I have my first srs, a1 covert incoming 338L and 300 win mag 18 inch both. I will be using an older US Optics SN3 with 30mm tube. I would like to have 40moa built into the mount, what are my options with the scopes 30mm tube? Anybody have a used desert tech mount? Thanks
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Official (DTA) SRS, HTI, Covert, Hunter Thread
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Shameless plug for a SRSA-1 black handguard I am selling
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/wts-desert-tech-srsa-1-12-handguard.6928695/
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/wts-desert-tech-srsa-1-12-handguard.6928695/
6.5 Grendel ? How would you go about getting that done with the new A2?
I am a newbie, been lurking here for a long time, don't own a rifle and haven't even shot one for the past 15 years. I was thinking about buying 2 or 3 different bolt action rifles over the next few years but would rather just invest in the SRS platform right out of the gate. When I think about what kind of range time/place I am going to really end up with, even 6.5 creedmoor seems like a little too much for me while the 6.5 Grendel seems just about perfect. I would even go 223 before I would go with the larger calibers because all the other options are just overkill for me. It seems like getting just the chassis/action and then getting a custom barrel made would be no big deal, but how would I get the right bolt and magazines without spending a fortune? Any ideas or other options for a weekend warrior that just wants to punch paper and steel at 100 to 1,000 yards (200-300 90% of the time) with reasonable cost factory ammo and zero shoulder pain after a half day on the range going through a few boxes of ammo?
I am a newbie, been lurking here for a long time, don't own a rifle and haven't even shot one for the past 15 years. I was thinking about buying 2 or 3 different bolt action rifles over the next few years but would rather just invest in the SRS platform right out of the gate. When I think about what kind of range time/place I am going to really end up with, even 6.5 creedmoor seems like a little too much for me while the 6.5 Grendel seems just about perfect. I would even go 223 before I would go with the larger calibers because all the other options are just overkill for me. It seems like getting just the chassis/action and then getting a custom barrel made would be no big deal, but how would I get the right bolt and magazines without spending a fortune? Any ideas or other options for a weekend warrior that just wants to punch paper and steel at 100 to 1,000 yards (200-300 90% of the time) with reasonable cost factory ammo and zero shoulder pain after a half day on the range going through a few boxes of ammo?
The 6.5 Grendel is an oddball in this platform. Go with something more common, which means cheaper components and more common items for sale, and better resale if you decide to change calibers.
Only 4 parts make the complete rifle; chassis, barrel, bolt, magazine. You need to decide on caliber first. Then look in the used section for a ccomplete rifle, or post up a Want To Buy ad. You can also jump on the SRS-A1 closeouts that Eurooptic is running right now. $2200 for the chassis. That wont last long.
There are 3 bolts, all the exact same except for the bolt face. $325 for the bolt. Pick your caliber and buy 1 of the 3 available bolts. You will end up with most of the bolts eventually.
There are 4 different magazines, figure $80 - $120 per magazine. Chose one, but you will end up with most of them eventually.
308-based short action 6 round, 308-based short action 10 round, 300WM/338LM 5 round, 300WM/338LM 8 round.
Barrels are all over the place. Buy OEM from Desert Tech direct, Eurooptic, or go custom with ES Tactical, DMR, TS Customs, SPR, SAC, or look in the Accessories for sale for barrels. Buy a barrel with a Gen 2 extension, which the vast majority are. Figure $900 - $1800 for the new custom barrel depending on where you go, barrel length, carbon fiber, or other options you select. There could be sales/closeouts that offer cheaper barrels too.
So for $3500 complete you could be shooting a common caliber, like a 6.5 Creed or 308. If you want to shoot 6.5 SAUM, 300 PRC, 300 WM, 338 LM, 300 Norma, 33XC, 7 WSM, 264 WM, 28 Nosler, 223, 224 V, (you catch the drift) down the road, you just need another bolt, magazine, and barrel. Or if you decide you need a 6xc, 6 Creed, 243, 338 Federal, 450 Bushmaster, etc, you just buy a new barrel since you already have the bolt & magazine.
I will tell you that I wont sell my SRS-A1 for $3500, and most here wouldn't. This is unfamiliar territory we are in with the discounting of the existing SRS-A1 going on to move more SRS-A2's.
