DPMS Panther as a Hog Rifle

[John Barleycorn]

I bought a brand new DPMS Panther several years ago from a dude whose wife insisted he sell it the day he brought it home. The gun sat idle in my safe or a long time until I was inspired to go on a hog hunting trip and had a three months to decide what I was going to bring. Then it hit me. AR10 (actually LR-308). Upgrades: 20 inch stainless barrel, trigger, nickel boron BCG, Magpul PRS stock, 16 inch handguard, ambi charging handle, adjustable gas block. You might say I went whole hog.

Those were expensive upgrades for a mostly pedestrian, unremarkable AR-10. No regrets. I shot mostly Nosler Accubond 165 gr. The swine were dropping dead in their tracks. I also shot some Barnes Vortex 150 gr. It performed well but the Nosler was noticeably more lethal. I had never been hunting with an AR before and I was transformed. Before that I never really considered the AR platform in any caliber a credible hunting rifle.

I had so much fun I signed up for another hunt. This time at night. I added a thermal scope and suppressor. Nothing pumps my nads more than hunting these vile creatures at night suppressed.

This customized DPMS has been on four hunts now and I haven't had a lick of trouble with it. Even suppressed.

 

[lash]

My experience with DPMS LR-308s is that even out of the box, though unrefined and begging for upgrades, they shoot and shoot without issue. Unless things like being over gassed and super gritty triggers bother you a lot.

I’ve always liked mine and it’s the damned rifle that sucked me down the long range rabbit hole many years ago.

 

[hlee]

My experience with DPMS LR-308s is that even out of the box, though unrefined and begging for upgrades, they shoot and shoot without issue. Unless things like being over gassed and super gritty triggers bother you a lot.

I’ve always liked mine and it’s the damned rifle that sucked me down the long range rabbit hole many years ago.

A LR-308 got me too. Not sexy, and the stock trigger was meh, it shoots FGMM better than moa.

To the OP, congrats on the rifle and the hunt. But, I feel that paying for a hog hunt is a bit like paying someone for the privilege of hauling their trash to the dump. Then again, my lease is over run with them.

 

[diggler1833]

That sounds like a heavy rifle to the OP. I'm sure that it works great though. If carrying around like I do when I hunt, no thanks...but for a spot and stalk where you aren't messing with the rifle until it is time to go after them, then who cares about weight.

Wait until you find out just how amazing the 150 - 180gr cheap softpoints are on hogs. No need to burn the expensive Accubond stuff unless you really want to.

I had an LR308B that I sold to my neighbor a few years back. Stupid accurate for what it was. He's killed 8 or 9 hogs with it himself now.

 

[John Barleycorn]

That sounds like a heavy rifle to the OP. I'm sure that it works great though. If carrying around like I do when I hunt, no thanks...but for a spot and stalk where you aren't messing with the rifle until it is time to go after them, then who cares about weight.

Wait until you find out just how amazing the 150 - 180gr cheap softpoints are on hogs. No need to burn the expensive Accubond stuff unless you really want to.

I had an LR308B that I sold to my neighbor a few years back. Stupid accurate for what it was. He's killed 8 or 9 hogs with it himself now.

The Panther is definitely heavy. But that’s not a big deal. Ive done a lot of backcountry hunting where we had to walk for a day thru difficult terrain carrying everything you need on your back. An ounce feels like a pound in those circumstances. I usually carried my 7mm Tikka. I have other bolt guns but the Tikka is my fav all around.