Shamir,
I happen to run a DTA SRS in competitions.
Rob Wilkinson: King of Powder Keg | Com-Link
The DTA does have some advantages as a match rifle.
1. It is a full foot shorter than a comparable bolt action rifle with the same length barrel. - This makes for easier moving around barricades and obstacles especially if you are running suppressed.
2. The SRS feels deceptively light. Since the action is all the way back in the stock the balance point of the rifle is just in front of the pistol grip. This makes the gun feel a few pounds lighter than it actually is, which makes shooting in unsupported positions much easier than a traditional bolt rifle.
3. The monopod option is very fast and efficient. I find it easier and quicker to use the monopod than a rear bag. I have a few friends that call it the cheater pod.
4. It has a fantastic single stage trigger. It nearly rivals the Jewell trigger in my Remington 700.
5. Can easily swap out barrels, but the barrels will need to have a DTA barrel extension mounted which runs nearly $300.
The only real drawback that I see to the SRS is that you are stuck with 5-6 round mags depending on the caliber you are running. This means you will come across stages where you will be required to do a mag change where guys running 10 round mags will not have to change mags. Nick Young, the owner of Desert Tech, has told me that 10 round mags are coming for the SRS.
I have loved my SRS. It has been a good match rifle and is an extremely versatile rifle as it can run short action and long action magnum calibers. It has forced a number of rifles out of my safe, just because they simply did not get used anymore after acquiring the SRS.
All that being said, I have recently been able to spend some time with Accuracy International rifles. My first order of AI rifles arrive in my shop last week. I am very impressed with the quality of these rifles. These are purpose built sniper rifles. If you spend some time throughly examining these rifles you will notice that there is a purpose for everything on the rifle and that everything was extremely well thought out. The designers of these rifles must be shooters and also be taking advice from fellow shooters in the field. The AI rifles have a level of refinement that I have yet to see on any other production gun.
Just looking over the new AI AXMC here are a few things that caught my eye.
Fantastic fit and finish
Super smooth bolt
Bolt has cuts to help prevent it from freezing shut
Tool less take down of the bolt
3 position safety on the bolt
Side Bolt release
Cocking indicator on the bolt
Extra heavy duty Bolt Stop - I have seen a number of bolt stops sheared off of custom guns in comps during the past few years. I can't imagine one of these shearing off.
10 round double stack mags
Bolt will not cycle forward when mag is empty
Firing pin can be quickly adjusted in the bolt assembly.
Folding stock - that easily folds and is secured in the folding position, locks up rock solid when deployed, has all the adjustments you would ever need, and holds a 4mm allen wrench
Folding stock folds to the right side of the rifle and also captures the bolt. This leaves the left side of the gun smooth so nothing is jabbing you in the side or back when carrying the gun slung in a folding position. It also makes the gun profile thinner when collapsed.
All bolts on the rifle are 4mm bolts
Removable barrel/caliber system - can swap barrels in about one minute
The side of the Chassis has been cut out to aid in mag changes while shooting in the prone position.
Removable forend - you have the ability to swap out different length forearms in seconds.
Slim forend with Keymod type attachment system.
Fantastic two stage trigger
Excellent shaped pistol grip
High quality polymer stock panels
And the list goes on.
Things I would like to see on this rifle would included:
- A monopod option similar to what DTA has. (DTA monopods are fantastic.)
- A magnum bolt face option on the Short Action - though after looking at the bolt face, I don't think there is enough meat on the bolt to allow this.
- Magazines that do not prevent the bolt from sliding forward when they run dry. While this current feature on AI rifles may save some time for people that forget where they are in their round count and remind them of a pending mag change before they waste their time acquiring a target only to practice dry firing, it may cause some competitors grief that like to chamber an additional one or two rounds individually instead of performing a complete mag change during a stage.
- I would really like to see the Chassis/action and barrels sold a la carte. It would save on Federal Excise Tax and would give the individual shooter the ability to pick up the rifle in the caliber they want instead of being forced to buy it in .308. It would also give the end user the ability to purchase a barrel from a third party if AI did not offer what they want/need.
From a competitive standpoint, here are the advantages that I see.
1. Ten Round double stack AI mags - it does not get better than this.
2. Super smooth bolt action. - Feels like a nicely worked over custom bolt action.
3. Super adjustable stock - If you cannot get this stock to fit you, you are out of luck when it comes to shooting rifles.
4. This is about the sexiest rifle out there. You will be envied or loathed by other competitors. Everyone will know that rifle can shoot so no excuses.
5. Can easily swap out barrels/calibers when needed.
6. Mag changes in prone are easier than on just about any other rifle out there.
From a competitive standpoint these are the drawbacks I see.
1. The rifle is a couple pounds heavier than a DTA SRS and will feel significantly heavier when shooting unsupported.
2. It will require you to purchase another barrel in a 6 or 6.5 caliber to be on a level paying field.
3. The mag forces the bolt to lock to the rear when the mag runs dry, this will force a mag change and not give you the option to single feed a couple rounds if you desired.
4. It does not have the DTA monopod.
From a shooting perspective the AI is not as versatile as the SRS. I believe you will be stuck using short action calibers that share the .308 bolt face, as there does not look to be enough meat left on the bolt to allow for a magnum face which would enable you to shoot WSM and SAUM calibers.
I personally like the AXMC over the AT. I like the forend (slim, modular, can be removed and swapped, fully surrounds the barrel, full length top rail, etc.), the rear stock (adjustability and right folding over the bolt), the side mag well cut out.
When you start to compare the SRS to the AXMC things start to get a little blurry for me. I love the SRS and may be a little partial to it as that has been my go to rifle for the last couple years. i like how quickly it handles and how deceptively light it feels. The AXMC has a silky smooth action and the coveted 10 round mags. The AXMC oozes precision, refinement, and near perfection in rifle design. I would love to pick up an AXMC for personal use and see which one I shoot better.
My personal opinion is that you really can't go wrong with either one. I am a dealer for both AI and Desert Tech and would love a chance to earn your business if you decide to go with either rifle.
Feel free to contact me via PM to get my phone number to discuss this in further detail if you wish.
My offer still stands to anyone who would like to demo an SRS in Salt Lake City. Hopefully, I can end up with an AXMC and/or AT for customers to demo as well soon.
