DTA SRS 338 LM initial range report
I’ve liked being able to get input and read opinions of a lot of guys here from the site, and so I thought I’d try to contribute. I received my DTA SRS in 338LM just prior to last weekend and was obviously so excited I could barely see straight. Picked it up from my FFL, who was kind enough to call me immediately when it arrived and make arrangements with me so I could get it in hand for the weekend. Even being familiar with the SRS design, it still seemed a little funny to be picking up a 338LM that fit into a box that easily sat in the front seat of my Charger.
Got home, unpacked everything and her put together per DTA’s instructions. The manual is good with clear illustrations, but nearly every step except bolt disassembly could be completed after watching DTA’s videos from their site/youtube. There was a couple of spots in the manual that had a typo for the torque (read as foot/pounds) where it had to be manually crossed out and changed to inch/pounds (at least DTA can’t ever call me out for not reading the manual “cover to cover” per their instructions, right!
). Included was the test target shown below with one fouler and a 3 shot group, and an extra barrel alignment pin. The magazines are good quality and loaded easily. I really like the shoulder retention design, and I measured an additional 0.384 inches of distance from the tip of Black Hills 300gr SMK to the front of the magazine.
Their mount went on easily with the PMII 5-25x56 (gen 2 mildot, 1/4moa CW, for those who care) that I had waiting for her. Just as described, the rifle alone is very well balanced just in front of the trigger guard with a section designed and easily used as a handhold and the balance does not change much when you put on the scope & mount. I did find that I was only able to put 3 fingers on that handhold section, as when I grabbed with all four, I either had my index finger overlaying the screws at the front of the skins or conversely my pinky finger pushed up the trigger guard. A ridiculously minor thing, but one I happen to notice. It was pretty easy to individualize with a couple magpul rail panels. Screwing around with it at home helped me get a little bit of feel for the rifle and the bolt movement. Although movements felt different due to the bullpup design of the SRS, they quickly started to feel very comfortable. The trigger has a VERY clean brake. I know their website has size comparison pics, but set it down next to my APA 7mmWSM (special thanks to oneshot976, still can’t believe you sold that one to me) just to see it.
Took her out to the bullethole range here in SA (San Antonio’s “Friendliest Place to Shoot”...although they seem to be getting less friendly at times...mostly when Doorkicker seems to think it’s “naked range day” and scares off all the families
) to get sighted in. I took the recommendation of SR90 from prior threads and planned the attachment of the bipod further toward the rear of the rail which worked really well out at the range. Started at 50yrds and did a little adjusting to make sure I wasn’t wasting $6.00+/round trying to get on paper at 100. As it turned out, probably unnecessary, but played it conservative. Had to go back on another day since I got there late and they were fixing to close on me and, myth/dogma/urban legend or not, I decided to follow Krieger’s suggested break-in and so I only shot 3 rounds (http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Break_In__Cleaning-c1246-wp2558.htm). For “cleaning,” which the OCD folks out there will probably disagree with my use of that description, it was one patch BBS followed by 4 passes with dry butch’s patches over a boretech jag through the boreguide. Immaculate, no.
Went back to the bullethole and put up targets at 100 and 300yrds (max at the bullethole). Range conditions were pretty great, if it hadn’t been so friggin’ humid. I didn’t bring my Kestrel out, but the temp was about 95 degrees with a 5mph wind coming from approx 8 o’clock and 8 billion percent humidity. Used a box of factory Lapua 250gr lock base. Shot off my mat on their concrete rifle platform with a bipod and redman rear bag, and was really impressed with the SRS!
Normally, since I don’t get to practice as much as days of old, I am about a 3/4 moa shooter on an overall basis with factory match ammo and my various rifles. The SRS was just outstanding! It was extremely comfortable to shoot, and produced some of the best accuracy I’ve had with any rifle, period (probably ought to give some kudos to Lapua for their ammo, as well). The 100yrd target (red sighter target) showed my 1st shot, and then the next three. The bolt throw became more and more comfortable as you’d expect with repetition.
