Talk me out of a new rifle..

[asmo]

Getting a nice bonus at work and thinking of picking up a new precision rifle. This will just be for plinking small targets (under 6") at distance (my range only goes to 500m) - and if my travel schedule ever stops, maybe for some light competition. For full disclosure I already have several other precision rifles (OBR, Sig SSG3000, Rem 5R, TRG22, etc) and this is just going to be another to play with. My SSG3000 is my normal shooter but its getting a little long in the tooth, and it is super heavy and awkward to haul around if I ever wanted to a Steel Challenge or the like -- so I want to do something different.

I have always liked bull-pups and have been wanting a DT Covert .308 WIN in 16" for awhile, and I am strongly leaning that way (but maybe at 22"). However, for roughly the same cost I could pick up an AI AT in .308 (or maybe an AX-MC .308). I am sticking with .308 because that is what I know and what I can reload for (usually 168g - but the TRG likes 175g), but I wouldn't mind something that I could switch calibers on without much issue (mainly to go to 300 Win). Also, I have never actually shot the DT, so I would need to do that before I actually wrote the check.

Whatever rifle I get will be suppressed with a TBAC 30BA (or maybe a SiCo Hybrid if it shoots nice enough) and topped with my normal Bushnell XRS 4.5-30x50 in H59.

So hive mind - is there something else I should be looking at? Is DT a good choice? Some other bullpup or say screw the bullpup and just get the AI?

[Marine24]

The DT Covert in 260 Rem has been on my wish list but waiting to see what comes out of Shot. Badger Ordnance new M134 Compact Precision Rifle looks interesting as well but not due out until the summer. BigHorn actions is coming out with their TLR3 action that has the ability to switch calibers like the Savage. Not something you can do in the field and will require a vice, barrel wrench, headspacing...etc.

[MarkCO]

The DTs are really nice. I would get one of those over an AI and I have seen a barrel swap from .308 to .338 and hitting within 1/2" of each other at 100 yards.

Don't know if you have played with one of the Ruger Precision Rifles yet. It is not an AI or a DT, but holy smokes do they shoot. Barrel swaps are a simple change out and headspace at home.

[asmo]

Don't know if you have played with one of the Ruger Precision Rifles yet. It is not an AI or a DT, but holy smokes do they shoot. Barrel swaps are a simple change out and headspace at home.

Had never seen nor heard of it.. Interesting, very interesting. I'm still trying to figure out why they have the AR style buffer tube. But I like the compatibility. I may need to go touch one of these.

[MarkCO]

The buffer tube has no buffer in it. It is there to hold the stock and the bolt shroud, when the action is worked, goes into the recess. I have shot all three calibers and I got one of my own about a month ago.

[Great-Kazoo]

Had never seen nor heard of it.. Interesting, very interesting. I'm still trying to figure out why they have the AR style buffer tube. But I like the compatibility.[LOL].


The only way to touch one is meet with another board member who has one. OR be at a LGS when one is put on the shelf. otherwise, it's probably gone.
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/149974-Ruger-precision-Rif?highlight=Ruger+Precision

[offgrid]

Especially comparing a DT to what you already have, I would try to talk you out of it.

The ONLY advantage I see to a DT is the ability to have a long barrel in a short OAL package. Comparing a DT trigger to your TRG two stage, absolutely no comparison. The TRG two stage is about as good as it gets. A big knock on the DT for me as a competitive shooter is the clunky bolt manipulation. That's not because of the location, I could adapt to that with a bunch of dry firing.... It's because of how much that bolt manipulation will move/disturb the rifle, longer to settle back down for the next shot.... I've watched a long time DT owner shoot the mover stage at the T3 match, witness how much more precious time it took to get back on target. Also on the long stage, targets out to 1360yds where we had two shots at each, how long it took him to get that second shot off, once again wasting precious time as the wind is changing. I've shot/handled his rifle, no thanks. Another knock is the magazine capacity.

For a off the the shelf rifle, the AI would be a very easy choice for me especially now that the bolts are available with a small diameter firing pin which allows small primer calibers.

[Spdu4ia]

I was going to ask if they fixed the mag capacity ... Tried and true AI is always a safe bet , if you want to try something different and new DT

[Delfuego]

I will only try to talk you out of 308...

And also listen to offgrid, he knows a lot :)

[Hoser]

DT rifles look cool.

That's all I got.

[Monky]

Talk you out of a rifle... bwahahahahhahahahaha... you better go to moms demand on fb if you want to be talked out of it.

[ColoWyo]

I am sticking with .308 because that is what I know and what I can reload for (usually 168g - but the TRG likes 175g), but I wouldn't mind something that I could switch calibers on without much issue (mainly to go to 300 Win).

Can you swap between .308 and 300WM? I'm not familiar with DT rifles and have been out of the game for a while, but aren't they two completely different actions? I'm just curious.

Good luck with your decision.

[ray1970]

I would never talk another man out of purchasing a firearm.

I say go for it.

[cableguy11]

Hell, you need to buy 2 or 3 not just one!!

[Calculated]

I've got a DT and a Ruger precision if you'd like to try before you buy.

As far as the bolt manipulation goes, that must be that guys issue. I ripped through stages faster than most of the guys in my squad at the last T3 match. I've got a 10 rounder for my Creed conversion that runs flawlessly. And as said previously, I can switch to my 338lm conversion in less than two minutes and have an MOA change in POI.

ColoWyo, you just swap out the bolt, barrel then put the corresponding magazine in and go to town.

[asmo]

I've got a DT and a Ruger precision if you'd like to try before you buy.


Done! I'll hit you up with a PM.

I am still reading and thinking. I really want to touch a DT and feel through the bolt manipulation and mag change. The compact size of the rifle is super intriguing to me.

The Ruger is going to be for my wife. She wants to play in the long gun game but she wants her own rifle to play with.

[Calculated]

Lol, that's what I told my wife too...

[ColoWyo]

ColoWyo, you just swap out the bolt, barrel then put the corresponding magazine in and go to town.

Ah thanks. I didn't know you could do that. I guess I'm still stuck in the old days where you needed two different actions. Pretty cool.