dpms 20 in bull 223 barrel best ammo?

desert dave

Member
Just got a new dpms panther 223 20 inch bull barrel going to the range to sight over the weekend what ammo would be best New to the ar seen thanks for any help
 
If your barrel twist rate is the standard 1/9, it will handle any bullet weight between 40gr and 69gr pretty well, depending on the manufacturer...If it's a 1/8 or 1/7, then your bullet weights will be slightly higher for the 'sweet' spot, but you will still be limited to your magazine length...

I would start with some of the less expensive Federal 50gr HP rounds (either under the Federal name or American Eagle) since they are generally pretty accurate and that barrel, as with most factory ARs, will need about 100 rounds through it before the accuracy potential really starts to come out...

If you reload, then start thinking about finding the most accurate load for the weapon, if you don't, you will need to plan on buying several different brands/styles of ammo for experimentation in the accuracy department..

When I'm starting out with a new AR, I usually find the cheapest military FMJ rounds possible and run a hundred through the barrel before I consider looking for accuracy...I just clean the barrel between every 20-30 rounds, depending on when the initial accuracy starts to degrade...Most new barrels need to develop a slight burnish before they 'settle' in...
 
I have the same barrel and it prefers 55g HP but you may be stuck with what is available for a while. All I could find today was 40g Vmax for $39 per 50 rounds. All AR stuff is expensive and scarce. People have gone crazy!
 
The most accurate loads for my rifle (same 20"DPMS), were a 50g V-Max and 60g Sierra HP varminter. Handloads, but I think maybe both Black Hills and Fiochi load the 50g V-Max; not positive about that, but if they do then that might be one to try.
If you can find the 200 rnd box of Remington UMC in 45g HP, they do ok, but nothing to `write home about`.
Good Luck with your new rifle..I don`t think I`ll ever part with mine.
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I have used 40gr Varmageddon in mine for years. After years of using my 22-250 with 36 gr varmint grenades. I went back to my dpms but now can’t stand the hand guard. What have everyone switched to for hand guard and barrel nut?
 
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