DPMS Panther LR 308

[Thebear_78]

Being a horrible impulse buyer I picked up a DPMS PANTHER LR308 G2 24" heavy barrel. Put on a magpul adjustable MOE + grip and PRS adjustable butt stock. I also picked up a Nightforce 4-14x56 SHV in a pepr mount.

It looks to be a well setup rifle. I only hope it shoots as well as it looks.

I will definitely be needing a new trigger. In the past I have used RRA national match two stage triggers but was thinking of getting something a little lighter as this is a primarily paper and steel punching rifle.

 

[Guy Miner]

A few years ago, when "everybody" was running a .308 bolt action, usually a Remington, we had two guys show up with DPMS .308's for a tactical shoot. They did well. I decided right then and there that DPMS knew something about building good rifles.

 

[Thebear_78]

I used to have a DPMS Panther 24” super bull in 223 several years ago. I ordered it direct for DPMS, told them to do all the bells and whistles. It had a tri rise upper and laminated thumbhole stock. I topped it with a Night Force NXS 5.5-22x56. It was without a doubt one of the most accurate rifles I have ever owned. Definitely top 3 and I have owned A LOT of rifles over the years. It had a NM trigger and would absolutely stack 68gr hornady MHP on top of each other out to 500 meters. I sold it in a bout of financially motivated stupidity.

Black hills 68gr MHP load turned in some of the best 400-500 meter groups I have ever fired. One afternoon I shot 4 5-shot groups at 400 meters and the largest was 1.89” the smallest was 1.25”. If this rifle is anything nearly as good a shooter I will be thrilled.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Nice!

 

[Micky80]

Nice setup. Enjoy!

 

[Thebear_78]

Short list on triggers is geissele SSA-E, jard 2lb, RRA national match, and jewel 2 stage adjustable if I can find one. Any of you guys haveany pros/cons of these triggers, or other recommendations?

 

[Thebear_78]

Well I went whole hog and picked up a geissele high speed national match two stage. First stage 2.5 pounds second stage 1.25 pounds, breaks looked a glad rod. It was pricy but easily the best trigger I have ever felt in an ar style rifle and very close to best in any rifle.

I shot it today but it's going to need some work to get it where I want it to be. I'm going to need an adjustable gas block. Probably going to order a syrac ord gas block tomorrow.

 

[Guybo]

That's a great looking rifle no doubt and looks like a shooter for sure. When I was in the market for an AR I was looking for something to punch paper with and maybe shoot a few varmits. I also was on a budget and was looking for something that wouldn't break the bank and I went with a DPMS chambered in .223. The rifle is way more accurate than I am and shoots the PMC bronze ammo very well. I too need to replace the trigger on mine I just haven't took the time to do it yet. I haven't shot it lately but reading this thread makes me want to pull it out and hit the range.

 

[Thebear_78]

If you don't mind spending the money this geissele high speed national match is truly phenomenal. I am seriously impressed with this trigger.

The RRA national match is less than half the price as the giessele and a very decent trigger. I have had several of them in various AR15s.

I ordered the syrac ord adjustable gas block, a Rcbs competion seater and a box of 168gr and 175gr Sierra matchkings. Hopefully I can get a chance to put together some precision loads and ring out this rifles potential.

 

[Teknys]

I too have the Geissele Match trigger. Great 2 stage trigger. Yes it was a chunk of $ but after you shoot it..... it's worth the pain.

 

[Wincheringen]

Geissele is the only trigger I would bother upgrading to. They are the best.

After doing a piston conversion on my AR15 build, I went piston on my 308, although for a true match setup I would go DI as it is easier to make them accurate. I really like the stock on your gun.

 

[Thebear_78]

Switched glass from Nightforce to trijicon 5-20. I really wanted exposed turrets and got a deal on the trijicon. So far it's nice glass, clear, bright, and lighted reticle is a nice feature.

Still waiting on my adjustable gas block but I picked up a set of small base dies and competition seater. I have some 168 match kings, 175 matchkings, and 168 nosler custom comp bullets and 100 hornady match brass.

 

[DrMike]

I've always like Trijicon. All I've shot appeared to be quality glass.

 

[Thebear_78]

Finally got a chance to shoot it with the new gas block. I'm getting some leaking around the gas block but it's shooting much better and not beating up the brass.

I almost get annoyed when cheap ammo shoots so good. Makes all I spend on reloading seem like wasted money and time.

 

[DrMike]

Very impressive groupings. Yeah, that could make hand loading appear superfluous.

 

[laylandad]

Nice rifle....I've got one just like it coming in next week. The one that I am getting is chambered in .338 Federal. I'll definitely be hand loading for mine after looking at the price of factory ammo.

Can you explain the use of an adjustable gas block? I'm curious about this, especially when you mentioned it being easier on your brass.

 

[Thebear_78]

These have a tendency to have gas issues. Won't cycle light loads and too much gas can cause the bolt to start to open before the bullet leaves the barrel, which does weird things to brass, pulling off lips and ejector smears.

The adjustable gas block allows you to tune the gas system to your load, so that the minimum gas needed to cycle the action is used. This helps brass and accuracy.

 

[laylandad]

Here's my LR-338. It's currently at a local smith getting a FDE Cera cote job, a front sling swivel, and having a low profile gas block installed. I'll post updated pics when I get it back.

 

[Guy Miner]

Thebear - you're right, with it shooting like that, I'd feel like just buying a case of that ammo and not bothering with handloads for the rifle.

Very nice.

 

[Thebear_78]

Sadly I have since gotten three more boxes of that ammo and none shot as well as that first one. They still shoot decent, two shooting under an inch, same lot, and another lot was closer to an inch and a half.

I did try a load using 175 matchkings hat is showing really good promise. With a little tuning it should be great.