Next rifle....DTA vs. Custom Build

[bsumoba]

So, my next rifle is in the works, but want to get your input on what you would get.

Budget, let's say $4K without optics/rings

I like the DTA for its bullpup, compact design and the fact that you can easily swap barrels. I dislike the expense of a re-barrel and the proprieatary-ness of it. Trigger is not bad, but not a jewell which is what I am used to.

A custom build...well, not much to say here. No real negatives at all. You just cant swap barrels without a barrel vice and action wrench.

i guess the big question is whether or not the DTA is worth it over a custom build.

[emy]

DTA is the way to go, you can get different caliber with just barrel swap.

[Mute]

I'd say the deciding factor should be whether you really want the quick caliber change convenience. I had one, but personally, I found I prefer having another rifle in a different caliber vs swapping back and forth. YMMV.

[JMP]

I'd say to keep a few dedicated rifles in your pet cartridges or match rifles. Then, a DT is a good option for experimenting, and it is VERY good if you want to do things like be able to vary barrel length or twist within one cartridge or just try out an oddball. The nice thing is that you can spend the coin on a nice scope one time vs. three or four, and that's where the big savings come. So, it depends on what you have and what cartridge you are looking to go to.

[hj_S14]

DTA , and you can always custom build another one for fun later.

[Hk996]

Another good thing about DTA is the size savings... my rifle has a 26" barrel and it fits across in the back of my car. I haven't put it side by side with my 24" AR10, but that rifle has to go in my car lengthwise. It's just a prius, so they aren't that wide anyways.

[vliberatore]

Personally, I'd prefer a custom rifle. The DTAs are cool if that's what you're into though.

[bsumoba]

its actually a hard one for me. if my local smith or a smith in CA can do barrels up for me, it might be appealing.

I would love to do a DTA in 284 Shehane. Get a smith to chamber a barrel with my reamer and I would have an awesome gun. LOL.

I like the one optic thing too, but then again, I have a barrel vise and action wrench for my bolt actions right now, so I could switch barrel that way. Its not 60 seconds though

its such a nice, small package though.

[pvl925]

i want a DT/DTA so bad. plus there are other companies out there that make barrels for them.
check out...

http://shortactioncustoms.com/?page_id=1468

[vintagearms]

I always wonder if the DTA would be as accurate as a dedicated bolt gun.

[LynnJr]

The DTA barrels run $1100--2000 for a swap so how is that even remotely close to a full blown custom?
A barrel swap on your BAT action is a snap. You tighten the barrel in your vice remove the bolt insert action wrench and crack it loose. Once loose it spins right off and the new barrel goes right on hand tight. You then torque it to spec all of which can be done multiple times between relays. You can mount your vice onto a spare receiver hitch and keep it behind the seat.

As far as swapping out scopes use Davidson bases and all the best rings swap out in seconds. You loosen 2 or 4 sockethead capscrews slide the scope off of one rifle and onto another. T-handles make this a very quick job. The rings never leave the scope.

You can also start bedding your rings to the scope and get 100% contact that way and your scope will be mounted stress free unlike those lapping there rings.

Edit: Once you switch you can contact Fenton Sandlin out of Alba Texas and have him make you custom bases for $75 delivered in a single week. Any cant any height any length any action. Stress free scope mounting easy swaps and half the price.

[JMP]

It's a different animal compared to a dedicated custom. Sure, you can change barrels on a custom, but the DT gives a lot more flexibility. You can change from .243 Win to .338 Lapua in about a minute with just a hex wrench on the SRS platform. Conventional rifles won't do that. It just depends on what you are looking for.

[KillZone45]

You can also start bedding your rings to the scope and get 100% contact that way and your scope will be mounted stress free unlike those lapping there rings.

Who does this? Lapping rings is not needed these days with a quality ring setup like a Spuhr.

[dozer wright]

There was a guy at local range with a DTA All I can say is impressed he swapped between
338 Lapua and 243. I believe what he said .Had a Night force scope on each barrel.And both stayed on poa once changed.

[bsumoba]

thats the allure of it...

just dont know if I can justify a $1000,1,300 barrel changes. I can practically get two regular chambered up[ barrels for that cost.

Thats actually whats holding me back right now. that and the fact that shooting left handed would not be ideal. either with the design.