DPMS Sportical thread (pics & reports)

[Cesiumsponge]

Dang you sportical guys are making me jealous. I have the 24" bull barreled LR-308 and its not much fun to carry it around.

Hey Tim, how's that Colt LR-308-AR-10-SR-25 treating you?

 

[innerpiece]

Cesium, I know its entertaining.... but letsplease not tease the troll..k?!
I want this thread to continue to be an actually educational tool for folks.... as when I was lookin to buy, I wish there would have been one like it!

thanks, ip.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Innerpiece- I was shooting either XM-193 or American Eagle 55grn FMJBT(which I understand to be a .223 version of XM-193) I cant really remember which and that was at 50yds. Let me know how those soft points work on steel, that would be interesting to find out. Id like to try some poly-tipped ammo but all the shops around me charge to much to justify trying it, especially since I bought 500 rnds of xm-193 about a month ago.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

How's the weight and recoil compared to the 5.56mm platform by chance?

Also, what'd you use to fill the engravings on the receiver? I've been considering it for a while.

 

[chrissmallwood]

I honestly dont know how the weight compares to other AR type rifles being as this is my first one but I do know that it is pretty light, 6.5 lbs if I remember right.

 

[innerpiece]

cesium.. imo. there is not much of any recoil difference detwen .223 and 5.56.. but then again, Im used to rifles that actually "punch"..

this just dont imo, its so easy to handle its sick. and it still does its job.

Ill run a couple brands thru tomorrow, and try to pay attention to any recoil difference.

Chris, I know, the poly tips are definetly pocket crucnhers... Ill grab a box when I can and Ill definetly report on them. at the least Ill do a windshield and a steel test.

for now most of my testing is on targets and objects within 50 yds. soon Ill get a scope to throw on, and Ill try to see what happens out at 200-300 yds.
will be fun!

ip.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Cool, let me know how the testing goes.

 

[jpwilly]

I'm assuming the Sportical only has a different upper reciever with no forward assist, no dust cover, and light bbl with no chrome...right? Don't see how that's going to be a big deal for 99% of us. BTW I own three DPMS rifles two AR-15's and one LR-308 AP4. GREAT RIFLES!

Shoot up some more stuff I'll keep checking in!

 

[Cesiumsponge]

cesium.. imo. there is not much of any recoil difference detwen .223 and 5.56.. but then again, Im used to rifles that actually "punch"..

Sorry, I wasn't clear on my question. I meant to inquire between the .223/5.56mm and .308/7.62mm sportical since both are a similar carbine configuration. I've never fired a compactish .308 battle rifle or AR-10 to date. My LR-308 is a very heavy beast and the recoil is very mild due to it's mass. I know the sportical type models probably have a bit more felt recoil as they don't have a lead pipe as a barrel. Even with a carbon fiber free float, mine weighs a ton.

 

[SHvar]

Im glad someone else decided..

To not listen to the brand snobs..
DPMS are great reliable very accurate rifles. That rediculous chart that the brand snobs keep posting is anywhere from 50-75% fiction depending on the brand.
I paid $539 for my lopro classic, it has had almost as much in add ons installed, with a new stock on the way (I really like magpul stuff).
I have no use for a dust cover on it, but if I was rolling around in the dirt with it I would be a bit more careful, and still have no reason for one, or a forward assist.
Surefire M-73 quad rail, Bushnell 1x32 t-dot reticle MP scope, TDI arms verticle foregrip, a 110 lumen flashlight with strobe setting and remote switch, a collapsable stock (soon to be replaced with a Magpul MOE, the CTR was not available anywhere in black), a rubber recoil pad, rubber rail protectors, a single point sling, a hogue rubber grip, and several magazines (3 magpuls, and multiple standard issue 30 rd GI issue mags), sometime I will get more magpuls (they are awesome).
Ive fired a few thousand rds since summer in this rifle.

 

[4Freedom]

Found one for $1000.. Everyone says not to buy because they retail for $650.. I am really scratching my head still on this one. I want a good quality AR15 reallly bad and dont want to wait a year.. Someone told me DPMS makes inferior .223 to Rock River. Well, seeing how things are going I will be lucky to get any gun. Well, I am happy you love the gun so much, at 6.8 lbs or so I think it woudl be a great rifle for carrying through the woods, without losing firepower and accuracy. That is my newbie opinion. lol

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I am reasonable certain that a sportical is capable of shooting targets out to 300 plus meters just fine. There is no doubt about it. Put a scope on it and turn it into a varmit gun. I am willing to bet pdogs will have a hard time living it up at 250 meters and even 300. Put a good trigger on a sportical and watch the accuracy extend a bit.

