I am contemplating my next gun purchase and I think I want to get a .308 based rifle. I am interested in the DPMS Panther LR308(basic model with the 24" stainless bull barrel) or the Rem 700 package from Sniper Central(http://www.snipercentral.com/rementrypack.phtml). My budget for the gun is around 1200 which puts both of these guns in that territory. I know with the DPMS I would have to pick up a scope, which isnt a huge deal. I already have a bi-pod so I would just have to get a mount for the DPMS. This gun will be used for range use as well as hunting(possibly).
I have read of two issues with the DPMS gun: the gas block and the mags. From what I have read the gas block on them is kinda crappy and does not seal up causing the gun to short stroke. I have not really read of a fix for this, but I am still researching it. The second is the mag issue in that the follower was basically causing the rounds to be rammed into the feed ramp instead of angling it up the feed ramp causing jamming. Supposedly DPMS has fixed this issue. There are also the PMag’s supposedly coming out that will work with this gun also and fix the issue.
As far as the Rem 700 package from Sniper Central, it looks GTG and I have seen it recommended a few times on here. If I went that route, what upgrades should I look at getting? Different scope? Different stock?
Well, honestly I dont know. I have a hard time believe that a semi-auto gun is going to be any less accurate than a bolt gun(especially in my hands). I know some people will ridicule me for saying that, but I just dont see how its not possible. Either gun will out shoot me, I am fairly confident in that.
I think the Rem 700 package I posted is setup pretty well out of the box where as the DPMS gun will need about $300-500 more into it before its ready to go. I also think the Rem 700 platform has much more aftermarket support currently than the 308 AR platform has in case I want to change something up later on.
My uncle who is a SWAT sniper swears by his Rem 700 in .308.
There is just something about the LR308 that has me salivating, much more so than a Rem 700 bolt gun.
Like I said, the 700 will outshoot the AR but not by much. “Setting up” my AR involved installing a match trigger, a scope (Pride Fowler), and bipod. It’s sub .75 MOA with FGMM 168.
The reasons you’d go with the AR is semi auto repeater ability and the possibility of them being banned.
Accuracy wise, the 700 will out perform the DPMS at very long ranges (800m and out). This being because it is a blot gun and the lack of moving parts while firing. Both choices are going to crack a Kool Aide smile on the range IMHO. Take a look at the distances you will be shooting at and if you live in an area like me where you are limited to 100 and 200 yard ranges, and can not hunt with semi-auto than it’s a no brainer to go with the DPMS.
At my brother’s long range shooting course, we had a stock DPMS LR308 run right out to 1K yards along with the 700s. The gas guns run out of range when the barrel is chopped below 20" such as the 18" SASS.
Most ranges are 100 yards around here. I think there is one range that is 500 yards. I would like to be able to use it out to 1000 yards+ if I ever find a range that long. I can hunt with a semi-auto, just has a 10+1 restriction on it so I would order at least 1 10 round mag.
I would be getting the LR-308 model with the 24" stainless bull barrel. I would most likely leave it as is unless I got it threaded for a brake of some kind. I believe I read that the .308 round needs at least 20" of barrel to burn all the powder. The Rem700 package has a 26" barrel, which again, I would leave as is except for possibly threading for a brake.
I’m pondering the same choice, except with an upper from www.ar15performance.com What is keeping me on the 700 side of the fence (at the moment) is the $175 trigger and the $175 scope mount needed for the semi-auto. Also, the 700 is a standard platform which I’d pass down someday, whereas the SCAR or somebody is likely to come along within a few years and make me wish I had waited on the SA front.
Get the bolt action if you want maximum precision. But if you’re not planning on shooting past 800-900yds then the DPMS will do just fine, personal preference at that point. However, if you plan on competing, the bolt gun might be a better choice since some matches only allow bolt guns.
Get the bolt gun. The DPMS is an okay rifle for hog hunting, but will not be as consistently accurate as a bolt gun. We had a few DPMS’s on our team and they have all gone down with broken parts, one of them got sent in 4x before DPMS built a new upper for it. The cold bore shots would drift around like crazy too.
That’s about what we were seeing. It’s logical in the case of the DPMS DI system, since there is a lot of gas bled off before the bullet exits the bore.
That’s an astounding velocity loss. It certainly makes me think twice about bullet performance expectations for hunting. Perhaps due to carbine length gas with the 18"? Maybe it’s a similar story with the rifle-length and 24"… I wonder if it’s less of a difference with companies which use mid- or rifle length with 18 and 20", since the port would be closer to the muzzle.
That’s complete bullshit. You don’t lose velocity from bleeding gas off for cycling. Bore diameter and quality as well as chamber size have a lot more to do with it.
I wouldn’t buy a DPMS product. I do have an FN SPR and an AI AW in the mail right now, and I wouldn’t hesitate to try a LaRue or KAC semi, either.
I have found a loss of MV with a gas gun compared to a bolt gun of equivalent bbl length. When I turn off the gas system, the MV goes up, almost matching the bolt gun.
Not like I have any actual training and experience though, so that’s probably complete B.S. :rolleyes: