For six months the CMMG Mk3 DTR2 has drawn me deeper into an exhaustive testing regimen. This uber-AR10 conquered all of the challenges I attempted, from speed shooting to long range target shooting to hunting, establishing itself as the benchmark semiautomatic rifle.
Rifle Equipment List:
1. CMMG Mk3 DTR2 in 6.5 Creedmoor
2. Bushnell HDMR II FFP Rifle Scope:
3. Warne X-Skel 34mm 20-MOA Mount:
4. Weaver 34mm High Rings:
5. UTG Recon Flex Bipod (M-Lok):
6. UTG Recon Flex Bipod (Keymod):
7. Protekor Rear Bag:
Reloading Equipment List:
1. RCBS Chargemaster Lite Powder Dispenser:
2. RCBS 6.5 Creedmoor Reloading Dies:
3. Lee Ultimate 4-Die Set 6.5 Creedmoor:
4. Hornady BTHP Match Bullets 140-grain
5. Hornady ELDM Bullets 140-grain
6. Speer Gold Dot Rifle Bullets 140-grain
7. Speer Hot-Cor Bullets 140-grain
The history of the AR10 is a bumpy road, and in the end we have a market full of distinctly different variations on the original theme. The CMMG Mk3 series seems to favor reliable precision over other concerns. The DTR and DTR2 models include a Magpul PRS Gen 3 buttstock, a Magpul MOE grip, the Geissele SSA trigger, a 24″ heavy stainless barrel, and a long M-Lok handguard, hinting at CMMG‘s goal of long range precision. They absolutely nailed it. I was expecting my test rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor to perform well in some of the scenarios I cooked up, but each time we took it out the performance exceeded my expectations, making me wonder what it COULDN’T do.
By the time of this review, I can safely say that the CMMG Mk3 DTR2 can take on any challenge that isn’t hampered by its high weight. We shot moving targets, we shot it at 1,000 yards, we tagged our big board at a mile, we slammed steel popper targets and clay pigeons in our speed shooting drill, and then we got out to try a little hunting, where we bagged a big sow in a sprint and two coyotes.
All the carefully selected parts made the rifle comfortable, functional, and precise. Even the tiny little muzzle brake at the end of the threaded barrel worked better than expected, settling the rifle quickly for a fast follow-up shot. The way I outfitted this gun also worked stunningly well. The UTG Recon Flex bipod made a supremely stable platform, and I really can’t say enough about the Bushnell HDMR II. The pristine glass, reliable tracking, and complex FFP reticle (Horus H59) helped us get on target for long range shooting and hunting.
Looking back on all the challenges and tests we put the CMMG through, I very highly recommend it. It can produce nearly the precision of some very fine bolt action rifles I’ve recently had the pleasure of testing, and it can send that second shot much, much more quickly. If you can afford to own and feed this beast, then you should seriously consider it.
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Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive
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I would not mind having one in 7mm-08 but those seem to be hard to find not only that some dimwitted salesman trying to tell me the 6.5 creedmoor is better when I know for a fact it is not is no help in a sale as the salesman just told me a lie so what other lies is he telling me besides that?
I might find one someday in 7mm-08 and get one but every time I get some salesman telling me this or that caliber while not getting me what I ask for to begin with has lost that sale right off the rip
It is kind of like walking into a donut shop and asking for the chocolate covered donuts you see in the display case but then the lady starts an argument about how this other kind of donut taste way better and you should get it instead
I'm like never mind I will find another donut shop that will give me what I ask for
Same goes for them gun stores