DPMS GII range report

[qbert1775]

DPMS GII Range Report

I’ve had my GII for about 8 months but only lately have I really spent a lot of time with it. Before this report I had ~200 rounds through it. Here’s the boomstick:

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/IMG_1316_zpsxa3azohb.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/IMG_1316_zpsxa3azohb.jpg.html)

I made a couple changes right off the bat. First, I replaced the stock trigger with a Geissele DMR. The old trigger was a smidge rough, even for a DPMS “milspec” trigger. The Geissele is great. Very easy to install and adjust and has a nice clean break and reset. I also swapped the gas block for a Syrac adjustable, hoping to tame the recoil as much as possible and give me a little more flexibility regarding ammo selection, especially to try some hotter loadings. I swapped the A2 grip for a MIAD. The scope is a vortex 2.5-10x32 on a bobro 20moa base. Love the Vortex and the mount. I’ll definitely be after another Brobo in the future. The installation is absolutely foolproof and has a repeatable zero when removed/reinstalled.

The fit and finish are quite nice. Everything fits together without a lot of wobble.
It’s been very very reliable- the only malfunctions I’ve had are when I turned the gas down a couple notches too low. That’s user error on my part, but part of the learning curve for different loadings.

It’s slim, light, and handles great.

I primarily shoot ar15s(well, M16s). That’s what I was trained on, that’s what I’ve competed with, and that’s what I’m comfortable with. This is my first attempt at a .308 semi, and I’m not very experienced as a bench rest shooter, but I’ve learned a lot over the last few months. My intent is to compete in some local matches and ring some steel up to and including 1000.

I’ve tried about 13 types of ammunition, but only used 11 for this test. For this test I didn’t include any the South African and German milsurp- not terribly interesting and not very accurate. YMMV.

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/IMG_1317_zpsxnmahu6b.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/IMG_1317_zpsxnmahu6b.jpg.html)

I picked up a decent sample of match/plinking/hunting loads from the reasonably affordable to the more premium variety. These are 10 round groups at 100 yards, fired at ~1 min intervals for 10 minutes. Then I let the barrel cool for 15-20 minutes between groups. I removed the bipod and shot off of a front box rest and sandbag with a rear bag.

Federal American Eagle 150 FMJ

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullFEDAE150_zpslp8xec9e.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullFEDAE150_zpslp8xec9e.jpg.html)

Hornady 168 ZMAX

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullHorZMAX168_zpsavxi0j9j.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullHorZMAX168_zpsavxi0j9j.jpg.html)

Remington Core-Lokt 150 SP

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullREMcorlokt150_zpsikdzcfwe.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullREMcorlokt150_zpsikdzcfwe.jpg.html)

Federal GMM 168 SMK

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullFGMM168_zpsex4vjvo0.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullFGMM168_zpsex4vjvo0.jpg.html)

Nosler 168 CC BTHP

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullNOSCC168_zpslqeh4k13.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullNOSCC168_zpslqeh4k13.jpg.html)

Barnes Vor-Tx 168 TSX

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullBarnesTSX168_zpsy0v5e6by.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullBarnesTSX168_zpsy0v5e6by.jpg.html)

Nosler 175 CC BTHP

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullNOSCC175_zpsfs1h9loc.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullNOSCC175_zpsfs1h9loc.jpg.html)

Black Hills 175 TMK

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullBHATMK175_zpsxwzrn4av.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullBHATMK175_zpsxwzrn4av.jpg.html)

Federal Tipped Trophy Copper 165

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullFEDTTC165_zpsab26hs9y.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullFEDTTC165_zpsab26hs9y.jpg.html)

Hornady Superformance 178 BTHP

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullHorSUP178_zpsnldrxfyb.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullHorSUP178_zpsnldrxfyb.jpg.html)

Black Hills 175 MHP

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/Strongarm09/BullBHASMK175_zps8zuugqhj.jpg (http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/Strongarm09/media/BullBHASMK175_zps8zuugqhj.jpg.html)

I pulled that last one to the left when the shooter to my right, who had previously been shooting .22LR all day, decided to dump 25 rounds of 5.56 from his AR. I think it’s fair enough to discount that round, bringing the group to .753 MOA. I suppose I could have removed the worst 1-3 of every group and had better numbers, but I think the data as it stands is helpful enough.

That’s an average of 1.81 MOA for the set. It seems to be a little picky, with some surprisingly good and "less good" performances. I'm sure a better shooter with a proper rest could wring out tighter groups. I've also considered getting a 6-24x50 for this rifle. The 10x is good enough at 100 no doubt, but I think more magnification would help me hold a more consistent sight picture and demand that my position be more stable(otherwise the reticle would probably move too much).

a) 10 rounds groups are tough to shoot very consistently.
b) The semi really is less forgiving
c) If you feed it ammo it likes, it’ll shoot well.

I’m happy to answer any questions and would love some pointers from anyone who has something helpful to add.

Thanks, hope this helps.

[Dutchkma]

Thanks for the time and effort spent on the report.

[nate89]

Great info. I have been interested in the GII for awhile and have been keeping up with the original thread. Thanks for posting!

[turnburglar]

Awesome data!

[CCK]

I think you underestimate your shooting skills. Very good job and thanks for the data!

Chris

[ALCOAR]

Excellent report sir! Very informative, with a great format, and solid data. 10rd groups always make me happy :)

[g5m]

It seems to me that those groups are really good for 10 round groups.

[Jake'sDad]

Thanks for the well written info. This system has interested me since I first saw it at SHOT.