Considering switching from AI to Desert Tech

mrobles3808

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Nov 21, 2013
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Looking for opinions here. I've been in love with Accuracy International since the Mk3's and now own an AT. But, the overall length of the DT intrigues me and I'm tiptoeing around the thought of selling my AT to find a DT. Will I regret this? I have no options to get behind a DT in my local area so your knowledge and experience is appreciated.
 
I dont think anybody will be able to help you on this. Youre best bet would be to link up wih a member here, even if you need to drive across your state to do it. The other plan would be to just save and buy a used one down the road, and keep the AI. Then evaluate both.
 
Having played with both an AT and an SRS, I can tell you that the action on the SRS is nowhere NEAR as smooth as the AT. It's not really an issue (for me) when running the bolt hard, but I usually don't... which means that I tend to experience the difference every time I run the bolt. Obviously, it's a personal decision whether or not it bothers you, but for me, it definitely contributes to my *perception* that the AT is a better built rifle than the SRS.

That said, the convenience and handling of the bullpup configuration and the overall flexibility of the SRS as a system is a HUGE bonus for me...
 
Having owned and shot both, I will say that unless you want to be able to swap to a long action round I would not trade the AIAT for the DTA. You also have to look at mag capacity/size, two stage or single stage trigger.
 
Having owned and fired both, I will say the AI smoothness cannot be beat. However, I recently sold my AI simply because I've grown to like the DT better. I just prefer the way it handles and its compactness. No, the bolt throw is not as smooth and is a bit awkward at first but I quickly became comfortable with it. The accuracy is every bit as good as any rifle I've ever shot through multiple caliber changes. It is such a small (but hefty) package that can really deliver. The modularity reminds me of a Glock - not the prettiest nor smoothest but precise in what it can do. I know plenty of AI shooters and a few of those that also own DT's. I only know one (besides me) that sold his AI and went to the DT. He now has 2 SRS's and an HTI so he's pretty committed. I think my next rifle will be an HTI so I guess we're two that have been converted. I think you'd have to shoot one for a while to really appreciate the design. At first I was a bit skeptical but within a few range trips it became my primary "this thing is awesome" gun. My .02...
 
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AI's have come and gone in my collection, I currently have an AIAX. I will never be without a DTA.
 

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The DT is a truly unique rifle given that there really isn't any other readily available precision bull pup on the market. Can shoot .223/300 BO all the way to Lapua/Norma variants. Trigger can be tuned to be a truly excellent single stage trigger. Short, solid compact package is very handy, especially when running suppressed. So like any of these rifle choices it comes down to what type of shooting are you doing? If you shoot competition, then most will sway you towards a traditional layout like the AI, and the AI is damn rugged, smooth, and fast. The ergos on a regular bolt gun lend themselves to being a little faster simply based on the distance from hand to bolt handle. Bolt position will disturb sight picture slightly less too, but I'm nitpicking. Enough practice with a system and you can be competitive, and at the very least enjoy yourself, but heck there are guys like Tyler Frehner who are very competitive with their DT.

Anyway, enough about the competition babble, if you simply enjoy shooting long range and want a very accurate and versatile system the DT can do just that. The large barrel tennon gives this rifle more barrel support than any rifle out there and it lends itself to being a very forgiving rifle with huge accuracy nodes. It is so easy to load for. Additionally, if you do a lot of hunting where you are in and out of a truck/ATV and blind this short rifle is really good for that. It's just fine for short hikes, and maneuvering through brush/creeks is a plus. Probably wouldn't be my pick for a backpacking rifle, but that's another discussion. A little more feedback on the type of shooting you typically do and we can steer you in the right direction.
 
I've currently got both and they're great rifles. I feel like I shoot the AIAT slightly better, but the DT is so versatile. I can go from 300 Norma to 6 Creedmoor in seconds. The DT weights a little more, but feels lighter due to how well it's balanced. Fit and finish goes to the AI, but not by much. Hard to compare the two, but you can't go wrong with either.
 
