DPMS free float hand guard.

[Pat in Louisiana]

If I remove the factory hand guard and my groups do not change is a free floating hand guard a waste of time & money?

[Radioactive]

How big are your groups at what distance

what ammo, barrel length etc give us a little more to go on

DPMS not usually known to be built as a tack driver but a little load development can help and a free float hand guard wouldn’t hurt but it depends on what you want to do with it.

[Pat in Louisiana]

It is the low end Oracle from Bass Pro. I have run a couple hundred rounds of various ammo through it and it likes the Federal Power Shok 180 Gr. soft point the best. 

I'm getting 4-5 inch groups at 100 yards. The main question was does removing the factory hand guard mimic having a free floating hand guard?

I do not expect it to come close to my Weatherby 😉

[Radioactive]

I would say yes as long as it is shot without holding or resting the barrel on anything but that would make it tough to shoot accurately

i assume the headshots are from the weatherby

if that is the case then I agree the grouping is a little disappointing from the dpms

might take some work to tighten it up how willing are you to upgrade parts?

[Pat in Louisiana]

33 minutes ago, Radioactive said:

" how willing are you to upgrade parts?"

The only limits I have on upgrading is trying not to P.O. my better half 😉

That said I bought a cheap gun so I do not expect too much from it .

If it turns out I like to platform I'll most likely upgrade to a better rifle rather than plat the parts game.

I have a way to hold it in my lead sled by the butt stock & delta ring so I will try without the front hand guard and let you know if the groups improve any.

[Armed Eye Doc]

What type of sights are you using?  If it's a scope, what is it and is it mounted tight?  

I would make sure of the basics before changing parts.  Your Weatherby group shows that you obviously know how to shoot.

[Sharpshooter]

If you want to mimic a free-floating handguard, you'll probably want to make sure no part of the barrel touches anything when you fire it. You would almost need to do something like a pistol vice, something that will grip only from the action back. Maybe a sandbag or two under the action?

[Pat in Louisiana]

45 minutes ago, Sharpshooter said:

If you want to mimic a free-floating handguard, you'll probably want to make sure no part of the barrel touches anything when you fire it. You would almost need to do something like a pistol vice, something that will grip only from the action back. Maybe a sandbag or two under the action?

Yes I know this. Like I had said I have a way to secure the  upper/lower in my lead sled. Thanks for the comments.