Any experience with DPMS rifles??

[BobLeeSwagger223]

I am really thinking hard about getting an AR-15, I own only bolt guns now. I am interested in a heavy barreled model, my 2 choices are Rock River or DPMS.

From what I hear the Rock River is always at the top of everyones list and I know the trigger is better, I have dry fired both. I would have the option of an A4 Varmint or the "Predator" model which is 1 pound lighter which might make it a bit more portable.

I can get a really good deal on a DPMS Bull 20" with JP trigger and was wondering how they measure up. I reload and would like to be able to get 3/4 ish groups. The DPMS just doesnt feel quite as soild, and I haven't heard as much about them.

I am going to use this rifle for mainly prarie dogs out to 300ish yards. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Klong]

I do not have a DPMS in 223, but have several in larger calibers and I have good function and accuracy from all but one. It is very accurate, but the chamber is rough and does not eject reliably. Eithe r of the two should be plenty accuracte and reliable. Pick which ever one has the twist rate to suit you bullet preference.

I would get the JP or the RR two stage match trigger.

I have several 223 AR's. Most are for highpower competiition and have custom barrels and chambers.

White Oak Precision or White Oak Armament can supply you with a real nice upper for a reasonable price.

 

[distinguished]

Based on the rifles I have seen, Rock River is better in fit and quality than dpms. I would also highly recommend White Oak. Their workmanship is first rate and they deliver when promised.

 

[navyrad8r]

Bob,
Since you are a bolt gunner and seem like you want to have fun with an AR. Do the DPMS. the extra money you save will let you change out the parts you don't like later on. geissle jewell cg jp triggers are all great, but if you decide you don't like the mouse gun, you won't have alot tied up into it. shoot out the factory barrel and then go custom later on. +3 on white oak uppers. i have always been a service rifle shooter and only recently began to walk upright and enjoy using a gearshift. albeit a .300winmag, only for prone shooting at the 1k. IMHO the difference between the rock river and the DPMS is not comparable to the $$. good luck to you and i hope you enjoy driving an automatic instead stick shift. ;D

cheers,
Doc

 

[effendude]

I guarantee the prairie dogs out to 300 yards won't know which rifle you are using. I own several from both. They all shoot really well. The real beauty of the AR is even a hack like me can tinker. Triggers, stocks, forearms, barrels, etc. You name it, someone sells an upgrade, most of which are not needed to shoot PDs out to 300.

Two last pieces of advice if you are going to use an AR for PDs. First, buy a progressive loader or befriend someone who has one. Second, buy as many magazines as you can. You will go through alot of ammo with the rifle when you are in a good town. Too much fun!!
Scott

 

[BobLeeSwagger223]

i hope you enjoy driving an automatic instead stick shift. ;D

cheers,
Doc

HAHA! Thanks hadn't quite thought of it that way! Doc, you pretty much have me pegged. I have some outstanding shooting bolts, but just thought an AR might be fun.

Not to debate, I know many see an AR as a "pray and spray" rifle. The only difference in my shooting is not operating the rifle, patience and bullet placement are the same for me. My other concern is staying under control and not toasting a barrel in a target rich environment! It can be a fight for life just keeping them at bay! ;D

One thing I REALLY like about the RRA is the 2 stage trigger, I think it is better then the JP trigger DPMS installs. They have a lot of creep and are a bit heavier. I had also thought about going with an 18" Varmint in the RRA just to save weight. DPMS only offers 16 and 20.

 

[MQ1]

I had the opportunity to help out a friend today who has a 20" Bull Model DPMS Upper on a garage built lower

It took about an hour and a half to clean the barrel before we went out...I doubt my friend has ever cleaned it.

It shot garbage 55 gr FMJ within 1 inch groups, and some Dillon built 50 gr TNT loads of H335 in mixed brass easily in 3/4" groups, with a number of groups below 1/2"

The trigger was horrible on this rifle, the round tube up front does not help in the rest, and it could have used some weight in the stock...but other than that, the DPMS tube shot pretty well without any real load work.


My AR is a White Oak Upper, and I am spoiled with a Giselle trigger. 1/2" groups are the norm.

MQ1

 

[GaryD]

I have 2 one 223 and 308 and I am pleased with the accruacy of both. The 308 has a jp trigger installed when I purchased and the 223 trigger was terrible and was replaced with a tinney drop in model. My 223 likes the 77 grain bullets the best and can get 3/4 in groups with them. Not bad with a factory load. I have not handled a rock river so I cannot compair but would not hesitate to by another DPMS.

