Learn how to craft and use the Tactical Assault Rifle
Can’t decide between power, versatility, and range when choosing guns in 7 Days to Die? Well, the Tactical Assault Rifle has all of that and room for more. Based on the real-world AR-15 and M16-style rifles, this weapon is quick, reactive, and deadly in all sorts of combat situations.
This guide will walk you through crafting a Tactical Assault Rifle in 7 Days to Die and offer advice on utilizing it best.
How to craft a Tactical Assault Rifle in 7 Days to Die
This wondrous piece of modern weaponry will require some technical know-how and sturdy materials to craft. You’ll need to reach the third tier in the Machine Guns crafting skill and have a Workbench before you can successfully assemble this weapon.
The amount of crafting materials required will depend on the quality of the weapon being constructed:
| Material | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Gun Parts | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Forged Steel | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
| Duct Tape | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Scrap Polymers | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Spring | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Machine Guns Crafting Skill | 27 | 35 | 43 | 51 | 59 |
- Machine Gun Parts can be found by scrapping non-Pipe Machine Guns, searching weapon chests and gun safes, or may be purchased from traders.
- Forged Steel can be crafted at a Forge or salvaged from advanced devices like vending machines and street lamps.
- Duct Tape can be crafted by combining Glue and Cloth Fragments or found in parts containers.
- Scrap Polymers may be obtained by salvaging appliances and plastic objects or scavenged.
- Springs can be found in vehicle parts crates or salvaged from machinery and vehicles.
- The Machine Guns crafting skill can only be improved by finding and reading issues of the Tactical Warfare skill magazine.
Tactical Assault Rifle Overview
Base Stats
Tactical Assault Rifle Stats by Quality
| Property | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 | Quality 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magazine Size | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Rounds / Minute | 405 | 405 | 405 | 405 | 405 | 405 |
| Effective Range | 45 | 49 | 54 | 55 | 40 | 44 |
| Max Durability | 198 | 273 | 357 | 426 | 526 | 434 |
| Mod Slots | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Ammo
The Tactical Assault Rifle is chambered in powerful 7.62 rounds, of which there are 3 kinds: Standard, HiPower (HP), and Armor Piercing (AP). The damage of each quality of weapon is determined by what ammo the player has loaded into it.
| Ammo Type | Quality 1 | Quality 2 | Quality 3 | Quality 4 | Quality 5 | Quality 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.62 | 53.1 | 56.2 | 57.2 | 60 | 63.1 | 66.2 |
| HiPower 7.62 | 56.6 | 59.9 | 61 | 64 | 67.3 | 70.6 |
| AP 7.62 | 60.1 | 63.6 | 64.8 | 67.9 | 71.5 | 75 |
Crafting 7.62 Ammo will require a workbench and the following materials:
- 1 Bullet Tip
- 3 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
Crafting HiPower 7.62 Ammo will require a workbench, that the player has read the Sniper Vol. 7 perk book, as well as the following materials:
- 2 Bullet Tips
- 3 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
Crafting AP 7.62 Ammo will require a workbench, that the player has read the Sniper Vol. 6 perk book, as well as the following materials:
- 2 Bullet Tips
- 5 Gunpowder
- 1 Bullet Casing
Mods
The Tactical Assault Rifle accepts the following mods. Note that only one mod of any category may be attached at a time except accessory mods.
- Barrel: Barrel Extender, Muzzle Brake, Silencer
- Sights: Reflex, Scope x2, Scope x4
- Accessory: Cripple ‘Em, Fore Grip, Bipod
- Tech: The Hunter, Rad Remover
- Trigger Group: Semi, Burst, Full-Auto
- Rail: Laser Sight, Weapon Flashlight
- Magazine: Magazine Extender, Drum Magazine
- Stock: Retracting Stock
Tips and tricks for using the Tactical Assault Rifle
As a member of the Machine Gun weapon class, the Tactical Assault Rifle scales in power with the player’s Fortitude attribute and the Machine Gunner perk.
The Tactical Assault Rifle utilizes a variable fire rate, meaning it is capable of single shots, 3-round bursts, and full auto fire. There is no way to manually switch between these modes, instead relying on the amount of time the player holds down the trigger.
Single clicks will fire off one round, which is best for accurate, long-mid-range combat. Briefly holding down the trigger will fire off a rapid 3-round burst, but continuing to hold the trigger after will switch to a slower full-auto fire. It should be noted that this weapon’s full-auto mode is slower than its burst and horribly inaccurate, so we only recommend using this mode in close quarters or against hordes.
The Tactical Assault Rifle is surprisingly accurate when aimed and packs a punch. Picking off enemies at range with well-placed headshots is an excellent way to thin out hordes and take down dangerous enemies without risking damage.
The Tactical Assault Rifle is one of the most versatile weapons in the game and can be equipped with a wide variety of mods to specialize further or improve its performance. Swapping in a drum magazine and recoil-reducing mods like a muzzle brake can make this weapon more capable of handling crowds.
Players who want more accuracy and range may consider attaching a barrel extender, bipod, and scope. More mobility-focused survivors will likely prefer a laser sight and foregrip. This rifle can even be utilized as a stealth or sniper weapon when equipped with a silencer mod.
Final thoughts on the Tactical Assault Rifle
This style of weapon has been utilized by military forces all over the world for decades. The Fun Pimps figured if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. When it comes to picking guns in the apocalypse, finding one that isn’t broken is half the battle anyway. So snatch up one of these snappy assault rifles and see for yourself why it’s so popular.
Looking for some more pointers to help you survive 7 Days to Die? Check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started or our in-depth Beginner’s Guide.
