DPMS LR-308 Recon at the range

[jpwilly]

I headed over to Buckeye Hills shooting range in Buckeye Arizona this morning. One of the rifles I took is my new DPMS LR-308 Recon. Ammo was Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr. I was shooting off of a concrete bench from a bipod at 100yrds the groups were about as small as I could hold still. I want to shoot of bags next time to see what the rifle can really do. I was making final adjustments to the scope first group was shot hight then moved down repeat until final group was in the diamond.

Here's some pictures.

 

[Robert101]

Very nice

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got a similar weapon in my safe, still not scoped yet. it is a Bushmaster 308 ORC, but the lower is marked LR308. hope it shoots just as good. still aint decided on what scope to put on it, mainly a Leupold person, but looking at a Burriss Fullfield II 4.5x14x42 with AO and see how it performs. those pics got me fired up.

 

[adelbridge]

You got a good one. I have the R25 cousin and with the same ammo I could barely get 1.5" groups. I sold off the barrel and got a Lija, put in a Timney trigger and now it holds an inch easy but I paid double to get there.

 

[JustinJ]

How does your bolt look? A friend bought a .308 DPMS about six months ago and it has been nothing but trouble. I've never seen a sloppier looking bolt in my life. It has tool marks everywhere and binds in the carrier. I have a dpms .308 that is about five years old which is the exact opposite and looks well made. My friends runs fine with my bolt but QC seems to have been seriously lacking when his was built.

 

[jpwilly]

Justin, I've gone over every inch of the rifle and haven't found a blemish. The fit and finish are great and much better than my last LR-308. The bolt at first seemed a bit tight but after a few boxes of ammo everything has smoothed up very well. Love the PMAG's and the Nikon AR-308 scope. The rifle with optic and bipod is a bit heavy but it's a 308 and has replaced my 308 bolt gun for firepower and accuracy in one system.

I'm very happy with it save for the heavy trigger. I'm going to work on that tonight and see if I can reduce the pull a few lbs. I really want an ACC supressor to go with the ACC flash hider now.

 

[henschman]

Good shooting! Ive heard lots of people say the 168 grain loads work great out of those 1/10 barrels.

I'm putting together a LR-308 project myself... I am going with a light weight battle rifle setup. I picked up a new Oracle for $1000, and bought a Criterion 18.5" light weight CL barrel with rifle length gas, 12" TRX-308 handguard, mil spec buffer tube, and CTR stock. The JP adjustable gas block front sight gets here this week, which is the last part I'm waiting on. I'll probably top it off with a TAC30 1-4x.

I looked at some Recons too when I was shopping around... they are really nice. Of course for my project it didn't make sense to pay extra for the upgraded barrel, handguard, and stock when I would just be switching them out anyway; but I'm glad DPMS is offering some cooler setups from the factory.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I bought a LR-260H last year,and it had a few hiccups out of the box. It short cycled badly,and wouldn't hold the bolt open after the last round was fired.DPMS customer service was of little help.
I told them it had a very heavy buffer spring in it,and was told they only offered one type of spring for the LR series.
I messed with it for a couple weeks trying to figure out what was wrong-I have built several AR's over the years,so I'm very knowledgable of the platform.
After messing with the spring,I ended up cutting off 3 coils-1 at a time,to make this gun cycle. I also noticed that this spring was painted Red on the end,just like the Heavy spring I use in my 458 SOCOM for 500+ gr bullets.
I stopped by the dealers shop where I purchased it,and asked if he had any factory buffer springs for the LR series in stock.The one he came out with was painted Yellow on the end.I installed that spring,and it was like night and day in the spring weight. I shot the rifle when I returned home with the Yellow spring,and it worked just like it should.
I called DPMS again,and told them about the Red spring,and they accused me of putting it in the rifle,but it was the spring that came in the rifle from DPMS. The rifle was in a factory case,sealed inside a cardboard box from DPMS,and I watched the dealer cut the tape on the box.
The factory trigger is pretty bad,and was the first thing that was changed.

Anyway,I'm very happy with this rifle. I installed an ACE stock,RRA NM 2 stage trigger,Weaver riser,Burris Signature Zee rings,and a Sightron SII 4-16x42 scope.



This rifle loves 140gr Sierra Gamekings

 

[Roadkill]

Mine is scary accurate. I shoot 130g hps. I did have to replace the trigger though. It replaced all my bolt action deer rifles.

 

[jpwilly]

@Roadkill What trigger did you all use to replace the stock trigger?

@TXHillbilly, I've considered converting going to the 260! Nice Rifle and great groups.

I think with a better trigger and some pet loads this rifle might just be able to hold a .75" even .5" groups - I'm hopeful. I already have the type of accuracy needed for my needs but I like to chase small groups from time to time.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I sent my factory trigger to Bill Springfield,and had him do a 3lb trigger job on it. I loved the trigger,but after shooting it a few outings it started to have some double fires. I then installed a RRA NM trigger in it. I run the RRA trigger in my other 3 AR15's.

I need to send the other trigger back to Bill,and have him inspect it/repair/or replace it. I really liked the way it felt when it worked ok.

 

[jpwilly]

I didn't get to it last night but took the hammer and trigger out just about an hour ago. Grabbed my trusty punch/alignment tool and some 1500 grit sandpaper. I wet sanded the engaugement surfaces on the trigger and the hammer, the latter using the back side of my knife blade with the sandpaper folded over it. Then I bent the trigger return spring, hammer spring, and compressed the disconnector spring a little to take some tension out of the DPMS trigger group. This worked better than planned as the trigger is very smooth and surprising lighter in pull than before. This didn't take more than 20-30 min soup to nuts to accomplish. I've tested the saftey and all works quite well. Been sitting here for the last few min dry firing it and I'm really surprised how much of a difference a simple DIY trigger job can make.