Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

[jtb33]

I picked up a Bushmaster LR-308 for a good price and don't know a whole lot about them. Since BM and DPMS are owned by the same company, I assume they are essentially the same rifle. Is this a good platform for building up an accurate rifle (<1 MOA w/quality ammo)?

Also, I am told that the receiver height on these is 0.06" below the "norm". If that is indeed the case and I get a railed HG for it, can it be as simple as getting a flip up front sight and cutting down the FS post 0.06" to compensate?

 

[Zebra644]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

The same company that owns Remington also owns Bushmaster, not so sure they own DPMS, unless I have missed something lately. If you buy a Remington AR stlye weapon in 5.56 and .308 what you have is a Bushmaster with the Remington name stamped on the Magwell. So yes I think Bushmasters are good to go so I would say that you have a good rifle. The Bushmaster takes the same DPMS and (SR-25)like based mags like the 20 rnd .308 Magpull PMag. You will also be able to change triggers if you choose to do so just find out what pin diameter you have , shuold be a .154, as well as changing your upper as long as it is compatible with the DPMS / SR-25 based lowers.Your barrel is most likely a 1 in 10 or 1 in 11 twist so read up to know for sure on your twst rate then research on what bullet weight to use i.e. 168 to 175 gr. out of a 20 inch.

 

[dlxcupid]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

Cerberus owns DPMS, Remington, Cobb Manufacturing and Bushmaster to form Freedom Group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DPMS_Panther_Arms

 

[Zebra644]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

No Kidding I was unaware of them also owning DPMS thanks for the correction, I would like to have some stock in that company since they own all of that.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zebra308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No Kidding I was unaware of them also owning DPMS thanks for the correction, I would like to have some stock in that company since they own all of that.</div></div> No public stock to be had. Cerberus is a private equity firm.

 

[Zebra644]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

Well aint that a shame, I guess I get to miss out yet once again lol.

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlxcupid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cerberus owns DPMS, Remington, Cobb Manufacturing and Bushmaster to form Freedom Group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DPMS_Panther_Arms </div></div>
Its funny when people post Wikipedia and proclaim it as 100% truth. I could edit that page to say they own Nightforce also doesn't mean they do. I will need to see some more proof than something anyone can edit as fact. And just because they share some of the same owners does not mean they are built in the same factory making them not all the same rifles. Do you call your Remington a DPMS 700? No because that would be stupid but again I have seen people today call a DPMS LR-308 a bushmaster who knows what I will see tomorrow, lol

here is a better place to look, http://www.freedom-group.com/

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

Remington, Marlin, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms and Barnes Bullet are all owned by Cerberus through their Freedom Group vehicle. They tried to put it onto the stock market late last yr but pulled it due to weak markets.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlxcupid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cerberus owns DPMS, Remington, Cobb Manufacturing and Bushmaster to form Freedom Group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DPMS_Panther_Arms </div></div>
Its funny when people post Wikipedia and proclaim it as 100% truth. I could edit that page to say they own Nightforce also doesn't mean they do. I will need to see some more proof than something anyone can edit as fact. And just because they share some of the same owners does not mean they are built in the same factory making them not all the same rifles. Do you call your Remington a DPMS 700? No because that would be stupid but again I have seen people today call a DPMS LR-308 a bushmaster who knows what I will see tomorrow, lol

here is a better place to look, http://www.freedom-group.com/ </div></div>Then try their company website:

http://www.freedom-group.com/

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlxcupid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cerberus owns DPMS, Remington, Cobb Manufacturing and Bushmaster to form Freedom Group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DPMS_Panther_Arms </div></div>
Its funny when people post Wikipedia and proclaim it as 100% truth. I could edit that page to say they own Nightforce also doesn't mean they do. I will need to see some more proof than something anyone can edit as fact. And just because they share some of the same owners does not mean they are built in the same factory making them not all the same rifles. Do you call your Remington a DPMS 700? No because that would be stupid but again I have seen people today call a DPMS LR-308 a bushmaster who knows what I will see tomorrow, lol

here is a better place to look, http://www.freedom-group.com/ </div></div>Then try their company website:

http://www.freedom-group.com/ </div></div>
Did you read my whole post before posting the link or did you take the link from my post? Seriously?

