Re: Desert Tac SRS
I recently sold my SRS to another Hide member. Mine was the "latest model" or current revision if you will.
First let me start by saying that DTA's customer service is probably the best you will ever have the pleasure to deal with in this day and age. Melissa (the customer service rep.) is very knowledgeable,patient (a great quality when dealing with a customer like me), friendly,and goes out of her way before and after the sale.
Now onto the rifle. I bought mine with a .308 barrel and the .243 barrel. I only used this rifle for a few long range matches (600 and 1000yrd) and discovered that for ME and what I was using it for...the fast twist .243 was the ticket. Using the 107SMK's and 115 DTAC's it was sooo easy to repeatedly nail a 18" steel gong at a grand that it (almost) became boring. I ended up returning the .308 barrel and only shot it two times.
*NOTE* This rifle gets LOTS of attention where ever you go...so be prepared to have people wanting to talk about it.
One of the common questions I would be asked was about swapping barrels/cal. and the effect this has on the point of impact and/or scope zero.
YES....like any other rifle when going from say a .243 to a .338LM there will be a zero change. But I found going from the .243 to .308 at 100yrds it was only 8-10" difference in POI. Logging the changes in your range book would have you zeroed very quickly when swapping cal.'s.
Trigger....no it is not a TRG trigger (yes..I have owned a TRG-22). But I found the one in my rifle to be very nice. Crisp,no creep,and adjustable from about 1 lb to 5+ lbs. I had no complaints at all with the trigger.
Ergonomics...again...I see lots of post on the internet about how it "looks" and post about scope/eye alignment....most of these post are from folks who have never been behind the rifle. I am a pretty big guy...6'2" 215lbs....this is one of the best "fitting" rifles I have ever owned. The design brings the weight of the rifle to the rear and center...not nose heavy like most tactical rifles. Shooting from the prone is a real pleasure with the SRS.
Now the big one....accuracy....for a tactical rifle...it's a shooter!
The first day I had it I slapped a Bushnell scope on it (my NF had not shown up yet) and headed to the range with some factory ammo. This was with the .308 barrel. After my first sight in group with hunting ammo (see pic...center group) I was a bit disappointed. I then switched to match ammo and the groups shrank down to around 1/2" or so...remember this was the very first outing with the rifle.
I then started some load development for the .243 barrel. Right away I was shooting sub 1/2" groups at 100yrds and 1.3" groups were the norm for 300yrds.
So yes....they are a 1/2 MOA rifle if you do your part.
I have owned many tactical rifles....by far the DTA SRS has been the most fun out of them. Coupled with the accuracy and top notch customer service...I would HIGHLY recommend this rifle.
I hear you out there...if it is such a great rifle why did you sell it. I have been into bench rest shooting lately....and am poor...so to finance my new bench rifle I had to sell this one. I did try and adapt it to a bench rifle....see last pic...by installing a 3" bag block,etc. But a dedicated BR rifle is really the way to go for that game.
Maybe this will help some of your fence sitters out there.
Take care,Stan
