Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles DPMS or Bushmaster

I am wanting AR to use coyote hunting. I think I have narrowed it down to a DPMS Bull Twenty or a Bushmaster V-match 20 inch. I will install a Leupold 4X12 or 4.5X14. I want the most accurate of the two. I have owned Colts & Bushy's in the past but I never got serious with them. Just burned up ammo & killed a few coyotes. What is the impressions or reputations of DPMS? I want a handy accurate rifle. Trigger pull is very important. The rifle will be used for calling & spot & stalk. Shots should be under 300 yards. Thanks

I've had a coupla V-Matches,including a V-Match Tactical Competition. All were 20" and all much suprised me,in their average abilities.

The 20" CL V-Match Bushy,is tough to whoop up on,in my book.....................

If triggers are important it'll have to have a replacement trigger. Even if its an RRA 2 stage it'll need to be tuned.

If the most accuracy is an issue, I'll suggest what I normally suggest. White Oak Armament.com You can buy a lower and have the trigger tuned, then pay for a good upper with a good barrel. You'll be much more pleased with a custom upper if you are an accuracy freak. Jeff and John will give you what you need or want. And not sell you more than you need.

Almost any of the big makers (IE not model 1 sales etc...) can get you to moa with a stock barrel and reloads.

Forget using ball ammo for anything that resembles accuracy.

Stick ain't far off though, Bushy has always done decently and would be one of the top choices. Though for accuracy from a factory setup I've always been more impressed with wilson tubes and Wylde chambers that come from RRA(who is probably so backlogged it'd make ya sick though). Just that the trigger issue isn't so swift. I'd never be happy with any bushy trigger, even tuned.

Jeff

My chrome-lined V-Match's all would knot 50gr V-Max into 1/2" at 100.

I dig the forgiving nature of the CL tube,especially when coupled with moly. A guy can shoot forever,less punching the bore.

The V-Match Tactical Competition had a two-stage trigger group and PSG-ish anatomical grip. That trigger much suprised me and it's first stage could be adjusted nearly out and that offered a very kick ass fire control unit.

Only mod I made on the lot,was to affix a swivel stud on the float tubes,to allow a bipod to be mounted.

I've done the S/S Barrel Thing on AR's and for the way in which I drive them,the CL tube makes far more sense to me,to deal with the abuses I'm gonna wantonly inflict.

I wish everything I had was chrome-lined,but technology ain't quite there...yet...................

You failed to mention the best coyote AR builder out there: Lee Mosher at Insight Shooting Systems,Inc. His uppers are absolutely incredible! Go with the 20 TACtical, 39gr. Sierras and it's lazer beam accurate to 300+ yds. and kills to 600yds. easy. Do yourself a favor and check him out. Charles

STick

I"ll agree on chrome lined. Problem is finding 2 in a row that'll do half inch on a consistent basis. Like you said, techonolgy isnt' there.

As to the trigger-- must not have been a bushy 2 stage trigger, or else you don't know squat about a good AR trigger. And I'd bet the latter isn't true. There are really only a few truly good AR triggers out there. Stoners can be good, Milazzo are always good, Geissele puts out probably the best period though. None are cheap but like most stuff- the 100 buck trigger may suffice but wont' be like glass.

Thats the reason I prefer a bit more reliable barrel. Would rather stick on another 200-300 buck barrel than have one that won't shoot well.

Charlie-- will have to check out Lee.

White Oak makes guns that shoot well and win for me at 1000 yards, but it never hurts to know another good smith. How about the 39s-- they couldn't be all that good in a stiff wind could they?

Jeff

Think I will probably try the Bushy & replace the trigger group. Anyone have experience with DPMS--I like the stainless tube on the DPMS.

Again, if you are serious about accuracy, do yourself a favor and look at White Oak Armament or any good smith. Factory uppers can shoot super. And can shoot so so. Usually no worse than MOA or just over with the right loads. But smithed uppers don't cost much more( a bit of correct labor, same cost on parts and whatever extra a GOOD barrel will add) and I've always been able to manage around .5 moa or under with a "custom" tube.

Smithing on an AR is not as costly as on a bolt gun. IE you won't be spending tons more than factory to get reliable accuracy. Sometimes it can be done for the same cost as a "factory" tube.

All that being said I thought I could recall that DPMS possibly used SS Wilsons which is a good start.

Jeff

-I have 3 custom bolt guns that I am crazy about. I will put a call into my smith & see what his experiences are with building AR's. I have never regretted spending the money on the custom bolt guns.

Rost495-- You have me thinking that I may regret not building a AR as well. I have found that I would save money in the long run (with bolt guns) if I just build what I want to begin with.--- You have me thinking.

Bushmaster Varmint .223 w/Larue R.O Tactical Forend, Chip McCormick Drop in Trigger, & Modular Stock

How does this sound? Can be bought for $939.00 Is the trigger any good?

Between the two I would opt for the Bushy, and replace the trigger.

I have worked on too many DPMS abortions in the past to trust them.
Lotsa CRAP in fit and finish.
I have no love for DPMS.

