I’ve been looking for a 308 platform to start doing some precision distance shooting. Not to into the AR-10 style, wanted something a little different. I came across the DTA SRS and fell in love. I like the compact bullpup configuration and the fact that if i wanted to move up to a 338 Lapua it would be easy (not that I could afford to shoot it at 5-6 bucks a round) .
The question is… is it worth the premium price tag that it demands or is it overpriced like everything else that is fairly new on the market? Anyone handle it and not like it? Would love to hear everyone’s feedback before I drop alot of doe.
Not sure how into precision rifles you are but the price of the SRS is rather reasonable when compared to others in that niche. Actualy the caliber conversion for aprox 1500.00 makes it a good value compared to buying two rifles.
Been behind one have not shot one though. The trigger is not as nice as others but very workable in light of the bullpup configuration, in other words its about the best bullpup trigger around but still not as nice as a TRG or AW.
Keeping it in perspective a 308 AIAW 2.0 w/20" threadded barrel will run you about 5500.00. AIAWSM (338LM) 2.0 will cost in the ballpark of 6500-7K depending on market.
On the subject of 338 no arguing its a great round but unless you have the yardage to appreciate the full potential IMO the 300wm is a much better round to have from the standpoint of affordability (which equals more shooting).
Thats a very good point you raise. That really puts it into perspective for me. And I certainly do not have the yardage for a 338. This would be my first precision rifle. I love shooting 5.56 but I wanted to move up to a 7.62. I really didn’t want another assault rifle in 7.62 but something more precision. I also didn’t want to have to lug around an enormous rifle. I liked the compactness of the SRS. It does seem like a bargain by comparison. Do you think its on par with AI?
I’ve been intrigued by this rifle ever since I first read about it in the 2010 Combat Arms magazine. Please post some pictures and a review if you buy one.
I’m not going to post a link since I’m not sure if that would break the M4C rules or not, but there is an individual on snipershide.com with a very nice one for sale currently at a very decent price.
Now for my own edification, is it even possible to use one of these if you shoot lefty? Looks like I’d smack myself in the nose with the bolt when cycling it.
I have a SRS and it is worth the price. However, I would strongly suggest that you NOT make your first move into precision shooting with a 338LM. The extra recoil makes it very easy for inexperienced shooters to develop bad shooting habits. The 308 platform requires better mastery of fundaments such as range/wind estimation, follow through, etc. that are important for long distance shots. In addition, mastery of these skills requires lots of rounds put down range at the beginner stage - something best accomplished at $1/shot than 10$/shot.
Having said that, the DTA platform in 308 is a great place to start in precision shooting. The caliber conversions will let you make the step up to 300WM and 338LM for minimal cost when you have the experience and necessary range distance to make 338LM shine.
As for your final question, it is on par with AI. Keep in mind that you will need to invest at least $1700 in the glass (i.e. Nightforce, SB, etc.) to realize the rifle’s potential. You can find plenty of YouTube clips of experienced shooters making shots out to 1600 meters.
MD1. The 338 is a sweet tool. Ive considered selling my 308 and my 300wm and just shooting the 338. I was concerned about the cost aswell.
Ive reloaded about 1200 rounds of 338lm and think im into the load stuff about 80 cents to a buck a round. That’s off the top of my head and not really doing the math.
If your purchasing factory ammo your looking at an easy 100.00 per box"20". If your a cop you can get that down to about 80.00 a box.
Either way the 338lm is simply a pleasure to shoot.
I’ve been very impressed with the Desert Tactical rifles - we sell a pretty large volume through our Knesek Guns site and all our customers have been happy with their purchase.
some folks do it, but i did not find it comfortable at all (i’m a lefty) when i shot by friend’s SRS. my cheek was right in the bolt handle slot. yes, you’d have to move your face out of the way to cycle it.
that being said, my friend’s rifle shoots very well and he’s happy with it. if they came out with a left-handed version, i’d consider it if i were buying a new bolt gun.
Thanks for the breakdown on cost. My initial figures included the initial cost of the virgin Brass (Lapua) divided by 5 which is what I assumed the average case life to be. Also I was looking at using the Lapua projectiles which are a bit more than the SMK’s.
So it goes to show it can be done at a reasonable cost. Thanks again.
If you don’t have more than a click to use, and are planning on reloading something like 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, or 6.5x47 Lapua would probably be a better deal as far as a one-caliber solution that behaves similar to .338 ballistically.
The caliber change ability is the real draw though, especially since it means only having to buy good glass once if you’re going to be shooting both calibers.
Not sure what you mean in regards to those calibers choices being similar to the 338 Lapua in regards to ballistics. All of those will poop out and die on the terra firma long before the 338 Lapua will.
338 Lapua really shows its colors when you get past 1K yds. Not in terms of only trajectory but also size of projectile and velocity. Punching a hole in paper at 1000 yds with a 260 vs smacking the eva luvin shit out of a plate with the 338 lapua are two entirely different things. I realize lots of HP guys shoot 6.5 and 260 but paper is different from what the 338LM is intended for.
Aside from all of that last I knew DTA would not sell the barrel extention so having a custom barrel in another caliber isnt reall an option unless you have no love for the Kreiger it came with.
Regarding barrel options on the Small frame SRS you have 243win, 308 win,300win mag and 338 LM.
If you are not familiar with the SRS the bolt locks into a barrel extention much like on an AR and noy into the receiver like say a rem 700.
Problem is that DTA does not and at last query will not sell just the extention and bolt to facillitate having a custom barrel spun up by your favorite gunsmith.
You only option at that point is to canabalize the extention from an srs barrel (1200.00) and pray you can sell the take off Kreiger to recoop some of the expense but at best you would get 300.00 or so.
