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Thread: What is a Tack driver? I mean really?

  1. #1
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    What is a Tack driver? I mean really?


    A tad bit of fun.

    I hear Tack Driver all the time. So what is it?

    I mean if its refers to a Thumb Tack the head is 0.4 inches. If its a tack that hold fabric for furniture or boots head is 0.25 or so. So which tack are they talking about? Hahaha

    And how did it originate? Somebody betting someone their firearm could cowboy boot tack in a quick fire?

    Bottomline I believe its a wives tail used for bragging how well you can shoot, has noting to do with "my gun is a tack driver"

    What say you??

  2. #2
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    A tack drive is a small hammer with a pointed head about the size of the tack head. The one my father had was magmetic and could hold the tack. FWIW
    Quote Originally Posted by LDSILLS View Post
    A tad bit of fun.

    I hear Tack Driver all the time. So what is it?

    I mean if its refers to a Thumb Tack the head is 0.4 inches. If its a tack that hold fabric for furniture or boots head is 0.25 or so. So which tack are they talking about? Hahaha

    And how did it originate? Somebody betting someone their firearm could cowboy boot tack in a quick fire?

    Bottomline I believe its a wives tail used for bragging how well you can shoot, has noting to do with "my gun is a tack driver"

    What say you??
    USAF Retired 1964-1987

  3. #3
    Team Savage Stumpkiller's Avatar
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    At muzzleloader fun shoots or prize shoots a nail was placed on a log or tree trunk. The goal was to hit the nail head. A rifle, and operator, that could do that was a tack driver. Another target was an edge-on axe head. Goal was to split the round ball. I have seen this done at 25 yards with a flintlock.
    "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." Last words of Gen. Sedgwik

  4. #4
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    Hey epags; This is a Firearms website not a whats in your dads toolbox!! UGH!
    Get on subject darn it!
    "Hahahaha"
    Last edited by LDSILLS; 06-25-2024 at 07:21 PM. Reason: Having fun!

  5. #5
    Administrator J.Baker's Avatar
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    Colloquially I would say a tack driver would be defined as any firearm that consistently shoots better than average; meaning consistently shooting smaller groups than similarly configured firearms of a similar type. As for the definition of "small groups," like the term "tack driver" it's subject to personal interpretation based solely on personal experience, and expectations and the rifle at hand. For some a "small group" might be 2" at 100 yards; for others a "small group" might be 1/4" or less at 100 yards.

    For example, I expect my varmint rifles with big high power scopes to consistently shoot 1/2 MOA or better @ 200 yards, but when it comes to my iron-sighted lever-action pistol caliber rifles I consider the one's that shoot sub 1.5" groups @ 100 yards with some consistency to be a "tack driver." Again, it's all relative...
    "Life' is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
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urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” —Mark Twain

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by J.Baker View Post
    ...For example, I expect my varmint rifles with big high power scopes to consistently shoot 1/2 MOA or better @ 200 yards, but when it comes to my iron-sighted lever-action pistol caliber rifles I consider the one's that shoot sub 1.5" groups @ 100 yards with some consistency to be a "tack driver." Again, it's all relative...
    Like I said lets have fun and if we poke at someone its like giving them crap at morning coffee!! The next day you give em crap back! HAHA!

    To start the subject lets use Office Depot Brand Thumb Tack , 1/2 inch head, 5/16" length box of 100 as a standard tack. The head of the tack is 1/2 inch per Office Depot specifications. Thus in theory a rifleman would have to shoot at least 0.524 inches (AKA 1/2 MOA) be a true tack (thumb tack) driver.

    Thus ...per your description ad in theory you can actually drive one at 100yds with your varmint rifle! However, I would say "one's that shoot sub 1.5" groups @ 100 yards" is not a tack driver as you are shooting 3 times the size of the tack. Even a 1 MOA or the size of a dollar coin is not a tack driver.

    See where I am going??? ... after all this time, with thousands of great folks saying they have a tack driver do they really? What are they comparing it to? The shooting sport needs to define "tack driver". Just to make folks honest if anything. You see in my obscure thoughts, we as shooters are so anal about head space, lands, sorting brass, etc. Why don't we have a standard for what a TACK DRIVER is?
    Here is my goofy definition:

    TACK DRIVER: a rifle no matter the caliber, that, in the hands of a responsible rifleman and no matter the position of fire; is capable of shooting a standard thumbtack head (1/2 Inch diameter) with an 85% confidence of repeatability for each bullet sent downrange. NOTE: range doesn't matter!

  7. #7
    Basic Member Fuj''s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LDSILLS View Post

    TACK DRIVER: a rifle no matter the caliber, that, in the hands of a responsible rifleman and no matter the position of fire; is capable of shooting a standard thumbtack head (1/2 Inch diameter) with an 85% confidence of repeatability for each bullet sent downrange. NOTE: range doesn't matter!
    Do you want to make a large wager that I can hit a tack 100% of the time ?? I'll even handicap myself by using
    a pellet rifle in 50 mile an hour winds or more.....Any takers ??
    Keeping my bad Karma intact since 1952

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fuj' View Post
    Do you want to make a large wager that I can hit a tack 100% of the time ?? I'll even handicap myself by using
    a pellet rifle in 50 mile an hour winds or more.....Any takers ??
    (Your new name is Wordsmith Fuj' ...hahahaha)

  9. #9
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    I don't know what you guys are talking about, but what I've known all my life is that a tack driver is a methaphor used to describe the crazy accuracy of the shooter, that's because they would reliably shoot a tiny target, like the head of a tack or pin

  10. #10
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    I've never shot a tack but this was a horsefly that landed on my target. Shot with my Savage 11 chambered in 22.250.


    Frank


    One rifle, one planet, Holland's 375

  11. #11
    Super Moderator Blue Avenger's Avatar
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    Then dose "Lights Out" mean you can hit a street light from what ever your concealment spot is?
    .223 Rem AI, .22-250 AI, .220 Swift AI .243 Win AI, .6mm Rem AI, .257 Rob AI, .25-06 AI, 6.5x300wsm .30-06 AI, .270 STW, 7mm STW, 28 nosler, .416 Taylor

  12. #12
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    "I consider the one's that shoot sub 1.5" groups @ 100 yards with some consistency to be a tack driver???"
    That would send me back to the shop for more work.
    A "tack driver" is most of my rigs that will shoot a 5 shot group that can be covered with a dime. Also referred to as a "bug hole makers".
    Oz never gave nothing to the Tin Man, that he didn't already have.

  13. #13
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    Wife shot this one round group, zero S.D., zero E.S.
    Was about an 1/8 MOA low and to the left but still a solid hit on the pin.
    But, considering she's a girl,
    the rifle is a Savage,
    and the round is the dreaded 22 Nosler, not bad :)
    Click image for larger version. 

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    We had been shooting @ 600yds and she dialed back to recheck zero.

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