DPMS Panther LR-308

D

drs187pc

Private
Minuteman
May 24, 2010
9
0
62
Idaho, USA
#1
Greetings all from a new guy on the list. I have read and reviewed posts here for at least a year without registering, and have found much of the content to be informative and helpful with various topics.

I am considering the Panther LR-308 for my next rifle purchase as I have a plethora of .308 ammo and reloading components, and for the obvious ballistic advantages over the .223 semi-auto rifles. I currently only own/shoot bolt-action .308 rifles and would really like to have a semi-auto. I may even depart with one or more of my AR-15s to fund the purchase.

Any input or reviews of this rifle are welcomed. To me it seems they are very reasonably priced if the quality is there.

Thanks!
 
#2
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

Very nice and accurate rifle, and at the right price.
I put an RRA NM2 trigger on mine, since the stock one is pretty gritty and heavy IMO. That's the only weakness I can point to the LR308, since being a precision rifle, it'd deserve a better trigger.
 
#3
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

I'm just past the 300-round mark on my LR-308 and so far there are no unpleasant suprises. Read around a little bit and find out what accessories you'll want to add to it right off hand, as you will soon find that the stock trigger is unsatisfactory for expecting any degree of long-range accuracy. I know that DPMS is not the most expensive AR-style .308 you can buy, but when it comes to quality vs. cost, the DPMS is at the top of the market IMHO. You don't wanna try to buy directly from DPMS though unless you are patient enough to wait a year for it to ship. I bought mine new off Gunbroker and customized it myself to my own liking. My very satisfactory rig is as follows:

DPMS LR-308 Upper and Lower w/ Badger Ordinance Tac Latch
LaRue LT-158 QR 1" Scope mount
JP Precision adjustable trigger @ a little over 3lbs
JP VTAC Full-length FFT
LaRue QR Picatinny Sling stud/bipod mount
Harris S Series 6-9" Bipod
Standard A2 stock w/ DPMS 1" receiver extension

I'm a very green (read "horrible") shooter and I'm averaging 1 MOA right now with Walmart ammo. The gun is capable of far more than that, but I will get there in time. As a matter of fact, I like this rifle so much I'm getting ready to do a build myself, just for the fun of it. Just bought my complete lower with A3 upper and will add BCG, barrel and FFT and whatever else myself. Gonna be fun! Good luck with your purchase, hope this helped a little.
 
#6
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

Selling one now in the Rifles For sale section. Stock, grip and trigger replaced. Very accurate at about 5/8 MOA.
 
#7
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

ive been looking for 308 uppers ao i will say that there are quite a few models available for sale here and over at, dare i say it...ar15.com in the ar10 section of the classifieds. from sass to lr308 in the bow, there are a few available used but in unfired or light use condition. go back 10-20 pages in the for sale here and then look at a few other places for a price comparison
 
#10
#12
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

I have a LR-308 and yes the trigger sucks. If you are lucky enough to know a good (very good) gunsmith who works AR triggers he can do a $300 job in an hour or two. Mine breaks at 3.25 pounds every time. Smooth as glass and then breaks clean and crisp. All it took was new springs and a little work. With hand loads I can put 5 rounds under a dime at 100 yards. All touching. Testing some more loads tomorrow morning too. GMM is about .60" on average with 5 round groups. Good Shooting
 
#13
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

I love my LR308. I have a heavy barreled 24" upper and also a 16" AP4 upper. The 24" is a solid 3/4 MOA(or slightly better) shooter and the AP4 looks to be an honest 1 MOA gun out to 600yds - just got the AP4 upper out last weekend for testing. This is with the load I developed for my main bolt gun. I have 4 .308's and have had many more and if they will not shoot this load I get rid of them as I have no interest in keeping track of 4 different .308 loads.

It is stock except that I replaced the factory trigger with a RRA NM and replaced the A2 stock with a Magpul UBR. The A2 is a perfect fit for me on an AR15, but the extra 3/4" LOP or so of the LR308 made it tough for me to get proper head position and the UBR lets me go a bit shorter. SN-3 3.2-17 on the 24" and SN-4 1.5-6 on the 16".

If I had to get down to one rifle in .308, I would not feel undergunned at all with this combo. They are an excellent value for the money and more accurate than they ought to be for the price tag.
 
#16
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

I have been shooting the AP4 for a while now. Performed horribly (accuracy) with off the shelf/cheap ammo. I started reloading and am amazed how well this gun shoots. Shooting sub MOA, 168gr A-max/H4895. Plan to try some 178gr A-Max in the next couple of weeks.
I also installed the RRA two stage and it made a huge improvement. It is also a very quick and easy install.
I have never had any problems with the gun @ ~400 rnds
 
#17
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turnandshoot4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Make sure you pick up one of the 24" models at a gun show. They are HEAVY! </div></div>
That is a target rifle with a 24" heavy barrel, which is not meant to be wrestled around for a jogging.
 
#18
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HotIce</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turnandshoot4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Make sure you pick up one of the 24" models at a gun show. They are HEAVY! </div></div>
That is a target rifle with a 24" heavy barrel, which is not meant to be wrestled around for a jogging.
</div></div>

I totally agree. I've got a 1/2 mile walk through the woods to my range and it gets heavy. A good sling goes a long way!
 
#19
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

DPMS says empty the 24" is just under 12 pounds. I wanted to go the RRA 2 stage route but my buddy said he would do the trigger job for $30.00 including new springs so I let him have at it. And I am very happy with the results. Saved me a ton of money. He spent about 2 hours working on it off and on in his shop. He took his time and made sure he didn't shave to much off at once.
 
#20
Re: DPMS Panther LR-308

There is weight and weight. A center balanced rifle makes you feel considerably less weight WRT a front heavy one like the LR-308 (and many other heavy BBL).
 
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