Te c h n i c a l d o p e b a g SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.)

.357 Ma g n u m Ve l . @ 10' En e r g y Gr o u p Si z e In In c h e s Ca r t r i d g e (f.p.s.) (f t .-l b s .) Sm a l l e s t La r g e s t Av e r a g e

Bl a c k Hi l l s 1076 Av g . 406 2.75 3.37 3.00 158-g r . JHP 26 Sd

Smith & Wesson PMC No. 367A 1058 Av g . 393 2.55 3.91 3.10 158-g r . JSP 23 Sd

Wi n c h e s t e r Su p e r -X 1309 Av g . 476 2.20 3.50 2.70 No. X3576P 19 Sd TRR8 Revolver 125-g r . JHP Av e r a g e Ex t r e m e Sp r e a d 2.93

Me as u r e d a v e r a g e v e l o c i t y o f 10 r o u n d s f r o m a 5" b a r r e l m e as u r e d w i t h a n Oe h l e r 35P c h r o n o g r ap h . Ra n g e t e mp e r a t u r e 58° F. Humidity: 30%. Ac c u r a c y f o r f i v e c o n s e c u t i v e , f i v e -s h o t g r o u ps a t 25 y d s . f r o m a sa n d b a g r e s t . Ab b r e v i a t i o n s : JHP (ja c k e t e d h o l l o w -p o i n t ), JSP (ja c k e t e d s o f t -p o i n t ), Sd (s t a n d a r d d e v i a t i o n ).

ness is ammunition capacity. In the age of the double-stack mag- azine, a six-shot revolver seems he term “tactical revolver” N-frame. Although that is typical, this Fortunately, the TRR8 retains all very lacking. The big N-frame, sounds almost contrarian particular N-frame features S&W’s of the original virtues that made however, holds eight rounds in its T these days. Although the scandium, an enhanced aluminum the wheelgun such a popular cylinder—a 33 percent increase double-action revolver has a host alloy that is as light as typical alu- design. It is reliable. It is simple over typical wheelguns. of virtues, the explosion of tacti- minum alloy, yet much stronger. As to load and operate. It is easy to The other bothersome issue cal semi-automatic pistols seems a result, the big wheelgun weighs check, especially in a hurry. It is is the lack of speed in reloading; to have relegated the revolver to in at 35.3 ozs., making it easier to not ammunition-sensitive as its semi-automatics are much faster to a few select, but important, roles: carry and quicker to handle than an operation is independent from the refill. Although this is still true, the concealed carry, home defense and all-steel N-frame. The cylinder is of proper functioning of the ammuni- TRR8 comes with three full-moon hunting. The idea of a cutting-edge, blackened stainless steel, and the tion (squib load notwithstanding). clips. One may simply preload the tactical wheelgun that is a prefer- barrel is steel, too. And, it is powerful. clips and, when needed, drop both able tool for anticipated high-inten- The TRR8 incorporates today’s The .357 Mag. cartridge has cartridges and clip into the gun. It’s sity encounters seems absurd when de rigueur feature of tacti- been around since 1935 and a big improvement over laboriously so many other choices abound. cal handguns—a rail. In fact, it although there are now many loading one round at a time. Well, not so fast. features two of them, with one more powerful chamberings, Despite exhibiting many tacti- Innovation in materials and over the topstrap and one under there may be nothing more effec- cal-like features in its design, the design, coupled with a specific the barrel. The rails attach to the tive for self-defense. After all, of question remains—why a revolver? unanticipated problem with the semi- barrel shroud with Allen-head all the semi-automatic loads avail- The answer lies in the technique of automatic platform, prompted Smith screws and are easily removed. able, it was the ballistic profile of bracing a tactical gun against a verti- & Wesson’s Performance Center to They allow the user to mount the 125-gr. .357 Mag. that design- cal surface. Tactical officers leading develop the TRR8—a revolver that various lights, optics and lasers, ers emulated when creating the an entry team often use a ballistic meets the tactical demands of law customizing the gun for various .357 SIG cartridge. shield. As they have to hold the shield enforcement or serves as a home- tasks. One can mount a red-dot Of course, there are some lia- with one hand, they are constrained defense gun for the well-equipped scope atop the barrel and a high- bilities to the wheelgun relative to carry a handgun rather than a homeowner. intensity light beneath it, or even to modern semi-automatics, but longarm. This handgun is braced The TRR8 is a double-action .357 replace the factory rubber stocks S&W addressed these with some against the edge of the shield. If Mag. built on the company’s large with Lasergrips. success. The first relative weak- a semi-automatic is fired with the