Love the grendel myself. Its a great round to replace that crappy 22 all the AR's shoot. Ideally suited and in fact designed to fit that platform. As for using it in the SRS I think its a waste of time and money. For the cost of the rifle and the weight you're hauling around you aren't getting your moneys worth with the little 6.5 Grendel in that platform. I know guys are using the 223 in these but other than a training round I can't see the use in that either. Some like it though....to each his own. If you're going to spend $4K plus on a rifle that weighs 12lb empty at least get a cartridge worthy of the weight and cost. Save the grendel for your AR15. For those who don't agree....thats fine. Its your money and time.
Frank
Frank
Thanks for the feedback folks, much appreciated... I will keep my eye on any developments around 223 rem or 224 V for the SRS-A2 as it sounds like those are the most likely options at some point in the near future. I don't own an AR and don't care about weight and power, and don't have any applications other than target shooting and then perhaps some reasonable response to predators (both 2 and 4 legged). I am not a hunter, competitor or operator... just a hobbyist that appreciates good engineering and innovation and is lucky enough to occasionally spend the extra money required for something well above average in it's class of product. It is a real shame the 6.5 Grendel gets burried in AR talk for the most part and has an odd boltface as it is in my mind the perfect weekend warrior caliber for those of us who don't want to deal with recoil and muzzle blast beyond the point of necessary minimums required by physics for the application at hand. I hope Desert Tech or someone like SAC will publish a guide of bolt faces and barrel options at some point that go well beyond the current options.
Need some help. I picked up a first gen mount off someone here and it has 2 different sets of screws that are stripped. It is the 4 screw per ring original style. Does anyone know what size screws it takes? I have been trying to get them of deserttech for 2 months and they sent some last week that are too small. They claim that is the only size they have ever used but they measure 0.114 at the threads and ones that fit are 0.134.
Love my 223 sac conversion. Cheap practice with great barrel life and tack driver when using the 77g smks
The only thing that separates the two is the 5.56 is hotter and usually has more lead cut into the chamber. SAC has you specify if you want a regular for light weight projectiles or a long range chamber for heavier bullets like 70-90 gr
You’ll definitely want their long range chamber for heavier bullets. That’s what I did too. I plan to hand load and shoot factory with 70-80 grain bullets.
I have five conversions for my DTA and I shoot the 223 conversion by far the most. SAC did amazing work developing this kit and although it isn't cheap, it's well worth the money.
The accuracy is phenomenal. I've shot numerous groups in the .1s with both hand loads and factory ammo. It's also very easy to load for. I've had great accuracy with bullets ranging from 55 gr to 77 gr. It would probably do well with 80s too, but I haven't tried them. It isn't picky on powder either. I've done well with vvn140, h335, ar comp and others. Best factory ammo I've tried has been Black Hills 77gr match (the one with the blue box). I believe they use Sierra bullets. 77gr Lapuas do very well also. For light varmint shooting, try the 60gr Sierra Varminters with h335.
The accuracy is phenomenal. I've shot numerous groups in the .1s with both hand loads and factory ammo. It's also very easy to load for. I've had great accuracy with bullets ranging from 55 gr to 77 gr. It would probably do well with 80s too, but I haven't tried them. It isn't picky on powder either. I've done well with vvn140, h335, ar comp and others. Best factory ammo I've tried has been Black Hills 77gr match (the one with the blue box). I believe they use Sierra bullets. 77gr Lapuas do very well also. For light varmint shooting, try the 60gr Sierra Varminters with h335.
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Thanks @b2169 for pointing out that video! Everything in there helped convince me to stay the course as it perfectly reflects why I am looking for something less than a 6.5 creedmoor. I will say the 223 cost equation is tempting me more and more, but I am definitely going to end up with an SRS-A2 with either 223 rem or 224 Valkyrie, and then over time maybe add a 6.5 Grendel (if that is even possible) or a 6.5 creedmoor, and then if I get the ELR bug I might add a 300 wm or 300 PRC depending on how things progress in the marketplace over the next few years. I really am just enamored with the Desert Tech SRS platform and just about ready to go all in and blow my budget on this thing and not bother with anything else, just one rifle platform with a few bolts/barrels and enjoy.
The SAC .223 conversion is great. Cheap to shoot and like anything from Mark, very accurate. Had mine for a couple years...love it.
