DPMS Sportical AR-10 ?

[Tommygunn]

I just got back from a quick trip to Academy Sports where I decided to inquire about AR-10s. I was shown a DPMS "Sportical" for ....um .... $649? Maybe it was $749.00 . Seemed to be a nice rifle, basic, no FA, no dustcover. No sights but picatinny rails.
Now, what I'm asking -- and not asking. I realize AR 10s are not designed like AR15S in that there is no standardization, or atleast very little in the AR10 world of rifles.
I also get that this rifle at this price point is not la creme de la creme of the AR10 community, but are there any known shortcomings in particular I should be aware of in the DPMS brand?

Also, since it has no sights, suggestions for decent BUIS would be nice.
And optics. I have red dots for my 5.56mm. m4orgeries, I presume they'd be OK on a 7.62 X 51 rifle.
But how about a decent, not horribly expensive optic? Again basic. I don't care for high magnification. Doesn't have to have zoom, even.

I have a Springfield M1A so I'm not unfamiliar with the caliber .... but I've long thought of getting a 7.62 caliber with a pistol grip type configuration, and my single sojourn into a rifle was a Century C308 which went sideways real quick .... and I don't wish to repeat THAT experience!

 

[Gordon]

Actually those rifles have quite a good reputation and are a popular standardized upper and lower.The are an excellent way to get into AR 10 . You really don't need the FA or dust cover. They take standard AR trigger up grades and if you don't like the way the barrel shoots then easily changed. Hard to beat Magpul Pro Mbuis sights . What I strongly reccrecom is an adjustable gas block if you have any fuction problems with good magazines. I use the latest Magpul mags and the have run flawlessly in my Area Precision. The Areo Precision AR10 is around a $1000 and a few hundred more for upgrades.They went with the DPMS pattern upper and lower.

 

[cdb1]

I think Gordon covered it about as good as it can be covered.

 

[mcb]

Personally I would pass on the older DPMS AR-10 and look for a DPMS GII rifle. They are significantly lighter and slimmer than the old LR-308 rifles using an AR-15 diameter bolt carrier and a better bolt design. There are version of the G2 that are under 7lbs.

 

[cdb1]

Personally I would pass on the older DPMS AR-10 and look for a DPMS GII rifle. They are significantly lighter and slimmer than the old LR-308 rifles using an AR-15 diameter bolt carrier and a better bolt design. There are version of the G2 that are under 7lbs.

No doubt a better rifle than a Sportical. No doubt they cost much more than a Sportical too.

 

[Choctaw]

Personally I would pass on the older DPMS AR-10 and look for a DPMS GII rifle. They are significantly lighter and slimmer than the old LR-308 rifles using an AR-15 diameter bolt carrier and a better bolt design. There are version of the G2 that are under 7lbs.

The difference is about $500.

 

[cougar1717]

You don't know the meaning of "overgassed" until you try an AR10/LR308.
Might as well figure the extra $100+ into the equation for the adjustable gas block, gas tube, and roll pin.
Since the ergonomics are different from an AR15, it helps most people to have something other than the standard A2 grip.
Let's face it .... you're probably going to get a terrible trigger from the factory. Might as well budget for a better one. How much better is up to you.
This kind of stuff can add up quickly.

 

[Everready73]

I agree with the gII sooner the sportical but it is more. In that price range your can get a lot more fun with psa. Things like a free float handguard and they have worked ito the bugs with the Gen 2. They get solid feedback

 

[cdb1]

Let's face it .... you're probably going to get a terrible trigger from the factory.

Unfortunately this is true also.

 

[Gordon]

like the bigger bolt carrier and like I said Areo Precision still uses it as do others. DPMS is actually the widest "standard" for AR10, Aero uses the original DPMS pattern as do others. I think PSA might use it , but they refuse to say. That is why I went with Aero M5e1 .

 

[Tommygunn]

Ok. I went ahead and bought the DPMS Sportical at Academy. It seemes to be a nice enough rifle, and they had a new in box one that hadn't been manhandled as a display gun by XXX ? Number of customers.
The rifle has the standard ribbed cylindrical front hand guard and the gas block has picatinny rail, but no front attach point for sling.

Any suggestions?

It seems to me I have a wire loop D sling attachment I think I got from Bravo Manufacturing somewhere. Do those work well?

 

[WiTom]

Nothing wrong with that gun, at that price. I stick with a piston, with the AR10, as they just work, for me better, and the recoil difference, is so much smoother, but you pay for it with the added cost. Have fun, and learn to reload 308, as it will not be like your AR15s' 556, as it cost more to shoot.

 

[Tommygunn]

Personally I would pass on the older DPMS AR-10 and look for a DPMS GII rifle. They are significantly lighter and slimmer than the old LR-308 rifles using an AR-15 diameter bolt carrier and a better bolt design. There are version of the G2 that are under 7lbs.

Yea....but .308. Might be an advantage with .308, to have some weight.