What do you intend to do with the rifle or what is your primary uses? It is really user specific. I pretty much have always had an Accuracy International and they are really second to none in my opinion; however, having said that the Desert Tech SRS is very nice and is more advantageous in some areas. I currently have have a Post 14 AX that I shoot PRS with and a DT SRS A1 Covert that I use as a ranch rifle and intend on trying in PRS. I have used the AX with 24" barrel and suppressor to stock coyotes on hands and knees and have also carried it pretty long distances, it can be done regardless of what is often said about its weight and so on. I've had 4 SRS rifles (gen 1, gen 2 and 2 A-1s), but absolutely love the latest Covert that I ended up keeping. The Covert with 16" barrel can be carried like an AR yet still retain incredible accuracy. To me its more of a variable use rifle. I really like having both as they compliment one another well.
 
Literally had both on the line yesterday. I was shooting my AI AT in 6.5CM. My buddy had his DTA in 6.5CM as well. Little things I noticed were 1) his bolt was nowhere as smooth as mine 2) trigger was strange to me. This is JUST my observation, and not a dig. I think both can be overcome with commitment to the package. His is MUCH more compact than my 26" barreled AI.

I reallt think both both are very, very capable platforms. Each able to get the job done. I 100% think it comes down to personal preference. Not sure either is "better", merely different.

Again, this is only an opinion based on 15 minutes behind the gun. I have many months, and many more rounds out of my AI.
 
try the DT first and see if you like it, i dont...someone could offer me $5k cash + a DT rifle, but id have to give up my AI...

they could keep the cash and the rifle...id keep my AI
 
Use is paramount. I am a hunter first and a precision shooter second. The DTA platform is ideal for me. The shear compactness of a 16" DTA suppressed is the perfect rifle for all the hunting I do inside about 400yds. On top of that the benefit of one platform for several calibers does it for me. I don't own a regular bolt centerfire any more. I keep a DTA covert set up for .223 and .308 and a full length in 6.5 Creed and 300WM. Covers everything I do with a hunting rifle. 2 high end scopes and 2 chassis takes the place of 4 custom rifles and 4 scopes....and could all be done with just the covert chassis. No doubting AI quality but it all comes down to the length or lack of it for me and a DTA in a platform that also shoots tiny little groups. Bullpups are love/hate for most. I love the short, weight in the rear balance of a suppressed DTA.
 
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I've never shot an AI so take my input for what it is worth. I do though love my DT. Even the SRS with a 22" barrel is still as compact as a 16" AR. Its plenty accurate and gives me a platform to explore new calibers on. I've used the normal rifle basix, tuned remington's and timney triggers and I don't think the DTA trigger gives up a thing to any of them. I'm a happy customer.
 
I owned a DTA Gen1. Their service was hit and miss, the rifle had so many problems. I sold it, bought and shoot with a Tikka (which has been pretty much trouble free) and am saving for an AX.

In my opinion, DTA -> AI is a huge downgrade in reliability. I'm sure the GenII is better, but I spent many matches, on the clock, trying to figure out why it wouldn't go bang.


 
I had an SRS and a Covert and would never own another one. My biggest issue was feeding reliability. Neither rifles would feed reliably with short action rounds no matter what I did. With long action rounds they few reliably but nowhere near as smooth as an AI.

Some other things that I could not stand:

1. The bolt handle location/throw. I have short arms and the length of the pull is way too far back to be comfortable or natural and absolutely slowed me down even after trying to adapt to the system. I can only imagine how it must be with longer arms.
2. The trigger was mediocre at best.
3. The magazine location made it terrible for running a rear bag as well as mag changes. You're also limited on mag capacity because of length or having a ridiculous long mag hanging down at the rear further elevating the rifle and hindering positioning.

The only thing I liked about the rifle was the accuracy (very good) and the compactness really is badass for a field rifle. Many other rifles (including AI) are at least as accurate and the downsides to the system far outweigh the compact advantage. It's still apples to oranges but a rifle with a shorter barrel and folding stock is still really compact for movement or storage.

