Shaking out the MDT DRT Chassis at the Real World Sniper Challenge

Over the past few weeks, I had the unique opportunity, as a supported shooter for MDT, to test the brand-new DRT chassis during the legendary Real World Sniper Challenge in the USA. Together with my teammate Diego Guit, we secured 8th place among a field packed with top-tier teams from around the world. What made this experience even more special is that the DRT chassis is still in the prototype phase. Thanks to the collaboration with Solid Solution Designs, I had the chance to run this chassis extensively and put it to the test immediately in one of the toughest and most realistic competitions in the world.

The Rifle

Before the match, we spent several days training with Ben and Allen from Veil Training Group. Their experience, coaching, and practical tips made an immediate impact. Many of the lessons we learned during those training days were directly applied throughout the competition stages.

The rifle setup consisted of the new MDT DRT chassis paired with an Impact Precision action and a 26” Bartlein barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor by Solid Solution Designs. Optics included a ZCO 5-27 with a Tremor 5 reticle mounted in a Spuhr mount, combined with a DeltaPoint Pro red dot and a Fire 4000 Laser Range Finder. Additional equipment included the MDT Send IT level and MDT timer. During the match, we also used suppressors we borrowed from our American friends.

Besides the rifle setup, I was equipped with a Glock 34 9mm pistol fitted with a DeltaPoint Pro red dot, Vector X binoculars carried in an Eberlestock harness, and an Eberlestock backpack.

Real World Sniper Challenge

The Real World Sniper Challenge is about much more than precision shooting alone. Every stage presents an unknown scenario in which, under intense time pressure, you are expected to make the right decisions. Positioning, target prioritization, communication, gear management, and fast problem-solving are all critical. The event is designed to replicate real-world situations where efficiency and teamwork are essential.

The DRT chassis proved to be the perfect tool for this environment. Thanks to its magnesium construction, the chassis is extremely lightweight without sacrificing strength or stability. Especially during dynamic stages and movement-heavy scenarios, this made a significant difference. The chassis felt solid, consistent, and extremely reliable under all conditions. Throughout the event, we also received a lot of enthusiastic feedback from other shooters who were curious about the platform.

The competition itself went very well, and as a team, Diego and I complemented each other extremely well throughout the match. Important learning moments were mainly related to maintaining focus under extreme time pressure — especially avoiding accidentally engaging no-shoot targets and continuing to pay attention to small details despite the intentionally created distractions during the stages.

A huge amount of respect also goes to the organization behind Dark Corner Concepts. The match was exceptionally well organized, featuring challenging and realistic stages, an incredible atmosphere, and outstanding support from all the ROs and crew members who made this event possible. Lastly, a massive thank you to our sponsors Solid Solution Designs and ArmaTerra Group for their trust and support. Without them, this experience would not have been possible.

On to the next challenge. Cheers!

Martien Knoops can be reached via Instagram @prs_martienk