Gary

 

[jkats]

I have a dpms with an 16in bull and it will shoot 3/4 in groops with factory ammo all day long. I did a little work to my factory trigger and it helped it alot but it still breaks a little hard. I dont think you will be disapointed with what ever you choose.

 

[DCRYDER]

I have both a RRA Predator and a DPMS 16" bull barrel sportical. Of course as already said there is quite a bit of difference in trigger quality. But as for accuracy and dependability there is not a nickles worth of difference. But by the time the dpms trigger is upgraded you will be in RRA price range. I handload and the best groups i have shot were with the dpms with 50gr v-maxs.

Having said all this, I too have several good bolt guns. I got the hankering for an AR-15 and they are collecting dust. They are clumsy to carry, heavy, sit terrible in rest, brass gets dented (if you can find them), even the best AR trigger wont compete with what a bolt guns trigger can be.

My advice, buy what ever is easiest to get your money back out of. Or even better invest in a good custom .25 MOA bolt gun.(if you dont already have one)

 

[CPorter]

I have the LAR 243. It has its benefits. I bought it for a hog gun. I use the 58gr VMax loads from Hornady and they are MOA or better. The 95 gr Winchester loads are probably 1 -1.5". Handloads with PMC brass and 70gr Nosler Ballistic Tips do better. The trigger sucks compared to my Rem 700 or the 1 oz Jewel on the Viper with lots of take up but works ok once you get used to it.

If the brass gets dented, change buffers or put a piece of velcro over the deflector.

If you want to save your brass or if you are at a shooting range and want to be courteous to those beside you, make a brass catcher. I used a wire hanger, some old cotton cloth my girl friend had and some solder. Works fine. Use cotton or some heavy natural fiber material. Before I finished the brass catcher I had a deflector that put them on the shooting table. The brass was hot enough to melt the astro turf so I don't think synthetic fabrics will work all that well.

 

[tnhunter]

I have a dpms 223 with the 20 fluted barrel that shoots great. Shooting LC brass it will hold a 1/2 moa or better at 100 (5 shot group). I load my 223s on a dillion 550 b with 52 gr MK over win 748. The only problem is Win 748 runs a little dirty in my AR. I dont have many rounds through the gun (500 or so) but what rounds I have shot I have not had a single jam yet. I though for many years I had no need for a AR but man am I glad I bought one now. With the price of ammo and reloading stuff going up so high the 223 has become my new best friend.

 

[BobLeeSwagger223]

Thank you to everyone for the help deciding! I decided on the DPMS 20" Bull with JP trigger, I can get it $200 cheaper then the RRA.

I also ordered a 3 Bucc brass catcher, Ergo pistol grip, and Brownells 20 round sticks. I have another thread going on mounting a scope on the awkward thing.

I'm planning on using LC brass, 50gr V-max, Benchmark powder, and 205M primers. Thanks to everyone for the help!

 

[SDHandgunner]

I have had two DPMS Panther Bull 20 AR's. The first was a DPMS Panther Bull 20 Fluted and the first AR I ever owned. It shot great. I loaded 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips with H-4895 and 1/2" groups at 100 yards were the norm. I had bought it for a Coyote Rifle and it was way to heavy for what I had in mind so I sold it and replaced it with a 16" Bushmaster M4 ORC (which I still have).

A couple years passed and I was missing my DPMS Panther Bull 20 so I bought a new one. The first thing I did was to install a JP Enterprises Adjustable Trigger, Speed Hammer and Springs. I had a hint of creep I could not seem to adjust out, but finally found a slight burr that I polished out and now the trigger breaks super crisp at 3 1/4 pounds. This DPMS is not quite the accuracy equal of the first one I had but will still shoot sub 3/4 MOA groups at 100 yards.

Our local club recently had an Egg Shoot in which the object was to shoot 5 chicken eggs at 200 yards with the least amount of shots. I managed 5 eggs with 6 shots to win the match.

I think you will be pleased with your choice.

Larry

 

[DEC]

I have a DPMS in .223 with a 24" Bull barrel. The rifle came equipped with the JP Adjustable trigger. I wasn't happy with the way the trigger was functioning so I had JP Enterprises re-work the trigger and install their anti-walk pins and speed hammer. The trigger now breaks nice and crisp, virtually no creep. I am very pleased with the new fire control system.

I am also very happy with the rifle itself. I believe the limitation now is me and the old 3 x 9 Leupold scope. I have shot dime sized groups at 100 yards, but not consistently. I have also installed the expanding breakdown pin between the upper and lower which takes out all of the play.

All in all I think that this is going to be a very nice rifle. I would definitely consider DPMS again.