I think you'd be disappointed going from an AI to a DTA, I know I was. If you really are curious I would pick one up and use it a bit before you let your AI go and make sure you get one at a good price for resale purposes. Cross your fingers and hope you get one that feeds better than mine and many others.
 
I have the .50 HTI. It's a nice rifle and I got it before the prices on them went way up. It's a simple design and it's short and light. The single stage trigger isn't just good for a bullpup, it's good for a single stage, period. Maybe one of the best factory single stages? When I got it, I got it with the idea I'd maybe get the .375CT conversion down the road. But it's expensive, expensive enough to just put in another rifle. And I decided to get a .338LM anyway.

So for a dedicated .50, I kinda wish I'd gone with the AI for a number of reasons. It's heavier and longer, but as a rifle in a dedicated caliber, I think the AI would have been a better rifle. There are a couple of other repeaters I think would have been nice too like the McMillan. These are heavier rifles built for heavier use IMO.

But for weight and size, and for a good rifle in general, the DTA rifles are almost impossible to beat. Especially if you are into changing calibers. It's not a bad rifle despite the negatives I mention.

Not sure about the SRS, but on the HTI the difference in length on the mags is made up by an extension. .50 doesn't have it, but the CT's do. If SRS has .338LM length extensions (the largest caliber SRS accepts) on the smaller .308, etc. mags, I'd get something else were it me. The mags are "okay" but cost a lot for what you get. They sell barrel extensions so you can have barrels cut elsewhere, which is a plus.

For the .338LM I looked at AI rifles and they're nice, but since I'm not gonna do caliber changes and a quality, dedicated traditional setup weighed like 11lbs. less, I decided I'd get a McMillan .338 when I can. I already have an Elite Iron can for it, so that's heavy enough to lug around. If I were gonna get a bolt gun in 6.5 or so, I'd probably either have one built or go with one of the GAP rifles; if I wanted a chassis, it'd be an AI hands down.

I know these aren't the calibers you were considering, but the platform is similar. DTA is a good, simple, compact and lightweight multi-caliber rifle, but it lacks quality of build (due to it's simplicity, a plus but also a minus) and durability. It's not shoddy work at all, it's just simple, so don't get me wrong. I understand the SRS doesn't fare well at the Steel Safari and it's not a rifle you'd wanna deploy with I hear. The .50 may fare different, may be much tougher than the SRS, I don't know. It is a solid rifle and with .50 at least, the mags are normal, no weird extensions. For the price I paid, it was impossible to beat. For the price they charge now, I'm not sure. It fits a niche is the best I can really say.

For a full length top rail on a long range rifle, particularly the HTI, you'd think it'd have a rail with at least 20MOA, but no, they're all 0MOA. It'd be nice to have built in MOA for night vision or as an option just in general.

As for your smaller AI, keep it, it's a good rifle and you won't be gaining anything but a shorter and possibly lighter rifle with the DTA, and the ability to convert to other calibers easily. If I really needed it that short, I'd probably be opting for the Covert too, which has even more pros and cons but basically has no competition I'm aware of; I'd probably get that in 6.5Grendel due to length unless another outperformed it. If you really need that, I suppose it could be justified, say for very long hunting trips or hiking for days or for badass boltgun setups that'll fit in brief cases. I'd consider it for that, but otherwise if I were to get a 6.5 today, the DTA wouldn't be in my top 5, however, some variant of your rifle likely would be.

As for accuracy, they are mostly barrel, ammo and shooter dependent; have a good barrel, ammo and shooter and they'll shoot as good as any.
 
I had a dta Srs a1 and sold it for an axmc short action... I've never regretted it.

the dta feels a little too plastic toy compared fo the AI. The AI just feels like a real solid rifle.... The rear mag placement on the dta srs can be a pain in the ass in tactical competitions. The dta trigger is nowhere near as nice as the AI. I own three bix and Andy triggers in a defiance and bighorn action. The AI trigger is still my favorite. Just the most solid controlled breaking trigger I've ever felt. The dta was just always a bit mushy for me.

