Official (DTA) SRS, HTI, Covert, Hunter Thread

[SharpsNitro]

Yes, it’s a 338BA/Ultra, it’s the can I use on all of my barrels for the rifle.

Thanks for the compliments on the Cerakote work. This rifle was our test bed for getting the pattern density and colors right for desert digital.

 

[Georgedubya]

I've used one for two seasons. To be honest, it's not the best for PRS.
1. Rear heavy. On positional stages, I would prefer more weight forward.
2. Weak side shooting is more difficult due to bolt manipulation
3. Bolt manipulation can cause spent brass to bounce off your hand and back into the chamber. This happens more when you are in a weird position and run the bolt slow, but it happens.
4. When shooting a positional stage combined with a rear support, like putting your rifle over barricade and tripod leg to support the rear, bolt manipulation becomes more difficult. This is because the bolt travel path can intersect with the tripod.
5. Single loading is more difficult.

Have used one as well and can attest to this. Number 3 drove me nuts. Couldn’t figure out what the problem was. But I discovered that it’s solely an issue of running the bolt like a man.
That said, I personally don’t shoot matches for anything other than fun, so the rest was no issue. Since I started making a point to run the bolt hard it has been fine.

 

[Georgedubya]

Hands down the best looking one I've seen!

It is gorgeous, but I have a contender.

 

[st1650]

Is the new A2 bolt better when ran slow or is it the same ?

 

[Georgedubya]

Is the new A2 bolt better when ran slow or is it the same ?

The bolts are materially identical. Makes no difference.

 

[Reload10]

Is the new A2 bolt better when ran slow or is it the same ?

Same. Polishing the mag feed lips helps a bit.

 

[st1650]

The bolts are materially identical. Makes no difference.

But the A2 barrel extension is different correct ?

 

[ChadL]

But the A2 barrel extension is different correct ?

I don’t believe it is.

 

[Georgedubya]

I don’t believe it is.

It’s the same. Barrels and bolts are interchangeable. Only difference is minor fluting on the bolt. Purely cosmetic. I have A1 and A2 rifles and components. And I love both!

 

[MNfarmer]

Hey guys been out of the loop awhile. Only recently found out about the A2 version of this fine firearm.
Looking to switch my A1 long handguard to a covert one. I have the older A1 style that gets drawn together with a handguard nut and indexes off a pin that is located in top section of chassis. What are my options. I am thinking I need to call around and locate the expensive old style but dont know for sure.

 

[pinhead]

Looking to switch my A1 long handguard to a covert one. I have the older A1 style that gets drawn together with a handguard nut and indexes off a pin that is located in top section of chassis. What are my options. I am thinking I need to call around and locate the expensive old style but dont know for sure.

Sounds like you have the latest A1 handguard version, below:




Or do you have this, the Gen2 and early A1 handguard:



You will either need to get in touch with Desert Tech directly to order a new one, a dealer to order one, or you could always ask someone if they want to trade you handguards.

 

[st1650]

Sounds like you have the latest A1 handguard version, below:

View attachment 7327023


Or do you have this, the Gen2 and early A1 handguard:

View attachment 7327024

You will either need to get in touch with Desert Tech directly to order a new one, a dealer to order one, or you could always ask someone if they want to trade you handguards.

Getting in touch with DTA for anything... good luck. I’ve been trying for years to get some warranty parts - I just give up and have my importer buy them from Midwest gunworks.

 

[srt-4_uk]

I've had incredibly good luck getting in touch with them recently. They had someone new take over the warranty dept and I've gotten email and phone responses pretty quickly.

 

[st1650]

I've had incredibly good luck getting in touch with them recently. They had someone new take over the warranty dept and I've gotten email and phone responses pretty quickly.

Thanks - I'll try them again.

FYI, to those who aren't fans of the SRS for barricade shooting - Try the new Area 419 Railchanger X. I usually don't shill for gear but I found it really helped balancing the rifle and helped with keeping the rifle more stable during recoil.

 

[mountainman308]

I've had incredibly good luck getting in touch with them recently. They had someone new take over the warranty dept and I've gotten email and phone responses pretty quickly.

