Beginning as a Brazilian tool maker in 1939, Taurus entered the firearm industry in 1941. Thirty-something years later, a partnership with Smith & Wesson followed by the acquisition of Beretta’s Brazilian plant in 1980 enabled it to produce good guns at great prices, and that’s largely what propelled Taurus into prominence within the U.S.
Over the last couple decades, Taurus bolstered its lineup with innovative products such as the Judge revolver, but even still, most people knew what they were buying when they bought a Taurus product: a good, feature-filled gun that works, but one that perhaps was not as polished as those costing more.
I suspect Taurus executives were aware of their company’s reputation, and in 2019-20 made steps to improve it. They hired a young new CEO to lead Taurus USA, Brett Vorhees, and moved a great deal of production to a larger and more technical Georgia facility where it could better oversee quality control. The firearms that have come out of the Georgia plant have been obviously better, but don’t take my word for it: just shoot one of the new GX4 or TX-22 handguns. You’ll notice that everything—from the feel of the slides to the accuracy to the triggers—is simply better.
In 2024 the prolific pistol producer surprised everyone by debuting its first rifle, a modestly priced, do-all bolt-action named the Expedition. Although somewhat skeptical when I heard the news at SHOT Show (anytime a company steps out of its wheelhouse and into a new product category it can generally expect some trial and error), I’m pleased to report the following: After a year of testing the Expedition and using it afield, I believe it’s one of the best compact, hunting/target shooting/utility rifles available for less than $700.
Thought was put into every element of its design and features, and focus was clearly placed on producing quality components such as its hammer-forged, 18-inch barrel, feature-laden stock and M700-pattern action that meld together to produce a 7-pound rifle that shoots MOA groups. The rifle uses a detachable AICS-pattern magazine and is so handy that it can be stashed vertically behind the seat of an ATV and wielded with one hand. But we have to dive in somewhere, so let’s start with its barrel.
There are very few hammer-forging machines left on the production floors of the major gun manufacturers, and that is not because they aren’t great—it’s because CNC machining is more cost effective and because hammer-forging machines are giant monstrosities that are expensive and require expertise and experience to operate. With everything else being equal, hammer forging around a mandrel to impart a precise internal bore diameter and flawless rifling is likely still the best way to churn out perfect barrels. The Expedition’s 18-inch pipe is left with a unique-looking spiral finish, threaded for a suppressor then mated to an action in Savage’s barrel nut-style that controls for headspace, surely contributing to this rifle’s accuracy.
One of the areas where the company could save significant money was in the stock. Due to its look, feel and speckled finish I had to remove it from the action for interior inspection to determine that it is, in fact, made of polymer rather than carbon fiber. Carbon fiber costs twice as much, but there’s nothing wrong with molded polymer assuming it provides an unflexing, solid platform with an integral chassis or pillars onto which the action can be secured. (The Expedition uses aluminum pillars.) What is unique about the Expedition’s stock is that Taurus took an otherwise mundane molded-polymer material and then put nearly every feature they could think of into it, including an integrated, flush-fitting M-LOK rail, a quick-detach hub for a Spartan Precision bipod or tripod, a pronounced palm swell (that I personally could take or leave) and a thumb hook for target shooting. The fore-end has flats to fit into a clamp-style tripod. The stock supports the barreled action by way of two aluminum pillars that serve as the action screw anchors. A raised, Monte Carlo-style comb helps align the eye with an optic. Overall, the stock is great yet does not push the rifle into a higher price point.
The Expedition’s action is based on a Remington 700 that’s been modified for smoothness, weight and function. The 60-degree-throw, three-lug bolt features dual plungers for insurance against ejection failure. The bolt body itself is fluted as is the bolt knob. The bolt handle is skeletonized as an added touch. The rifle’s two-position safety is smooth and quiet, and—very significantly for Taurus, which I’ve repeatedly criticized for its inferior triggers in the past—my test rifle’s trigger broke very cleanly at 3 pounds, 4 ounces, and is user-adjustable from 3-5 pounds. Finally, it comes with a five-round AICS-pattern magazine.
Currently, the Expedition is chambered only in .308 Win., but I feel sure more calibers are coming due to the rifle’s commercial success. I guess if there were anything I’d add to a second version it would be some type of bolt lock/unlock button, and, to keep up with other manufacturers, an inexpensive shim kit for adjusting the stock’s length of pull. (As is, the rifle fits me fine, just as it will fit most people.) My true complaint is that the plastic bottom “metal,” while functional, is the only cheap-feeling element about the entire rifle, and that’s only if the shooter notices it.
Over the past year the Expedition has become my frequent companion when afield and while driving around my hunting property in the offseason, a designation it earned due to the rifle’s compactness, accuracy, ability to accept a suppressor and stock features that make it so versatile. I’ve used it for everything from deer hunting from a treestand to thermal hog hunting and plinking long-range targets with my kid. Although the company lists the rifle’s retail price as $984, I’m seeing it for as low as $680 online, and for this price the more established riflemakers better watch out.
Technical Specifications
• Type: bolt-action centerfire rifle
• Caliber: .308 Win.
• Magazine: detachable AICS-style; 5-rnd. capacity
• Barrel: 18"; stainless steel; medium contour; hammer forged; 1:10" RH twist; six grooves; threaded muzzle ⅝x24" TPI; spiral pattern
• Trigger: single-stage; adjustable for pull weight and overtravel, 3 lbs.-5 lbs.
• Sights: none; drilled and tapped for M700-pattern bases
• Safety: two-position toggle
• Stock: polymer
• Metal Finish: black DLC
• Overall Length: 38"
• Weight: 7 lbs., 2 ozs.
• Accessories: none
• MSRP: $984; taurususa.com
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