Desert Tactical Arms SRS:
Initial Impressions
Written and edited by Joshua Kernan

DTA SRS (Bottom) along side custom remington 700 (Top)

Let me just start by saying that I have been waiting a very long time to get this rifle and am happy to share my first impressions with you. The configuration I ordered was as follows; standard SRS chassis in solid OD green, .338 Lapua Magnum conversion kit, 35mm ringed base with 30 MOA incline, sitting on standard Harris bipod, and topped with a custom ordered U.S. Optics 3.2-17x SN-3 T-PAL glass.

Test target, 100 yards, 250 Lapua Scenar

Accuracy is on par with what is expected from any match quality rifle. Furthermore, to eliminate any doubts concerning this, DTA conveniently includes a test target shot at one hundred yards to verify their accuracy guarantee, with exceptional results. To illustrate this point I refer to the test target I received with my rifle, showing a sub half minute group with overlapping holes, giving you all the confidence you’ll ever need when it comes to hitting your target. Indeed, the SRS warrants substantial testing at dramatically further ranges with varying loads to further define its full potential…unfortunately, I had to return Afghanistan on work related affairs before I had the chance to fully evaluate the SRS’s full shooting capabilities. However please keep your eyes peeled for an update to this initial review, as I promise to conduct an extremely in-depth range test when I return, to include an extensive selection of factory ammo and custom hand loads, at ranges out to a mile and beyond.

First off, I must admit that I am completely infatuated and in love with the Bullpup rifle design. Regardless of my opinion it is impossible not to recognize the efficiency and ergonomic benefits associated with this configuration. Most specifically is the fact that the overall length is greatly reduced compared to its conventional counterpart. Another potentially less obvious facet is the added room for barrel length, while still retaining a rifle that is shorter than the standard layout. For example the SRS in .338 Lapua Magnum has a barrel length of 26 inches and an overall length of approximately 37 ½ -39 5/8 inches (depending on the number of butt plate spacers and accessories attached). Compare this to a conventional rifle in .338 Lapua Magnum such as an Accuracy International AW with an overall length of

SRS with 26 inch (Top), compared to custom Remington 700 with 30 inch barrel (Bottom), yes I know, stop making fun of my temporary white cheek rest.

approximately 48.5 inches with a 27 inch barrel. This translates to a rifle that is about 10 inches shorter than its conventional counterpart with equal length barrels! Anyone who has humped around a 45-50 inch rifle through field and urban environments will quickly recognize and appreciate the benefits of such a compact design. Now more specific to the SRS, I can see that many might be concerned about the bolt throw being awkward or unfamiliar. However, let me assure you that this is not the case. Bolt throw is glass smooth and natural, featuring an innovative collapsing bolt design.

One of the first distinctive features you will notice when glancing over the SRS is the fully integrated pictinnay rail system.  With rails running full length along the top of the rifle, there are abundant options for mounting your favorite optic, which in conjunction with DTA scope rings can comfortably fit anything with 56mm or smaller objective lens. However, it is important to note that there is no taper built into the upper rail of the SRS. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a set of DTA’s scope rings which have varying amounts of taper built in. These scope rings are available for 30mm, 34mm, or 35mm scope bodies and can have 20, 30, or 40 MOA of incline. In addition to your day sight, there is enough rail space extending forward to mount any applicable night sight, such as the ever-popular UNS or MUNS. Furthermore, the rifle fore end also has accompanying side and bottom rail surfaces to accept any other accessories one might consider adding such as a pair of bipods.

One of my favorite features of the SRS is its balance point, which is situated just forward of the trigger, depending on where your sight is mounted and attached accessories might be. This handy design point makes the SRS a pleasure to carry, compared to the majority of the rifles whose balance point is far off to the barreled end. Furthermore, this balance point is optimal for offhand shooting, substantially reducing shooter fatigue when maintaining a standing shooting position or sighting in for extending periods of time.  Rifle weight is perfectly acceptable by any standards, coming in at 12.4 pounds with the .338 LM conversion and no accessories or sight mounted. Attaching a U.S. Optics SN-3 T-Pal and a pair of Harris Bipods will increase overall weight to about 15 pounds, a bit heavier than my ideal rifle, but is more than manageable with its ideal balancing point creating the illusion of being several pounds lighter when hand carried. In spite of my personal preference of lighter is better, the weight is an ideal compromise between carry weight and recoil management of a heavy hitting cartridge such as the .338 Lapua Magnum.

Another feature that I found to be exceptionally useful is the quick change barrel system, enabling a single platform to perform a multitude of duties, extending from shorter ranged work in an urban environment where over-penetration and shot signature may be a concern, to long range or hard-target interdiction needs. Moreover, this task can be completed in about a minute once one is familiar with the system. The task is simple, accomplished by four locking screws on the right side, a locking “switch” for lack of a better word, on the left, and a barrel alignment pin within the chassis. Installation is as simple as sliding the barrel assembly into the chassis until it drops into proper alignment via the guide pin, sliding the corresponding bolt in through the rear (after removing the rear shoulder pad and spacers, easy as pulling a latch back and pressing down), closing the bolt, turning the left side switch to lock, and screwing the four screws on the right side in to the proper torque. This can all be accomplished with the use of one torque wrench available from DTA. To disassemble, simply follow the reverse order.

