My New DPMS .308 AP4 Carbine

[billt]

I just picked it up this morning. It had everything I wanted, and the price was right. Removable carry handle with A-2 sights, plus a free floater forend. It came with 2, 20 round mags and the dealer threw in a 20 round Mag-Pul P-Mag which I really like. I'll be picking up a few more. I won't get a chance to crank it up until Monday, weather permitting.

This is my first .308 AR. I have a couple of Springfield M1-A's, and I'll be glad to see how this one stacks up. It seems like a nice, solid, well made rifle. Fit, finish, and overall feel look good, and I really like the sights. I'm still not used to the big magazine! When he handed me the Mag-Pul P-Mag I did a double take because I'm so used to .223. This thing looks like it's going to get shot a lot!

Does anyone have any ammo recommendations? I've been running 42.0 Gr. of Varget under a 168 Gr. Sierra Matchking in all of my other .308's, and it's more or less been my "go to" round in that caliber because it runs well in all of my rifles. Anyway,I'm looking forward to lighting it up!

[justinsaneok]

Happy for you! I'm still looking for one. I'm looking to get a L or B.

[NewbieAKguy]

Arcangel, who just had a baby girl born, has the same kind of rifle. He's posted what he's done to his if you'd like some ideas. Oh, and nice addition .

[billt]

I went to the range with the new .308 DPMS, and overall had a very good range session. The gun functioned flawlessly. No FTF or FTE's. The gun ate everything it was fed. I tried both DPMS magazines that came with the rifle and both fed 19 rounds each of Magtech 150 Gr. FMJ without a hitch. I then switched to the Mag-Pul P-Mag I had for all the rest of my shooting, because that is the magazine I will be purchasing several extras of. It ran fine with everything I stuffed in it.

At 8.25 pounds empty, the gun has very manageable recoil. Much less than a light .308 sporter like my Winchester Model 88 does. It was LOUD! Much louder than any .223 AR-15. Ejection was positive, but it did not damage or ding any of the brass. I don't have any optics on this rifle, and really don't intend to mount any. The standard A-2 sights were pretty close at 100 yards, where all my shooting was from. I had to adjust about 2 inches up and about 2 to 3 inches to the left, and everything after that was well central on the targets.

After about 50 rounds I switched to some handloads I had brought that were loaded with 42.0 Gr. of Varget under a Sierra 168 Gr. Matchking bullet. My eyes were getting used to the sights, and using the small aperture shooting off the bench it was not difficult to get groups that could be covered with a drink coaster. For my 59 year old ageing eyes I'll call that good. I switched to some Hornady 168 Gr. A-Max bullets loaded with the same 42.0 Gr. of Varget. They grouped just a bit tighter, but I would of had to have a scope mounted to really establish which was the better load as far as accuracy.

After taking a break and BS'ing with some of the guys there I tried some informal offhand shooting on the 200 yards steel plates. It was very easy to achieve steady hits. This rifle is very easy to shoot accurately. Much more so than my Springfield M1-A's are offhand. It being shorter is far less muzzle heavy and less tiresome to shoot from an offhand stance. All in all I ran a total of 220 rounds through the gun. More .308 than I normally would shoot at a single range outing.

Before I left I heavily lubed up everything, and after every 30 rounds or so, I gave the bolt and bolt lugs several drops of Mobil 1 to keep everything good and slick. After I got home the gun cleaned up effortlessly. Everyone has their own method of lubricating AR's. For me more is better. I disassembled the bolt carrier group and washed everything in clean Kerosene, then blew everything dry with compressed air. I then re oiled and greased everything, and the gun was as spotless as before I took it out of the case.

I used Bore Tech Eliminator in the barrel, and it cleaned up much easier than I had expected. I didn't get the barrel very hot, and gave it plenty of time to cool off between magazines. It was mostly cloudy and cool out with almost no wind at all. Overall I'm very pleased with this rifle. The gun ran perfectly, shot where it was aimed, and was easy to handle doing it. I wished I hadn't waited so long to get into the .308 AR game. These guns are a lot of fun, and I couldn't be more pleased.

[abpt1]

I went to the range with the new .308 DPMS, and overall had a very good range session. The gun functioned flawlessly. No FTF or FTE's. The gun ate everything it was fed. I tried both DPMS magazines that came with the rifle and both fed 19 rounds each of Magtech 150 Gr. FMJ without a hitch. I then switched to the Mag-Pul P-Mag I had for all the rest of my shooting, because that is the magazine I will be purchasing several extras of. It ran fine with everything I stuffed in it.

At 8.25 pounds empty, the gun has very manageable recoil. Much less than a light .308 sporter like my Winchester Model 88 does. It was LOUD! Much louder than any .223 AR-15. Ejection was positive, but it did not damage or ding any of the brass. I don't have any optics on this rifle, and really don't intend to mount any. The standard A-2 sights were pretty close at 100 yards, where all my shooting was from. I had to adjust about 2 inches up and about 2 to 3 inches to the left, and everything after that was well central on the targets.