As have I. DT made an error on my order, and Mike kept in contact with me throughout the process as he worked to make it right. It took a bit longer than I would have preferred, but they worked hard to get everything figured out.

 

[MNfarmer]

Yes I have the handguard in the top picture the newer a1 handguard. Does that still mean I need to purchase or swap that type or do any of the newer styles work?

 

[pinhead]

You’ll need the A1 handguard, latest version. The A2 handguard won’t work. DT has already said they don’t plan to make kit/adapter where an A1 chassis can use an A2 handguard.

 

[MNfarmer]

Thanks for the reply. I am gonna guess that they also quit making a1 handguards as well so I am gonna have to buy an existing high price one somewhere. They spend all this time engineering these nice rifles wish they could get some of the simpler things right as well, like a good 10 round mag or a handguard adapter really would makes these guns even more appealing.

 

[Keens]

Got some time to play with the wind yesterday. I could hit B/C steel to 1400 but the elusive 10x10 square at 1300.. never connected. Kept me up last night.
Video: Youtube

 

[BuLLet]

That's a beautiful looking range. What's the furthest you have on it?

Got some time to play with the wind yesterday. I could hit B/C steel to 1400 but the elusive 10x10 square at 1300.. never connected. Kept me up last night.
Video: Youtube

 

[Keens]

That's a beautiful looking range. What's the furthest you have on it?

I appreciate it.
1400 yds. Placing some smaller targets down range has made it challenging past 1000. Thankfully we have some real wind to play with here (uncommon in this area).

 

[Snipe260]

Help me pick a 20 inch barrel for my covert! Caliber and barrel maker. Mostly hunting but want to be able to shoot to 1400 yards. 600 hunting deer sized game. Thanks

 

[ChadL]

Help me pick a 20 inch barrel for my covert! Caliber and barrel maker. Mostly hunting but want to be able to shoot to 1400 yards. 600 hunting deer sized game. Thanks

With your criteria in mind it’s pretty tough to beat 6.5 creedmoor. Either SAC or ES Tactical for barrels. I have barrels from both and they’re excellent.

 

[Keens]

Help me pick a 20 inch barrel for my covert! Caliber and barrel maker. Mostly hunting but want to be able to shoot to 1400 yards. 600 hunting deer sized game. Thanks

With your criteria in mind it’s pretty tough to beat 6.5 creedmoor. Either SAC or ES Tactical for barrels. I have barrels from both and they’re excellent.

I second ES Tactical 110%.
6.5 or 6mm CM. I’d probably go 6.5 and push 130 Hybrids to get some more velocity than the heavier rounds out of the shorter tube.

 

[Snipe260]

With your criteria in mind it’s pretty tough to beat 6.5 creedmoor. Either SAC or ES Tactical for barrels. I have barrels from both and they’re excellent.

Yes! I’ve been torn between the creed and Prc!

 

[Drew890]

Either SAC or ES Tactical for barrels. I have barrels from both and they’re excellent.

I’ve been tempted to try one of the ES button barrels.
I don’t suppose your ES barrel is one of their button barrels?

 

[Snipe260]

I’ve been tempted to try one of the ES button barrels.
I don’t suppose your ES barrel is one of their button barrels?

Does anyone know if they are ceracoating they’re barrels yet?

 

[Drew890]

Does anyone know if they are ceracoating they’re barrels yet?

On their item order page it says that cerekoting is currently not available.

 

[ChadL]

I’ve been tempted to try one of the ES button barrels.
I don’t suppose your ES barrel is one of their button barrels?

I have 2 barrels from ES Tactical and one of them is the button barrel he offers. I had it chambered in 25 creedmoor and it’s awesome. I would not hesitate to buy another button barrel from Eric.

 

[ChadL]

Yes! I’ve been torn between the creed and Prc!

If readily available factory ammo is a concern then creedmoor all day long. I have a different rifle chambered in 6.5 prc and it’s a great round. Not much for factory ammo offerings compared to creed though and it’s more expensive to shoot, if that matters.

