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Posted: 4/16/2008 12:06:56 PM EDT
| I'm considering a DPMS .308 rifle as a "launch" platform for my stockpile of .308 ammo. While I have some good target loads, I was lucky enough to get about 7k rounds of various mil surplus rounds such as Port, Aussie, Brit and some south african as well. I need a rifle that will shoot target loads well but can also digest the mil-surplus I have on hand. Am I asking to much?...I have already gone the M1A-FAL route but for a variety of reasons, I wanted a better optics platform. Any Ideas ?....will the DPMS fill the bill? |
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I'm not the biggest fan of Stoner's direct impingment system, preferring the adjustable gas piston system of the FAL. I think my post count at the FAL Files web site attests to that. However, I have to admit that my LR308 has digested everything I've fed it without a hiccup, including milsurp and Russian steel case. Granted, I've put only 200 or so rounds down the tube, but the gun simply runs. Today at lunch I shot rounds with 125, 150, 168, and 180 grn pills with no failures, period. As a semi-auto optics platform for 308, I think you'll be hard-pressed to find better for the money. |
I would not recommend it for shooting up your surplus. The DPMS owners manual has a list of foreign made mil.surplus that will void the warrenty if you use it. I know for sure South African is on the list. I know that many people use surplus ammo in their LR-308s, but its not recomended. I personally have shot up lots of Federal and Winchester ammo, with zero malfunctions in my LR-308. |
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I believe the do not use ammo list from DPMS was written buy there lawyers. I am still waiting for my 308B . I have read nothing in all my research from damage done to a DPMS rifle from mil surp ammo. As I said i am still waiting for mine. I would like to hear more from those who do shoot mil surp in theirs. AL |
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I put most of a battlepack of South African through my LR308 without any problems. Seemed relatively accurate, too, though I was shooting in very windy conditions at a machine gun shoot. Personally, I've had a case failure with Israeli surplus 308, IMI headstamp (in an FAL), so I won't run any more of that ammo. I've read mixed reviews of Indian ammo, and I think there are a couple other particular years of production with other flavors of milsurp (maybe Venezuelan, Brazilian?) one should be wary of. |
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I bought a LR308T a couple weeks ago and just finished the factory recommended break-in process. I used USGI and FN 147 gr. surplus ammo for the barrel break in and was less than impressed with the accuracy (1-1/2" - 2" at 50yds). I plan to try some 168 SMK's in the next week or so. Hopefully the accuracy will improve. I'm thinking the 1/10 twist will favor heavier bullets. |
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I can say from experience that my LR-308 ate up SA, Aussie and Paki surplus just fine. Some of the paki was not in the best condition. My weapon has a heavier buffer and a couple #6 o-rings on the extractor. I had a couple failure to eject with the paki before the o-rings. Its has been 100% since. Those 2 things would be good for reliability in any DPMS 308. |
looks like lithuanian 146 gr fmj. good stuff from what I hear. but how the hell did you fit a CLIP in the DPMS? I thought they only took magazines.  .sorry. I couldnt resist |
heheheh sorry. i usually catch myself when I interchange the two. it's a habit for being such an E-Thug lol |
| The only ammo I have had problems with in my LR308 is WWB marked 7.62x51 NATO. I have had 3 FTFs in around 20 shots with that crap. Unfortunately, I have 500 rounds of it. All other ammo has been fine, but I haven't shot any surplus except for Canadian. I guess I only have around 300 rounds through it. |
The flyers are typical for SA. sell it some someone with a FAL and get something more accurate like Lithuanian for your DPMS. |
Which rounds are flyers? First, middle, last, random? |
Simple...just open it up and put it in.  FYI - The DPMS takes a "Detachable Box Magazine". Almost all repeaters have a magazine. 
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| I have a LR308 with NSX and Magpul stock, JP Trigger and all. I have over 1250 rnds of Winchester 168 BTHPMK and Black Hills 168 BTHPMK logged with no malfunctions as I can recall. The gun runs sub MOA out to 400yds when I do my part. I would say this about reliability- It has made it through two FBI LE Sniper courses and several training and actual operations in various conditions. Due to our mostly sub-urban area and the gun's hi-cap and accuracy capability it has replaced the bolt gun as the go-to SHTF stick. |
I wouldn't call those flyers. 3 shot groups don't give you a true feeling for accuracy; 10 shots is more like it. For more background, read this post. |
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