BangPewBang

thanks for all the advice guys! I haven't been round the computer much lately. Should have posted something earlier, but the reason being I picked up my rifle and have been out shooting the last couple days. Ended up going with the DPMS 308 recon. It came stock with some of the features I was going to end up purchasing on some of the other rifles I was looking at so it was a given. I found it for a pretty dang good price too. Ive been very happy with it so far. Recoil is super light IMO, Im used to bolt guns though. I don't really notice the weight. Its very well balanced. I zeroed the flip sights in today at 50 meters. Standing off hand with some heavy wind I was getting 2 to 3 inch groups, off of some bags (still with heavy wind) I was getting 3/4 inch groups. Hopefully I'll get her out to a 100 here in the next few days, and eventually I'll put some glass on it and see how she does out past that. Lastly, I had read a lot of reviews about the DPMS trigger being heavy and sloppy. I was actually pretty pleased. It is a little heavy but honestly not that bad and to me its very smooth. A lot of people have referred to the trigger pull as "sloppy" or "gritty". I maybe got a diamond in the rough or people over exaggerate. Either way. I am super happy on my purchase. I will put up a review on it once I get it good and broken in and get it out to 100 and + yards.

So I'm whittling the list down on what rifle to buy. However, length of the barrel id something I am kind of interested in. Its between a 16 inch barrel and an 18 inch barrel. After A LOT of research the ballistics really are no that different on the two and in many cases the shorter barrel was more accurate. Anyways, big thing I am wondering about is the blast. Is a 16 inch barrel that much louder? I understand you can get a pretty good fireball coming out the end but I will be putting on a flash suppressor. So simply, how much louder is a 16 inch barrel over an 18 inch barrel?

Thanks for the advice. And sorry if i just kicked the bees nest on barrel length haha.

Also anyone have any input/feedback on the Oracle? Seems like a good place to start as well. How's the long range accuracy with a 16 inch heavy barrel?

Sorry for the inactivity guys. Something was up with the inter-web. Thanks for the response. I went and checked out a few rifles this weekend. Nothing I was really interested in but got some ideas. I honestly didn't feel like any of the rifles (ranging from 7.75 to 10lbs) felt all that heavy. That may change after optics and ammo is added haha. The real difference in weight and for lack of a better word, nimbleness was the muzzle weight. I picked up a Remington R25 (the only 20inch they had) and damn was that sucker barrel heavy. More of a hunting rifle but still. Im still kinda leaning towards the DPMS 308 B and then possibly getting a smaller barrel down the road. That ways I have a precision barrel and a light weight barrel I could switch between if necessary. I do like the idea of having the stock bull barrel turned down, but would it be better to just go with a Hbar from the get go? I did some research on building a rifle, but after some of the things I read it seemed more expensive to build. Any thoughts on building, where to start, and whats a good budget to start out with?

Thanks for the replies guys! I will definitely give the Gen II stuff a good hard look. Gnatshooter, your 308T is right about the same weight as the 308B I've been looking at. Has the weight been a huge factor in the close range or "nimbleness" of the rifle?

Hey guys. I'm new to the site but figured it was a good place to join to start asking all my unanswered questions. Anyways, I am getting ready to purchase my first "Ar" platform rifle (besides my .22lr). I have reviewed, read, and researched a lot of rifles and I have made my mind up almost all the way. I know I want a 308/7.62 rifle. I like the range and power and I am 99.9% sure I want a DPMS. However the exact model I have not yet decided on. I am trying to find a rifle that sits in the sweet spot for me. Something that I can reach out a ways with to give myself a challenge. I started reloading so I can develop a load for whatever rifle I purchase. however I would like to save weight so I can run and gun a little better. I have been leaning towards the LR 308B. the 18 inch bull barrel seems to be a good choice for long range but short enough to give me mobility. The weight is the biggest issue for me. At 9.75 pounds is this rifle going to be to much to really be somewhat effective at shorter ranges and making quick shots? I have looked at some of the other models with shorter, longer, and lighter barrels but have not found much information on their long range capabilities. Anybody had any experience with long range shooting with the other models? Oh, and lastly, I'm trying to keep the price down. the less money I spend on the rifle the more I can spend on glass…. And beer. Thanks Guys!