 

[Baer45]

Why not just go with a bartlein (sp) from Mark at SAC? He can make some good suggestions and chamber it to the round you shoot? There are other good gun builders as well...my best experience has been with him and his article in accurate shooter.com help us all out...20” sounds short to me...fwiw

 

[Snipe260]

If readily available factory ammo is a concern then creedmoor all day long. I have a different rifle chambered in 6.5 prc and it’s a great round. Not much for factory ammo offerings compared to creed though and it’s more expensive to shoot, if that matters.

You are correct. I’ve decided to go with the creed! Thanks guys!

 

[Baer45]

Does anyone have a barrel in 204? Would love to have a 204 for groundhogs

I have a 223 Bartlein barrel mark at sac spun up for me with a longer chamber for the 77s and 80’s and its a wicked ground hog gun...also shoot them with 6XC....

 

[Snipe260]

Why not just go with a bartlein (sp) from Mark at SAC? He can make some good suggestions and chamber it to the round you shoot? There are other good gun builders as well...my best experience has been with him and his article in accurate shooter.com help us all out...20” sounds short to me...fwiw

I know that you can’t go wrong with sac for sure. I went from the regular srs to the covert to shorten up. That’s why 20 inch and I should be able to push 130s fairly well.

 

[Baer45]

Makes sense now..

 

[GMZ]

Help me pick a 20 inch barrel for my covert! Caliber and barrel maker. Mostly hunting but want to be able to shoot to 1400 yards. 600 hunting deer sized game. Thanks

Hard to go wrong with any of the DT smiths. I have a SAC 223 which is amazing and a 300 PRC cut rifled on order from ES Tactical. Hell even the factory barrels shoot good.

I’m loving my 22.5” 6.5CM from DMR. Took about a week from when I called him until it shipped. Hawk Hill blank.

First group after zero with random charge of 43 gr H4350 under a 130 Hybrid in Lapua brass. Getting 2790 with with single digit ES with that load. Want to get closer to 2900 eventually but really don’t want to fuck with any load development at this point just having a blast banging steel.

550 with same load.

 

[MNfarmer]

Why not just go with a bartlein (sp) from Mark at SAC? He can make some good suggestions and chamber it to the round you shoot? There are other good gun builders as well...my best experience has been with him and his article in accurate shooter.com help us all out...20” sounds short to me...fwiw

No offense meant but sometimes a guy only wants to spend 675 for a full conversion barrel instead of 900 plus. It seems with the way these things are designed you could bore a hole through a truck axle and mount it up and it will shoot under MOA. Only reason I haven't sold mine is no matter what barrel maker or Smith made conversion I shoot if I point my SRS at something its gonna hit it easier then any other gun I've shot.

 

[Baer45]

No offense taken....it’s all about the purpose...

 

[sand dog]

Looking through this thread and doesn't seem to be much movement. I really like the DTA, and have owned an SRS and two Coverts. I recently sold one of my LH Coverts as well, which got me thinking. I see a lot of DTAs on the sales forum and started wondering why. I personally know of several guys who went down the DTA road, and sold them later on. What are your observations on this platform? This gun was the hottest thing going for a while!

 

[pinhead]

With Covid going on a lot of ranges are shut down, so if you don’t have private land to go to, some folks may not be able to shoot. When you can’t shoot, it’s hard to post up all the good results. This thread moves and throttles often, I personally love the platform. I have an A1 and a Covert, some people may be thinning the herd.

 

[deersniper]

Looking through this thread and doesn't seem to be much movement. I really like the DTA, and have owned an SRS and two Coverts. I recently sold one of my LH Coverts as well, which got me thinking. I see a lot of DTAs on the sales forum and started wondering why. I personally know of several guys who went down the DTA road, and sold them later on. What are your observations on this platform? This gun was the hottest thing going for a while!

Some people sell for money issues, some went to A2s, some have reliability issues or don’t like the awkward/heavy bolt lift.

I love mine. Very little shift from barrel to barrel. Very accurate and easy to shoot. Nice and compact. Easy to shoot off hand. My AX is higher quality, smoother and more reliable but I like the DTs more for the mentioned attributes.

 

[sand dog]

is that one of the 223 conversion kits?

