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.

 

[rem338um]

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.

I would love to shoot mine . if it ever gets here!!! I ordered it march 13th, 2008 and still have not got it. And know one at DPMS can give me an answer when or why! I really like their products, but a I should get a used .308 and rebarrel it. Just blowin off steam! Thanks Ed

 

[LouBoyd]

That's an very long time to wait. You proabalby should get one of the available 308 uppers (AP4 maybe), a stripped lower, and lower parts kit? Then have Krieger make a 260 Rem or possibly better, a 6.5x47 Lapua barrel in the length and contour of your choice. AR-15 triggers and stocsk fit the LR-XXX rifles and a Jewell or Geissele triggers does wonders compared to the DPMS factory trigger. That would work if DPMS doesn't already have your money. Or do it anyway and if DPSM ever ships you can sell sell it unused and get your money back.

 

[oldstairdog]

Ijust went to the DPMS website and it looks like the "260" is on manufactering "hold"(no future dates available).
I think I'm going to check out the "6.5" grendel.

 

[Southwind]

Lou,

That was the reasoning for the development of the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 shortens the case and sharpens the shoulder and allows you to be able to mag feed vld type bullets.

The only question is if it will survive.

 

[soldierofchrist]

thats where the 6.5 Creedmoor will come in, shorter case length allowing the use of the VLD bullets.

 

[puppezed]

DPMS made the choice to make the magazines interchangable with the Knight's SR-25, not the AR-10.

Does anyone know what´s the maximum cartridge OAL with Armalite AR-10 magazines? Is there any difference to DPMS magazines?

 

[rem338um]

I finally got my .260 Ar from DPMS after 2 1/2 years. When I opened the case the Badger Latch was sheared off and laying inside. I called and they said send it back we will fix it,not wanting to wait forever I optioned to buy the upgrade Vltor handle for $8.00 more and had to pay for a t shirt(25.00) to expidited the shipping, which was fast. I got out to do the 25 rnd single shot breaking in and the bolt never did lock back on any shot and the brass had long deep scratch in everyone. And when I got to shot 3 rnd groups after all that, it was still a single shot , would not pick up 2nd rnd. But groups looked promising. After some trial and error, found on the dpms forum that the carrier like's to be drenched in lube, so that helped.Bolt has not locked back yet. I had 2 stove pipes during feeding and no failure to extract . I also have a C Products mag that didnt make a difference.
On a good note; the gun seems to shoot well for a factory barrel, the JP trigger is sweet, and the Miculek brake really works!!
Hopefully after some more breaking in and maybe some polishing on the ramp, it might be good, as I am afraid to send it back.
So I don't know what gun they sent you to test, but it must of been a specially prepared one for testing and advertising, because according to most forum's everyone is having some sort of problem.....Ed

 

[bigduck73]

I have had a DPMS lr260 for several years now. It shoots better than I can. Yes VLD's do not work, but I have had great luck with the nosler custom competitions. There were some worksmanship defects, but I fixed them fairly easily at home

 

[long450]

I have the 260LR and it shoots very near 1/2 moa with no function problems what so ever. I also have the 308 LR, 308 18", a 243, and the 300 SAUM. The 300 SAUM had a problem with extraction, due to a rough chamber. I fixed it myself by polishing it. All shoot very well! I replaced the trigger on all, but the 300 SAUM, which had the JP trigger.

 

[Buano]

Please excuse my ignorance in the AR world. That said,

I have a DPMS Panther LR .308 with a stainless fluted 24" bull barrel that got handed to me after only a handful of shots since the buyer owes me money he doesn't have. I hoped to sell it but haven't seen more than drool on the chins of those who wanted it but didn't have cash. I've never been an AR fan, preferring bolt actions to bet the most accuracy while minimizing cary-weight — now I find there's an AR with bolt-action accuracy & I'm tempted. Since it's not selling I've thought of converting it to .260 and lightening it to make it a more practical deer/coyote rifle. Now my questions:

• I understand the conversion to .260 Rem only requires a new barrel. Is that correct?
• I lean towards a 24-25" medium contour premium stainless barrel. Is this my best option?
• Would I be better off with a lighter barrel, with or without a brake?
• How light of a premium barrel can I get away with & still maintain accuracy?
• Are there any special barrel features I should spec out for this rifle?
• What rifling twist is best for hunting weight .260 Rem bullets?
• Who are the best barrel manufacturers for replacement barrels?
• Would it be practical to make it into a .243, 260 Rem, .308, switch-barrel gun?
• What else can I do to lighten this gun to "cary weight"?

Thanks!

 

[long450]

You can convert to 260 with only a barrel change.
Depending upon your distance for shooting, you can go to 22" and loose some weight with very little if any performance lost.
For me, with either the 260 or 308 you will not need a brake.
You need to maintain some barrel thickness in the barrel under the handguard, but beyond that you can make the barrel fairly light.
Barrel twist for 260 should be 1x9 tot shoot the 140 grain bullets.
Barrel maker of choice for me is Krieger.
Switch barrel is pratical, but the bullet performance from the ones you mentioned are close enough to each other, I would just do the 260 or 308 and leave it alone.
You can get lighter stock and forend.