5.56 DMR type rifle

[Roadwild17]

Im interested in putting together a DMR style rifle in 5.56 probably on the AR platform. I have several reasons for sticking with 5.56 but the most important are;

1. Range, I dont have constant access to a range that has over a 200 yd line, so I dont feel I want to be burning up .308 when 5.56 will do the trick.

2. Avaiable ammo and parts interchangeability, As I already have an AR and some ammo, I dont have the other cost associated with getting a new platform/cartridge (mags, cleaning kit, ammo, etc..).

So that being said, I saw an article about the DPMS Mini SASS listed at around $1600.
Quick Specs
18" 1X8 twist Barrel
BUIS Mangonel
A3 Flattop
JP adjustable triger
Magpul PRS stock
Rails (of course)
Harris bipod

I seems to me that you get a good bit out of that $1600, I know now its probably closer to $2K. Just the upper is about $1100.

The uses of this rifle would be
1. To plink
2. Possibly a little hog hunting (5.56 is a little light, but it has been done before)
3. A little varmint shooting up to 400 yds.
4. My crap hit the fan sniper rifle (hey it has rails, it has to have a tactical use )
5. FUN


Im trying to stay away from the 24" barrel varmint setups because they are a little to long for my use, 20" would be about as long as I want to go.

Does anyone have a setup like this or this actual rifle?

Does anyone have an alternative setup?

 

[jcollins1007]

I'm looking for the same thing. Honestly, I'm not sure that you would need anything other than a higher quality barrel, a magnified optic, and a support system like a bipod or a grip pod. I'm gonna try to get it under $1000. I might just get a $700 20" AR and buy a carry handle attachment ACOG. Who knows.

BTW, are you from TN? I'm getting an AR for the exact same reasons, though mine are in different order.

 

[blitzen]

I have a Rock River Arms Predator Pursuit Rifle that does the trick for me. 20 inch bead blasted stainless bbl. Match trigger, A2 buttstock. No rails but I put a harris bipod on the sling stud. Shoots a dime all day with my handloads and optic. I paid a little less than msrp, ($1100)

 

[JShirley]

JC, you might want to read my old post here, with its links to Zak's stuff.

J

 

[MachIVshooter]

Why not just buy an Armalite M-15T upper for $600 and plop a good optic on it. They're free floated with a 1:8 twist. 18" is too short to make the most of 5.56. 20-22 is more optimal. Put whatever stock, trigger and BUIS on it you want on and call it good. Should be able to come in well under $1,600 and be sub-MOA with a warranty.

Just my $0.02

 

[EdLaver]

I've got a DPMS bull 20 1:9 twist with a PRS stock, Timney 3lb trigger, 6-24 scope. I have been making 3.5in groups @ 600 yards using Gold Medal 69gr ammo. Makes a good semi auto precision rifle. I guess it would make a good SHTF "sniper" type rifle. One downside is weight, but all in all its a good rifle. I will post pics later when I get home from work.

 

[C-grunt]

I had one of the DMRs in 05 when they first started coming into wide spread use. We sent a fell A4 rifles over to the AMU to get set up. All the did was put on a nice barrel, free float rail, a 2 stage trigger and an ACOG. Rifle was very accurate and reliable out to at least 600 meters (longest distance I shot).

 

[MachIVshooter]

I've got a DPMS bull 20 1:9 twist with a PRS stock, Timney 3lb trigger, 6-24 scope. I have been making 3.5in groups @ 600 yards using Gold Medal 69gr ammo.

You'll have to understand if those of us who've been shooting awhile call BS on .5 MOA @ 600 with a Stock DPMS that has a twist too slow for the ammo you mention using. I would buy it if you'd said 600 FEET.

I can't even hold .5 MOA with my AR-50 at 600, and I have A LOT of trigger time from the bench with it, as well as my .17 Rem, .22 Hornet, .223, .220 swift, 6mm Rem .25-06 Rem, .30-06 and a number of other rifles. Most of those are well under 3 pound triggers, And I handload for all of them.

Oh, and my sister has a DPMS heavy fluted stainless in .204. It's a ~MOA rifle, usually slightly larger.

 

[JShirley]

(Or, put differently)

Wow, Mr. Laver, that's very impressive shooting from that platform. Witnesses? Pictures?