After about 50 rounds I switched to some handloads I had brought that were loaded with 42.0 Gr. of Varget under a Sierra 168 Gr. Matchking bullet. My eyes were getting used to the sights, and using the small aperture shooting off the bench it was not difficult to get groups that could be covered with a drink coaster. For my 59 year old ageing eyes I'll call that good. I switched to some Hornady 168 Gr. A-Max bullets loaded with the same 42.0 Gr. of Varget. They grouped just a bit tighter, but I would of had to have a scope mounted to really establish which was the better load as far as accuracy.

After taking a break and BS'ing with some of the guys there I tried some informal offhand shooting on the 200 yards steel plates. It was very easy to achieve steady hits. This rifle is very easy to shoot accurately. Much more so than my Springfield M1-A's are offhand. It being shorter is far less muzzle heavy and less tiresome to shoot from an offhand stance. All in all I ran a total of 220 rounds through the gun. More .308 than I normally would shoot at a single range outing.

Before I left I heavily lubed up everything, and after every 30 rounds or so, I gave the bolt and bolt lugs several drops of Mobil 1 to keep everything good and slick. After I got home the gun cleaned up effortlessly. Everyone has their own method of lubricating AR's. For me more is better. I disassembled the bolt carrier group and washed everything in clean Kerosene, then blew everything dry with compressed air. I then re oiled and greased everything, and the gun was as spotless as before I took it out of the case.

I used Bore Tech Eliminator in the barrel, and it cleaned up much easier than I had expected. I didn't get the barrel very hot, and gave it plenty of time to cool off between magazines. It was mostly cloudy and cool out with almost no wind at all. Overall I'm very pleased with this rifle. The gun ran perfectly, shot where it was aimed, and was easy to handle doing it. I wished I hadn't waited so long to get into the .308 AR game. These guns are a lot of fun, and I couldn't be more pleased.

Great range report !


I have a dpms also. I Have been shooting mostly Radway green x51 and Privi .308 it eats anything ! Here is a great place to get mags ! http://www.44mag.com/

[arcangel]

Sweet rifle man, they are fun for sure. Mine likes hornady TAP in 168 gr BTHP and their match loading. They seem to really favor heavier bullets. 168-180 gr. Anyways enjoy your new toy, and I'm interested to know if your going to change it up or not. I'll try to get a pic of the one I have up for you.

[arcangel]

With Troy 13.5 tan qyad rail, Buis, and rail protectors. Magpul UBR stock and pistol grip, and angled grip. Larues +20MOA QD mount, and la Rue bi-pod QD mount. Leupold MK4. Mil dot 3.5x10x40mm and harris bi pod w/ swivel. I use the P-mags too, they are great.

[l921428x]

If i were to buy an AR it would be the .308/7.62 version. Wow great report and fun huh? I am kinda funnie sumhow but I do not need to know the serial # of your rifle.
How much does it weigh and did you have a .308 before? Did you work these recipies for the reloads? About how much a rnd is it costing you to make them?
Just askin.

[billt]

If i were to buy an AR it would be the .308/7.62 version. Wow great report and fun huh? I am kinda funnie sumhow but I do not need to know the serial # of your rifle.
How much does it weigh and did you have a .308 before? Did you work these recipies for the reloads? About how much a rnd is it costing you to make them?
Just askin.

The gun 8.25 pounds empty. I have several other .308 caliber rifles. 2 Savage bolt actions. A Model 12F/TR and a Model 10-FP. I also shoot 2, Springfield Armory M1-A's. A National Match, and a SOCOM 16. My other .308 is a older Winchester Model 88 Lever Action Sporter I bought from a "friend of a friend" some years back.

I reload extensively for the .308. I'm thinking of trying some of the excellent WC-844 Surplus Ball Powder that's avaliable out there. I hear it's pretty accurate, and can be had for just $85.00 for a 8 pound jug. That's a lot more attractive than the $140.00 I've been paying for Varget. I haven't figured my cost per round for the .308 yet, but my .223 reloads cost me around .14 cents a round. That is using bulk FMJ bullets. If I use match grade Sierra's, or Hornady A-Max's the price goes up accordingly. I don't worry about serial numbers. There isn't anything anyone can do with them. It's not like knowing your credit card or S.S. #.

[Schuetzenman]

Nice report, congrats!

[kimberkid]

Nice rifle and good report ... thanks and enjoy!

Cool serial number btw ...

[luvs2jeep]

Nice are you going to dress it up any?

[billt]

Nice are you going to dress it up any?

I'm going to put a Vltor E-Mod stock on it. I'm ordering it today. It gives about an extra 1" on the length of pull. I have long arms.

[O.S.O.K.]

Congrats! That's about the same weight as my Saiga 308 - well, maybe a little heavier - that's a beefy rig!

I'd be interested in seeing how it groups with optics installed. I'm thinking quite a bit better than the 4" groups that you got with the irons...