56 Ju l y 2009 w w w .americanrifleman .o r g COPYRIGHT 2009© NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

R907_DB.indd 56 5/8/09 4:21:22 PM SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.) S&W TRR8 REVOLVER

.357 Ma g n u m Ve l . @ 10' En e r g y Gr o u p Si z e In In c h e s Manufacturer : Sm i t h & We ss o n Ca r t r i d g e (f.p.s.) (f t .-l b s .) Sm a l l e s t La r g e s t Av e r a g e (De p t . AR), 2100 Ro o s e v e l t Av e ., Sp r i n g f i e l d , MA 01104; Bl a c k Hi l l s 1076 Av g . 406 2.75 3.37 3.00 (800) 331-0852; 158-g r . JHP 26 Sd www .s m i t h -w e ss o n .c o m Ca l i b e r : a g p l Smith & Wesson PMC No. 367A 1058 Av g . 393 2.55 3.91 3.10 .357 M . (.38 S .) 158-g r . JSP 23 Sd Ac t i o n Ty p e : d o u b l e -a c t i o n , c e n t e r -f i r e r e v o l v e r Wi n c h e s t e r Su p e r -X 1309 Av g . 476 2.20 3.50 2.70 Fr a m e : s c a n d i u m a l l o y No. X3576P 19 Sd (b l a c k e n e d s t a i n l e ss s t e e l c y l i n d e r ) 125-g r . JHP Ba r r e l : 5" TRR8 Revolver Ri f l i n g : f i v e -g r o o v e , 1:18" RH Tw i s t Av e r a g e Ex t r e m e Sp r e a d 2.93 Cy l i n d e r Ca p a c i t y : e i g h t Me as u r e d a v e ra g e v e l o c i t y o f 10 r o u n ds f r o m a 5" b arr e l m e as u r e d w i t h a n Oe h l e r Si g h t s : i n t e r c h a n g e a b l e f r o n t p o s t 35P c h r o n o g ra p h . Ra n g e t e m p e ra t u r e 58° F. Humidity: 30%. Ac c u ra c y f o r f i v e w i t h b rass b e ad ; s q u ar e -n o t c h r e ar , c o n s e c u t i v e , f i v e -s h o t g r o u p s a t 25 y ds . f r o m a sa n d b a g r e s t . Ab b r e v i a t i o n s : JHP ad j u s t a b l e f o r w i n da g e a n d e l e v a t i o n (j a c k e t e d h o l l o w -p o i n t ), JSP (j a c k e t e d s o f t -p o i n t ), Sd (s t a n dard d e v i a t i o n ). Tr i g g e r Pu l l : d o u b l e -a c t i o n , 10 l b s ., 14 o z s .; s i n g l e -a c t i o n , 4 l b s ., 8 o z s . Ov e r a l l Le n g t h : 10½" Wi d t h : 1¾" He i g h t : 6" We i g h t : 35.3 o z s . Ac c e ss o r i e s : a l u m i n u m c as e , t h r e e f u l l -m o o n c l i p s , t w o a c c e ss o r y ra i l s Su g g e s t e d Re t a i l Pr i c e : $1,414

The TRR8 holds eight rounds of .357 Mag. ammunition and utilizes full-moon clips to speed reloading. The Picatinny rail atop the TRR8 (l.) can hold a variety of aiming devices. Like the bottom rail, it is removable.

