SADJ 7#3

DPMS GII SASS.308 Win. AR Rifle
and other types of supported fire if needed.
Some of the precision tactical rifles coming
on line today reflect more of target shooting
heritage than tactical weighing over 16
pounds. The GII SASS’s 10 pound weight
translates into a rifle that can be carried
afield without fatiguing the marksman and
is easier to adapt to non-standard firing
positions even offhand if needed. The 18-
inch medium profile barrel is a solid compromise
balancing weight, performance,
and field handling for the tactical marksman.
The GII SASS had no problems with
shifting points of aim even when firing a
full magazine of twenty aimed rounds in
relatively rapid fashion.
A Schmidt & Bender (S&B) 5-20x50
PM II Ultra Short was mounted on the GII
SASS via a Recknagel quick release mount.
The S&B had a Tremor 2 reticle. Further
tactical modification of the GII SASS into a
lowlight/dark role is satisfied by mounting
an American Technologies Network ATN
PS22 Night Vision device in front of the
Schmidt & Bender scope. This multi-use
ability keeps day scope constantly zeroed,
yet allows for quick adaptation during a
night mission. This eliminates the need
for a separate dedicated weapon system
exclusive to night vision tasks or having to
constantly remove day optics from a rifle
and replacing with a NVD. The PM II Ultra
Short design had just this application in
mind with its design. The ATN PS22 serves
as a force multiplier when employed on the
GII SASS. The forend also has side rails for
mounting IR illuminators used in conjunction
with the NVD device or intense
tactical white lights if NV is not used. The
GII SASS reflects modern trends of utilizing
night vision with night vision devices
easily mounted.
Various .308 Win. loadings from
Black Hills Ammunition, Federal, Winchester
and Hornady provided the basis
of accuracy tests. The Black Hills Match
loads tested consisted of 168 grain Match
bullets. The Federal chambering was the
venerable 168 grain Match load. 168 grain
TAP from Hornady and 168 grain Match
from Winchester was also tested. The GII
SASS’s 18-inch barrel with the 168 grain
loads clocked 2,550 feet per second. As
to be expected with quality ammunition,
velocity figures within the different
loads deviated very little from round to
round. This is critical for predicable long
range accuracy.
The GII SASS shot all the premium
168 grain loads tested into 1 MOA or better
at 100 yards. Many will scoff at this as typical
gun writer fluff. Obviously, the best ammunition
brands and loads where utilized.
Black Hills Ammunition, Federal, Winchester,
and Hornady are industry leaders,
which is what this type of rifle deserves
to wring out its full potential. The testing
was done off a bench supported by Harris
bipod and Champion shooting bags. The
Federal 168 grain Match, Winchester 168
grain Match, and BHA 168 grain Match
produced the best 100 yard average with
all producing slightly over 5/8 inch averages.
The accuracy figures are based on firing
3 three-round groups and averaging group
sizes. Another sign of an accurate, dependable
rifle is how cold bore zeros compare
over time and if the point of aim shifts
after a few rounds heat up the barrel. The
DPMS GII SASS showed no shifts in point
of aim and cold bore zeros produced fine
groups when overlaid together.
Not much time was spent at the 100
yard range. After verifying innate accuracy
from the bench, field tests were performed
at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC).
Echo Valley Training Center is properly
set-up to handle extensive test firing of a
precision tactical rifle like the GII SASS. In
conjunction with the individual training
bays, EVTC features multi-stepped target
berms that are strewn with reactive steel
targets, fluid drained automobiles, and
moving targets at ranges varying from
150 yards out to 350 yards. Echo Valley
Training Center is further enhanced by
the existence of prepared firing positions.
This allows for more realistic prone and
“dug-in” trench-style firing points consisting
of concrete culverts turned on end
and buried. These firing positions and target
arrangements are ideal for all types of
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