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Chris Parkin tests Buttless the DTA Stealth Recon Scout Bullpup precision rifl e from Wonder Desert Tactical Arms

The bolt shows 3 pairs of Four clicks with the torque wrench, opposing lugs that also controls turn the locking catch 180°, open headspace, note the calibre the bolt and the barrel slides out markings on the handle and extractor-ejector combination

218 june 2012 | GUN MART View hundreds more gun reviews online at www.gunmart.net desert tactical arms | firearms

he Desert Tactical twist rates, along with barrel Arms SRS rifl e is length are specifi cally tailored a new design and to a type-specifi c requirement, an unusul one too, from a short 22” .308 Win up Tas to my knowledge it’s one to a 26” .338 Lapua Magnum of the few bullpup, switch (both on test here), all within barrel precision designs a relatively compact package available. The back to front offering quick calibre change. design – behind Other options include; 243 the pistol grip and a butt that Win, 6.5x47, 260 Rem, 7mm doubles as a - reduces Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag. 20” of 308 barrel in size and increases versatility, The barrels both show a a gun this compact, as does its ability to swap fl uted heavy contour although what's the catch? calibres/barrels, so making there isn’t much of it on show, it of interest to the military/ with the 22” .308 version, shooting position to overcome lengths (COLs), there is a small police sniping community. which only just peeps out of heavy bolt lift. The magazine fi ller stop that sits between the However, the question is the 4-way Picatinny forend. This latch is presented on both sides bolt and the recoil pad to restrict does short necessarily one came threaded 5/8”x24 of the so is ambidextrous, it its travel to bring it into line with mean sweet? with a neat protector for a has a positive function and feel, the different magazine sizes with brake or moderator. The longer though the mag does not fall free their respective COL fi ller blocks. Chassis .338 is fi tted with a laterally and had to be removed by hand. The is described as system ported muzzle brake to tame match quality and is neither The rifl e comes as a an accuracy-biased but heavy Promised versatility single nor two stage, it travels chassis unit to which recoiling . The build DTA quotes a barrel change time smoothly until it breaks and, a calibre conversion negates any bedding issues; of just 60 seconds, which was although you expect it to hit kit is added. These as it’s a precise metal to metal not far from the truth. The fi rst a second stage, it doesn’t. comprise of fi t all the way through. step is to slacken the four Allen This suits very heavy recoiling a barrel, bolt The 12 o’clock rail extends bolts ½-turn (torque wrench weapons to prevent a fl inch, and magazine, back into the receiver for scope supplied) recessed into the right not a compact tactical/precision all specifi c to mounting. DTA's own scope side of the stock. On the left, just rifl e, even in .338 Lapua. Two, the chambering mount features a 20 minute of above the trigger guard, there’s injection-moulded plastic skins used. Bolt face angle (M.O.A.) incline to add another which has a 180 ̊ lock/ form the stock and provide a dimensions and long range versatility. In .308 unlock movement. Now open solid, comfortable fi t although Win, a 6-round steel magazine the bolt and the tube slides out cheek weld is non-adjustable offers smooth feeding of the front end. Reinstallation and a little tight. These skins from a single column is the reverse; the barrel is wrap the mechanics of the gun but direct single rotationally indexed so it will sit in very nicely into a minimalist, the correct position to `no frills` unit; form defi nitely slide back following function here! in. To The grip and trigger guard change are part of these skins and the offer a comfortable hold with loading by hand into bolt (if a good reach to the blade and the chamber requires required), clip off the butt ambidextrous sliding safety care. The 338 magazine plate so it can be slid out. This catch mounted just above it. only sacrifi ces one round to system worked consistently Here it’s back for SAFE and hold fi ve. Watch out for hot loads well, returning to zero time after forward to FIRE. Quick release as you need to break from the time as promised. I managed studs are fi tted to the stock to 73-seconds without breaking facilitate various carry styles from sweat although nobody was over shoulder to Biathlon-type shooting back at me! slings and cross chest formats, The bolt features six opposing the butt pad is a large, fairly lugs that lock into the rear of solid rectangular shape with a the chamber and ensure correct number of spacers to adjust headspace. A clever sliding rear the length of pull (LOP). All extension guarantees smooth metalwork is fi nished in a matt and fast operation. The handle black coating to give serious with its large plastic ball sits at protection from the elements. the front of the bolt body to Just in front of the recoil pad, Fast reloads are not as hard as you might specifi cally improve ergonomics sits an optional, integral rear expect once you alter your technique slightly that are unique to this design monopod. Up front on the layout. On shorter cartridge underside of the generously

