DPMS Panther Classic 308

[Robert101]

I just received the DPMS Panther Classic 308 with iron sights. I'm not very familiar with the AR type platform but wanted a versatile gun and opted for the 308 in lieu of the .223.

For a new guy entering the rifle market, what type of distance shooting should I expect with either iron sights or a mounted scope? I reload so I plan on shooting something like a Hornady 150 grain.

Any comments on the gun, manufacturer and above question are welcome.

 

[Bobson]

I was just about to make a very similar thread, except I haven't bought one yet. I was also considering the Bushmaster .308 ORC, but I'm not gonna hijack the thread. I'll be watching this one though. Hopefully someone can help me decide on one, or eliminate both options altogether.

 

[velocette]

I've had my LR 308 for five years. They are accurate, reliable and make liberals wet their pants.
Mine and all others that I am aware of shoot very very well using Sierra or Nosler 168 grain Hollow point boat tail match bullets over 41 gr of IMR 4895 or 42.5 of RL15 in Fed brass, 1/2 gr more with Win brass.
My rifle is a consistent sub moa rifle with that ammo.
Factory ammo that works almost as well is the Federal 150 gr Power Shok ammo. Last time I checked, less than $14.00 / box at Wal Mart.

Roger

 

[Pat M]

Was shooting a friend's DPMS .308 with my handloads (168 gr. Hornady Match with IMR 4895) and we were getting very tight groups at 100yds from the bench with a cheap Tasco scope on top. I was impressed.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

does that have an A2 handle on it? I got a couple Armalites AR10A2 I shoot iron sights and I have a mount that screws onto the carry handle, but this would seem to make it so high and the recoil would loosen the mount.

 

[Strongbad]

The DPMS AR-10's are capable of excellent accuracy. For an auto, they can really surprise you. I was running some handloads through my father's LR-308 a couple of months ago and had some stellar results. With Varget and 165 gr. Ballistic Tips the gun was shooting 1" groups at 200 yards. With his handloads using Sierra Matchkings the gun was still shooting 3" on a steel gong at 315 yards. Hard to argue with those kind of results. I'm convinced it would do even better if it had a single stage Jewell trigger vs. the stock umpteen pound 2 stage.

 

[madcratebuilder]

what type of distance shooting should I expect with either iron sights or a mounted scope? I reload so I plan on shooting something like a Hornady 150 grain.

Depending on load and barrel length the .308 AR is a 800-1000yd rifle with irons or a scope. I shoot irons well out to 300-400 yds, past that my eyes need magnification.

Most match grade bullets run 168-175gr. The 150gr is typical for a nato round, something like the German DAG mil-surp that sells for 45-50 cents a round. It's great plinking ammo and groups fairly well but not near what match grade well do from the same rifle.

 

[b7tac]

I just shot a buddy's DPMS .308 this weekend. I know DPMS get a lot of hate on the internet, but from first hand experience, I have to say that the rifle was awesome. It performed flawlessly and shot very tight groups 1.5" at 200 yards with factory Remington Core-Lokt ammo. (We had a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40 Mil-Dot scope)

It is an awesome gun and definitely on my short list of guns to pick up in the next few years.

I word of advice to heed, it is going to be expensive to shoot unless you reload. The .308 in the AR platform makes .308 rounds disappear quickly. Because it is semi-auto, you can burn through a box of 20 rounds in just a few minutes and not even realize it.

Have fun with your new addition!

 

[velocette]

I'm pleased to note that so many folks have had the same excellent
results from their DPMS 308 rifles that I have had.
Rifle & scope together came to less than $1600.00. Money well
spent & thorougly enjoyed. (Ordered from the factory, LR 308B, 18" Cryo treated hevy barrel, JP trigger, Hogue grip; 4 ~ 16 X 50 Nikko Stirling Niteater scope)

Roger

 

[Pat M]

My friend and I were shooting 1/2 inch groups at 100yds, but ran out of time before we could move out to 200. He needs to upgrade his stock trigger. Does the DPMS 308 accept a standard AR trigger?

 

[SOTSpro21:31]

What kind of !CHEAP! FMJ ammo cycles well through your DPMS .308?
Something with reloadable cases would be a plus.
I ordered a Classic .308 and wanted to pick up some ammo before it arrives.

Thanks!

 

[velocette]

SOTSpro
cheapest good ammo is the WalMart, Federal 150 gr Power shok ammo.
reloadable and accurate in my LR308. $14.00 box.
Warning! with the LR308's tight chamber, some foreign ammo, particularly the stuff with lacquer on it will cause the rifle to choke.
Feed it good SAAMI spec ammo & good reloads then you're good to go.

Roger

 

[ugaarguy]

SOTS, when it's available, Georgia Arms Canned Heat is what I shoot. It's reloaded (and still reloadable) military brass, and runs about 50 cents per round. My LR-308 loves it. http://georgia-arms.com/cannedheat308winchester150grfullmetaljacket250pk.aspx

 

[Strykervet]

I had one of the first DPMS .308's, the LRR. 24" bbl. Wasn't too impressed with the accuracy considering the cost. Maybe I got a lemon or something, I've heard a lot of sub MOA, but the best I ever got was 2MOA out of that rifle so I sold it. If I get another .308 AR, it will be an Armalite, and I'll probably build another upper myself, perhaps with a Satern bbl.

 

[W.E.G.]

Does the DPMS 308 accept a standard AR trigger?

Yes.

See http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=2336127

 

[crossrhodes]

Have two

I have DPMS LR308C's. I have over 3,000 round down the tube on one and have had ZERO problems. The other has about 1000 rounds down the tube and all is well. I love the AR platform and carried it for twenty plus year in the Corps. I wanted one in 7.62 and didn't want to pay $2500 for something that was going to be used at the range. I liked it so much I bought another. The parts that are interchangeable: Trigger group, A frame front sight, pistol grip, front handguards and rear stock. The buffer and spring are not interchangeable. These like to run really wet. Have fun.

 

[henschman]

I had that same rifle (if you are talking about the 20" barreled one that has a big fat bull barrel under the handguards and is GI-profile from the gas block on). It was very heavy, but very accurate. It would shoot 1 MOA at 100 yards with good British surplus that I paid 40 cents a round for. As for distance, I got pretty consistent hits on man-sized targets at 800 yards, with scope or irons, and was intermittent at 1000... enough to be dangerous at that distance, at least!

However, I was looking for more of a battle rifle than a bench rifle, so I sold it and bought an M1A. If you're looking for something to have fun with at the KD range rather than to carry into the field, it is a good choice.