I chose the DTA over the Barrett for the ease of barrel swaps in pretty much any caliber you could imagine. I also like the bullpup design and the small footprint of the rifle. You honestly can't go wrong with either system. I think the Barrett maybe more expensive if you run several different calibers, and im not sure if barrel swaps are a perfect, repeatable return to zero like the DTA. If I was just to run the 338 only with no intention of another caliber, I'd probably go with the war proven Barrett system. Good luck getting your hands on a DTA within a year as well.
The DTA is an amazing rifle with its bullpup design and it has a good trigger. I haven't shot a Barrett but the DTA I owned was a great rifle. I only sold it because I actually decided on a one platform shooter, and I sold a few other rifles which garnished more money than I imagined and bought an AI. I doubt you would go wrong with either
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Pleistarchus
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Please tell me why I shouldn't sell my MRAD for a DTA SRS. I love the way the MRAD shoots(in every way imaginable and never shot a DTS) but can't afford to enjoy shooting 338LM for much longer. Please convince me to keep it!!!!!!!! You seem more qualified to convince me than any on else.
Spend the money on reloading equipment, then the .338 is not much more to shoot than anything else so long as kept all your brass.
There's a reason there's over 3800 comments on the sticky DTA forum.. Get the DTA and all the custom barrels you want without ever sending your gun in.
I spent my money on the DTA , and won't look back, I've spent some time on Barrett's and I know I made the right choice.
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Pleistarchus
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I don't only want it for the 338. I chose it because I was told that the 300WM and 308 conversion barrels were going to be offered. I knew I was gong to use the 338 but not at this rate. Barrett's recent date was first 1/4 of 2013 which has come and gone. Now I'm worried they will not even be offered this year. I've got 200 rounds of ammo with Lapua brass that's got about 5 reloads left at roughly $2-3 a reload so that buys me some time but if they haven't come out with the conversions by then I will left with a huge dilemma.
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Pleistarchus
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Another thing I noticed while looking for reviews of the DTA is a YOUTUBE video which I noticed that the 338 the man was firing looked like his shoulder was getting a beating more so from the DTA than the Barrett. Like I said I love the feel of the Barrett and it does kick but not as much as the DTA was kicking on the video, could it have been the loads he was using or does it kick that much harder. It seriously looks like this guy was close to having the scope hit him in the head.
Desert Tactical Arms - SRS .338 LAP MAG - YouTube
Desert Tactical Arms - SRS .338 LAP MAG - YouTube
I think when you get into these higher-end rifles its more about personal preference. Whether it be DTA, Barrett, AI, or "high-end rifle X", if accuracy is a concern, that falls on the shooter. Fit and comfort will change from user to user. I have no experience with the Barrett, but I went from a AW to a DTA and so far am completely happy. The AI was wonderful and valid arguments can be made for it being better in certain ways, but its about you and what works. To provide an argument for "If all you want is a 338 LM, why go with a DTA....", I don't see why not? If you were comfortable behind the DTA, it offers a short, less cumbersome package without losing barrel length or even gaining barrel length.
Personally, I am not a big fan of long rifles. I like the added weight for prone shooting, but my shooting preference isn't that static. Plus, for me long rifles are just cumbersome and often times inconvenient.
Just depends what you like. Good luck.
Personally, I am not a big fan of long rifles. I like the added weight for prone shooting, but my shooting preference isn't that static. Plus, for me long rifles are just cumbersome and often times inconvenient.
Just depends what you like. Good luck.
DTA for me. The main reasons being how compact it is and how easy you can change out the barrels. it makes for a very handy rifle and very well balanced, which becomes important if you plan to do any positional shooting with it.
Some people get kicked around by their rifles, and some don't. The SRS A1 has the new, softer buttplate, but looking at the video above even the old one is fine with pretty hot loads. I will point out that the standard .338 brake is VERY effective compared to the QD brake, but if you have the latter you should be running a suppressor anyway.
Ill be the first to say it I suppose. I cant stand the DTA in any configuration, they are uncomfortable as shit and Im not a fan of the balance on them. That being said, I know lots of people that love them, but Ill never join that crowd. The MRAD on the other hand is very comfortable and works really well for me.
I've fired both and prefer the DT. Just my opinion of course. I like the bullpup and its nice that my rifle with a suppressor is shorter than the MRAD without a brake. I like the quick barrel swap as well. That saves me a lot on scopes. I've let a lot of people try my rifle and some like the bullpup while some don't. What it comes down to is that you need to shoot both and choose from there. You may like the bullpup better or you may not. Why let others choose for you????