Fine adjustment on the buttstock on 2015 ax versions is sooo much more adjustable than dta. I could never get a super solid custom adjustment on the dta.

Barrels are cheaper for the AI platform, the argument can be made u can reuse the dta extensions to get comparable prices but really they are still more expensive.

My dta srs a1 bolt had ejector issues and customer service was very unreliable to help address this (this was a few years ago and I hear they are much better).

i still got my AI, and will sell my other rifles before I would ever sell my AI
 
Some interesting points .

I'm currently running a DT SRS A1 and a AX308 2014
both have their ups . For Mags you simply can't beat the AI double stack mags . I have 4 DT short action mags and they all feed flawlessly , no matter if I go slow or fast . The long action mags also feed great on my 300WM .
​​​​I haven't bothered to try the DT 10 rounder as it just looks a little too long for me . I've got no issue with mag changes in competitions ( they actually take 6rds) . Trigger as mentioned is the best Single stage I have shot . No slop at all . Accuracy depends who's behind it obviously . The bolt throw is certainly no AI but I don't feel like I'm lacking anything . I can still run the bolt and empty mags out pretty quick .
The flexibility of the DT is just awesome , I love the overall length and balance , for a 7+ kg rifle with optics /bipod it certainly doesn't feel that way .
The 223 / 300blk conversion really is a winner , using 223 which is inexpensive and practically Capable at long range is a massive plus for me .
You pretty much have a Trainer round in the Same platform so you can Master . I'll be getting a conversion kit as soon possible.
I'm running 6.5cr / 308 and 300win currently all factory barrels that shoot very well

If you can afford to keep the AI , have both
 
I have an AI mk3 and a desert tech. The main reason I went with a desert tech is because I didn't want to spend 4k on a magnum rifle plus optics that would get used once of twice a year. I like the dta but it is different, if I did it all over again I would buy the AXMC. The AXMC feels better even though it's quite a bit more money, that's the route I would go. I love my covert for hunting but I can't shoot it was well as my traditional style rifles.
 
I owned several DT platforms. Love the concept. In my personal experience it was unreliable. I would look at them again if they ever made a total revision to address failure to fire issues from the light primer strikes and frozen transfer bars. At this point I am totally happy with my Blaser R8 for a lightweight hunter and my AXMC for longer heavier work.
 
I just bought my first DT SRS A1. TS Customs 6.5CM 26" tube. Purchased from Greg at Primal Rights. I have been out with it 3 times. Yesterday I was out to 465 yards on steel. The rifle is unreal. Both my friend and I were shooting 3" groups when the wind was calm. I have removed the barrel then installed the barrel and the return to zero has been perfect every time. It is about 3" shorter than my 20" .308 RPR. I honestly, genuinely do not understand why guys prefer traditional rifles over the DT design. Multi caliber, amazing return to zero, so comfortable to get behind, took me 5 minutes to get used to the bolt which now feels more natural to me than a traditional bolt action. All the weight is in the back so it is much, much easier to handle and maneuver than a traditional rifle. I feel like guys are really nitpicking when they criticize the DT system. I suppose that is natural when we spend this much money on toys! I just cannot imagine using anything else ever again. I acknowledge that the bolt is not as smooth as a custom or AI, (I haven't even felt an AI yet) but I could care less how smooth the bolt is, and its not like the DT bolt is bad by any stretch of the imagination. I feel like the DT is a straight up work horse that you can abuse the hell out of, run the bolt hard and she will just keep truckin.
I have always admired AI's, maybe I will own one someday, but my primary rifle will ALWAYS be a Desert Tech SRS A1.

