DPMS LR-308 Advice

[Hellfire61]

I have recently purchased a DPMS LR-308T rifle, it has a 16" barrel floating barrel, I live in western Washington, and was going to be using this for hunting, (There are not to many place to make long shots, if you have been to Ft. Lewis you will understand, trees and more trees). All large game in washington is 6mm and over for hunting, and I thought why waste my money on a 6.8 round when I can just have the power of the 7.62x51 (non tactical use). I will be putting an ACOG TR33-9 3x32 scope.

Here is what I need advice with, I want a second upper system, with a longer barrel, what lengths should I look for? 18", 20", 24". I want some thing I can reach out further with(800m to 1000m, not looking for any further, just want to be able too, get the skills to make such shots), I have a full size FAL DSA imbel(guess this is before they made there own receivers) with a 21" barrel, but I believe I will get better groups with the DPMS.

Would I be better off purchasing the DPMS panther LRT-SASS upper, it is 18" or make my own upper? If make my own, what would I be looking at to make a very reliable upper. I will probably want to stick with DPMS parts, that way it should all fit good together.

Still not decided what scope I want to mount? Burris, Leopuad, nightforce (i like the nightforce a lot, but very pricey).

I know you guys have a lot of experience, I want a marksman (did not want to say sniper, because I am not nor trained) type rifle that I could use for competition, the guard unit I am with want to put a state team together.

[JJ_BPK]

As you didn't say what your shooting at 600-800 yds,,

Let's assume paper,, because the .308 (7.62x51) starts to lose a lot of punch past 600 yds.

It is and will continue to be used as a sniper weapons round with good success, but as a hunting round, it becomes marginal at that distance.

So, for Paper,, 600-800 yds,, Find a weapons builder and go for something in a Remington 700 action, 28" bull barrel, match action, bedded stock.

In fact, if your going to spend big bucks,, and for best ammo consistency,, I'd tell you to look at something that carries more powder & punch.

Some suggestions:
300 Win Mag
6.5x55 Swed
.338 Lapua

I'll WAG this,, but 5-6k USD should get you started, providing you already have reloading gear??

One big factor in match shooting over longer courses is the ability of your scope to have enough "clicks" to adjust from say 500 to 800 yds.

If I remember,, The .308 sighted in at 200 yds has about 50 inches of drop at 500 yds.. That's a lot of adjusting to move the POI out another 500 yds.. A lot of scopes just can't do it,, so figure another 1.5K USD for a top of the line scope.

OR

Try your FAL.. minute of man at 600 yds,, all day long,, if you do your part..

OR

Get into and graduate from sniper school,, Uncle will provide all the tools you need..

Good Luck,,

[Psywar1-0]

Since you want an upper for LR shooting and not a totally new Rem700 based weapons system, I would suggest contacting DPMS and see if they will sell you just the upper for their version of the SASS.

I would also suggest trying to find some actual SR25 mags, as some folks have reported issues with using DPMS mags with M118LR. It has to do with the interior dimensions of the mag and just M118LR, NB: Iv yet to confirm if it was real M118LR or XM118LR

As far as glass on the SASS, the F Class club I shoot with has folks who are all happy with Leupolds, Night Forces and even Super Sniper scopes.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Psywar1-0

I would also suggest trying to find some actual SR25 mags, as some folks have reported issues with using DPMS mags with M118LR. It has to do with the interior dimensions of the mag and just M118LR, NB: Iv yet to confirm if it was real M118LR or XM118LR

Actually, the original SR-25 mags do not feed M118 reliably either.

If the front of the mag has the walls double lapped across the entire surface, they will not feed the longer OAL rounds reliably, the tips of the rounds drag on the front of the mag body.

The later mags are only partially overlapped in front, allowing one of the mag feed sides to feed without dragging on the bullet tips. That appears to be adequate to solve the problem.

TR

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Psywar1-0

As far as glass on the SASS, the F Class club I shoot with has folks who are all happy with Leupolds, Night Forces and even Super Sniper scopes.

An analogy I like to use is this; If I gave you Tiger Woods golf clubs do you think that would allow you to play like Tiger?

For 99.9% of the people out there Leupold is just fine.

