Best DPMS Rifle to Get - PLEASE HELP

[4Freedom]

Well, I am going to do the waiting list thing.. Only God knows if I will get it ever.. Met a guy with great prices.. Now I am not sure which I should get, he told me to call back when I am for sure.

I am thinking of getting both a .308 and 5.56x45mm rifle.

For the .308's , I want the most accurate and powerful rifle for distances. The 5.56 I am going to use for target practice, since ammo is much cheaper. Also, I think perhaps I can get a lighter 5.56, as I think it would also serve the purpose for close-range combat better than the bulky .308.

The .308 I was deciding to get are the following. Please if someone can assist me with their opinion, I would appreciate it.
1. LR-308 Panther 24in bull barrel
2. LR-308C
3. LR-308AP4
4. LR-308B
5. LR-308T

Well, I am thinking of just getting the LR-308 Panther , having them replace the 24in with 20in. I want most accurate and hard hitting gun, what are other people's suggestions.

As for the 5.56's, there is so many, I might just pick a name out of a hat. But I rather some people give me their opinion of a good 5.56 DPMS rifle that would be good for shooting at the range to increase my skill, as well as can be used in situations of close-range combat (God forbid, but ever if it arose). I am thinking a heavy .308 gun with a big 20-24in barrel will not be so great for this purpose, but then again, maybe it would.

One 5.56 that caught my eye was the AP4 Panther™ Carbine 16".

So, I just like to hear from what I mentioned, what people think would be the best .308 and 5.56 to use. .308 for long range and precision, 5.56 for both long and close range; long range would be for training.

Oh yeah, I don't want to pay over $1200 for each gun, so please don't mention any of those real hardcore, spendy ones. The dealer I talk to said he can probably get most the guns I mentioned for under $1000.

 

[jpwilly]

I just got an AP4 with quad rail and have two DPMS AR-15's one M4gery the other target Varmint rig with 20" bull bbl. They are all great rifles.

I wanted to start with a light easier handling 308 and at only 8.5lbs the AP4 fits the bill!

 

[earlthegoat2]

The LR-308 Bull Barrel is going to be your best bet for the criteria you provided. I have personally shot one of these and can attest to its accuracy. A can also atest to its extremes weight. Your not going to want to hump this thing for any length of time.

On that note though all of these rifles are heavy if you compare them to 5.56 rifles.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I started off wanting the LR-308B until I read a few magazine reviews on the AP4 and saw that most of them were getting similar groups (around 1/3-1/2 MOA at 100yds) with the lighter, shorter, AP4.
Now I just need to find someone that has them and isn't charging the Obama premium.

 

[jpwilly]

Drew, Yes that's the thing the AP4 doesn't loose any accuracy vs bull bbl just some velocity that's only going to hurt out past 700yrds.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

I have the LR-308 Panther with the 24" bull barrel. It's heavier than sin but its extremely stable with a good bipod up front and a monopod in the rear. Occasionally I shoot .5MOA groups but its always under 1MOA with my current skill level unless I goof.

Get a shorter barrel and fluting if you want to save weight, and slap on lighter parts. I suggest getting the A3 upper. Their stock one is some goofy riser rail without a brass deflector that I didn't want to bother dealing with.

 

[4Freedom]

Are you referring to the A2 stock that is listed on the specs on the website? I am told I can order the gun and get the bulky 24" replaced with a lighter 20" barrel, which was what I am planning on doing. Did you replace the stock of your gun? I am not knowledgable on how to customize my guns. Is this something you did after you purchased it? I would probably have to take it somewhere. How hard and expensiev would it be to replace the A2 stock with A3 stock on the LR308 panther gun? Do many people suggest doing that?

 

[Cesiumsponge]

No, the upper receiver is the reference I was making. The stock upper receiver has no brass deflector and I believe it has a raised picatinny rail. I chose the option of having a standard A3 receiver which is the "flat top" model and has a brass deflector. I have a Magpul PRS stock on mine. It's fully adjustable but heavy. A picture of it was posted on your first thread. You can follow the link there and view a full sized image for more details.

 

[againstthagrane]

i have the 5.56 ap4 i love it. it's sub moa at 100 yards and it's only malfunctioned one time due to crappy gun show reloads. i've replaced a lot of things on it though. it's funny how a $900 dollar rifle can end up costing $2000 if you're not careful...i wasn't. i didn't get the chrome chamber because i was such a noob when i bought it i didn't even know that was an option. oh well, non-chormed barrel are more accurate and i've never had a malfunction other than the squibed bubba reload.

 

[gdonley308]

I have 2 DPMS .308s I think they make the best .308 AR out there based on my experiance.
1. AP4 LR308 with rails, JP trigger, SSS buffer spring and trigger/hammer springs, Troy flip up rear sight, XS 24/7 front sight post, Ergo Grip. Great rifle just had to replace the gas rings at 3500 rds as it started to short stroke.

1. 24" LR308 SS Fluted, A3 upper receiver, PRS stock, SWFA SS Scope, Burris Extreme Duty rings, RRA WOA trigger, SSS buffer spring, CAA Grip, this rifle is sub moa with all high good .308commercial ammo, have 600rds down the tube. Both rifles 100% except for when the gas rings went South.

If you're looking for a 5.56 go with a 6920 not a DPMS.