ness is ammunition capacity. In slide braced against the shield or light, smooth and crisp. There were the age of the double-stack mag- any other surface, it may slip out of no malfunctions despite the variety azine, a six-shot revolver seems battery, jamming. Such is not the case of ammunition used, including both Fortunately, the TRR8 retains all very lacking. The big N-frame, when bracing the barrel of a revolver. .38 Spl. and .357 Mag. Reloading of the original virtues that made however, holds eight rounds in its Although this ability is under- with the full-moon clips was slightly the wheelgun such a popular cylinder—a 33 percent increase standably of critical importance to more difficult than imagined. There design. It is reliable. It is simple over typical wheelguns. a SWAT officer, what does it mean was some play at the nose of the to load and operate. It is easy to The other bothersome issue to the armed homeowner? Well, it cartridges and some jiggling was check, especially in a hurry. It is is the lack of speed in reloading; is conceivable that someone in a required before the reload slipped not ammunition-sensitive as its semi-automatics are much faster to home-defense scenario might have into the cylinder. Removing empty operation is independent from the refill. Although this is still true, the the need or opportunity to brace a cases from the clips was a chore, but proper functioning of the ammuni- TRR8 comes with three full-moon firearm against a doorframe or the a fairly easy one. tion (squib load notwithstanding). clips. One may simply preload the corner of a wall. The resistance to We mounted a C-More Sight And, it is powerful. clips and, when needed, drop both jamming would be equally appreci- Systems red-dot scope atop our The .357 Mag. cartridge has cartridges and clip into the gun. It’s ated in such case. sample gun. Nevertheless, there been around since 1935 and a big improvement over laboriously The TRR8 shot well in drills and, was not enough adjustment avail- although there are now many loading one round at a time. as shown in the accompanying able to zero the scope at 25 yds. on more powerful chamberings, Despite exhibiting many tacti- accuracy table, from the bench. The this revolver. We also mounted a there may be nothing more effec- cal-like features in its design, the pebbled, rubber stocks provided Streamlight M3 Tactical Light tive for self-defense. After all, of question remains—why a revolver? good purchase and dampened on the lower rail. It was well- all the semi-automatic loads avail- The answer lies in the technique of felt recoil considerably. Though positioned and easy to manipulate. able, it was the ballistic profile of bracing a tactical gun against a verti- the lightweight frame increased Smith & Wesson’s TRR8 repre- the 125-gr. .357 Mag. that design- cal surface. Tactical officers leading muzzle rise in the unadorned gun, sents the current state-of-the-art ers emulated when creating the an entry team often use a ballistic the installation of a light and optics in revolver technology and fills an .357 SIG cartridge. shield. As they have to hold the shield reduced that problem. The added unforeseen gap in tactical hand- Of course, there are some lia- with one hand, they are constrained mass distinctly decreased muzzle guns. It keeps the double-action bilities to the wheelgun relative to carry a handgun rather than a rise, and the fully outfitted gun was revolver current while also giving to modern semi-automatics, but longarm. This handgun is braced quite manageable. both lead SWAT officers and well- S&W addressed these with some against the edge of the shield. If The TRR8’s trigger pull was typi- prepared homeowners a very good success. The first relative weak- a semi-automatic is fired with the cal of a Performance Center gun: tool for their respective tasks.

Ju l y 2009 Am e r i c a n Ri f l e m a n 57 COPYRIGHT 2009© NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

R907_DB.indd 57 5/8/09 5:26:39 PM DOPE BAG SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.)

.338 FEDERAL VEL . @ 15' ENERGY GROUP SIZE IN INCHES CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT .-LBS .) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE

