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Barfly
Site Supporter
Location: Lacey Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 Posts: 2288
Real Name: Jim
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So I have the DPMS AP4 in .308. I like that it is relatively light* for what it is, but would like to have a 20" + barrel on it for added velocity, range and accuracy.
Any thoughts on a barrel to go with that won't break the bank?
Thanks in advance.
-Jim
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:05 am |
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eiathy
Location: Puyallup area Joined: Tue Jul 3, 2012 Posts: 379
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I had a DPMS AP4 LR-308 and swapped out barrels.
It was one of the first ones when they came out and needed to be sent back to the factory as it shot ridiculously high with the supplied iron sights, making zeroing next to impossible. When it came back they had installed an extra long front sight post and their updated height upper receiver and included a letter stated that it was tested and that nothing was wrong with it... Now I had a gun with the front sight post sticking up way past the front sight bases protective ears, that still shot high.
Sold the upper cheap I did, and set off to build an upper with a slightly longer barrel. Was looking for an 18"-20" barrel, and didn't want to break the bank trying to find one. I Had looked into Krieger, Mega and a few others and bought the DPMS barrel over another brand as they were running a pretty good sale at the time on barrels.
Ended up with the newer upper rail height receiver with an 18" DPMS mk-12 1/10twist barrel that shoots ridiculously well with most berger bullets. Might of just got lucky, as I'm sure the Krieger would shoot lights out but I couldn't stomach the cost and wait time Krieger quoted. If I had to do it over again today I would go with a barrel in 6.5 creedmoore.
Also not sure if you have the tools or not but was quoted a price of $100 for just installing a barrel from a local company. Being rather Frugal it cost me half that buying the tools and doing it myself.
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 12:29 pm |
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Guntrader
In Memoriam
Location: Mukilteoish Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 Posts: 11595
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I have one of those with the non F marked front sight. Looks stupid with the post sticking up that far. Looking back I wish I got a different barrel. After adding a Grip Pod, 4-16X52 scope, it's not as light as it used to be. Hahaha eiathy wrote: I had a DPMS AP4 LR-308 and swapped out barrels.
It was one of the first ones when they came out and needed to be sent back to the factory as it shot ridiculously high with the supplied iron sights, making zeroing next to impossible. When it came back they had installed an extra long front sight post and their updated height upper receiver and included a letter stated that it was tested and that nothing was wrong with it... Now I had a gun with the front sight post sticking up way past the front sight bases protective ears, that still shot high.
_________________ NRA Endowment Member. How did they know my member was well endowed?
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 12:35 pm |
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Barfly
Site Supporter
Location: Lacey Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 Posts: 2288
Real Name: Jim
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I already took off that A2 style front sight post & replaced with Odinworks low profile gas block, had a Odinworks 15" rail put on and a fairly nice comp, so it's not quite so light anymore. It currently has an A2 stock which i plan on swapping out. I know I want a longer barrel, but not sure about what size. Isn't 18" supposedly the "sweet spot", but you can still get more velocity and accuracy out of a little longer barrel?
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 12:53 pm |
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Guntrader
In Memoriam
Location: Mukilteoish Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 Posts: 11595
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My long distance buddies urged me to buy the 18" or longer heavy barrel. If I had to do it over again, I'd go 18" threaded with a free float stock, maybe carbon fiber. I'd suggest buying a new upper and either keeping or selling the AP-4.
I tried making a rifle into what it was not designed for.
_________________ NRA Endowment Member. How did they know my member was well endowed?
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:08 pm |
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Duke EB
Site Supporter
Location: maple valley Joined: Mon May 6, 2013 Posts: 2575
Real Name: Earl
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Barfly wrote: I already took off that A2 style front sight post & replaced with Odinworks low profile gas block, had a Odinworks 15" rail put on and a fairly nice comp, so it's not quite so light anymore. It currently has an A2 stock which i plan on swapping out. I know I want a longer barrel, but not sure about what size. Isn't 18" supposedly the "sweet spot", but you can still get more velocity and accuracy out of a little longer barrel? The S&W m&p 10 has an 18" barrel, it's quite capable of hitting at 700+ yards.
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:26 pm |
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Fesselmenfirearms
FFL / Dealer
Location: GrandMound, WA Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2016 Posts: 835
Real Name: Troy
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Have you looked at Ballistic Advantage barrels? I can usually save a few dollars on them, if you find one you like
_________________Thank you Troy Fesselmen Firearms 19810 OLD HWY 99SW Suite 6 Rochester, WA 98579 (360)858-7140 http://www.fesselmenfirearms.com
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 2:10 pm |
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Ops
Site Supporter
Location: Piece/Clallam Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 Posts: 10688
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Brads Guns can order you one from aero
_________________Yaki's - last journeyPromote a Growth Mindset. Don't let a fixed mindset not allow change for the better.
pow·er trip - noun - a self-aggrandizing quest for ever-increasing control over others.
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 3:53 pm |
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chevytruckman
Site Supporter
Location: Puyallup Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 Posts: 4992
Real Name: Sean
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Ops wrote: Brads Guns can order you one from aero OP can order on from Aero too, correct? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
_________________ smfh
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 5:29 pm |
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Yondering
Site Supporter
Location: Skagit County, in the woods Joined: Tue Apr 7, 2015 Posts: 1058
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Barfly wrote: I already took off that A2 style front sight post & replaced with Odinworks low profile gas block, had a Odinworks 15" rail put on and a fairly nice comp, so it's not quite so light anymore. It currently has an A2 stock which i plan on swapping out. I know I want a longer barrel, but not sure about what size. Isn't 18" supposedly the "sweet spot", but you can still get more velocity and accuracy out of a little longer barrel? 18" is not a "sweet spot" for 308 ballistics by any means. It can be a nice compromise between handling and velocity, but higher velocity is achieved with considerably longer barrels, up to at least 24" depending on the load.
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 5:44 pm |
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Sinus211
Site Moderator
Location: Marysville Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 Posts: 13477
Real Name: Mike
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Personally I'd just look for an upper with a longer barrel and sell off your current upper to recoup the expenditure. http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa10 ... 2f%2fpalme
_________________Licensed/Bonded/Insured Hardwood Floor Installer/Finisher http://www.hardwoodfloorsnw.com/
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 5:51 pm |
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Ops
Site Supporter
Location: Piece/Clallam Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 Posts: 10688
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chevytruckman wrote: OP can order on from Aero too, correct?
if OP wants to pay retail+ tax yes he can
_________________Yaki's - last journeyPromote a Growth Mindset. Don't let a fixed mindset not allow change for the better.
pow·er trip - noun - a self-aggrandizing quest for ever-increasing control over others.
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 5:59 pm |
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Fesselmenfirearms
FFL / Dealer
Location: GrandMound, WA Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2016 Posts: 835
Real Name: Troy
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Aero has Ballistic advantage make their barrels, so cheaper and easier to order direct or from a dealer. I can usually sell them at 20-30 less than direct from Ballistic Advantage
_________________Thank you Troy Fesselmen Firearms 19810 OLD HWY 99SW Suite 6 Rochester, WA 98579 (360)858-7140 http://www.fesselmenfirearms.com
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Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:50 am |
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NWRed
Site Supporter
Location: Puyallup for now Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 Posts: 2095
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The uppers/lowers won't match up. It'll fit and function, just look odd with the thicker DPMS lower sticking out 1/8" on both sides of a PSA upper.
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Wed Apr 26, 2017 5:42 pm |
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BadKarma
Site Moderator
Location: Duvall Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 Posts: 8657
Real Name: Jaime
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Aero has a 30%off sale right now.
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Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:51 pm |
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