Matt.Cross

Welcome Matt, my name is Matt as well. I have the 24" bull barrel and while I can't imagine wanting to cut it at all, if I were going to I wouldn't cut it short of 18". The reasoning is that the larger percentage of reviews and opinions I have seen for 18-20" barrels were almost entirely positive, while 16" barrels had a trend towards a few disappointed customers. Fluting looks awesome, but I think it would affect weight more than accuracy, and only slightly at that. In your shoes I would look into purchasing an 18" barrel and suitable gas block before throwing a well-designed long barrel into a lathe. Just my 2 cents worth.... ;)

Very good looking gun!!! I love the looks of these badboys, I have yet to meet an AR that doesn't just look mean.

Interesting that you should mention weight, I weighed it today @ work, (chemical factory) and without the scope & mount the rifle (w/ magazine & bipod) totals 12.288 lbs. Unfortunately, my scope mount didn't arrive in time to get my range time in, so I will be waiting for Saturday to come before I can shoot it. Everybody that I know personally that has seen this gun now wants one ;D

Bump for new content! 8)

Just curious about where you shoot Ted, I'm near Hickory and looking for a decent range.

If you still want one, mine came within normal shipping dates, so I'd say they're restocked. The only thing that JP had on backorder was actually the 2" picatinny rail for my LaRue QD sling stud. The VTAC came immediately. Edit: The SPR-S mount and Mueller optic are now installed!!! [img width=800 height=600]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/img1270596862185.jpg [img width=800 height=600]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/img1270596862727.jpg Only the VTAC and QR sling stud remain to be installed!

C++ would probably not have survived my foray into target shooting if I didn't have an unexplainable urge to write my own ballistics database & calculations software. ;D

I think DPMS' 1-yr order backlog for the tactical 308's is very good evidence that they are gonna be booming. RRA is almost as backlogged and I don't see things slowing down much. Cartridge manufacturers seem to believe that their popularity will soon increase, at least that's what pricing and availability seem to indicate.

My last component the wait for which is killing me, is a LaRue QD SPR-S 158 scope mount kit, supposed to arrive Tues. evening... I was desperately hoping my AR would see some range time before I had to go back to work.... *sigh*

I'm a C++ programmer and general PC hobbyist, I enjoy doing freelance PC repairs/builds and consulting in my free time. I also have some training and experience as a machinist, and intend to one day have a nice little shop suited to custom gunsmithing and tactical R&D.

So I thought I'd introduce my new rifle to all the good folks here, please excuse the poor quality of the phone-camera pictures, but they are all I have ATM. Here's the rifle as purchased: [img width=800 height=600]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/img1270004187663.jpg [img width=800 height=600]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/img1270004187787.jpg Under construction: [img width=800 height=600]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc158/jm_cross/img1270088138909.jpg ...and more pics to follow once completed. The rifle is currently configured as follows: DPMS LR308 w/ 24'' SS Bull Barrel JP Adjustable Trigger, installed & adjusted myself. SPR Tactical Grip Harris S Series Bipod Edit: Badger Ordinance Tactical Latch Edit: LaRue Tactical QD SPR-S Mount LT-158 (1 Inch) Edit: Mueller 8.5 - 25 x 44 Tactical w/ Mil-Dot Reticle Awaiting installation are: JP VTAC Free Floating full-length modular handguard w/ 2" picatinny LaRue Tactical QD sling stud for bipod - Picatinny mounted This baby has me really excited, I can't wait to send some rounds downrange with it. Edit: New pics below!!

... Matt, and I am an addict. I have recently purchased my first AR style .308 and I'm excited about learning from you guys and sharing what I learn with you. I'm here on the East Coast of the US, (North Carolina) and I'm looking forward to learning my way around some long-range shooting.