FEDERAL NO. P338FB 2366 AVG . 2,611 1.41 2.90 2.03 210-GR . NOSLER 14 SD PARTITION

FUSION 2539 AVG . 2,864 1.25 2.30 1.71 NO. F338FFS2 22 SD 200-GR . SPT

FEDERAL NO. P338FC 2692 AVG . 2,782 1.30 2.30 2.44 185-GR . BARNES TSX 20 SD

AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD 2.06

MEASURED AVERAGE VELOCITY FOR 10 ROUNDS FROM AN 18" BARREL . FIRST SCREEN OF OEHLER 35P CHRONOGRAPH 15 FT . FROM MUZZLE . RANGE TEMPERATURE : 40° F. ACCURACY FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE , FIVE -SHOT GROUPS AT 100 YDS . USING FRONT REST AND REAR SANDBAG . ABBREVIA - DPMS PANTHER LR-338L RIFLE TIONS : SBT (SPITZER BOATTAIL ), TSX (TRIPLE -SHOCK X-BULLET ), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION ). he DPMS LR-308 ri e is a heat-treated steel, and the bolt able trigger, which is optional for scaled-up version of the itself is heat-treated. The ri e fea- an additional $124.95. Any serious T AR-15 ri e designed to tures a round, 12½"-long carbon- shooter should consider adding accommodate the .308 Win. and  ber handguard that reduces this trigger when ordering the similar cartridges. With the increas- weight and does not transfer cold ri e. The trigger on our sample ing popularity of this ri e platform, or heat like a metal handguard. had a bit of creep and a few as well as the growing popular- The upper receiver is extruded hitches. Past experience with the ity of hunting with AR-type ri es, from 6066-T6 aircraft aluminum, JP trigger, however, has shown that DPMS expanded the LR-308 line features right-hand ejection, a dust much of that can be removed with beyond the .308 Win. to include cover, a shell de ector and a for- careful adjustment and set-up of other cartridges, such as .243 Win., ward assist. The top rail allows for the trigger. Our sample broke at .260 Rem. and .338 Federal. The easy mounting of optical sights. 3 lbs., 12 ozs. The gun comes with LR-338L in .338 Federal is the most The lower receiver, with its a Command Arms Tactical grip powerful ri e in the DPMS AR line integral trigger guard, is milled made of hard plastic with non-slip and the best suited to a wide range from 6061-T6 aluminum. Both the  nger grooves. The grip is angled of big-game hunting scenarios. The upper and lower are anodized and back a bit more than a standard “LR” in the name stands for “Long coated with black Te on. Controls AR grip and places the hand in Range” and the suf x “L” denotes include a magazine release on the good position for trigger control. door. The gun would be better “Lightweight.” It is designed for right side and a bolt release on The black Zytel buttstock is served with a rubber recoil pad as hunters, although it has some tacti- the left. The safety selector lever skeletonized to reduce weight. It this hard plastic with sharp dia- cal applications as well. is on the left side. Our sample ri e features a hard plastic, checkered monds and edges can be painful The LR-338L features a 416 stain- was shipped with the JP adjust- buttplate with a super uous trap when shooting in warm weather less steel, light-contour 18" barrel, and light clothing. which has short and shallow 2"-long The gun weighs 7 lbs., 14 ozs. utes between the lightweight gas empty. With a Nikon Monarch 4-16X block and muzzle brake. A custom 42 mm Side Focus scope in Warne muzzle brake reduces felt recoil, aluminum rings, which we used for which is mild compared to other accuracy testing, and with an empty .338 Federal ri es. four-round-capacity magazine, the The LR-338L uses the rotating gun checked in at 9 lbs, 12 ozs., 1 bolt and direct-impingement gas with an overall length of 39 ⁄8". operating system common in AR One might expect the short designs. The bolt carrier is 8620 18" barrel to give up some veloc-

The American Rifl eman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend The LR-338L has a milled lower Whelen fi rst titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used receiver with an integral trigger guard by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the fi ring line. “Sight dope” also was a (r., top); our sample included the traditional marksman’s term for sight-adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction JP adjustable trigger (r.). The rifl e’s was called “doping the wind.” phosphated 8620 steel bolt carrier is WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information proportionally larger than that of a based on the limited experience of individuals under specifi c conditions and circumstances. They do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely neces- comparable .223-Rem. AR carrier (far r.). sary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, 58 JULY 2009 WWW .AMERICANRIFLEMAN .ORG procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. COPYRIGHT 2009© NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

