H2OMan, how similar are the M110's inner workings to the M-16/M-4/AR15 minus the caliber. Because from the wikipedia article pictureand what I've been able to glean it bears at least a superficial resemblance to the AR-15 but chambered in 7.62mm. The M110 is definitely a top choice for a 7.62mm DMR.
maybe I am stating what you already know but....
Originally there was the AR-10, designed for 7.62NATO. It never garnered much interest in the USA, but some were sold to the Sudan, some ended up in Cuban hands (Raul and Fidel both thought highly of it)
(note where the bolt handle is, inside carry handle)
Later the AR-10 was scaled down to become the AR-15, which can only handle a shorter cartridge.
After the AR-15 was established, there was renewed interest in the AR-10 due to as you cite, platform familiarity. Some guys wanted a bit more power, as they couldn't have a happy switch...and some guys wanted a bit more power because they wanted a 'survival' rifle that could handle a bear, and they could legally hunt deer and elk with
So AR-10 re-enters the scene. The first two big makers are Armalite Inc II (same name different company than the original armalite, actually related to the Lewis Machine and Tool guys, who make excellent LMT AR-15s) and Knight Industries.
As the AR-15 is well estblished, Knight Industries builds backwards toward it's AR-10 from the AR-15, and has a large amount of parts compatability with the AR-15, hence the name SR 25 (10+15) Armalite's new AR-10 also has a big degree of parts swap with AR-10. Armalite's new AR-10 takes M-14 20 rounder magazines.
DPMS has also stepped into the 7.62x51mm AR field, as have some others.
I think the AR-10 'platform' can make a wonderful DMR rifle for a heck of a lot less than the $7K knight armament is asking for their M110
In fact, I don't think a lot of 'sniper style stuff' is needed on a DMR. A lot of guys are found of the standard 5.56 with a quality mid-range optic. In the same token, put a good medium range optic on an AR-10 with a 16-18" barrel is still going to outshoot most users and fill that DMR roll just fine. Sure, it may not be the best choice for the 600+ shot, but is that realistic?
Something like this
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