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Posted: 1/6/2008 1:25:06 AM EDT
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I'm a long-time AR fan and owner of several, but looking to get my first AR-10, a DPMS 308. I'm trying to understand the trade-offs of the different barrel lengths, but wanting to stay no longer than 20" because I want the lighter weight and greater mobility. Some questions: * Would a 16" create a lot of extra noise and muzzle blast versus 18" or 20", or would it be pretty similar? * Would there be a large loss in ballistic performance in 308, when going with a 16" versus say 18" or 20"? * If the answers to the first 2 questions are "no", then is there any reason at all to get a model with a barrel longer than 16"? * Some models I'm looking at have no shell deflector, which could be a problem since I'm a lefty and don't want shells hitting me in the face. Will this be an issue, or will the shell ejection not be a problem anyway, even without the deflector? Thanks! |
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If you want an ar10 then you have to get an Armalite. If you want a DPMS then you have to get a lr-308. Just to clear this up for you before Armalite comes along and slaps your knuckles. A lot of people in the know seem to suggest 18" barrels for the best of both worlds - shortness and ballistics. Look at what is available and build one yourself if the available factory options do not suit your liking. |
| Although Armalite is the original I went with the DPMS AP4. This rifle has out shot every Armalite that has come to the range. MOA is the norm with TAP ammo and 1.5-2.5 MOA depending on the surplus I use. Reliability has been 100% with 4000 rds. I replaced the extractor spring at 2000rds but I don't know if it needed it? I eats all ammo I've put through it including Port, Aussie, Argentine, Privi, LC, Winchester white box, and of course any commercial ammo. The rifle made the NRA Golden Bullseye Award for what thats worth. In every magazine review I've read since purchasing this rifle they praise its accuracy and reliablity plus its cheper than the Armalite. I think you won't go wrong either way but for the money you can't beat the DPMS line of .308 rifles. I would get the AP4 like mine which has the 16" barrel. Muzzle blast is not as bad as a 10.5" 5.56mm and recoil is on par with a Mini-14. I liked mine so much I bought a LR308 with a 24" SS barrel and set it up like a SASS rifle, what a tack driver and again 100% reliable. |
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I'm in agreement with cgdonly; My 18" barrel LR 308B has been totally reliable, very accurate and overall a worthy way to spend my money. If you choose to go with the DPMS, I suggest that you have DPMS install the JP trigger or some other trigger upgrade. The stock triggers are horrible. I also had them install the Hogue hand grip and cryo treat the barrel (of questionable value perhaps). Sub MOA groups are the norm with good ammo. My rifle particularly likes the Federal power shok 150 grain ammo. $11.00 per box at Wal Mart and it shoots into less than 1" at 100 yds. IMR 4895 & Sierra 168 HPBT shoots into 5/8" at 100 yds. Whats not to like? Its big its black it has a big long magazine and it pi--es off gun haters I love it! Roger |
| Are you going with optic or Iron sights? If you are going Iron 20" would be my choice (I have a TAC-20 and love it) optic only you could use any of the other choices just fine. The extended sight radious is a big help with long distance Iron sight use. My TAC-20 is as acurate or maybe a little more Acurate than my M1A NM. And I can still mount optics if I want. |
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Thanks for all the feedback. Only one of my questions I didn't get answered yet is the one about the fact that I'm a lefty, and there's no shell deflector on a number of the models I'm looking at. Will the lack of a shell deflector mean that I'll have shell casings hitting me in the face, or is that still going to be pretty unlikely? |
there are different uppers that come standard on the dpms 308s. the tac20 and ap4 have a forward assist, dust cover, and brass deflector... the rest don't. they have a smooth side upper which also has the optic mount sitting up a bit higher. you can order them special from dpms with whichever upper you like. they even have a heavy steel upper as an alternative option. be advised: there might be a long wait on direct dpms orders. |
| I'm a lefty and have used the smooth sided upper without brass in the face, but my (also left handed) shooting buddy did take one to the right cheek yesterday (was wearing shooting glasses fortunately). All my future AR308 style rifles will have a brass deflector, so obviously I would have to recommend that you spring for the brass deflector too. |
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I'd check gunbroker.com too to see if anything is setup the way you'd like it and ready to go. I got my DPMS SASS from there. When I called DPMS to ask about it they were saying several weeks backlogged. Not many other internet sites had it in-stock and the ones who did wanted full MSRP. I'm a heavily instant-gratification kind of guy when at all possible. I'll pay a few extra bucks to have it in my hands now, but I won't pay full MSRP. |
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Don't mind the Armalite crew they think their shit does not stink. I would recomend different trigger, I put one of these in my LR308. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=125&t=295214 Do you plan on reloading? |
| AP4, Tac 20, and 18" tactical all come with shell deflector. RGuns has the best prices on DPMS and he has most models in stock. RGuns advertises in SGN as well as his web site. Got my 24" LR308 from him for $175.00 less than anyone else and that included shipping and transfer fee on my end. Be advised sometimes the guy has an attitude when you call him but I'llput up with a lot of attitude to get the best price. He has AP4s for under $1000.00 check it out. |
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