R907_DB.indd 58 5/8/09 4:16:23 PM SHOOTING RESULTS (100 YDS.) DPMS PANTHER LR-338L

.338 Fe d e r a l Ve l . @ 15' En e r g y Gr o u p Si z e In In c h e s Manufacturer : DPMS-Pa n t h e r Ar ms Ca r t r i d g e (f.p.s.) (f t .-l b s .) Sm a l l e s t La r g e s t Av e r a g e (De p t . AR), 3312 12t h St., S.E., St. Cl o u d , MN 5630; Fe d e r a l No. P338FB 2366 Av g . 2,611 1.41 2.90 2.03 (800) 578-3767; w w w .dpms i n c .c o m 210-g r . No s l e r 14 Sd Ca l i b e r : .338 Fe d e r a l Pa r t i t i o n Ac t i o n Ty p e : d i r e c t -i mp i n g e m e n t , Fu s i o n 2539 Av g . 2,864 1.25 2.30 1.71 g a s -o p e r a t e d s e m i -a u t o m a t i c r i f l e No. F338FFS2 22 Sd Re c e i v e r : 6066-T6 u pp e r , 6061-T6 200-g r . SPT l o w e r a l u m i n u m a l l o y ; h a r d a n o d i z e d a n d b l a c k Te f l o n c o a t e d Fe d e r a l No. P338FC 2692 Av g . 2,782 1.30 2.30 2.44 Ba r r e l Le n g t h : 18" 185-g r . Ba r n e s TSX 20 Sd Ri f l i n g : s i x -g r o o v e ; 1:9" RH t w i s t Ma g a z i n e : d e t a c h a b l e b o x , f o u r -r o u n d Av e r a g e Ex t r e m e Sp r e a d 2.06 o r 19-r o u n d c a p a c i t y Me a s u r e d a v e r a g e v e l o c i t y f o r 10 r o u n ds f r o m a n 18" b a r r e l . Fi r s t sc r e e n o f Oe h l e r Si g h t s : n o n e ; f u l l l e n g t h Pi c a t i n n y 35P Ch r o n o g r a p h 15 f t . f r o m m u z z l e . Ra n g e t e mp e r a t u r e : 40° F. Acc u r a c y f o r f i v e r a i l o n r e c e i v e r f o r sc o p e m o u n t i n g c o n s e c u t i v e , f i v e -s h o t g r o u ps a t 100 y ds . u s i n g f r o n t r e s t a n d r e a r s a n d b a g . Ab b r e v i a - Tr i g g e r Pu l l : s i n g l e -s t a g e ; 3 l b s ., t i o n s : SBT (sp i t z e r b o a t t a i l ), TSX (Tr i p l e -Sh o c k X-Bu l l e t ), Sd (St a n d a r d d e v i a t i o n ). 12 o z s . St o c k : b l a c k Zy t e l : l e n g t h o f p u l l , 1 14 ⁄4"; d r o p a t h e e l , 1/2"; d r o p a t c o m b , 1/2" 1 DPMS Panther LR-338L RIfle Ov e r a l l Le n g t h : 39 ⁄8" We i g h t : 7 l b s ., 14 o z s . able trigger, which is optional for Ac c e ss o r i e s : o n e f o u r -r o u n d m a g a - an additional $124.95. Any serious z i n e , o n e 19-r o u n d m a g a z i n e , n y l o n w e b s l i n g a n d c l e a n i n g k i t shooter should consider adding Su g g e s t e d Re t a i l Pr i c e : $1,499 this trigger when ordering the rifle. The trigger on our sample The LR-338L breaks down like a standard AR (l.). had a bit of creep and a few Its carbon-fiber handguard does not transfer heat hitches. Past experience with the like a metal handguard, and the Zytel buttstock and JP trigger, however, has shown that tactical grip reduce weight and aid control. much of that can be removed with careful adjustment and set-up of target from hunting-type shooting the trigger. Our sample broke at positions was easy. The recoil was 3 lbs., 12 ozs. The gun comes with so manageable that the reticle a Command Arms Tactical grip was already back on target before made of hard plastic with non-slip the swinging target reset. Using finger grooves. The grip is angled the higher-capacity magazine we back a bit more than a standard shot several boxes of Fusion 200- AR grip and places the hand in gr. ammunition (the best perform- good position for trigger control. door. The gun would be better ity, so we gauged its performance ing load in this rifle) without a The black Zytel buttstock is served with a rubber recoil pad as against a previous test we ran a single function problem. Although skeletonized to reduce weight. It this hard plastic with sharp dia- few years ago, in which we used the barrel grew very hot during features a hard plastic, checkered monds and edges can be painful the available .338 Federal factory this shooting session, the carbon- buttplate with a superfluous trap when shooting in warm weather loaded ammunition in a Sako rifle fiber handguard did not, and the 7 and light clothing. with a 22 ⁄16" barrel. The 185-gr. rifle could be easily held with The gun weighs 7 lbs., 14 ozs. Barnes load was actually faster in a bare hand at anytime during empty. With a Nikon Monarch 4-16X the DPMS rifle by 48 f.p.s., but the the shooting. Also, we noted this 42 mm Side Focus scope in Warne 180-gr. AccuBond lost 116 f.p.s. swinging target handled bullet aluminum rings, which we used for and the 200-gr. Fusion lost 113 strikes from .308 Win. without a accuracy testing, and with an empty f.p.s. in the shorter barrel. problem, but the .338 Federal hit four-round-capacity magazine, the As part of the function test we hard enough that nearly every gun checked in at 9 lbs, 12 ozs., shot an R&R Racing Self Setting 8" fifth shot knocked the target out of 1 with an overall length of 39 ⁄8". rifle target at 250 yds. We found the frame. One might expect the short that by using the first circle in The DPMS Panther LR-338L rifle 18" barrel to give up some veloc- a Nikon BDC scope, hitting this is a well-made, strong and durable firearm for any hunter wishing to The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend use a semi-automatic rifle. For the Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also was a shooter looking for the tactical traditional marksman’s term for sight-adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction application of a heavy bullet with was called “doping the wind.” more power, or for somebody who WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information simply wants something different to based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They do bring to the range, the DPMS Pan- not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely neces- ther LR-338L is a good choice. sary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. Ju l y 2009 Am e r i c a n Ri f l e m a n 59 COPYRIGHT 2009© NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

R907_DB.indd 59 5/8/09 5:27:25 PM