Daniel Defense recently added three new upgraded versions to their DD5 lineup.  This expanded the DD5’s lineup in terms of barrel length, caliber, and overall features.  This overhaul makes the DD5 series of rifles more attune to the customer’s needs.  Keen to try out the latest and greatest, I asked Daniel Defense if I could review the DD5 V5 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, and they kindly obliged.

TFB Review: Daniel Defense DD5 V5

Features

Out of the box, the V5’s 20″ Cold Hammer Forged (CHF) barrel is topped off by DD’s Superior Suppression Device.  The barrel is also Chrome Lined and features a 1:8″ twist rate.

New to the V3, V4, and V5 rifles is the user-adjustable 4140 alloy steel gas block with settings for Suppressed and Unsuppressed.  Simply insert the supplied Allen-Key, and turn 90 degrees to the left for Suppressed, or to the right for Unsuppressed.

What sets the DD5 apart from the rest is its barrel mounting system.  The DD5 uses a 4-Bolt Connection system that mounts the handguard and the barrel to the receiver.

Not just some, but all of the controls on the DD5 are ambidextrous.  Added features like an oversized bolt catches make these controls even better.

In keeping with the Ambi-Controls, the DD5 also features the new Grip-N-Rip charging handle.

The lower receiver features a large flared magwell that easily fits M110/SR25 pattern magazines.

At the heart of the DD5 is a new proprietary stainless steel bolt that’s housed in a mil-spec carrier finished in Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC).  DLC provides a very high hardness while maintaining a low friction coefficient.

A double pattern ejector system is accompanied by a new even beefier extractor.

Subtle features like this captive takedown pin are a well thought out touch.

At the rear of the carrier is a weighted buffer that aims to increase overall reliability.

 

At The Range

After adding an optic and bore-sighting the rifle, I topped the rifle off with a Dead Air Nomad-L and headed to the range.

Using cheaper ammo to get a group on paper, I was then able to adjust before printing the above 5 round group.  This would have been even better if I hadn’t gotten overly excited and pulled shot #5 just a hair right. The trigger on the DD5 V5 was much heavier than I was expecting, but I was still putting accurate groups together.

Where the DD5 really shines is as a silencer host.  With the adjustable gas block in the appropriate setting, the gun was perfectly gassed with a 4’oclock ejection pattern.

Even better was just how reliable it ran.  It doesn’t matter if it’s Winchester White Box or Hornady Match, the gun will run it and group it.

As the shots started getting easier, I kept adding more and more distance.  I even removed the Nomad-L and ran the gun unsuppressed at this point to test reliability.  At the end of this, I’d put just under 200 rounds of mixed ammo through the gun without any failures.

Running low on time with the rifle, and running low on ammo, I headed back to TNT Guns and Range to group the gun one last time.  Using the last three rounds of Federal Gold Medal I was able to print a .6 MOA group.  As the sight-in group printed .85 MOA, this made the match ammo average .725 MOA.

 

Pro’s & Cons

With a price tag of $2,499 and the performance to match, the DD5 V5 brings some fierce competition to the AR-10 market.  Even with its 20″ barrel, the rifle still weighs less than nine pounds from the factory.  It’s the all-around perfect blend of performance, reliability, and affordability for a rifle in this class.

While I do like the new barrel mounting system, it does severely limit your rail choices moving forward.  I’m rather indifferent on the grip, but the rifle could stand to benefit from a more precision-oriented stock.  Lastly, the adjustment on the gas block does start to tighten up after 100+ rounds and will need some solvent added to loosen it back up.

The Verdict

Throughout the review, I shot as many different types of ammo as I could with various silencers.  No matter the ammo it would always run, and would predictably group on target.  Yes, I wasn’t very fond of the factory stock or trigger, but these are two things I most often replace on all my AR-pattern rifles.

All-in-all the DD5 V5 in 6.5 Creedmoor is an absolute surgical sledgehammer.  It runs perfectly suppressed or unsuppressed and puts accurate groups on target.  If you’re looking for an AR-10 pattern rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Remington, or 308 Winchester, I’d strongly suggest you take a look at the new Daniel Defense DD5 lineup. After this review, I’ll definitely be picking one up.

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