Which .308 AR?
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Z-Michigan
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And I have to apologize for my poor reading comprehension today, you stated in the text I quoted that the Armalite was outside the budget. Not sure how I missed that.
The LR-308B is very heavy, roughly 10lbs before you add a scope. The T model is around 8.5lbs and presumably much more balanced. The B model I see as mostly a bipod or benchrest type gun due to the weight. Nothing is stopping you from carrying it like any other hunting rifle, but it's heavy in casual handling, I'm sure it would be a brick on a long hike. Even the T model is a little heavy for longer hikes. I think the DPMS 308 Sportical and Oracle models are somewhat lighter, but you give up the free-floated barrel with those, not necessarily a great trade for hunting purposes. Of course, none of these are nearly as bad as their 24" models that should probably come with a pintle mount.
DPMS also makes an "L" model that is lighter overall (7.9lbs) still with an 18" barrel:
http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=5296&cat=1737
Not sure the street price on those, but it might be worth a look.
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marksman13
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Thanks Z. I'll take a look at that model and see what kind of price my buddy can get for me. The T model will run me $900.00 out the door. Might be hard to pass up.
LeverGunJunkie
Member
RRA LAR-8. For my purposes, it had the best feature for the $. DPMS LR308 was nice, but didn't have everything I was looking for at the price limit. LAR-8 is a tad heavy, but more than tolerable for a day of deer hunting. The mags can be an issue, but it was a complete non-factor for me. I've managed to buy 1 or 2 a month and have a decent stash.
Its all about the features you want, and what you're willing to pay. If having that awesome trigger means I have to pay $16 for beat up but functional mags, so be it.
Its all about the features you want, and what you're willing to pay. If having that awesome trigger means I have to pay $16 for beat up but functional mags, so be it.
Z-Michigan
Member
All the major .308 AR platforms, including DPMS and Armalite, take standard AR-15 triggers. So, to a DPMS .308, you can upgrade your trigger to:
-$0, DIY trigger job (clip springs and/or polish, be sure you know what you're doing)
-$60, Spike's Tactical "battle trigger"
-$97, Armalite 2-stage tactical trigger*
-$120, CMMG 2-stage (haven't seen any reviews)
-$120ish, RRA 2-stage (read some reviews before you buy one!)
-$145, Armalite National Match 2-stage trigger (nicely tuned version of their $97 trigger above)
-$170 Geissele SSA 2-stage, 4.5lbs pull (absolutely durable and truly milspec quality, the SSF select-fire version is in US military use)
etc. etc. etc.
* http://www.armalite.com/categories2.aspx?Category=dfc0f777-5c39-4edf-bb6b-90009c5adc2c
griff383
Member
Last year I bought a DPMS TAC-20, they dont make this model anymore but I think some distributors still have a few on the shelf. 20" barrel and a free float quad rail with an A2 stock. Took it hunting last deer season and realized it was way to big, heavy, and bulky for what I use it for. Came home and immediately started the research. I soon realized several things. For what I do I only need a 16" barrel, low power scope, and anything to keep weight down.
First, I pulled the barrel and replaced it with a Rainier Arms 16" one. I havent had time to test accuracy much but at 100 yards it looks the same as the 20" HB. I know velocity is lost, blah, blah, blah, but again for my purposes I am in no way concerned with this as the longest shot I will realistically take on game is at best 125 yards. Every deer I saw last year was within 60 yards. My range only goes to 200 yards so no big deal there either.
Second I replaced the quad rail with a JP free float aluminum tube, rifle length. Let me just say, wow, that thing rocks!
I just sent the trigger to Bill Springfield (http://triggerwork.net/ar15s.html) and for $39 im getting a crisp clean 4 pound trigger. Ill report on that when I get it back and do some shooting with it.
I replaced the A2 with a ACE skeleton stock, have an ergo grip, and a Vortex 2-7 with the BDC reticle. Magpul mags arent that expensive ($20?) and I like them better than the metal ones that come with it.
Overall, I shaved it down to about 8 pounds (empty) and sold all the old parts to almost pay for the new ones. I didnt keep track of what I have into it, but if I factor in the sold parts the total is under $1500 and that is to include optics.
Sorry for the crummy pic.