Cartridge comparison, from left to right, .338 Lapua Magnum, 7mm Remington Ultra Magnum, .308 Winchester, .223 Remington.

In addition to .338 Lapua Magnum, other calibers available to the standard SRS chassis include .300 Winchester Magnum, .308 Winchester, and .243 Winchester.  Beyond the currently available calibers, what I find exciting is the potential this system has for the avid reloader and wildcatter. To illustrate the vast potential for varying calibers, one has but to examine the internal dimensions of the SRS chassis to reveal its ability to comfortably camber any cartridge equal to or smaller than the .338 Lapua Magnum, leaving a vast array of possible calibers. Furthermore, thanks to DTA’s proprietary magazine design it is possible to have an overall cartridge length of four inches, finally alleviating reloading frustrations about not being able to seat your favorite 300 grain bullet out to its full potential due to pesky magazine length restrictions. Also included in this clever magazine design is a shoulder retention system which contacts the case shoulder, preventing the tip of the bullet from sustaining damage by slamming into the front of the magazine under heavy recoil and wreaking havoc on accuracy.

However there is one caveat to this magazine design, namely pertaining to the hand re-loader using exotic bullets, and should not affect the average shooter remotely. That said, during load development I discovered it is not necessarily possible or appropriate to utilize the

Load development with 232 grain GS Custom solids seated to 3.95 inch overall cartridge length, to the left DTAs large magazine for .338 LM

full 4 inches of overall length capacity within DTA’s magazine with particular .338 Lapua magnum loads. To elaborate, I was creating a .338 Lapua Magnum load using a 232 grain mono metal solid bullet manufactured by GS Custom Bullets, located in South Africa. These ‘solids’ tend to be much longer than their conventional jacketed counterparts for the same weight. As these bullets prefer to be seated as close to the lands and grooves as possible, I initially seated them so that I had an overall cartridge length of 3.95 inches, which is within what the magazine is claimed to support. However I immediately noticed during load test that the tips of these bullets were still being slammed into the front of the magazine due to recoil as I was working up to maximum loads, subsequently deforming the tips and causing mayhem on accuracy. Upon further investigation I discovered that although the shoulder retention system incorporated into the magazine design does indeed work, it will only reliably stop forward movement of the cartridge before the bullet tip contacts the front of the magazine if the overall cartridge length is kept under 3.8 to 3.85 inches (actual OAL capacity varying slightly by magazine). I realize that this issue may only pertain to the magazines in my inventory, nevertheless my experience so far is to ensure bullet integrity, the overall cartridge length should not exceed 3.8 inches to be fed without concern from an SRS magazine (.338 LM). Even so this is nothing to scoff at, in fact quite the contrary as this beats out the majority of other rifles on the market chambered in .338 Lapua, whose magazine restrictions typically limit OAL to 3.6 inches. As earlier stated, this is a non-issue for the average shooter as DTA’s magazine is one hundred percent reliable with any factory ammo available, as well as any conventional style bullet seated to as far out as will allow the round to camber.

Addressing the issue of cheek weld…this is probably my only major complaint about the SRS. To elaborate, the SRS comes with a fixed cheek rest, completely non-adjustable. Furthermore, because of how and where the bolt travels, it creates difficulties if you were inclined to build your own cheek piece using any method which required wrapping material around the stock. To build a proper sturdy cheek rest I feel would require a more semi-permanent to permanent modification. However, I concede it is not a true design flaw, the cheek weld height and placement is optimized to achieve ideal sight alignment for 95% of all shooters when using DTA’s own scope rings and base. Unfortunately, I happen to fall under that other 5% category due to my unusually high cheek bones…and us 5% would really appreciate an adjustable cheek piece on every rifle ever made. In addition to what has already been stated, another facet concerning adjustability to individual shooters is length of pull, which is easily accomplished by the three removable butt spacers included with the chassis. It has a minimum length of pull of 14.5 inches, which is further adjustable via 3 half spacers.  I myself find leaving just two plates in place is the perfect fit. Another pleasant surprise when it comes to the SRS is the trigger. While, some may place a stigma of shoddy trigger control to all bullpup rifles, let me assure you that is not the case. Trigger control is crisp, breaking at precisely the intended weight, which is conveniently adjustable between 1-6 pounds. This can be done at the basic operator level using only an Allen wrench.

One of the best ways I can think of to describe the SRS would be the ultimate go to rifle. With such a vast array of configurations available, I can’t think of a role this rifle couldn’t fill. It’s capable of performing as a military sniper rifle; a hunter’s go-to rifle, or providing reliable precision for the competition shooter. In any case, thank you for reading and please keep a look out for an update when I return from Afghanistan and have a chance to really put the SRS to the test!