DPMS SASS NEEDS TO GO ON A DIET

[Marine24]

I have a DPMS LR-308 SASS that shoots around .62 (smallest) groups at 100 yards, but this thing needs to lose some weight. With optics, loaded magazine and rifle, it comes in at a little over 13 lbs. Not a big deal humping it from the car to the bench, but definitely not a walkabout rifle. The rifle serves as a long range (600 yards+) precision rifle but would be nice to double as a predator/hunting rifle.

Looking to trim two to three pounds and specifically looking at replacing the PRS stock, pistol grip and handguards. Not interested in reprofiling/replacing the barrel.

PRS stock is just bulky and not really sure what it offers over a stock like the UBR or ACS. Cheek height and length of pull adjustments are nice but not something I use. Have the UBR on my AR15 SPR, and while it doesn't offer much in weight reduction (4 oz) compared to the PRS, it works well. I use the ACS on my 9mm AR and Recon Tactical and like its comfortable cheek weld and weight.

SASS's panther grip might look cool to some but I just don't get it. Not sure what the donut at the end of the grip is designed to do, but it will be replaced with an Ergo grip or something similar.

SASS handguard is very nice looking but I have little use for four full length rails. Looking at APEX handguard, DD Lite, Troy TRX and JP Enterprise options. Like the full length 12 o'clock rail, but don't need much more than something to mount a Harris or Atlas bipod. DPMS SASS REPR rail is another option.

Anyone been down this road before? Any recommendations/insights on other options or things to avoid?

[ray1970]

I would be surprised if you can get it down around 11 pounds just by swapping out the furniture. The majority if your weight is obviously in the barrel and the bolt carrier assembly and the 20 round loaded magazine.

Let me know how it turns out for you. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Awesom]

[Marine24]

Agree that it be ambitious. By going to either an ACS or EMOD stock, I can drop about 14oz and swapping the Panther grip will get me another 6 oz. Not sure what the SASS handguard weighs, but the APEX tactical with the full length top rail comes in at 12 oz, so maybe another 8 oz of savings.

Others have recommended going with a heavy buffer to help to recoil reduction given the lighter weight, but somewhat counter productive..

308 AR platforms aren't known for their petite nature anyway, but an interesting project.

[thvigil11]

Ran through the same thing with my Bushmaster ORC. Lotsa 308 ar's definitely need to go on a diet. Besides reduction of weight, changing the balance sure helps as well. Mine was fitted out with the PRS and a huge quadrail. Previous owner was trying for an SASS setup. I replaced the stock with an MOE, MOE grip, reprofiled the barrel, and went with the APEX HG. Dropped it down to around 9 lbs loaded with a microdot. The furniture reduction was around 2.25 lbs. The reprofiling dropped almost a pound by itself.

I replaced the APEX with a PRI, added a few ounces but increased rail options. Love the Apex but just happen to get a great deal on the PRI.

Speaking of which. (Shameless Plug) The Apex is for sale here. I'll make you a deal.
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/121049-Apex-Free-Float-Rail-308

[nisils14]

After exhausting my google-fu, you save 3.5oz's from PRS to UBR, and 12.9ozs from PRS to ACS and ACS would require a different buffer tube, A2 stock would save you 12.5 oz. You may drop maybe an oz from pistol grip. Midwest industries has a hand guard that comes in 13oz's, probably won't get much lighter than that. I'm seeing the handguard you have comes in at 23ozs. So given those numbers you'll probably see a 1.5lb drop at best. You'll see more weight drop with a different optic setup, and fluting the barrel. Someone once you told me, keep your high dollar tack driver as your high dollar tack driver, get a hunting rifle for hunting. You don't wear a 5 piece suit to wrangle pigs.

[Marine24]

I saw the Apex you had listed. If only their 12".

[Marine24]

....You don't wear a 5 piece suit to wrangle pigs.

Makes for a great story if you do though.

[ray1970]

You'll see more weight drop with a different optic setup, and fluting the barrel.

Pretty sure the SASS barrel is already fluted.

I'd just pick up another rifle altogether if you want something light for carry. Pretty sure Skully had one that was pretty light. Maybe eight pounds or so if I remember correctly.

[nisils14]

Pretty sure the SASS barrel is already fluted.

I'd just pick up another rifle altogether if you want something light for carry. Pretty sure Skully had one that was pretty light. Maybe eight pounds or so if I remember correctly.

More aggressive fluting? I would agree on a separate rifle alotgether though.

[thvigil11]

Flute the Flutes. That would be awesome!

Or ball dimple the flutes!!!

[Stooge]

[Hoser]

If you can still get a decent cheekweld, ditch the PRS and put on a straight A2.

Get a PRI handguard. One little chunk of rail at the front end to hang an Atlas bi-pod on and you should be good.

Go with aluminum rings.

Short of barrel work, thats about it.

[TheBelly]

Or just do some push-ups.[Coffee] <----------sarcasm.

[MarkCO]

We sell quite a few of these to SASS guys: http://www.carbonarms.us/Carbon-Feather-Handguards/Carbon-Arms-Feather-FF-Tube-DPMS-308.html

[Marine24]

Or just do some push-ups.[Coffee] <----------sarcasm.

Ha. I think the M60 I used to carry was lighter.

[Marine24]

Pretty sure the SASS barrel is already fluted.

I'd just pick up another rifle altogether if you want something light for carry. Pretty sure Skully had one that was pretty light. Maybe eight pounds or so if I remember correctly.

Without mags or optics, that is where most 16 inchers come in at, +/- a pound.

[Skully]

Pretty sure the SASS barrel is already fluted.

I'd just pick up another rifle altogether if you want something light for carry. Pretty sure Skully had one that was pretty light. Maybe eight pounds or so if I remember correctly.


Without mags or optics, that is where most 16 inchers come in at, +/- a pound.

The one I had was a CMMG MK3 16" barrel, it came with the 10" free float hand guard.

In the final configuration before I sold it, I used a ACS-L stock, AFG, topped with a Burris 5x Prism scope. I think with a 20 round mag it was still pretty heavy at 12-13 lbs???

Been a year so trying to remember.

In the AR-10 picture thread there is a POF 14.5 AR10 and it still weights 13lbs. No matter what you do they will always be heavy compared to the little brother AR.

[Marine24]

Sounds about right. DPMS Recon weighs in at 8.9lbs. SWFA 1-6x scope plus mount is another 2lbs and loaded 308 pmag another 1.5 lbs.

Going with an Aimpoint Pro would only add 11oz to the setup but I prefer the 1-6x scope.

Like the idea of second 308 AR but the SASS can still lose some weight. Appreciate the ideas

[Marine24]

Ended up just replacing the Panther grip with an Ergo, PRS stock with the UBR and SASS rail with a Troy TRX 308 rail. Not much lighter (maybe 1/2 a lb) but feels "handier".

[TheBelly]

So... You have a extra PRS?

[Marine24]

No but Bowers Tactical has a used one. Used it as a partial trade toward the upgrades