I had the same problem and DT sent me 4 new screws free of charge....they finally are working on Customer Service
Hey! I am right with you! I bought a Conversion for 223 from MARK at Short Action Custom and the accuracy blew me away! It is the most accurate barrel I now own and it makes a poor shooter look good. Like you, I shoot Black Hills blue box and the 68 gr and 75 gr BULLET both shoot lights out. It was so good I had them do up a barrel in 308 and it’s a tack driver also...
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They sent me new screws but they fit like a hotdog down a hallway.
In continuing my review of the new Covert A-2, which has been stellar, ie trigger is everything DT says it was, weight is greatly reduced and gun has better feel/balance, accuracy with reduced bolt tension is for real but now has led to one small issue which hopefully will be an easy fix. I noticed when using my A-1 bolt to chamber unloaded sized brass there appeared a very noticeable “smear” on the left side of the brass, not unlike an ejector mark from a hot round. I have attached pictures of this anomaly and several of the cases I painted the base of so the defect is easier to see. My guess is the extractor tension is too high, but I have confirmed other owners have run into the same situation with different calibers/bolts. DT has yet to respond and their engineering dept. is looking into it.
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I am going to guess it is tension from the extractor and it will break in over time. Thanks for that input....
This Desert Tech thing is contagious!
So far it works great. It has a dedicated srd7.62ti sig can and works flawlessly with the original gas valve in “suppressed” setting. I’ve only shot federal 149 gr xm80c and ultramax 168gr but no issues.
I just got it today. It is used and came with 18 inch factory 338L and 300 win mag. The bonehead who had it must have put the barrels in a vise(without protection) to get the brakes off. Unbelievably he really buggered the area of the barrel that the receiver clamps to. He then ground the buggered area so it wouldn’t interfere with the clamping(both barrels). I bought it sight unseen at a pretty good discount but the damage wasn’t mentioned. I don’t have any 338 ammo but will shoot it tomorrow to make sure it groups like it should or it’s gonna have to go back. I am truly stunned that anybody would subject a rifle like this to that kind of abuse. After seeing the new A2 with flutes and cut outs in the clamping area, I think it might be possible to still be accurate.
The can is silencerco Hybrid with asr brake and their .30 cal anchor brake which actually has the same size holes as their 338 asr brake. I emailed them to see if I could shoot 338 thru it and they said absolutely. It’s strange they only advertise .30 and .46 anchor brakes. I shot the 300win mag thru it late afternoon in our Nebraska blizzard and it is really quiet and very light recoil.
Just took out my new ES Tactical 28 inch, straight taper, 1/9 twist, 338 Lapua barrel out for a test drive. It performed well.
Only shot 1.5 boxes of Hornady 338 lapua 285gr ELD match factory ammo out to 300 yards, but it shot well. Averaged 0.5 MOA or less when I was doing my part. Was getting an average of 2940 f/s which was a little faster than I was expecting.
Very excited to try some other loads, break it in, and take it out to distance! Here’s a few pictures...
Only shot 1.5 boxes of Hornady 338 lapua 285gr ELD match factory ammo out to 300 yards, but it shot well. Averaged 0.5 MOA or less when I was doing my part. Was getting an average of 2940 f/s which was a little faster than I was expecting.
Very excited to try some other loads, break it in, and take it out to distance! Here’s a few pictures...
Finally get to join the cool guys club! I bought my dream rifle SRS-A1 Covert with 26" 338 Lapua Magnum conversion, Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50, and BARRETT BORS in 30moa pinned rings!
Shoots sub 1/2 moa with 285 ELD-M's at 2849fps! I cant wait to take this one to a mile!
Shoots sub 1/2 moa with 285 ELD-M's at 2849fps! I cant wait to take this one to a mile!
Thanks Dustin! Called DTA and I received my A1 buttpad and Covert handguard which both were installed and looking good. Thanks!
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Finally get to join the cool guys club! I bought my dream rifle SRS-A1 Covert with 26" 338 Lapua Magnum conversion, Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50, and BARRETT BORS in 30moa pinned rings!
Shoots sub 1/2 moa with 285 ELD-M's at 2849fps! I cant wait to take this one to a mile!
Welcome. The only thing that sucks about having a DT is not having enough conversion kits.
I’m wondering if I should have gone A.I. too. What is the velocity gain with the rounds you’ve chosen over standard chambering?
