Which rifle for DMR class

The 18" grendel will work. Ballistics are close to 308 and handy size.

thedude824 said:

Good. I was leaning that way. I’m processing some fireformed brass tonight and going to load some Lehigh solid match 110 grain over TAC and evaluate for groups and velocity. I’m not super efficient so I expect it to take me a couple weeks with work and other things to find the right load. Is the 2.5x min magnification an issue? Will I need an offset red dot?

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I have that scope and for low magnification I make sure the illuminated reticle is on and it works fine. You don't need 1x on a DMR, low magnification is more about FOV scanning an area than room clearing. I assume the class is rifle and sidearm or focused on precision.

Been to a multitude of "DMR"/scoped carbine courses (closed and open enrollment).

Host definition of DMR varies per their course curriculum. At least one could be run with as little as an EOTech/3x mag combo. Another pretty much stated you're going to want a Tremor reticle optic....and everything in between. I mostly run 8-10x top end and have been fine. AARs and course descriptions should give you some idea of what the min requirement is.

Ultimately, what piece do you want to learn on. Given your post, it appears you're more looking to "game" the class. Put in the reps with whatever you want.

dms416 said:

Been to a multitude of "DMR"/scoped carbine courses (closed and open enrollment).

Host definition of DMR varies per their course curriculum. At least one could be run with as little as an EOTech/3x mag combo. Another pretty much stated you're going to want a Tremor reticle optic....and everything in between. I mostly run 8-10x top end and have been fine. AARs and course descriptions should give you some idea of what the min requirement is.

Ultimately, what piece do you want to learn on. Given your post, it appears you're more looking to "game" the class. Put in the reps with whatever you want.

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You bring up good points about how the definition of DMR can vary.

I've seen a big swing between different instructors perspective as well. Totally different rules of engagement from LE you are responsible for every shot to Apocalypse Now Fantasy.

I wouldn’t want to shake out a new build at a class I’d just paid for. None of the other students want to be held up while you unfuck your gun. Take something you know is gonna run. There should be a minimum round count listed in the course description. It needs to run trouble free for at least that many rounds. Lessons learned will apply to any other rifle you could use in that role.

Just my opinion.

Jsp556 said:

I wouldn’t want to shake out a new build at a class I’d just paid for. None of the other students want to be held up while you unfuck your gun. Take something you know is gonna run. There should be a minimum round count listed in the course description. It needs to run trouble free for at least that many rounds. Lessons learned will apply to any other rifle you could use in that role.

Just my opinion.

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THIS.

Had a dude at an offsite Ridgeline SPR class with his 6.5Grendel in pieces on the line trying to get it back up and running.

Though I've never needed it; minimum I will attend with is a full secondary upper w/optic and spare parts like BCG, FCG.
Fuck it, bring 'em ALL as long as you're not holding up the show or otherwise being a nuisance to the others, rock on!

I’ve been doing these kinds of courses since 1996, so my ideas and experience with them has evolved along the way.

I always bring back-up carbines or rifles to courses in case anyone’s stuff breaks or isn’t set-up right. I’ve noticed a trend where dudes really got that message long ago, so most people come set-up already for any failures that might ruin their sunk costs in course attendance. 2 is 1, and 1 is none.

I do emphasize having your rig set up right, and send a full checklist in-advance so things are zeroed, torqued properly, eye relief set-up, ammunition squared-away, enough mags, sling, scope mount and optic that's ideal for what we’re doing, shooting bags, etc.

I like sending any material we would do in a class out in-advance via email so attendees can work through all that on their own with discovery and relevant links, instead of taking up perfectly-good range time in a classroom at the range complex. Lecture method is one of, if not the least-efficient instructional approach, so in realty, you’re just blowing a lot of hot air while guys’ minds are drifting, wondering when they’re going to shoot.

Height over bore, different zeroes, Mil vs MOA, BCs, different ballistics programs, trajectory compensation, wind reading and holds, and barometric pressure studies can all be done before you show up.

The last back-up I had to provide was due to a guy who didn’t have his suppressed and unsuppressed POI shift worked out, so his zero stop didn’t allow him to come down 8” from POI to get a correct zero at night. I just handed him my 12” Grendel with TBAC suppressor and let him run the rest of the course with it.

I bring 5.56 Block II /LPVO set-ups for back-ups for guys that bring 5.56, as well as several packs of 69gr and 75gr BTHP Match. For a cartridge that is very friendly for DM courses in ease of sight picture/self-spotting and clear impacts on steel, 6.5 Grendel is really hard to beat though.

5.56 is very user-friendly for self-spotting and reliability, but lacks in terminal effects on steel.
7.62 NATO/.308 Win hits the steel very hard, but is very difficult to self-spot.
6.5 Grendel is Goldilocks with the bets of both worlds.

For reliability, I do a lot of things the manufacturers don’t do, which allows me to enjoy the same type of reliability as my 5.56 blasters. With 5.56, it’s just really hard sometimes to even see or hear if you impact when we have decent full value winds. A common thing you will hear at DM courses where 5.56 is prevalent is instructors asking everyone to be quiet so the minuscule impacts can be heard.

I would bring both of your Grendel rifles with the 18" as a primary. You have fantastic optics on both. Review the course requirements and make sure you are bringing the proper accessories as well. As suggested above, putting a hundred rounds through each rifle before the class will help ensure nothing is loose or out of alignment. Most importantly bring a coachable attitude and have fun!