 

[deersniper]

is that one of the 223 conversion kits?

The short one is. Phenomenally accurate. Highly recommend. Hit a ghog at 680 with 53gr SuperPerformance with it. And I’m a mediocre shot

 

[Juggerxxx]

Looking through this thread and doesn't seem to be much movement. I really like the DTA, and have owned an SRS and two Coverts. I recently sold one of my LH Coverts as well, which got me thinking. I see a lot of DTAs on the sales forum and started wondering why. I personally know of several guys who went down the DTA road, and sold them later on. What are your observations on this platform? This gun was the hottest thing going for a while!

I hate my SRS A1! It makes me spend more money on more barrels and different calibers which leads to more fights with the wife which leads to away more trips to range and matches. I hate that it’s my absolute favorite gun and gives me some much joy and excitement.

 

[GMZ]

Looking through this thread and doesn't seem to be much movement. I really like the DTA, and have owned an SRS and two Coverts. I recently sold one of my LH Coverts as well, which got me thinking. I see a lot of DTAs on the sales forum and started wondering why. I personally know of several guys who went down the DTA road, and sold them later on. What are your observations on this platform? This gun was the hottest thing going for a while!

It comes and goes. Once summer hits and states open up it should pick up steam. To keep shooting through this bs I had to hike in 2-3 mi to a questionable spot. A lot of guys are always looking for the latest and greatest, see it with other brands, optics, etc. It’s a bull pup too so there’s that.

I sold my AXMC to get my SRS and no regrets yet, even though the AI is a more refined rifle with a better fit and finish the versatility and form factor of the SRS are better for me. Go from a 16” 223 (22” in my case) to a 28” 338 with the same chassis, same scope, same trigger pull etc.

Bolt was rough at first but it’s pretty smooth now. Haven’t adjusted the trigger yet seems fine so far. Mags are overpriced but room to load as long as you want.

 

[Baer45]

I am blown away by the accuracy of my SAC conversions. My 22”. 223 shoots better then I can and is a real hog killer..love the 308 SAC as well...DT barrels are so excellent that I did not expect the accuracy jump I saw from the SAC Bartleins ....

 

[sand dog]

Dont get me wrong. I like mine. I sold the FDE one, but still have the black LH Covert, w 300 win, 7 WSM, and 220 swift custom barrel. Definitely a different manual of arms compared to a traditional bolt, but they are accurate. still a little on the heavy side. Disappointed DT decided not to make a LH A2 version, but i guess numbers must be small

 

[12B.Ryan]

Help me pick a 20 inch barrel for my covert! Caliber and barrel maker. Mostly hunting but want to be able to shoot to 1400 yards. 600 hunting deer sized game. Thanks

Special Purpose Rifles has Proof Research carbon fiber barrels completed on the shelf ready to ship and drop into the chassis. 22" 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win, and .338 Lapua Mag. For what you're wanting to do I would go with the 6.5 PRC. You can get a little more performance over the Creedmoor. With it on the shelf there is no need to wait weeks or months for a barrel.

 

[Keens]

Looking through this thread and doesn't seem to be much movement. I really like the DTA, and have owned an SRS and two Coverts. I recently sold one of my LH Coverts as well, which got me thinking. I see a lot of DTAs on the sales forum and started wondering why. I personally know of several guys who went down the DTA road, and sold them later on. What are your observations on this platform? This gun was the hottest thing going for a while!

I have been too busy shooting to post. Enjoying getting used to this new platform (for me). At 25 you see things on the Hide and it takes you a couple of years to save your pennies; by the time everyone goes their separate ways you are just getting started.

Factory ELD from a 26” TS Customs barrel, 2837avg. Two 700 yd, one 1000, one 1380ish. I call it 1400 depending on where I’m sitting

 

[TheLurkingKnowItAll]

So after saving up for a good long while and selling my other bolt guns I finally ordered my A2. Bought a 300 PRC barrel through ES Tactical. Now the waiting game begins. New to the PRC and the SRS, but my 300 WM loads used the 225 eld’s and I like the idea of being able to buy loaded ammunition with the same bullets as my hand loads. We’ll see how it goes.