 

[Evenflo76]

Great Thread!!!

Here is a pic of when I sighted in the scope at 100 yards. I walked it down from the top. I had a couple of flyers, but all in all not bad for the first time I ever shot at 100 yards. FYI The scope is a Pentax Gameseeker 1.5-6X40mm on a Wilson Combat mount.

 

[Evenflo76]

Found one for $1000.. Everyone says not to buy because they retail for $650.. I am really scratching my head still on this one. I want a good quality AR15 reallly bad and dont want to wait a year.. Someone told me DPMS makes inferior .223 to Rock River. Well, seeing how things are going I will be lucky to get any gun. Well, I am happy you love the gun so much, at 6.8 lbs or so I think it woudl be a great rifle for carrying through the woods, without losing firepower and accuracy. That is my newbie opinion. lol

I paid $650, but that was back in July

 

[yosarian]

nice rifles guys.I like the sportical,thinking about grabbing one soon.My m4 needs a brother.Oh and heres my dpms mutt.Runs like a top never had a hang up.

 

[innerpiece]

Wow!
I gotta thank everybody for all the great contributions in this thread.. extremely stand up of all of yas!

Chris, as pictured, youll see the results of the ultramax .223 55gr soft point on 1/4 inch "hot press" Steel.. did its job, went right thru!

jpwilly, I promise, I will definetly keep shooting stuff up, for all of us to enjoy! cept fer the targets

cesium, was prolly me not reading right. Im shure you, as I, would imagine there would be a significant amount of felt recoil between the two calibers. I personally would opt for the lighter caliber for a carbine, as I am a lighter fella. as we both know, only hits count tho, and Id rather make an aimed shot with a .308 thatn a .223, but beyond that, I work with what I can handle best, and hope that the bullets do their job on impact!
BTW, thats an absolutly BEAUTIFUL rifle man, by all means!!!

SHvar. fer sher! Im not a gun snob vial brand and price. Id personally find something that works, no matter what its called, and practice with it till we know each other like best friend! afterall, the name of the gun that a bullet comes out of dont much matter if ya dont hit what yer shootin at

4Freedom, I replied in yer thread. to sum it up, Id get it, if it dosent mean youll be broke afterwards. its a great rifle. I dnt regret for a second buying mine, a lil over 800. Soon Ill be odering something with a little more "reach out and touch" from DPMS. prolly something like what Cesium has!

U.S. FSC, its always cool to read what you have to say, thanks again for stoppin thru my thread!
Im definetly gettin a scope for it soon. honestly, Im quite partial to a 3x9 x 40mm that Ive had on quite a couple varmint guns. but I was thinkin of something about 7-8x with a 50mm lense. I really want a QD mount so I can go from red dot to Scope without zeroing every change. I will say I was quite impessed with a 250yd shot I took at a pile of dirt the otherday, with the cheaper red dot I hav on right now.. a mere couple inches to the right.. on target all things considerd.

Evenflo. thakns for stoppin thru! you are one of the reasons that I bought the Sportical! I really appreciate yer input and I look foreward to you comin thru as often as possible!
thanks for the pics and reports, I hope you will add more over time!

yosarian, Get one!
quite shure ya wont regret it.
verry nice rifle btw. I want a couple more mage, like you got. Ive got a tac vest that holds 8, so I need 6 more... lol, then Ill need to fill them all..looks like you got yerself coverd nicely!

all right, heres the pics..
1st is the rifle and the steel
second is the entery point, using Ultramax .223 55gr soft point.
third is exit.
4th is a close up of the exit.

1/4 inch steel "hot press". from about 25 yds.

again, thank you all for yer contributions!
I diddnt have time to set up the "soft target with wall backing" today.. lil boy had to go to the clinic, and I had my daughter all day.. Ill try to get that done in the next week.. for fun Ill also try and compare the same test in 7.62x39 from a SKS..

take care all!
ip.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Nice pics. Those would probably make a nice hunting round for smaller animals. You should try that again at 50 and 100 yds to see what the difference in yardage makes.

At work we use up to 7/8" plate for some of the parts we run and if I can get a big enough scrap piece Ill see how thick of a plate it will penetrate at 25yds.

We should start are own club for those of us with DPMS rifles. We can call it the Panther Club.

