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the question here is just what is says on the package.

are heavy bolters any good in a tactical squad? (loyalist)

Also I know next to nothing about the actual stats of special weapons, as we moved out before I got around to getting a codex or rulebook. And being as the nearest store is in Dubai, I have to rely on winter trips back to the states, or use plaster to make my own "models" (my mom couldn't care less about the grimdark)

No IMO they sux, you better off with flamer/ML combo as its cheap.

For fancy toys, get PL gun/Cannon or Melta gun/MM or any combo with ML (as they say its jack of all trades) depends what you looking for...

They have their purpose. I've used them for quite a bit and somehow mine outshine anything a ML can do, like shoot a Vyper to pieces or actually snipe a Chaplain at range (footslogging deathwing).

Most people I would think would suggest no since that's where the ML goes but I'd like to think the slot can be for any heavy weapon and not the ML all the time.

I think the way they can fit in is either in a drop-podded squad, with the HB combat squad taking a defensive stance behind the sergeant combat squad for support fire next turn. A bit of a gamble and costly but might pay off. The other option is potentially using that HB combat squad as your Obj camper in a Razorback list. So as well as a transport based assault you've got a range anti-infantry gunline just in case. Then again you'd want the ML for that...

Alas HB are in fact, Garbage.

And this is coming from a Guy who fields quite a few of them in his IG.

IG can get away with them because they are either dirt cheap or free(being garbage after all), and with the prevalence of cheap units you can take large amounts of them without seriously effecting cost. The Guard Hierarchy goes:

ACs are > Missile launchers as anti-transport
HBs are > AC at Anti-troop
Missile launchers are > HB as Anti-troop

IG Missile launchers are expensive, so most players stock up on ACs, but 2 Shots on BS3 models does not make for a very good anti-troop gun. if you are going for a dedicated anti-troop weapon you would take a HB.

Now we get to SM and their BS4; this makes the ML just plain all-around better than the HB(the single Krak missile is about as likely to hit as 1 of the 2 AC shots), unless your opponent sets his units up in fully-spaced lines(Single row of unit, every model 2" apart, >2" between each row of units).

The HB, MM, and ML are all free on Tac Squads. MM is not going to be able to get that melta shot off since no one is going to put a vehicle within 12" of it(although this does make it an "active denial system", unless they are delivering their troops to whoop on the MM unit(at which point the transport has done it's job, and the unit is probably getting fired at, not the transport). So you get down to ML v. HB; The ML is about equal on Anti-infantry, and far superior on anti-tank: being the Tac weapon for the Tac squad it gets the pick.

Considering that the tac squads only come with ML, your mind has been made up for you.

ml only? I thought that there was open slots.

He is referring to the contents of the box: only a Missile launcher is in it(for the heavies).

You can buy any of the usual SM heavies for a tac Squad, but for the models you need to get either a Devastator box or one of the Metal/plastic hybrid blisters.

I have been mixing them with Plasma Guns and do quite well vs Hord armies like Orks and Nids. MEQ's Meh, but they still work better than a Bolt Gun.

The missile launcher is almost as good against light infantry, and better against everything else.

So... no. Hbs are not good in tactical squads.

I've found heavy bolters to be a specialized weapon reserved only for anti-infantry and very very light armor duties. However, a single heavy bolter's mediocre firepower capabilities doesn't seem to make up for the drop in versatility.

For low-cost devastators, 4 of them isn't all too shabby a choice especially if you've got the anti-transport/tank somewhere else in the army. You can use them to shoot the soft stuff that comes out of the transports.

The moment missile launchers became equal in points to the heavy bolter in tactical squads, I knew we'd see a whole lot less of them.

I agree with Dshrike on their effectiveness in Devastator Squads. Knowing your opposition also makes a great difference too. While I usually don't encourage list catering, if both players are aware of what they're facing and both are in agreement to bring what's most effective against each other's army, then this is acceptable.

HB's work best against Light Armor Infantry and AV 10-11. They're not reliable Anti-Vehicle, but if there's a Rhino that needs slowing down and you don't have anything else better to shoot it with, they've got a 1/3 chance of scoring a Glancing Hit. Not the best odds, but worthy enough.

My personal preference for Tact Squad Heavy Weapon is a Lascannon, which comes pretty cheap, relative to every other unit that can take them in the codex. Otherwise, ML's are your best/most versatile weapon choice.