New Long Range Rifle Just Arrived...

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Maverick223

Maverick223

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Just picked up the new Desert Tactical Arms SRS .300 Winchester Magnum...well most of it (more about that later). Went and shot it (offhand only) as soon as I got her home, just a couple of rounds to "get a feel" for what she is going to be like...first impression...the best rifle that I have ever shot! It is not light (about 15lbs with scope, bipod, sling attached) but balances very well, and the recoil is very manageable...feels like a .308. It also fits me very well (no doubt accounting for the lack of recoil and ease of handling). :D

The only issue that I found with it is...NO MAGAZINES...there was a note in one of the boxes saying that they were not ready and would be shipped next week...if the scheduled delivery for the rifle is any indication, I should expect them next month. Needless to say I am not terribly happy about that. :banghead:

Will add pics when I am done playing with the new toy...probably late tonight. :)
 
Congratulations sounds like a great rifle. Too bad about the magazines I would be disappointed too I'm sure you shelled out some serious coin for it. What kind of optics do you have on it. Be sure to put some pictures of your groups in there too. Do you reload? The 300 win mag is a great long range round but pretty expensive to feed on a regular basis.
 
Put a Premier Reticles 5-25x56mm on it, it too seems to be doing well. To be perfectly honest I have only fired two rounds just to get a feel for the rifle. The first "group" was shot offhand and measured about 2" at 50yds...and I am certain was entirely my fault. I have yet to start using premium match-grade ammunition, because the rifle is not properly sighted in yet...just a couple of cheap old core-lokts. I have just begun reloading, but have yet to get my dies for .300WM yet.

I chose the .300WM (versus the other offerings including .243, .308, .388LM) mostly due to the cost, formerly I was considering a .338LM. I decided that my skill level, and pocket book, did not warrant the .338LM, at least at this time. When I decide/need to rebarrel I will strongly consider Zak Smiths suggestion of going with a 7mmRM instead of the .338LM, but that is likely a couple of years away. :)
 
I've been wanting to built or buy a good long range rifle for a while just kinda waiting on more funds to do it right. I was leaning toward .308 just for cost reasons, but I have considered others as well if I can get brass and reload at close to the same price.
 
sounds like a cool rifle. post pics and a link to their site too, as i'm not familiar with the mfg

I decided that my skill level, and pocket book,
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uhh, you did just say you put a Premier Reticle on it, right? :) curious which cost more? scope or rifle?
 
I was leaning toward .308 just for cost reasons, but I have considered others as well if I can get brass and reload at close to the same price.
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I am sure that the .308 is a fine rile as well, I just wanted to have a little better long range ballistics than the .308 could offer...for me it was between the other three...and I nearly bought the .338LM. If you reload the .300WM will still be a pretty significant increase due to the additional powder needed, but a worthwhile expense IMO.
 
curious which cost more? scope or rifle?
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Unfortunately the rifle...by a pretty clear margin. Cost on the rifle was about $4200.00USD, scope dialed in at $2250.00...and yeah, I had to save for quite a while...I started to second guess the decision after the long wait and no magazines...but after shooting it the wait and expense was worthwhile...I still want the dang magazines though. :)
 
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Not where I live. Nice gun.
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Have to agree...picked up some factory Federal rounds for $17 earlier this week...just plinkin' rounds but good enough for sighting in and playing with it...and thanks. :)
 
Maverick you are one lucky S.O.B. Great looking rifle, easy to change calibers right? Just change, barrels, mag and bolt? Love the pics!
 
That is one of the nicest single shot rifles ever. :) It really is a nice gun hope the mags show up soon. Is that a threaded barrel with thread protector on the end?
 
easy to change calibers right? Just change, barrels, mag and bolt?
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Yes sir...if you have the cash for more than one...which I currently do not if I want to have ammo money.
Is that a threaded barrel with thread protector on the end?
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Yes, threaded 3/4"x28 IIRC...may have to set up a trust and put a suppressor on it in the future...we'll see.
I can't wait to see what it (and you) can do.
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Me either.

Thank you all for the comments and kind words. :)
 
or suppressor, on.
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You haven't sold me yet...but one is likely to be in the future...actually a couple (the HK USP .45 needs one bad). Zak tell me a little about your .30P suppressor...specifically will it work on my semi-auto .223 M17 as well? I think that may fit the bill. :)
 
The US standard for .223/5.56 muzzle threads is 1/2-28. The US standard for .30 caliber threads is 5/8-24. You said your SRS has 3/4-28 threads. This seems to be the US standard for .338 caliber. I know of some smaller caliber rifles built with these threads. The Badger Ordnance FTE muzzle brake is available threaded 3/4-28. We have made at least one 30P with these threads - the one I know of is on a .260 Ackley.

To make a 30P with 3/4-28 threads fit the M17, assuming it has standard .223 threads, you'd need to add a thread adapter. This is not an ideal setup and it requires a little more care than just screwing the can directly on, but it is workable. The 30P is all titanium and not designed for sustained semi-auto fire. However, its paint will start to burn (as an indicator) long before you can do any damage to it.

We have a model 223P which is designed for normal sporting use on a semi-auto platform (e.g. AR-15, etc), and a new full-auto 5.56 suppressor just going into production now. Alternatively, we have a larger-volume 338P model, designed for .338 Lapua Magnum, that would heat up slower on the regular magnums (e.g. .300WM) than the 30P.

For myself, even with 18# bolt guns, I don't like to shoot even 7mm RM or .300 WM without a muzzle brake. Yes, it does make the gun louder, but for that kind of shooting I use plugs and muffs anyway. The difference in shootability is night and day. The suppressor retains the unreal recoil reduction and actually makes it more apparent because you don't have the big overpressure blast distracting you.
 
Thanks for the information Zak, I doubt I will suppress the M17 too often, and when I do I will keep the volume of fire fairly low (probably one shot)...seems like it would be ideal for the occasional opossum or raccoon that creeps into the backyard at night...and the .300WM is a little unwieldy, heavy, louder (even with suppressor), and unnecessarily powerful for that task. When I get the cash together and am ready to purchase a can...I will shoot you a PM (or E-Mail), you will be the first (and likely only) person I go to. Any plans for pistol units...or recommendations (preferably a less costly, but lightweight model)? :)
 
Thanks PB, there was a lot of saving for that piece of kit. The money will come, I didn't spend anywhere near this kind of money on firearms when I was 15...and if I did my parents would have a lot of questions. Now I just need to save up for a good hunting rifle (traded to fund a Browning 1885 High Wall). :)

Had it for less than 1 day and already made a couple of modifications...nothing major...just trying to slim her down. Took the LOP spacers off th rear of the stock and removed the flush cup (for the swivel) on the passenger side of the rear of the stock. :D
 
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