 

[innerpiece]

Hey Chris!
I grabbed a couple more pieces if steel today. 2 pieces of 3/8th and 2 pieces of 1/2 inch..
that 1/2 inch looks pretty darn thick tho! real curious if itll come out with a hole in it.
Ill try and get to shootin at them before this weekend. thinkin Ill use a .223 FMJ, and some XM193 for the tests.

DPMS owners thread would be a cool idea, Id participate!

take it easy!
ip.

 

[atrain08]

What Kinda of accuracy are you all seeing at 100m?

Hey guys,
I'm new to this forum and I joined up just because of this thread! I have a DPMS sportical, I bought it as my first AR15 and so far I'm pretty pleased. I have a tru-glow red dot mounted on it right now and I can honestly say I'm not the red dot type! I like to have a 10 power scope at the least. I'm going to put a 10x 40 scope on it, probably a Bushnell Elite 3200 or a Nikon plus a YH 4 rail hand guard and a Bi-pod. I want to try some 200yard shooting with it. Here is a pic or two from when I first got it.





Do you all have a suggestion on the bi-pod?

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I used to drive by Olymic Arms on my way to work every day and never stopped by. The place looked average considering the layout. I once spoke to an employee who got paid something like $9.00 or so an hour starting off. Not a lot of money to raise a family on. When I was stationed out in Washington State I handled one of those rifles but I don't know much about them.
I will say this though. The sportical DPMS is growing on me. Looks to be very versatile. When I was shooting the M16 platform in the Army they were a hoot to shoot. I hit targets out to 500 meters and I am sure the same can be done with these. It is pure mathematical it you think about it. We would sight them in at 25 meters and at 250 meters they would fall right back on target but with the higher front and rear sights.
I remember shooting in El Paso in some Heavy cross winds that were unpredictable. The winds would blow from left to right hard at 15 to 20 knots only to stop and start all day long. I would compensate by aiming three foot left of the 250 meter target and watch the bullet strike right of the target. I swear on a stack of bibles.
I have also hit 600 meter targets where you could just barely see the pop up target with iron sights but it took a couple of shots to hit it.
Hitting 300 was easy, Aim at the shoulders with young, sharp eyes. Bringing the iron front post level from the left and into the target and squeeze the trigger. Down the target would go.
250 meter targets was no challenge. 50 meter targets believe it or not can be because the bullet is higher and you tend to forget it so aim lower.
I once shot into a cross wind at 300 meters for 6 rounds and hit 6 times with the army issued mouse gun. Aimed one foot high and two and 1/2 kentucky windage to the left in fairly stiff breeze. Shocked the drill sergeant who was standing there behind me. His eyes were wide open when I turned around.
I am from the country. Never doubt an M16 platform to include that sportical it basically shoots the same. All small arms of the same caliber shoots the same out to 250 meter and acts a little different afterwards. The M4 platform will hit 300.

 

[innerpiece]

atrain, I have yet to do dedicated testing at 100yds with optics suitable to conduct reliable results.
thanks for joining THR and thanks for contributing to this thread! lookin foreward to seein you around more!
no bi-pod info here, have never used one.

U.S.SFC thanks again for comin thru and sharing more experience with us!
get a sportical! do it do it! lol.
Id personally love to see what kind of results you could attain with the experience youve had!
I do need to get some 'iron' sights. I really want some flip-up's.. but Ive noticed on the sportical, the rail on the upper is abit higher than the rail in front of the handgaurd...? I dont know if this is normal for this platform (flat top). so when I get more info on that, Ill start looking for sights.

ok, well, Ill be setting up the "soft target and wall" scenario tomorrow, and Ill tests a couple different loads of ammo.

also got a lil more steel for pennetration tests. enuff that Ill also test the SKS, and for giggles, Ill shoot a .17HMR at'em.

be back tomorrow or saturday with results.

take it easy!

ip.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

That car is gonna think twice before mouthing off to you next time.

 

[innerpiece]

haha! yeah we worked out our differences...

 

[innerpiece]

well, using XM193, it wouldnt make it thru 1/2 inch steel.. real close tho!

I wasnt suprised really, thats a thick piece of metal! Ill get pics up in a bit, and post measurements with the caliper.

ip.

 

[innerpiece]

allright, heres the pics!

5.56 55gr XM193 against .500 inch hot press steel.

overall pennetration (from the lip of the splash to the deepest point) was .480

difference (tallest point of splash to the surface of the plate) was .145

actuall pennetration on the plate then, was .335 of an inch.

internal Dia of the bullet channel was .378

the shot was taken from about 25 yds with no angle on the target.