When you learn to "outshoot" the rifle, scope and bullets you'll know when it's time to purchase better glass.

Team Sergeant

[Psywar1-0]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Actually, the original SR-25 mags do not feed M118 reliably either.

If the front of the mag has the walls double lapped across the entire surface, they will not feed the longer OAL rounds reliably, the tips of the rounds drag on the front of the mag body.

The later mags are only partially overlapped in front, allowing one of the mag feed sides to feed without dragging on the bullet tips. That appears to be adequate to solve the problem.

TR

Interesting, Ive not encountered that with our SR's, probably because we get ours from Indiana, not direct from the factory.

Sounds like DPMS is making their mags in the older style? the Double wall is exactly what folks are saying is the problem. One poster over on Arf even went so far as to use a dremel with a cut off wheel to shorten his 118LR to fit the mags, and of course had accuracy issues You cant make shit like that up!

I just used some of my Relocation allowance to buy one of the DPMS SASS's so I will be able to do a good comparison once I get back to Indiana

[Hellfire61]

When you learn to "outshoot" the rifle, scope and bullets you'll know when it's time to purchase better glass.

Team Sergeant

nice advice...


Thanks to all that have given me advice, I will think it over, I have a Remington 700 21" 30-06. The DPMS SASS system is only $1500 for the upper with 18". I guess I can save lots of cash getting a Leupold scope, they are made near by so getting them repaired is easy, so I have been told.

[jatx]

You might consider calling John Noveske and seeing if he has any remaining Leonidas barrels for the DPMS laying around. He is selling the Armalite barrels on his website, but built a complete rifle around my DPMS awhile back. A 21" barrel would be a lot less expensive (~$500 w/ mil discount) than a new upper, and the extra five inches really isn't an inconvenience unless you're getting into and out of vehicles a lot. Just something to consider!

[Psywar1-0]

Originally Posted by Hellfire61

nice advice...


Thanks to all that have given me advice, I will think it over, I have a Remington 700 21" 30-06. The DPMS SASS system is only $1500 for the upper with 18". I guess I can save lots of cash getting a Leupold scope, they are made near by so getting them repaired is easy, so I have been told.

The Dealer I use back in Indiana treats me real well, my complete SASS was not much more than 1500 bucks. Is that price what DPMS quoted you, or was that what a dealer local to you is quoting for a price?

[Peregrino]

Originally Posted by Psywar1-0

The Dealer I use back in Indiana treats me real well, my complete SASS was not much more than 1500 bucks. Is that price what DPMS quoted you, or was that what a dealer local to you is quoting for a price?

+1. Shop around, the prices you're quoting seem high. Call Tony at Del-Ton (Google or search here) and see what he can do. The DPMS has some advantages over the competitors but all of them benefit from custom work. My personal approach is to purchase a base model and modify as desired. Of course I've got a good gunsmith and exotic tastes - custom is the only way to get what I want.

[Psywar1-0]

Originally Posted by Peregrino

+1. Shop around, the prices you're quoting seem high. Call Tony at Del-Ton (Google or search here) and see what he can do. The DPMS has some advantages over the competitors but all of them benefit from custom work. My personal approach is to purchase a base model and modify as desired. Of course I've got a good gunsmith and exotic tastes - custom is the only way to get what I want.

So to continue the quote love fest

I went with the DPMS because I wanted a 308 Gas operated Precision rifle Right friggen now; that was new from the factory.

After I get done doing all the mods that I want, the cost will probably be real close to what I would have spent on a used SR25. But I will have a rifle that I broke in and know the exact round count and maintenance history of.

[Hellfire61]

Thank you all so much, I got some great advice, I have to wait till the piggy bank refills just spent $2000 on camo, LR-308T, an AGOC, knife and flip up sights for my bushmaster. I think I will stick with DPMS SASS system, but I will shop around. I managed to get my ACOG for $699, when most was selling for $841 and the manufacture want $990. It arrives tomorrow, so excited.

I have an A2 but stock on the rifle, is there any need to replace it, I not to keen on the standard M4 butt stock, I guess I got used the the M16, and my placement on the stock is always the same, and comfortable.