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Form follows fl oating forend, sat an Accushot to the bullpup design. Several function, note the Atlas bipod offering the usual fi rers commented on the need safety catch location adjustability and tracking fl exibility to cant their heads a little too and the synthetic outer shell (skins) along with 6-9” legs. Easy to much and squash down hard, use it folds in both directions cheekbone to stock to attain a which on such a compact full sight picture. Although this is gun, might come in handy. perhaps a personal comment, it translated to the plastic of Curse of the Bullpup the stock, communicating a The gun was tested using both hard ring straight into the skull the .308win and .338 Lapua which although not painful, was setups, fi tted with a Schmidt a little tiring. The virtually solid & Bender 12.5-50x56 PMII steel build and compact length scope. After zeroing - which inherent with this design type led with either calibre was luckily to a very dense feel to the gun, only one MOA different - it leading to a different but easily really had its legs stretched. accommodated balance point In .308 with 168-grain factory and recoil feel, the muzzle was ammunition from Hornady and perhaps a little jumpy in 308. Remington, accuracy was into Having said this, even though the ¾ MOA region. Handloads the trigger took some careful improved upon this with a little control, the consistency and Even with a 24” barrel tailoring but I never managed effectiveness of this SRS was hard and brake in 338 Lapua a consistent ½ MOA. As was to ignore. At 1500 metres, hits Magnum, the gun was easily supported in a to be expected from a short on a 20” steel gong were easily tactical kneeling position barrel, velocities were a little within the shooter’s judgement low at 2550 fps but horses for of the light winds, shot after shot. courses; this is a mid-range The real surprise was that it took build spec. Handloads using a very little time to get used to the 155gr Sierra bullet at 2740 fps unusual bolt location! A slight seemed a better option when alteration of hand position and tackling steel plates at 800 yards technique allowed cycling just at the WMS Steel challenge. as quickly as guns using design When the opportunity to ergonomics we shooters have engage distant steel plates on trained on for over a hundred a pleasant June day with light years. It will never be as fast and winds drops in your lap, it’s yes, it needs a positive approach hard to ignore. So I swapped to ensure no snagging, but

The DTA mounts are a bit barrels and let rip with the .338 shooters should be very wary of a low and that comb could do Lapua. The gun was supplied hard bolt lift anyway! The fact that with a bit of padding too with custom ammunition by a sluggish extraction stroke often Bench Grade Brands and this sent hot brass into your knuckles TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION recipe really was a tried and was a constant reminder not to Model Desert Tactical Arms Stealth tested formula for success. A dawdle and to maintain positional Decon Scout Bullpup 300-grain Sierra Matchking consistency shot to shot. Calibre 308 Win and 338 Lapua driven by Vihtavuouri N560 The rear monopod was Magnum (on test) showed a 3-shot zeroing group excellent, a slight downward pull Capacity 5 and 6 accordingly (DM) as a dirty blob at a hundred engaged the quick elevation Calibres available 243 Win, 6.5x47, 260Rem, 308Win, yards, without wishing to waste extension and then careful 7mmRem, 300Win, 338 LM precious time and ammo, the rotation of the foot provided Barrel 22-26” SRS confi dently moved straight precise control. Like most Weight 11.5-12.25lbs out to more testing distances. supports, it was complemented Length 32.5-38.5” when used with a small, soft Trigger 3 lb fully adjustable Recoil transmission rear bag under the foot. All this Effective range 800-1900 yards (308W-338LM) The muzzle brake made the gun however comes at a price, which Prices Chassis £3000 roughly similar to a 30-06 in felt you would expect and to get Conversion Kit £1750 (£1950 in 338) recoil, fairly acceptable for such a on the road with one calibre; Scope mount £200 Rear Monopod £300 compact unit. The scope mounts, less scope mount, which is not Muzzle Brake £175 although offering an inbuilt 20 mandatory will cost you £4750. Magazine £100 MOA elevation, were just too This puts the SRS on par with the Contact Bench Grade Brands 01604 686800 low to achieve a comfortable Unique Alpine. Overall a great www.deserttacticalarms.com head position on the stock which multi calibre design that delivers itself is virtually straight, owing exactly what is promises! GM

220 june 2012 | GUN MART View hundreds more gun reviews online at www.gunmart.net