Using rough numbers, adjusted my scope to 300 (3.5 moa from 100yd zero) and then shot at the 5.5” orange peel (the Caldwell target below...I didn’t feel like dragging out the spotter), landing the far right round marked in the pic. Went ahead and made a small adjustment and then shot the 3 round group by the dime. To those wondering, yes, I’ve read the SH guidelines proclaiming every time a 3 round shot group is posted, global warming is increased and God kills a kitten...but at $6.00+ per round, not buying into any BS that is surrounded by piss-poor scientific evidence and powerpoint presentations that use fake footage and computer-generated drowning polar bears, and disliking cats anyway, I’ll find a way to live with it and hopefully won’t be banned for consecutive life sentences...anyway, the 3 shot groups fit with the Krieger recs, and the point of this post is to help out anyone who’s contemplating whether or not to drop the $$ on an SRS, not to profess my coolness...as a matter of fact, I’m not ANYWHERE NEAR ninja enough since JasonK refused to sell me his NCstar optics because he was convinced I had falsified my ninja membership card
.
Did the quick clean after waiting a little for the barrel to cool. For the second group, dropped 1/4moa from my prior 300yd adjustment and held a little left (shifted just enough to see the vertical centerline on the target instead of covering it), and got the group by the nickel. Cool down, quick clean, and then just to see dropped 1/2moa from that setting and held dead center and got the group by the penny. Needless to say, I was really pleased. Made the decision to save the last 3 rounds for when I can take her out to a longer range so I can compare with some of the other brands.
Overall, I found the design of the SRS fit me really well, although I imagine that’s not universal. I got the SRS with the thought that if it didn’t quite fit me 100%, I’d be able to sell or trade it at pretty close to what I paid for it and pic up a different 338LM. But after getting to try it, I’m just saving up for the caliber conversions. If any of you guys reading this are contemplating the purchase, but would like to simply see & handle or get to take a shot or two prior to committing the $$, you can PM me as long as you agree to either bring your own ammo (quality factory rounds only, BH, Corbon, Lapua, etc) or will donate the cost of each round to the Brooke Army Medical Center Fisher House (http://www.fisherhouse.org/theHouses/texas) or Warrior Family Support Center (http://www.sammc.amedd.army.mil/military/sfac/wfsc.asp) for what you shoot. Active Duty Enlisted or anyone with a BS/SS/PH from military service (or anyone who has lost an immediate family member) can fire their first shot on me.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions about the rifle or if I can be of other help. If you have commentary on my write up/grammar/etc, keep it to your all-knowing ass-clown self. While 99% of the people I’ve had contact with from this board have been really great and I’ve been glad to “meet” them and deal with them, I’ve also previously had some all-knowing, self-absorbed elephant douche PM me after I made a contextual error in a sentence and tell me they hoped I’m a better doctor than a shooter while having: 1. never met me, 2. never seen me shoot or practice medicine. That being said, a special thanks to all of you who support our Armed Services, and good shooting!
- Aaron
I’ve liked being able to get input and read opinions of a lot of guys here from the site, and so I thought I’d try to contribute. I received my DTA SRS in 338LM just prior to last weekend and was obviously so excited I could barely see straight. Picked it up from my FFL, who was kind enough to call me immediately when it arrived and make arrangements with me so I could get it in hand for the weekend. Even being familiar with the SRS design, it still seemed a little funny to be picking up a 338LM that fit into a box that easily sat in the front seat of my Charger.
Got home, unpacked everything and her put together per DTA’s instructions. The manual is good with clear illustrations, but nearly every step except bolt disassembly could be completed after watching DTA’s videos from their site/youtube. There was a couple of spots in the manual that had a typo for the torque (read as foot/pounds) where it had to be manually crossed out and changed to inch/pounds (at least DTA can’t ever call me out for not reading the manual “cover to cover” per their instructions, right!
Their mount went on easily with the PMII 5-25x56 (gen 2 mildot, 1/4moa CW, for those who care) that I had waiting for her. Just as described, the rifle alone is very well balanced just in front of the trigger guard with a section designed and easily used as a handhold and the balance does not change much when you put on the scope & mount. I did find that I was only able to put 3 fingers on that handhold section, as when I grabbed with all four, I either had my index finger overlaying the screws at the front of the skins or conversely my pinky finger pushed up the trigger guard. A ridiculously minor thing, but one I happen to notice. It was pretty easy to individualize with a couple magpul rail panels. Screwing around with it at home helped me get a little bit of feel for the rifle and the bolt movement. Although movements felt different due to the bullpup design of the SRS, they quickly started to feel very comfortable. The trigger has a VERY clean brake. I know their website has size comparison pics, but set it down next to my APA 7mmWSM (special thanks to oneshot976, still can’t believe you sold that one to me) just to see it.
