dpms .260 vs .308 hunter

[rmoraw]

My first posting on the forum.

I am looking for a rifle that can be used for range work as well as hunting. I like the new DPMS Hunter with 18" barrel. They have shaved about 3 lbs off the rifle so it can be easily carried on long walks to the stand (hunting whitetail and hogs). I have narrowed it down to .308 vs .260. I hear a lot about the .260, but the ammo is not readily available and the better Nosler brass is virtually impossible to find right now. I already reload for .308, but was interested in a new caliber (already several rifles in .308). Any thoughts on the this rifle or an alternative? Thoughts on caliber selection would also be appreciated.

Thanks from the new guy.......

 

[15Tango]

The 308 will be a better performer in that short barrel as the 308 typically uses faster powders than the 260. You could always get it in 308 and buy a 260 barrel later down the road or vise versa.

Wayne

 

[rmoraw]

thanks! this is my first ar type rifle so excuse my ignorance. i can buy a .260 barrel (say dpms 24") , change magazines and that that is it? ???

 

[bowslngr]

No need to swap magazines, but the barrel change isn't a quick change deal. You could change to a 260 barrel on that upper, but it is a semi-permanent alteration.
If you buy/build a separate upper in 260, that would be a 15 second swap job.
Hope this helps.

 

[rmoraw]

Thanks. it does help. Sorry for the obviously dumb question. Looks like the dpms .260 24" barrel assembly runs about $800. Great information!! I'm starting to see why everyone likes the black guns so much......

 

[15Tango]

Thanks. it does help. Sorry for the obviously dumb question. Looks like the dpms .260 24" barrel assembly runs about $800. Great information!! I'm starting to see why everyone likes the black guns so much......

They're Legos for big kids. Or an Erector set depending on your age.

 

[necchi]

I already reload for .308,,,
but was interested in a new caliber,,
(already several rifles in .308).

Kinda says it all right there,,get the 260 and have fun with a new caliber,

 

[Rock Knocker]

not only can you buy complete uppers but you can buy the seperate parts and really mix and match. I built a complete 223 varminter for $750 and it shoots 1/2" MOA, cant beat that price anywhere.

 

[jonbearman]

Why would a .260 barrel be a semi permanant alteration to a dpms upper?

 

[Rookie]

No need to swap magazines, but the barrel change isn't a quick change deal. You could change to a 260 barrel on that upper, but it is a semi-permanent alteration.
If you buy/build a separate upper in 260, that would be a 15 second swap job.
Hope this helps.

Not really. It takes me about 20 min to change out a AR platform barrel.

 

[highmaster82]

as far as brassis concerned,one pass thru a FL die with 308 brass makes 260 brass BW Davis

 

[rmoraw]

Once again, thanks for the great information. I can feel the $ vanishing from my wallet...........

 

[wvuredneck09]

I'm getting ready to build a AR-10 and a Ar-15, Rock Knocker, do you have an tips for someone who has never built one to get accuracy like that? Or does anyone know of a good smith that specializes in the AR platform. I want the AR-10 to be 308 and the AR-15 will be 6.5 Grendel

BTW all I have now is magazines and stripped lowers, 15 is Aero-Precision and 10 is DPMS

 

[Klong]

Get "The Competitive AR 15 Builders Guide" by Glen Zediker and build away. I know the question concerns both AR 15 and AR 10, but the book details will apply to both.

I have the DPMS 18" 308 and it shoots very well and is easier to carry than my 24" 308 or my 24 inch 260. All three shoot well, but not quiet as good as my AR 10 243. My 300 SAUM 20" barrel shoots well too. Did I say I like AR rifles ;D

If I had to walk and carry very far, I would take the 18" for shooting less than 300 yards. If shooting farther I would prefer a longer barrel. If shooting game past that,I would use the 24" barrel. The 260 and the 308 would work equally well for for most shooting. Get both! Oh, BTW you will want an aftermarket trigger becauase the DPMS ones suck!

 

[Rock Knocker]

Yeah like klong says any simple book will help a lot. I had a guy at a local police supply shop put my barrel on the upper to spec and later to put the last little takedown pin detent (stubborn little bastards) into the lower, all for free ??? ;D the cop must have liked me.

Other wise if you are getting all seperate parts for the bolt a diagram will help but it is simple. The trigger assembly was a little more difficult but was nothing to complain about. And if like me your lower comes completely stripped make sure to have a good roll pin punch and a small hammer.

P.S. The front takedown pin detent really is a stubborn bastard, you can buy a tool for them. I tried for hours with needle noses and whatever i could think of but you really should get that tool, i think it only costs a couple bucks.

 

[rmoraw]

Klong,

Do you have any recommendations for aftermarket triggers?

Thanks.

 

[Rookie]

If you want a good simple drop-in trigger, go Timney
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=275536

 

[15Tango]

Rock River dual-stage $95 shipped.
http://www.eaglearmory.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=43_44&products_id=25

 

[rmoraw]

I have a Sig 556 .223 and the trigger is REALLY bad. Will either the Rock River or the Timney triggers work in my Sig? I have heard that the Sig products do not accept "non Sig" parts. Thanks again!!!!!

 

[DEC]

I have a DPMS, AR 15. It is a .223 cal. with the 24" Bull barrel. I had a JP trigger ( http://www.jprifles.com/ ) and speed hammer installed, and I am very pleased with that addition.

In the future I would like to purchase an upper receiver chambered in 6mmAR Turbo ( http://www.6mmar.com/ ). This would allow me to shoot a ballistically superior bullet at speeds near 3000 fps.