Frank
Frank
I have had the opportunity to spend some time behind the MRAD and it is nice, I also have a DTA SRS/Covert and (5) conversions. I'm not going to try to sway you on either as I think it's a personal choice and if I were you I would find someone that has both to let you send some rounds down range if possible. As for barrel conversions from Barrett this year or even by mid next year I just don't think that is going to happen, don't ask me why it's just a hunch. DTA has conversions out and there are a couple good folks out there making calibers DTA doesn't offer and I have some. It's great to have that option. Now for the 338LM I'm going to throw you as I would not do either... I would build myself a custom by a good smith or house such as GAP with less money and have everything made to suit me. The only bad thing about that is your stuck with one rig and one caliber but by the title of your thread that's all your looking for correct? The MRAD is the same with the talk of changes to come and we all know how long that takes from all of them. DTA has several available and is wide open but a non standard platform and some can't handle it. I love my DTA and have sold a couple of my customs (standard rigs) but I still have my custom 338LM and it's going nowhere, it's a caliber that I only shoothe 8-10 times a year. My DTA gets used each week!
Good luck on your choice... "Just Choose Wisely"
Sully
You can get a new ArmaLite AR30A1 300 win mag online for $2,800 and it is a sub minute gun according to ArmaLite.
http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.as...Category=d4543129-c82e-4fc9-bb4d-213664c7b055
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http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.as...Category=d4543129-c82e-4fc9-bb4d-213664c7b055
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Pleistarchus
Guest
I would like to thank all of you who took the time to share your thoughts. I take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt, which in turn helps me make my own decision. The MRAD is too valuable to me to sell which will force me to wait for the conversions, if ever they are offered and invest on a solid platform with a more affordable caliber. Maybe 300WM or 260. Whatever the case right now 200 rnds of 338LM is roughly $1K so I figure within the next year I'll be able to afford a nice custom rifle. Besides I need to start focusing a little more on ballistics, learning to use my scopes reticle, etc..... Maybe then I'll be able to come close to my rifles potential. Again, thank you all.
Attachments
I know you've already made your decision, but for anyone else reading the thread. I shot a buddy's DTA .338 this weekend. I'm relatively new to long range shooting, and I was hitting steel and 600 yards. It had a Thunderbeast suppressor on it. There wasn't much in the way of recoil. I have a GAP .338 for comparison, and I didn't think the DTA was significantly better. It just had a few more bells and whistles. First time I had shot anything with the bullpup design. A little strange at first, but no real difference from a regular set up (from a bench at least). I was ringing steel at 600 with my GAP as well. I say get a custom made for yourself if you're going to spend that kind of money. I've never shot a Barret. So take my opinion for what its worth.
Well, It appears that you had already purchased the MRAD when you posted if the attached photo is your MRAD. It also appears that you just wanted some sort of confirmation on your decision and from your last post it also appears that you did not "Choose Wisely" and painfully regret your decision. I could be wrong but this is how I read it.
Sully
Sully
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Pleistarchus
Guest
Hey Sully, The attached photo is my MRAD. The thread was a way to vent over the fact that Barrett hasn't been able to release the conversion barrels yet. One of my thoughts being to switch over to DTA which has conversion barrels readily available. The rifle itself (MRAD) is a pleasure to shoot. Along with everyone's feedback on this thread I was able to communicate with several dissatisfied owners of DTA rifle systems. It could have been isolated incidents but the fact remains to switch the MRAD for the DTA would not serve my purpose. So you oppose my decision to keep the MRAD and purchase a custom rifle in a smaller caliber? And I understand everyone has an opinion so no harm done for speaking your mind. Thanks, Chris
Chris,
I don't think keeping the MRAD is a bad idea at all and I didn't mean for it to come off that way. When I got to drive one I was impressed. It's just that it seems that you were or are questioning your purchase. JMO and take it for what's worth when I decided to get my 338LM I went custom just due to the fact that with the price of ammo and or componets and it's intended use custom was the only way I would truley be satisfied.The reason I say that Barrett will be slow in barrel conversions is that it was built to get the PRS contract from the millitary and now that it has gone to Remmy I think that Barrett's push has relaxed but I hope I'm wrong for folks like you that purchased them. Like I stated all mfgr's have their issues as well as DTA but they do listen to their customers and I like that, not many do. I'm sure your rig will serve you well as it is a nice rig. Good luck, relax and .....ENJOY
Sully
They've been supposed to release those conversions for close to 2 years now. Hell 18 months ago? They even put up pictures of the magazines on here for the 300wm and 308 I think and said "soon". The MRAD is a joke because it can't do what they claim it can do at this point in regards to caliber conversions. You've basically pissed away what 2 extra k on a 98b.
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Pleistarchus
Guest
Wow, You sound more pissed off about this than I am. I'm curious, do you own one as well?
Here we are in 2014. It seems the long wait is finally over. I've been wanting a 300WM conversion
and I'm told the conversion kits are here! You have to call Barrett though because their website ordering has not been
updated yet. My brother has a DTA and I have the MRAD. Can't really go wrong with
either. I'm not too concerned with length sitting comfortably a mile from target
I was at shot show last week and they said 300wm should be ready to ship in February... but 308 before then... they changed up the rifle a tad.. if you have an older mrad it will need a bolt conversion / upgrade kit.. but the new ones will only need a barrel and a bolt head...