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

Yeah.... Face palm here. I didn't scroll down all the way. My apologies!

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah.... Face palm here. I didn't scroll down all the way. My apologies! </div></div>
Apology excepted. Everyone has done that one time or the other.

 

[2clicks]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

You might be able to find a rear sight with elevation adjustment to compensate for the .006 offset. Lol get back in line Zebra308 no getting ahead.

 

[Zebra644]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

LOL hey now I was looking to see how many were in front I promise.

 

[jtb33]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlxcupid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cerberus owns DPMS, Remington, Cobb Manufacturing and Bushmaster to form Freedom Group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DPMS_Panther_Arms </div></div>
Its funny when people post Wikipedia and proclaim it as 100% truth. I could edit that page to say they own Nightforce also doesn't mean they do. I will need to see some more proof than something anyone can edit as fact. And just because they share some of the same owners does not mean they are built in the same factory making them not all the same rifles. Do you call your Remington a DPMS 700? No because that would be stupid but again I have seen people today call a DPMS LR-308 a bushmaster who knows what I will see tomorrow, lol

here is a better place to look, http://www.freedom-group.com/ </div></div>

Geez.

Well if it helps, the magwell is stamped "BUSHMASTER" with the famous coiled snake logo and says "LR-308" as the model. I've found out that it uses the same upper threads (for FF handguard) as a "DPMS LR-308" - which up until this Bushmaster branded LR-308 was a unique threading for DPMS rifles. So yes, this is essentially a DPMS LR-308, but branded as a "Bushmaster LR-308". I doubt it's a unicorn though.

Now, back to the topic... Rather than limiting myself by trying to find some special rear sight that's 0.06" lower, wouldn't it be easier to modify the front sight post? That way it's nothing permanent (other than a $5 part). Or am I oversimplifying this?

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

Since I assisted in derailing your thread, I'll help put it back on track.

Verify you have the lower rail height receiver. Take a caliper and measure from the bottom of the upper receiver where it meets the lower to the top of the rail. 2.003=New, 2.063=old and more compatible.

Yes, Bushmaster is DPMS and vise versa.

The biggest problem out there with the LR-308/AR-10/RRA platforms is there is NO spec to follow, so you still have companies jockeying for position to dominate the market, and they keep coming up with stupid changes like this. Just like anything else that requires aftermarket parts, if you make them cheap to start with (LR-308's going for <$800 retail), then make only YOUR aftermarket parts work for that item, you get more money in the long run. The difference in rail height of LR-308 receivers is pissing a lot of shooters out there off.

Your options are going to be one of two things: Wait for the aftermarket rails to catch up to DPMS (already underway), or get a DPMS factory rail which is what THEY want you to do. No, I'm not some conspiracy theorist type, just a pissed off shooter and consumer. I know Cerb. better than most....

I would not look for a modification in sight height as the solution. Get a rail that matches the height of the receiver.

Honestly, I just wish someone would win the race of the .308 AR's....

 

[jtb33]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

Thanks. It absolutely is the new height upper. And I did buy a PRI FF handguard for it. This one: LINK

I bought it knowing that if worse came to worse, this was always available: SPR rail

I did get it installed and confirmed that the flat top upper is 0.06" lower than the top rail on the PRI FF handguard. Also, iron sights aren't a must on this rifle - I would just *prefer* to have them on it.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Bushmaster/DPMS LR-308 - good starting point?

Well, at least you have the chance that PRI will put out a new bolt on rail for your FF tube rather than having to wait on a whole new rail system.

That SPR rail in that link will work too, however that will make your scope a lot higher in that LT mount and you'll have to crank up your cheek rest that much more and also have a higher bore height measurement to deal with. Standard rings would be my preferred method with that rail, but YMMV.

IMO I wouldn't worry about the irons. Your USO should serve you reliably. Iron sights belong on iron sighted rifles and should be fixed, and BUIS are for two way shooting ranges, some various shooting matches, or looking cool. If you're not pressed to be doing one of those anytime soon, I wouldn't be worried about having your BUIS match up for now, but again that is just my opinion.