 

[Shadow Man]

For a DMR, I wouldn't have a barrel length shorter than 20". You said 24" (pretty optimal, IMO) is too long for you, but you could do 20"...I'd reccomend 20". You will appreciate the longer range applications now available to you through a more efficent use of the round's velocity.

Mr. Laver...that's some damn hot shooting...

 

[EdLaver]

You'll have to understand if those of us who've been shooting awhile call BS on .5 MOA @ 600

I never said ".5" I said 3.5 MOA...

here is the rifle...

 

[MachIVshooter]

I never said ".5" I said 3.5 MOA...

You said 3.5in, which is roughly .5 MOA @ 600 yards. 3.5 MOA is easily believable. That would be 20" @ 600

 

[EdLaver]

So you dont think a 3.5 inch 5 shot group @ 600 yards is possible huh? Wow. I know guys who dont even have to use a scope that can easily shoot 4" groups with a spotter.

 

[Shadow Man]

EdLaver

Other than the stock and trigger, what did you modify on the DPMS? And if you didn't modify anything, what model did you get?

 

[EdLaver]

Nothing else has been done to the rifle other than the Timney 3lb skeleton trigger and Magpul PRS stock. The barrel is free floated and is straight from the factory. I do have an Accuwedge that I cut to make a tighter fit between the upper and lower. Its the DPMS Bull 20 model.

 

[MachIVshooter]

So you dont think a 3.5 inch 5 shot group @ 600 yards is possible huh?

Never said it wasn't possible. IIRC, there was a new world record set with a 6.5mm benchrest rifle that was less than 1" at 600 meters. I just said I'm very skeptical that you did it with a stock DPMS AR and off-the-shelf ammo.

Wow. I know guys who dont even have to use a scope that can easily shoot 4" groups with a spotter.

at what range? at 600 yards, I doubt it even more than I doubt your claim. Human eyes just aren't that good. Unless they're using a machine rest that does not allow the rifle to move....

The problem with making outrageous claims on the internet is that it naturally generates skepticism, and you cannot prove otherwise. credibility suffers as a result.

 

[EdLaver]

Roadwild I truly apologize for us using your thread for debate...

In the nearly four years I have been a THR member I have never lied about anything I have ever posted and shared with everyone. I know what I have done, my friends know, and so does the man upstairs. So when people say " I call BS" then you can very well do that because I have nothing to prove to anyone when I know myself what I have done.

I have no military background, no law enforcement background, and have never been to high priced fancy shooting camps with big egoed "experts" talking in military terms and jargon. But I can say that I have been a hunter and gun enthusiasist for over 15 years not counting childhood. I have made shots on deer, auodads, and hogs that people probably wouldn't believe unless they were there with me and my friends. So Mr MachIVshooter and JShirley you may rightfully believe what you want to believe.

-Ed

 

[MachIVshooter]

Now that's a more mature attitude, sir. For the record, I'm not calling you a liar. Just saying I don't believe such things without proof. Backpedaling and telling me you said 3.5 MOA after I called you on it certainly didn't help.

I also wouldn't expect other members to believe me if I were making such claims.

The thing about this board is that there are many members who are very experienced and knowledgeable, well above and beyond the average gunshop yokel. So even if it is true, if a story seems far fetched, expect it to be met with doubt.

Now if you care to take a video camera, film yourself walking to a 600 yard marker, walk back, shoot your group and then walk to the target and lay a ruler on it, all without ever turning off the camera, I will retract my previous comments and post a public apology in general discussion. But otherwise, I still don't believe you, and the assertion that you've never lied and that your friends, family and god know you don't lie is not convincing, as it is just as unsubstantiated as the initial accuracy claim.

 

[Shadow Man]

Nothing else has been done to the rifle other than the Timney 3lb skeleton trigger and Magpul PRS stock. The barrel is free floated and is straight from the factory. I do have an Accuwedge that I cut to make a tighter fit between the upper and lower. Its the DPMS Bull 20 model.

Thank you much sir. How has reliability been with the DPMS? I'm doing a little shopping around, so I was just curious.

For the record, I'm not a religious man, but in Texas, invoking "the man upstairs" as Mr. Laver did is as good as taking an oath in court. I've seen some incredible shots in my time, shots that all the ballistic calculators, range finders and such would tell you before hand was impossible...but I've seen them made. Hell, I've even made some myself. I'm a little slow to jump on a guy because he claims to be able to shoot very well. It's on him now though, if he is blowing a soda straw wrapper at a bull-moose in a driving blizzard and dropping him at 300 yards.