AND since I do not want to spend another $5K for each new rifle and optic, especially on magnums that will not be shot that often, it just makes so much sense! I could hunt all day with this thing, but just could not see myself hunting with an AI, especially not in really rough terrain.
 
Ergos and how a bolt runs will always be personal preference and I can appreciate both styles of rifles. I don't think the DT can be as fast and smooth as some rifles. That said, the DT is very unique in the amount of barrel support it offers and obviously how dang short it is. The inherent accuracy due to the wide nodes offered by that big tennon are something to appreciate. Ty Frehner spun me up a skinny 6.5 barrel and I was doing a little velocity testing and mini 200 yd ladder. This is 9 shots across 2.4 gr and shot 6 was first shot after loading mag again so I think NPA was off. Also think 4 and 9 are swapped. I didn't pay too much attention to perfect labeling when it was looking like a ragged hole from 200.

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I am on my second DT. I've never had an issue with my Gen 1 or my A1 in several thousand rounds from 308, to 243, to 6.5 Creedmoor, to 300WM, to 338LM. I do tell everyone who is considering a DT to actually spend some time behind one. In my experience, you will either say you like it, or can at least adjust to it, or you'll flat out hate it. The fit and finish of the AI is unparalleled, and you'll find the DT isn't as refined, but AI does have a 40 year head start. Overall, I'm very happy with my DTs, but I believe I'd feel the same way if I had AIs instead.
 
I owned a DTA SRS A1 prior to my AIAX. Below are my pros and cons in regards to each. That said, I couldn't gel with the DTA and sold it last year, I don't feel as if it is a inferior product in comparison to the AI line up, but I think that AI rifles are an all around step above DTA. I do know a few guys who prefer the DTA over the AI, but they are in the minority. The DTA's song suit is its footprint, it just can't be beat in terms of overall size so if that matters to you then there is no other option.

DTA

Pros
  • Light weight and maneuverable
  • Great trigger considering the linkage
  • Overall length is unreal
  • Caliber options and custom lengths
  • Just as accurate as AI or anything else out there
  • No keymod/key-slot weiners
Cons
  • Fit and finish is not up to par with AI, too much flimsy plastic
  • Mags suck and are over priced, the 10 rounder is a joke
  • Bolt isn't nearly as smooth and the throw is awkward (this can be overcome with lots of training)
  • Mag changes are weird and not as fast or intuitive
  • Must use a rear mono-pod or spike as rear bags get in the way
  • Stock and comb adjustability stinks
  • Pistol grip is fat and doesn't fit everyone and it can't be changed
  • Weak/support side shooting is an exercise in futility
AI

Pros
  • Best mags in the biz, no question
  • Reliable, battle proven
  • Fit/finish/durability are second to none
  • Bolt throw and feel are incredible
  • Great customer service and aftermarket support
  • Trigger is perfect IMHO
Cons
  • Weight and length (to be expected with any traditional bolt gun)
  • Price (both initially and in regards to any accessory)
  • Can't run SA and LA in one platform
  • Pistol grip is fixed as well, better dimensions than DTA
 
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You won’t be able to tell unless you get behind one. That’s the deciding factor.

The important bits about a rifle, being accuracy and reliability, are there for both.

Interface and operation are subjective.
 
I love mine and have no intention of getting an AI. I think that unless you really want to change barrels/calibers, you don't need a DTI. The magazine is tough. It is designed single stack to keep the bullets from hitting the magazine and instead the magazine keeps the rounds to the back by way of the shoulder, not the tip of the bullet, which is nice when you don't crimp. However, single stack 6 round mags are not ideal.

Nevertheless, if someone wanted to offer me an AI AT for my Desert Tech, I wouldn't take it. I love the bolt where it is. If anyone says they can't get used to the bolt means they don't have enough trigger time behind it. I love the short length too. I just shot Avenal again with it and it was great. (I stunk it up though.)
 
Yeah, it's great...until you have to shoot weak side. Something about that bolt handle smacking you in the face on recoil just isn't appealing to me.

To each their own though...