Don,
Over two months ago I went through the same exercise; i.e., looking for a semi-auto for 1,000 yards. Primary purpose? Cooper’s 20-20-20-1000 Challenge. I don’t know whether I am going to try to do anything about the Challenge, but I learned a lot about the semi-autos for this.
I investigated a number of rifles, ranging from $10,000 (such as H&K’s PSG1) to the less than $1000 DPMS Panther LR .308, the DPMS $1250 Panther LR .300 SAUM, and other rifles and calibers.
After a lot of reading here at THR and several other long-range & sniping related sites, I decided to start with the DPMS LR. 308 with 24†bull barrel with a Williams Set Trigger, which I had my gun shop order for me from Clarks Custom Guns.
I received the rifle a couple of weeks ago. I don’t like the plastic magazines with which it is delivered, but everyone knows that these are a problem, and DPMS will be offering new metal mags soon. In the meantime, the plastic ones will work, and the rifle will also work with SR-25 magazines from Knight.
What I like about the rifle: It shoots incredible well! The worst 3-round group at 100-yards shooting from a Harris bipod with Federal ammo has measured 0.81, and the best is about 0.31. - under 5/16â€. I have had several such groups where all three rounds touch or overlap quite a bit. The rifle hardly has 100 rounds through it, so it will get even better…
I also tried Remington Match and BlackHills (not moly), and while they all stayed under 1-inch, they were not as good as the Federal. By the way, my Rem700PSS does best with the BlackHills (moly) ammo.
I’m so pleased with this DPMS LR .308 that I am seriously thinking about getting a DPMS LR .300 SAUM. I already sold another rifle just this weekend to make ‘room’ for my second DPMS.
Enjoy and safe shooting!
Alex