Took her out to the bullethole range here in SA (San Antonio’s “Friendliest Place to Shoot”...although they seem to be getting less friendly at times...mostly when Doorkicker seems to think it’s “naked range day” and scares off all the families
Went back to the bullethole and put up targets at 100 and 300yrds (max at the bullethole). Range conditions were pretty great, if it hadn’t been so friggin’ humid. I didn’t bring my Kestrel out, but the temp was about 95 degrees with a 5mph wind coming from approx 8 o’clock and 8 billion percent humidity. Used a box of factory Lapua 250gr lock base. Shot off my mat on their concrete rifle platform with a bipod and redman rear bag, and was really impressed with the SRS!
Normally, since I don’t get to practice as much as days of old, I am about a 3/4 moa shooter on an overall basis with factory match ammo and my various rifles. The SRS was just outstanding! It was extremely comfortable to shoot, and produced some of the best accuracy I’ve had with any rifle, period (probably ought to give some kudos to Lapua for their ammo, as well). The 100yrd target (red sighter target) showed my 1st shot, and then the next three. The bolt throw became more and more comfortable as you’d expect with repetition.
Using rough numbers, adjusted my scope to 300 (3.5 moa from 100yd zero) and then shot at the 5.5” orange peel (the Caldwell target below...I didn’t feel like dragging out the spotter), landing the far right round marked in the pic. Went ahead and made a small adjustment and then shot the 3 round group by the dime. To those wondering, yes, I’ve read the SH guidelines proclaiming every time a 3 round shot group is posted, global warming is increased and God kills a kitten...but at $6.00+ per round, not buying into any BS that is surrounded by piss-poor scientific evidence and powerpoint presentations that use fake footage and computer-generated drowning polar bears, and disliking cats anyway, I’ll find a way to live with it and hopefully won’t be banned for consecutive life sentences...anyway, the 3 shot groups fit with the Krieger recs, and the point of this post is to help out anyone who’s contemplating whether or not to drop the $$ on an SRS, not to profess my coolness...as a matter of fact, I’m not ANYWHERE NEAR ninja enough since JasonK refused to sell me his NCstar optics because he was convinced I had falsified my ninja membership card
Did the quick clean after waiting a little for the barrel to cool. For the second group, dropped 1/4moa from my prior 300yd adjustment and held a little left (shifted just enough to see the vertical centerline on the target instead of covering it), and got the group by the nickel. Cool down, quick clean, and then just to see dropped 1/2moa from that setting and held dead center and got the group by the penny. Needless to say, I was really pleased. Made the decision to save the last 3 rounds for when I can take her out to a longer range so I can compare with some of the other brands.
Overall, I found the design of the SRS fit me really well, although I imagine that’s not universal. I got the SRS with the thought that if it didn’t quite fit me 100%, I’d be able to sell or trade it at pretty close to what I paid for it and pic up a different 338LM. But after getting to try it, I’m just saving up for the caliber conversions. If any of you guys reading this are contemplating the purchase, but would like to simply see & handle or get to take a shot or two prior to committing the $$, you can PM me as long as you agree to either bring your own ammo (quality factory rounds only, BH, Corbon, Lapua, etc) or will donate the cost of each round to the Brooke Army Medical Center Fisher House (http://www.fisherhouse.org/theHouses/texas) or Warrior Family Support Center (http://www.sammc.amedd.army.mil/military/sfac/wfsc.asp) for what you shoot. Active Duty Enlisted or anyone with a BS/SS/PH from military service (or anyone who has lost an immediate family member) can fire their first shot on me.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions about the rifle or if I can be of other help. If you have commentary on my write up/grammar/etc, keep it to your all-knowing ass-clown self. While 99% of the people I’ve had contact with from this board have been really great and I’ve been glad to “meet” them and deal with them, I’ve also previously had some all-knowing, self-absorbed elephant douche PM me after I made a contextual error in a sentence and tell me they hoped I’m a better doctor than a shooter while having: 1. never met me, 2. never seen me shoot or practice medicine. That being said, a special thanks to all of you who support our Armed Services, and good shooting!
- Aaron
