The flutes dissipate heat, and a match chamber and 11-degree target crown provide excellent accuracy. The 16.5-inch barrel is .920-inch in diameter and has a 1:16-inch twist. I have tested several, and each have produced fantastic results. Tactical Solutions barrels can be had in anodized colors from mild to wild. The gray on this rifle is well done, smooth, and looks fantastic.

X-Ring Action

Tactical Solutions’ X-Ring action is machined from solid bar stock. The 6061-T6 aluminum comes in on a pallet. It’s then cut to length and bolted in rows to tombstones. Million-dollar CNC machines make multiple passes and tool changes to cut out the action. The finished product is a work of art built with smart features for the shooter. The X-Ring receiver incorporates a rail for attaching optics. A cleaning port is cut into the back of the action for proper cleaning without barrel removal. The stainless-steel bolt rides on two guide rods for smooth cycling and has relief grooves cut into the top, so carbon buildup has a place to go instead of gumming up the action. The bolt knob is oversize, extended, and easy to use. It can be swapped to either side of the action. The bolt locks back by pushing in a tab in front of the triggerguard. It is released by pulling the charging handle to the rear and letting go.

A rifle needs a good trigger to perform its best. Many .22s on the market have gritty, hard-to-pull, and spongy triggers that make good groups difficult. The engineers at Tactical Solutions built their own 10/22-style trigger to the same standards as their barrels and stocks. It’s wonderful. Constructed with a milled aluminum housing and internals made of hardened tool steel and side plates removable for cleaning, it’s a superb unit. The safety is in the normal position at the front of the triggerguard. It has been optimized for use with all types of .22LR ammo and has been tested with hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition for reliability. It comes standard with an extended mag release. The X-Ring trigger is also sold as a stand-alone product that can be dropped into any 10/22-pattern action.

GRS Stock

GRS Riflestocks’ Hunter Light stock in Nordic Wolf takes this rifle to the next level. Its unique styling caught my eye in the catalog, and I fell in love with its ergonomics the moment I picked it up. It’s CNC machined in Norway from stabilized, laminate wood. The X-Ring action and barrel mate up to it perfectly. Usually, laminate stocks are heavy, so I was taken aback by how light GRS’ stock is. It’s a sleek, lightweight stock that is easy to carry and shoot afield. The grip of the stock is inletted with a thumb groove and finger channels that stabilize your hand in a natural position. The geometry aligns your trigger finger for a straight pull, and the thumb channel on top keeps you from torquing the shot when trying to shoot groups or tiny targets. GRS makes the stock in a variety of colors, from bright green and orange to my semi-tactical, Nordic Wolf Grey. It has sling swivel studs for a Harris style bipod and sling. One of the coolest features is the push-button adjustable Kydex cheek riser. The rubber buttpad is comfortable, grippy, and made by Limbsaver. Its length of pull is adjustable with spacers in 1-centimeter increments.

I mounted a Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 rimfire scope in Warne rings for accuracy testing. It only weighs 12.2 ounces, so it keeps the rifle light. The ¼-MOA clicks tracked reliably, and the Rimfire MOA reticle is clean and simple while providing holdover points for long-range shots. A quality firearm deserves quality ammunition. I have had success with Eley Club 40-grain lead roundnose target ammo and bought a box to test. My local shop also received a large shipment of CCI Green Tag 40-grain ammo. The X-Ring VR with GRS Hunter Light stock in Nordic Wolf shot both target loads into five-shot groups under 1 MOA (.5 inch) at 50 yards. I also tested CCI’s 40-grain copper plated target ammo that shoots and feeds great from all the .22s I’ve tested. I played with several other loads at the range from cheap Federal AutoMatch for plinking to CCI’s 36-grain copper hunting hollowpoint, and it was reliable and fun with both.

The Tactical Solutions X-Ring is a pleasure to shoot. Every part of the rifle is ergonomic and built to the tightest standards. With its stiff stock, great trigger, and precision-built action and barrel, it’s a reliable, impressive shooter. It was one of the most accurate rimfires I’ve ever shot. It’s accurate enough to excel in competition and light enough to be a practical field and hunting gun. Tactical Solutions’ rifles have won numerous Steel Challenge and Rimfire Challenge Shooting Association championships over the years. After shooting this one, it’s easy to see why.

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Tactical Solution X-Ring VR Specs

• Type: Direct Blowback, semi-automatic
• Cartridge: .22LR 
• Magazine: Ruger 10/22 style
• Barrel: 16.5 in. 
• Weight: 4.7 lbs. 
• Overall Length: 34.75 in. 
• Trigger: TacSol XRT 2.5 lbs. (tested)
• Magazine Release: TacSol Extended
• Stock: GRS Riflestocks Hunter Light
• Finish: Gray anodized
• Bolt: Stainless steel
• MSRP: $1,825
• Contact: Tactical Solutions

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The article was originally published in Precision Rimfire magazine. You can find a copy on OSGnesstand.com. If you have any thoughts or comments on this article, we’d love to hear them. Email us at FirearmsNews@Outdoorsg.com.