 

[JShirley]

I'm not saying it didn't happen, and I'm pretty sure I was polite.

That's damn good shooting, and I'd love to see substantiation. Because I've seen a lot of incredible claims on the internet. SEALS and posters who claim to have been in multiple shootings and partially disabled vets who regularly challenge street thugs while wielding only small knives or canes.

When we don't know or see most posters in the flesh, talk is cheap. News stories, witnesses, and photographic proof help. "Trust, but verify."

John

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Ed I'm with these guys, and now your statements seem very disingenuous...

First you said:

I have been making 3.5in groups @ 600 yards using Gold Medal 69gr ammo

So you said unequivocally 3.5 INCHES, not 3.5 MOA. As noted, 3.5 inches is around .6 MOA.

Then you said:

I never said ".5" I said 3.5 MOA...

as MachIV noted - you didn't say "I MEANT to say 3.5 MOA". You said "I SAID 3.5 MOA".

Then after MachIV called you on that error, you STILL didn't come back, and STILL have not so far in this thread gone back and made the statement to the effect that "I MEANT to type 3.5 MOA". Then it might be believable, that it was just a typo error. But you're not even *alleging* that. Nothing in your posts #15 and #17 go back and retract or explain the former erroneous claim that "I did in fact type X", when it's clear you typed Y.

Then, after stating "I typed 3.5 MOA" (even though you didn't), you then made this statement/question:

So you dont think a 3.5 inch 5 shot group @ 600 yards is possible huh?

What in the name of all that is holy does a 3.5" group have to do with the 21" groups that you (after the fact) claimed to have made? What could it possibly matter that some people can do that, when you (allegedly) weren't even claiming that? You said that you claimed 21" groups (even though you didn't).

That's like saying "I high jumped 2 feet", and when someone describes the difficulty of jumping 8 feet, you say, in an apparent attempt to defend the fact that you can jump 2 feet, "You don't think anyone on earth can jump 8 feet?" It's got nothing to do with anything about your claim.

So you can why we're (STILL) quite skeptical. Maybe there is an explanation I'm not thinking of.

 

[EdLaver]

The "3.5 MOA" was a typo. The original post I said my group was 3.5 inches and that is the truth. That is how wide I measured the grouping @ 600 done on my property in Centerville,Tx in July of '09. This was the best grouping I got at that range out of about ten 5 shot groups. If my "credibility" has been trashed after a simple MOA mixup then fine. Again as I stated in post #17, I know what I have shot and yes a 1:9 twist barrel can shoot 69gr bullets accurately. I shoot coyotes on this property at ranges of 400-600 yards with this rifle commonly.

Then after MachIV called you on that error, you STILL didn't come back, and STILL have not so far in this thread gone back and made the statement to the effect

Why go back and forth with someone who believes what they want to? I don't see the point in that. MachIVShooter clearly stated the only way I could prove this is to:

take a video camera, film yourself walking to a 600 yard marker, walk back, shoot your group and then walk to the target and lay a ruler on it, all without ever turning off the camera, I will retract my previous comments and post a public apology in general discussion

Do you really think I would do all that just to appease him and any other nae sayer? For one, the weather is terrible right now (rain, wind, and cold) and the only time I would even attempt replicating this is in the summertime. There is no point. I shared my post and pic to hopefully aid the OP and then I get all of this...first time since I have been a member here.

 

[MachIVshooter]

For the record, I'm not a religious man, but in Texas, invoking "the man upstairs" as Mr. Laver did is as good as taking an oath in court.

And it is absolutely unfathomable that someone would actually lie under oath........

 

[WNC Seabee]

just stop the merry-go-round and get back to the OP's question already.

I get enough of my 3 year old at home.

 

[MachIVshooter]

WNC seabee-

The OP asked for suggestions on a DMR-type rifle, and one poster made a suggestion, accompanied by outrageous and unsubstantiated claims of accuracy. The skepticism is justifiable, and discussion regarding the accuracy of the rifle in question is 100% relevant to the OP. How disappointed would he be if he bought that rifle based on those claims and quickly discovered that it is not capable of anywhere near such precision?

As well, if you don't like the way a thread is going, simply abstain. No one forced you to read, think and post in any topic on THR.