DPMS Panther LR-260 AR-15 Review By Jacob Gottfredson

[ADMIN]

I recently evaluated an DPMS LR .260 AR. The rifle was well built, functioned flawlessly, and was superbly accurate, taking my bolt action sniper rifles to task. The rifle is relatively heavy, approximating 11 pounds. To meet the rising tide of hunters taking to the field with AR’s, Randy Luth downsized the .260 to a hunting version. For whitetails and similar sized soft-skinned animals, Randy has hit the mark.

The popularity of the .260 is rising among competitors in several genres. The sleek 142 grain Sierra MatchKing and 139 grain Lapua Scenar bullets with ballistic coefficients near and above the .6 mark provide an edge to long range shooters. Premium hunting bullets now on the market can move downrange with much the same characteristics, or smaller bullets can provide increased velocity at shorter ranges.
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This is a thread for discussion of the article, DPMS Panther LR-260 AR-15 Review, By Jacob Gottfredson. Here you can ask questions or make comments about the article.

[jsorr]

I've searched the WEB for, literally, hours and hours in my quest for the black rifle of my dreams. After considering quality, dependability, options, reliability, reputation,and price, I decided DPMS was far and away the leader in black rifle technology, as far as I was concerned. I had decided on .308 for a hunting round, knowing little about the .260. Your article totally opened my eyes. I tried to tear it apart - but I couldn't. It was as technical and scientific as I could have desired. Jacob, you changed my mind on so many levels. Thanks for the review. And for all you guys looking for a black rifle, I implore you to at least check out DPMS if you haven't done so along with all the other fine manufacturers we have in this country.

[LouBoyd]

I have a DPMS LR-260, Also an LR-308. Both with the 24" bull barrels. The only problem I have with both of these rifles is that the cartridges are 2.8" oal SAAMI spec cartridges. While that fits in the 2.815" magazines, neither has enuogh room to feed properly seated heavy VLD bullets. It is possible to shoot them single shot or with the bullet seated deep in the case, but neither option is ideal. As a rusult I shoot 155 Scenars in the LR-308 and 123 Scenars in the LR-260. Both give decent range and good accuracy so I'm happy with both rifles. I'd have been happer though if DPMS had made the magazines about 3.0" long since these are set up as long range rifles, not battle rifles. DPMS made the choice to make the magazines interchangable with the Knight's SR-25, not the AR-10. No 308 or 260 semi-auto I know of has a mabazine suitable for VLD bullets. (The Cobb MCR could have handled these cartridges with VLD's since was available to shoot 30--06. I don't think they'll be back since Bushmaster bought them.)

The LR-30S in 300 SAUM uses a different DPMS prorietary magazine which is 2.85" long. That' has the same problem with VLD bullets as the 300 SAUM has a 2.825" OAL SAAMI spec.