DPMS LR-308B
For you enthusiasts that like black rifles Defense Procurement Management Systems DPMS builds a solid, reliable, and extremely accurate rifle. I have owned and shot them for several years and have been impressed with the reliabity, workmanship, and most importantly the accuracy. The rifles are also very competitively priced making it an excellent value for your money. The LR-308B w/18″ heavy barrel provides a good balance for high accuracy on the bench while keeping it light enough for free handed shooting. This rifle will deliver MOA off the bench very easily with factory ammunition and sub MOA with hand loads or match ammo.
I outfitted this rifle with an existing IOR Valdada 2×12 x35 mil-dot with illuminated recticle. Having good optics always enchances the accuracy and performance of the shooter, but the rifle must still perform. My personal rifle is the LR-308 w/24″ stainless bull barrel and have use an IOR Valdada 6×24x24 scope. (The scope will be a topic for another review.) The rifle has constantly delivered sub MOA accuracy with factory ammo and has performed even better with the hand loads I have personally developed for it. However, this gun is strictly for the bench and does not lend it’s self to making a free hand shot like the LR-308B does.
I have also recieved feed back from the individual who purchased another LR-308B rifle from us and has been very pleased. He used Black Hills match ammo and was hitting figure 8’s at 100yd. He has since came back and ordered a JP adjustable trigger assembly for the rifle. (I have these on both of my DPMS rifles). He is also pleased with the balance and is also considering it for a deer rifle.
With the AR-10 style rifle increasing it’s popularity in the varmint, long range shooting, and target shooting it’s worth considering the DPMS for several reasons. First, most people believe you will sacrifice accuracy with a semi auto, which compared to a bolt action is true, but the DPMS will consistently deliver sub MOA accuracy. Although DPMS doesn’t outright guarentee sub MOA, of the 3 rifles I have shot/owned, and one from a client of mine, they have all consistently shot sub MOA. However, the real test begins when you get past 100yds. I have tested mine at the 200yd and produced 1″ grouping with hand loaded ammunition. I will be looking to stretch that to 300 on the next test.
Secondly, quality of workmanship and overall feel of the rifle is always important. I like the ventilated aluminum forarm which helps give it a robust industrial feel combined with the heavy barrel. Although the feel is important, how will the bolt carrier hold up? For the amount of shooting I do the gun has never jammed, misfired, or otherwise broken down, and I don’t clean my rifle after every use (I know.). I would trust this gun to make the shot count, and rely on it in most urban and field environments. Of course cleaning is always important.
Another important issue is cost verses quality. Not everyone can afford the custom made, or other high end AR style rifles, so we have to look at the economics of it. DPMS seems to be consistently lower prices at most of the suppliers I deal with. I have also spoken several times with the DPMS reps and discussed their quality and service on the gun. They will immediately issue an return authorization if you feel the gun is defective in any manor. I have put this to the test. So for the money I feel I have purchased a high quality (not exceptional), reliable, and very accurate rifle.
As a firearms dealer I am confident about recommending these rifles wether it is the .223 or the .308 (I have both) to you. For future reference I have also ordered the LR-260 and hope to see it in the next 12 weeks and will provide an evaluation of it. If you are interested in a DPMS AR style rifle please contact us here at D9Firearms.