DPMS

[docshu]

Hey guys, My son-inlaw just got back from a 1 year tour in Afganastan and as a welcome home alive and well present I was thinking about getting him a DPMS Panther Arms in .204 Ruger.
Has anyone had one and if so what's your feedback? What kind of reliability and out of the box accuracy can you expect.
I know this is the type of weapon he wants, by my knowledge is with bolt actions and not the "Black Rifles"
Thanks for any help.
Docshu

 

[fastcars69]

Barell type and length?
Also trigger type. I have a DPMS sportical 16" barell and it shoots well enough. I have a RRA 24" stainless with an A2 stock and Match trigger that shoots light out out to 300 yards. On a scale of 1-10 10 being most accurate I would rate my RRA a 9.5 and my DPMS a 8.

 

[coonhunter70]

I have a DPMS lo-pro classic that shoots hornady factory ammo way better than it should, I would say he will love the 204.

 

[Larryh128]

It's a good rifle with no issues, probably in the top 5-6 brands out there.

 

[placek59]

A big thank you to your son-in-law for his service!
Other than the trigger, they are a nice factory rifle. I have a factory lower that functions great, and a lr308 that shoots awesome and functions perfectly! My brother has a lo-pro classic that also shoots good. If I were in the market, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[docshu]

Guys, Thanks for the input, I've looked at some of these rifles that had been accurized but was just curious about the straight factory rifles and what to expect accuracy wise.
Since I don't have any experience with semi autos I thought I'd ask the question here knowing somebody on this forum would have some knowledge about them.
I just didn't want to buy him a rifle that wouldn't have any decent accuracy and have him disappointed with it.
Placek59, I'll relay your thanks for service to the son in law.
Thanks again
Docshu

 

[jhord]

I have a DPMS Panther Bull 20 with a .223 9 twist. The trigger isn't the greatest (replaced it w/a JPE) but otherwise it is a nice, accurate rifle. I've only shot it off the bench a few times but it easily held .5-.75MOA with handloads.

 

[Woodman]

I have a DPMS 308LR and had to replace the trigger to get it shooting under an inch regularly. I just bought a DPMS .223 carbine and will have its trigger replaced also. Otherwise that they are well made and reliable. Parts fit well and the functions are excellent.

 

[Dans40X]

ArmaLite AR-10 or M-15

Purchase your son in law an ArmaLite M-15 mouse gun or AR-10 & don't look back.

A semi/full auto system is only as good as it's magazine system.

 

[CPorter]

I have the DPMS LR243 and with factory ammo and a stock trigger it has been 1MOA or better most of the time. I hand loaded some 70gr ballistic tips on Frontier brass (cheap) and it tightened up nicely. In any event it has been a reliable gun so far.

If your son in law is going to be paying for the ammo on a limited budget he might appreciate the .223/5.56 more. He can buy bulk ammo quite cheap. I don't know about the .204.

I just bought and installed an American Trigger Corp SR gold trigger. I plan on shooting at the range tomorrow, weather permitting, but can already tell you it feels great.

 

[fdshuster]

docshu: Since you've raised the accuracy concern issue: I've yet to meet an AR-15 ( chambered in 223/5.56, don't know anything about one in 204), that will not hold under moa, out of the box, using all the best benchrest procedures & equipment. My hands-on experience includes my original Colt H-Bar bought in '95, chrome lined 1-9 barrel. Excellent shooter that I used for almost 5K rounds in local CMP & NRA HiPower match's. When the barrel was shot-out the upper was sent to Compass Lake Engineering, in FL for a new Krieger 1-7.8 barrel.

That barrel was close to 1/2 moa, shot-out at 4K & replaced with another Krieger. It also is holding close to 1/2 moa.

Bought a new Bushmaster DCM-XR Competition ( for $875/ sells for $1150) thru the club CMP program, and it shoots right alongside the Krieger barreled uppers. Also have a Bushmaster 1-9 chrome lined that will hold the usual 1 moa.

What I'm saying is all the ones I've had experience with have been very accurate. But, ( there's always that) you gotta feed it high quality ammo.

Some others who also bought the CMP Bushmasters were complaining about poor accuracy, in the 3" to 4" category at 100 yds. When I met them at the range to test fire their rifles, they pulled out the junk ammo "made in China". I did not even waste time & barrel life by firing that crap. Loaded up with my match loads of 24.5 grs. of Varget with the Sierra 69 gr. MatchKings & all 3 of those formerly "inaccurate" rifles held close to 1/2 moa.

Bottom line: If accuracy is your concern, gotta use high quality ammo.