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Posted: 12/25/2015 11:28:33 AM EDT
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So guy and gals I need some help on deciding the future of this rifle. Currently it is chambered in 308 and for several reasons I am looking to make a change. A couple of the big ones are I pretty much hate all aspects of the upper, the handguard, and the gas block.
So I am looking at three different directions: 1. Buy a new upper, handguard and gas block and replace them. 2. Buy a complete 308 upper and have them both to interchange if I ever wanted. 3. Buy a new upper in a different caliber. A couple things bout the use of this rifle... It is going to be primarily used for Hog hunting and intermediate shooting (200-500 yds). If I wanted to go out to 600+ I'd probably buy a whole new rifle. My budget would be $600 (if that's not possible I can adjust some things to suit what it needs to be). If it's light enough, I might even consider carrying it in NM for mulees and elk. Also, I don't know if it's possible, but I would like to use the same Mags I have as I have plenty of magpul Mags and I don't want to have to buy a whole lot more. Also, I'm not into reloading and don't forsee getting into it in the near future (8 month old and getting ready to move and get a new job). 
Sorry for the novel, just wanted to give all the details. Tldr- new parts, new 308 upper, new caliber upper??? Thanks. |
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You can't go wrong with something like a .260 Remington or a 7mm-08 Remington for those long range shots with
all the compatibility of the parent .308 Winchester Case in the DPMS LR-308 platform... It is just a matter of which caliber do you prefer...Go with the .264/6.5mm version of the .260 Rem. for lower recoil and great BC or for little more recoil but with still very good BC of the .284/7mm caliber family with a slightly heavier range pills... Good luck. |
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I would agree, a nice light weight 15" Keymod Handguard, a Medium Weight 20" Fluted Barrel in one of the calibers
noted earlier and possibly a quality Low Pro Adjustable Gas Block to round out the package, that is if it is in your budget. The LW Keymod HG and 20" Fluted Bbl. gives the nice lightweight balance (at least for a large frame AR) while the full fluting will add to barrel stiffness and maintain accuracy w/o losing much velocity in a 20" length (rifle gas system). JMHO. |
| I notice CDNN has a DPMS .308 upper with FA and dust cover for $129 along with a DPMS .308 12.5" free float handguard for $89. Pick up a DPMS low pro gas block from them for $20, and you have a full DPMS rifle that you know will have full compatibility and a relative budget price. You have many options out there as suggested, just make sure everything winds up being compatible with the LR308. It's sometimes a problem with .308 AR's, |
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Quoted:
I notice CDNN has a DPMS .308 upper with FA and dust cover for $129 along with a DPMS .308 12.5" free float handguard for $89. Pick up a DPMS low pro gas block from them for $20, and you have a full DPMS rifle that you know will have full compatibility and a relative budget price. You have many options out there as suggested, just make sure everything winds up being compatible with the LR308. It's sometimes a problem with .308 AR's, Thanks, I think I will take most of your advice and build a new upper. I'm going to use the DPMS upper you referemce and get a Midwest Industries FF 15" rail and low pro gas block and just steal the barrel and BCG from the current AR. |
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Quoted:
Why not take the opportunity to upgrade to a premium barrel, and a better aftermarket gas block? If you're going to do the work and spend money, buy really good parts. While you're at it, a better BCG wouldn't hurt. Any recommendations for the parts you mention???? |
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Quoted:
Any recommendations for the parts you mention???? Quoted:
Quoted:
Why not take the opportunity to upgrade to a premium barrel, and a better aftermarket gas block? If you're going to do the work and spend money, buy really good parts. While you're at it, a better BCG wouldn't hurt. Any recommendations for the parts you mention???? Well, for example, you could buy a Criterion barrel and a nickel boron BCG from Fulton Armory, and they'd even headspace it for you. It will not be dirt cheap, but it will be reasonable in price, and result in an accurate and reliable rifle. There are any number of good quality steel gas blocks out there, the last two I bought were YHM. My point in this case is that if you really do not like anything about your upper, and you're going to spend the money and make the effort to do something better, you'd be better off to go the distance and do it right. You can always sell the upper you like nothing about to recover some small part of your expense. Further, given how your situation is changing, you'll probably have one chance to do this right, and end up with something you're really happy with. If you do not get it right this time, you may not have a chance to do it again for a while. |
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Quoted:
Well, for example, you could buy a Criterion barrel and a nickel boron BCG from Fulton Armory, and they'd even headspace it for you. It will not be dirt cheap, but it will be reasonable in price, and result in an accurate and reliable rifle. There are any number of good quality steel gas blocks out there, the last two I bought were YHM. My point in this case is that if you really do not like anything about your upper, and you're going to spend the money and make the effort to do something better, you'd be better off to go the distance and do it right. You can always sell the upper you like nothing about to recover some small part of your expense. Further, given how your situation is changing, you'll probably have one chance to do this right, and end up with something you're really happy with. If you do not get it right this time, you may not have a chance to do it again for a while. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Why not take the opportunity to upgrade to a premium barrel, and a better aftermarket gas block? If you're going to do the work and spend money, buy really good parts. While you're at it, a better BCG wouldn't hurt. Any recommendations for the parts you mention???? Well, for example, you could buy a Criterion barrel and a nickel boron BCG from Fulton Armory, and they'd even headspace it for you. It will not be dirt cheap, but it will be reasonable in price, and result in an accurate and reliable rifle. There are any number of good quality steel gas blocks out there, the last two I bought were YHM. My point in this case is that if you really do not like anything about your upper, and you're going to spend the money and make the effort to do something better, you'd be better off to go the distance and do it right. You can always sell the upper you like nothing about to recover some small part of your expense. Further, given how your situation is changing, you'll probably have one chance to do this right, and end up with something you're really happy with. If you do not get it right this time, you may not have a chance to do it again for a while. Not one thing wrong with the suggestions mentioned here, but I wonder if the pursuit of almost all new, higher quality parts on this base rifle might not be better served by building a whole new rifle from the ground up with said higher quality parts or buy a new off-the-shelf setup like a G2 or such? I'd be tempted to sink as little money into this particular rifle to upgrade it to a decent performance and esthetic level. Plus, oddly these barrels often provide surprising accuracy without being $300-$500 items...OP didn't mention how accurate this rifle has proven to be, but I think he would have dismissed the idea initially to upgrade this rifle if accuracy was bad. So many choices, and unless money is the absolute driving force here, the options are almost endless. |
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I agree. I went with a GII Lite Hunter myself. Bud's had them for a great price, but they're out of stock currently, all they have is the 16" version. I still swapped the gas block for a YHM steel version, and I put flip up sights on mine in the process.
I was really trying to stick with the original poster's questions, desires, and original intent. As such, I felt his best option of those he mentioned was building a new upper with really nice parts. If it were not for the fact that the GII knocked the bottom out of the value of the LR308, I'd lean even more toward selling and upgrading. |
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