First, I pulled the barrel and replaced it with a Rainier Arms 16" one. I havent had time to test accuracy much but at 100 yards it looks the same as the 20" HB. I know velocity is lost, blah, blah, blah, but again for my purposes I am in no way concerned with this as the longest shot I will realistically take on game is at best 125 yards. Every deer I saw last year was within 60 yards. My range only goes to 200 yards so no big deal there either.
Second I replaced the quad rail with a JP free float aluminum tube, rifle length. Let me just say, wow, that thing rocks!
I just sent the trigger to Bill Springfield (http://triggerwork.net/ar15s.html) and for $39 im getting a crisp clean 4 pound trigger. Ill report on that when I get it back and do some shooting with it.
I replaced the A2 with a ACE skeleton stock, have an ergo grip, and a Vortex 2-7 with the BDC reticle. Magpul mags arent that expensive ($20?) and I like them better than the metal ones that come with it.
Overall, I shaved it down to about 8 pounds (empty) and sold all the old parts to almost pay for the new ones. I didnt keep track of what I have into it, but if I factor in the sold parts the total is under $1500 and that is to include optics.
Sorry for the crummy pic.
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marksman13
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I ended up with a DPMS Panther LR-308T. Gun shoots really well. One inch at a hundred yards with 150 grain Core-Lokts. I was impressed. Thanks to all who replied.
LeverGunJunkie
Member
If I didn't go RRA, that's what I would've purchased. Well done and I hope it continues to treat you well.
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marksman13
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Tried to post them yesterday but my phone was being contrary. I have got to put a Hogue grip on this rifle very soon. I think a match trigger is also in the not so distant trigger.
Pigspitter
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I picked up an Eagle Arms (armalite subsidary) AR10 yesterday for 750. I haven't gotten a range test on it, but you can find deals if you look around.
I have a LR-308 Franken10. What I mean is the lower receiver, upper receiver, quad rail and barrel extension are DPMS. The barrel is a 22" National Match (Kreiger) from Fulton Armory, the stock is a Magpul PRS from ebay, the fire control group is from American Trigger (SR-10 is the model). Regardless of what you end up with you may want to consider upgrading the fire control group which impoved my accuracy much closer to the rifles potential.
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marksman13
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Doorman, that rifle will flat-out shoot. I'm not sure which trigger I want, but this 8# factory beast has got to go.
ForumSurfer
Member
What kind of glass are you running, doorman?
griff383
Member
I just got my trigger back from Bill Springfield last night. Holy cow! best $35 I ever spent. I did the 4 pounds but if mine was a dedicated bench or target rifle I would have gone down to 3 or even 2.5 pounds. Quick turn around times too, I had it in the mail last thursday and it was waiting for me yesterday when I checked the mail.
Z-Michigan
Member
Griff - be curious for you to report back when you have a couple thousand rounds on that trigger job. Another forum I frequent has various people who've had his trigger jobs double, and worse.
For anyone who is basically happy with a GI trigger but wants a lighter and smoother pull, the $60 Spike's "battle trigger" works well and doesn't seem to induce any safety, reliability or durability issues - if anything it should be considerably more durable than a standard GI trigger, which is already durable for 10's of thousands of shots. (The battle trigger is basically just a quality GI trigger that's been coated with nickel-boron.)
For anyone who is basically happy with a GI trigger but wants a lighter and smoother pull, the $60 Spike's "battle trigger" works well and doesn't seem to induce any safety, reliability or durability issues - if anything it should be considerably more durable than a standard GI trigger, which is already durable for 10's of thousands of shots. (The battle trigger is basically just a quality GI trigger that's been coated with nickel-boron.)
griff383
Member
Ill keep an eye on it, but it may take a while to get to that round count with that rifle. Is there something in specific that causes it to double?
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Z-Michigan
Member
I don't know of anything specific that you can see. It would have to do with how the parts are modified. I can only guess it's a disconnector issue.
The scope is a Millett TRS-1 4-16x50. Not near the best there is but the best I could afford. When the twins finish up college in 2012 I will look into upgrading the glass. The picture of the target was 15 rounds at 100 yards after I got the scope dialed in and the handloads that worked best for me.
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marksman13
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Doorman, I had one of those Milletts and it wasn't a bad scope. It was just a big heavy beast.
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