Last time, we took a look at the DMR concept from an equipment standpoint. Some key points from the last discussion:

• Glass turns your rifle *as is* from a 0-300 yard gun to a 0-600+ yard gun.
• Free Floating enhances POI consistency
• Any rifle with a decent chrome lined barrel can be a DMR
• Quality ammo makes substantial improvements in any rifle
• The DMR concept is not tied down to a specific style of rifle

So it’s not about building a Mk 12 clone, it’s about acknowledging that the rifle you have right now is capable of doing *great* things with the right upgrades and training on your part. So what use is a DMR style rifle in the hands of a civilian?

Versatility

Equipping your rifle with glass, a free float rail, and quality ammo expand your rifles effective range to the edge of the AR15s ballistic capability. As a civilian, learning to use your rifle to the edge of its performance envelope is a good thing, but will their ever be a time when you can use 600 yard capability? We know disasters happen. Hurricane Katrina, the battle for Blair Mountain, the Tulsa Race riots, the Zimmerman / Martin riots, Furgeson, and the L.A. riots are just a few examples of extreme SHTF situations since 1900.

One million rounds expended in fighting? Yup, on Blair mountain. So it is not unprecedented to think that SHTF could go sideways very quickly. In fierce fighting, who wouldn’t want a rifle that is good both up close and out far? Let’s discuss some advantages a DMR style rifle can have to its user:

• Positive target ID: identifying persons from a distance to judge their intent
• Overwatch: capability of observing and covering a large area with accurate fire
• Small target capability: That rabbit looks delicous, if we can hit it
• Better low light capability: quality optics enhance your low light shooting
• Quality ammo: accuracy increased with more effective terminal ballistics
• Can harvest medium sized game from a further distance with above ammo

Glass isn’t the be all, end all since it cant quite compete with a red dot for the majority of close range scenarios, but as Jerry Mikulek can show us, a good 1x variable won’t slow us down that much either. Having an individual skilled in fundamental marksmanship and giving them a rifle which lets them apply their knowledge is a powerful thing. From hunting to defense, a DMR style build with a dedicated and practiced shooter expands the AR15 from a 0-300 to a 0-600+ yard rifle.

While the majority of us will never need to take a 200-300-400-500-600 yard shot, its a skill I want to cultivate and pass down to my kids. History shows us the last 100 years have been interesting, and things can only get more interesting from here. Can a boxer with longer arms reach his shorter armed opponent first? That’s exactly why I want to understand and apply the full potential of my rifle. – The New Rifleman