All the same, waiting on RR and thier backlog ain't a bad option.

Rock River does good things all around even if they ain't Mil-Spec.
Accurate they are, and well polished.


If I had to buy off of the rack today, it would either be a Rock River, or a Bushy that was handed off to a trusted 'Smith.

DPMS tubes ain't the most consistent.
Would rather have a USGI barrel.

One reaps what one sows.

Bushy Varminter with an aftermarket trigger( I like the JP) or Rock River on order.

Bottom line is that Rock River has "People".
Folks that answer the phone and can talk rifles.
Same goes for the custom builders of repute.

E4E

Have not tried a MC trigger. Other than that its not too bad. They are supposed to be good.

E4E-- From what I hear, DPMS is not the old dpms anymore nowdays-- from fairly reliable competitors as to quality, but again, have not had hands on. (you are kinda like me and armalite-- so many bad things years ago, I don't consider them even this day which is wrong) Not that I'd buy DPMS today either.

SHW-- do yourself a huge favor and link to White Oak Armament and give them and actual phone call and talk to Jeff first before buying. Your smith may be great with bolt guns, and that don't mean flip to an AR smith.

Jeff

Put my 2 cents in here. I have 3 DPMS, 2 (.223) and 1 (.308) also 2 Armalite .308's. Now I don't mean to flame or rub someone the wrong way----but my DPMS have all 3 been top notch very accurate and reliable with not one problem between the 3. Can't say the same for the Armalites. One is great the other has problems on occasion. The 2 in .223 with Black Hills ammo will do 1/2" to 3/4 " at 100 yds. Even the cheap white box (45gr.) Winchesters are good for 3/4" to 1" and a darned good cheap prairie dog round. The only change I've made to the 3 are JP triggers were installed. Also broke the barrels in according to recommendations. Will try a JARD trigger soon as I've heard some good things about them. The .308 will do around 1" with most types of ammo and better with match ammo. Now I do not shoot competitively but for fun at varmints and such. My local gun shop where I purchased mine advised me to buy DPMS and has sold tons of the DPMS. They also sell Bushmaster and Armalite and I don't know more than a couple guys that have mentioned any problems at all. All mine were purchased within the last 3 years, and see lots of prairie dog action hence the reason for 2. Hope this helps. Don't be afraid to try one. Just break in the barrel and put in a better trigger.

I have a DPMS 24 panther special, 24in ss fluted bull barrel, with a 1:8 twist. the rifle is factory with the exeption of a bipod and a cheap 2.5-10x42 tasco, I've never had it jam after putting 1000rnd's though it, but i clean it every time i shoot it (a dirty AR isnt worth its weight in scrape metal) maybe its just a fluke but i bagged it off a bench and got 1/4 groups out off it over and over at 100 with remanufactured 55gr ball ammo if you have question or feel the need to call me a liar email me shadow3ooo@hotmail.com

DPMS is every bit as good as Bushmaster! Next you guys are going to tell me Colt is even better, LOL

All manufacturers outsource their barrels, from Wilson or Shaw, so take your pick.

I've had a DPMS 24 bull special for about a year now at almost 1000 rounds though the tube it will still cloverleaf 3 shots at 100yrds with remanufactured 55gr ball ammo, she can punch one hole with a hand load of 69gr Match Kings no complaints at all, never had a jam or anything. and thats with the stock trigger and a pos tasco scope. now Im no expert, nor do i pertend to be, but I'd give DPMS a look

Almost all. Olympic Arms makes ALL of their own barrels. The produce both button-rifled barrels and a very fine broach-cut, national match barrel. I have used over 1000 of their broach-cut barrels and they are great. The only way you might be able to improve on their barrels would be to go to a true custom barrel.

Bushy is the way to go! All the V-Matches I had,16"&20" shot 1/4"-1/2" groups with consistency. If I was buying another I would pass on the new Predator and Varmint models and get a 20" V-Match, and like others have already stated, replace the trigger. Only because I like the CL factor better than the stainless models.

But I won't be ordering a AR for quite some time. I just picked up another 20" ARS Mini 14 with a 1 3/4 lb. trigger job. Haven't shot it yet, but if shoots like my last one she'll do 1/4". The coyotes HATE'M! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I've had very good luck with my LoPro 16", As a fact the only problem I've had was the result of a bad Chip Mccormick trigger. Accuracy is outstanding, 5 rounds of 60gr Sierras in .5", or Q3131 in 1.25"

I get a bit confused reading some of the forums.Such as just after a guy has gotten in trouble buying a 1000 dollar gun , some one said send it to white oak or what ever and spend another 5 hundred that he has not got , the person who sugests it more that likly has not got the modifications himself,you would think that those giving the advice are indepedently wealthy , well if you were to concider the poor guy's who just spent the familys lunch money their not. You guy's make the new guns seem small compared to what they could have done.if only they had your money I would like to know how many of you giving all of ythis advice really have big bucks .
Thats all just take it easy on the kids their proud of their new toys. be gental and informative which you do the best.
Bill