When the conversation centers on tactical AR-platform rifles, Daniel Defense (DD) firearms will dominate much of the discussion. That’s eminently understandable as the Black Creek, Georgia, gunmaker has a strong rep for building quality, dynamic AR-15s, AR-10s, and pistol-caliber carbines for law enforcement and military professionals. But one aspect of Daniel Defense that’s frequently overlooked is their impressive semi-automatic hunting rifles. At the top of this line is the DD5 V5 Hunter available in either 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Remington.
I recently ran a new DD5 V5 Hunter in .260 Rem through several range sessions. The rifle was impressively accurate, functioned flawlessly, and featured a fine trigger system. It’s a first-rate hunting rifle, perfect for deer-sized game and very capable of making 300-plus yard shots.
DD5 V5 Hunter: Features
The DD5 Hunter’s impressive accuracy is the result of multiple factors, including the 20-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel made of DD’s proprietary steel and chrome-lined. In .260 Rem, the barrel’s twist rate is 1:7”. The threaded barrel comes with a Daniel Defense Superior Suppression Device muzzle device.
The lower receiver features a flared magazine well, ambidextrous mag release buttons, and a beefy, easy-to-manipulate bolt release. The standard manual safety selector is predictably located on the left side of the lower receiver. That flared magwell accepts SR-25 magazines.
The upper receiver features the DD GRIP-N-RIP ambidextrous charging handle with an extended latch that provides a well-leveraged grip and easy operation, even with the rear of an optic nearly on top of it.
Both the upper and lower were CNC machined from 7075-T6 Aluminum and Type III Hard Coat anodized.
A pinned, user-adjustable gas block is located near the right, front of the barrel and sports two settings: “S” for suppressed and “U” for un-suppressed. The setting is changed using a supplied Allen wrench.
The 15-inch DD5 Rail M-LOK handguard is CNC machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum and is Type III Hard Coat anodized. At the rear is a DD glass-filled polymer buttstock with a matching pistol grip with a soft-touch overmolding.
The Rail, upper, and lower receivers are all finished in Kryptek Highlander camo.
Inside the DD5 V5 Hunter Rifle
Daniel Defense designed the bolt with what the company terms “enhanced extractor geometry,” and that combined with dual ejectors made for reliable cycling throughout my 150 rounds of shooting. That combo also kicked empty brass a good six-plus feet from the rifle.
DD equipped the bolt carrier with a buffer for better cycling and improved recoil impulse. DD also super-finished and DLC-coated the bolt carrier group for easy cleaning and the ability to function in difficult conditions.
The two-stage Geissele Super Semi-Automatic trigger worked so very well, with the second stage breaking the sear wall at a tight 2 pounds, 5 ounces on average. Once the trigger was at that wall, there was zero hesitation or take up. I squeezed and my shot was gone.
Why Choose the .260 Remington
I’m a big fan of the .260 Rem. cartridge for deer and hog hunting and have been so for over a decade. It’s a flat-shooting and hard-hitting round yet is completely overshadowed by its first cousin, the 6.5 Creedmoor (CM).
The .260 Rem. and 6.5 CM have nearly identical ballistics and use the same diameter bullets, though the .260 Rem. leaves the muzzle of a 24-inch barrel at approximately 100 feet per second less than its 6.5 CM counterpart.
To me, the .260 Rem. was the 6.5 CM before the 6.5 CM even existed, as Remington debuted the round in 1997, a full decade before the 6.5 CM dropped. At various times, spec ops units were rumored to be testing the round for sniper platforms.
The .260 Rem. certainly has its fans today, and I bump into them in hunts around the country. Many rifle makers offer the round as an option in their lines, and a good number of ammunition options exist, too.
Still, it’s never taken off like the 6.5 CM. Why? Wish I had a clue.
My Test Rig
To test the rifle at my outdoor range, I first mounted an EOTech Vudu 3-9 second focal plane scope onto the DD5’s top rail.
This newest and most compact Vudu scope, at under seven inches long, is fog, water, and shock resistant. The turrets offer ¼ MOA adjustments and are both capped for protection. A rotary dial controls an illuminated reticle with 10 brightness settings; the single CR2032 battery provides roughly 300 hours of operation.
The Vudu quickly zeroed thanks to precise controls and provided clear, sharp images throughout my shooting.
I wanted to run the rifle suppressed, so I added a Raptor 7.62 suppressor made by AB Suppressors of New Century, Kansas. This version of the Raptor (there are five) comes in at 6.3 inches long, with a weight of 8.0 ounces and a diameter of 1.625 inches. Entirely manufactured from Grade 5 titanium, the Raptor weighs just 8.0 ounces, can handle centerfire rifle rounds up to .30 caliber and is full-auto rated.
The Raptor also features AB’s Reflex Mount. The mount attaches to the barrel threads, with the rear of the mount extending back over the barrel. This hollowed out extension increases the blast chamber volume without adding additional length. The Raptor itself then screws onto this mount.
The Raptor really knocked down the decibels on an otherwise very loud round and reduced the recoil pulse to a solid push into the shoulder. I experienced very little muzzle rise.
DD5 V5 Hunter at The Range
For my shooting, I ran the DD5 with three brands of .260 Rem. ammunition:
Federal Premium Big Game, loaded with a 140-grain Sierra Game King bullet;
Nosler Trophy Grade launching a 130-grain AccuBond bullet;
Sig Sauer Elite Hunter driving a 130-grain controlled expansion tip bullet.
Once the rifle and EOTech were zeroed, I shot five- and three-round groups for accuracy at 100 yards from a rest. My five shot groups came in at .80- to 1.2-inches for all three ammunition brands.
My best three shot groups were even tighter. The Federal ammo placed triples at .70- and .80-inches, while the Nosler made a .70- and a .35-inch group.
The winner? Sig Elite Hunter with a .65-inch group followed by a .20-inch triple play.
Yes, .20 inches. The Shooting Gods definitely steadied my aim during that string. And while it may well never happen again, that tiny group did happen on my second morning running the DD5 V5 Hunter.
But Wait, There’s More!
Yes, there’s more to the rifle, including the DD Buttstock made of glass-filled polymer with DD Soft Touch over-molding. The stock also extends or retracts into five different lengths/positions.
The rifle’s pistol grip is also fabricated with glass-filled polymer and covered with the same Soft Touch over-molding.
At 8.9 pounds unloaded, the DD5 V5 is a stout hunter; with the added optic, suppressor and ammo, the rig’s over 10 pounds. Odds are, this isn’t the rifle for a hunter climbing the sides of mountain ranges and steep canyons.
The rifle really is a longer distance hunter, a perfect fit for the shoot house or for a hilltop set up where it will perform easily as a 300-yard deer rifle, and further, depending on the shooter.
One can easily drill steel with the DD5 V5 out to 1,000 yards, too.
The spec ops guys were onto something when they looked over the .260 Rem. as a potential sniper round. Had they had the DD5 V5 Hunter to try out? Remington’s round may well be the popular one today, with people saying, “6.5 Creed-what?”
Daniel Defense DD5 V5 Hunter: Specs
Chambering: .260 Remington (also available in 6.5 Creedmoor)
Action: Semi-auto, gas operated, adjustable gas system
Barrel: 20 inches, DD proprietary steel, chrome-lined
OA Length: 38 3/8 to 41 5/8 inches, w/muzzle device
Weight: 8.9 pounds
Stock: DD Buttstock, glass-filled polymer
Grip: Glass-filled polymer w/soft touch over molding
Sights: None, comes with full-length Picatinny top rail
Receiver Finish: Kryptek Highlander
Capacity: 20
MSRP: $2,731
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