My new bolt gun - FN SPR

General Firearms Precision Rifle - Bolt Gun
1

I had the urge for a 308 bolt gun a few weeks ago. I want to do a nice quality setup, but at a price point that didn’t break the bank.

I’ve had a few R700s with my last one being a 20" in a ACIS chassis with a Timney trigger. After looking at my options I decided to try something new. I strayed from Remington and settled on an FN SPR A1a. For the price I figured I couldn’t go wrong. After I’d outfit an R700 with a trigger, rail, and stock, i’d be pretty close to buying the factory SPR.

Ordered that and my scope. Originally wanted to keep it under a grand so I went with a Vortex 6-24x50 FFP, but then found the hard to find Razor Gen 2 4.5-27x56 and scooped it up.

Grabbed a set of Medium Plus rings, Seekins SRS rail, and Atlas Bipod w/ LaRue QD mount.

It came in this past week. I installed everything and got it out to the range. Sight in was easy and zeroed at 100 yards. Was also able to take it out to 210 yards for the first time and i’m very happy so far!

The factory paperwork with the rifle shows that 15 rounds were fired, 1 Black Hills 308 and 14 FGMM 168gr.

The factory test target shows 3 rounds fired with a .65" group. Not bad.

Got on paper at 50 yards and then put it at 100 yards. Shot a few groups to confirm zero and then shot a few to see what I could do. All are 5 round groups. I was able to get out to 210 yards towards the end, but it was down pouring so I just shot a few groups before I got the one below. I figured 5 rounds is more of a test to see what it can do than 3 rounds. I am very happy with the rifle and the scope at this point! Rifle performed wonderfully as did the scope. The fact that i’m shooting tighter groups with more rounds than the factory accuracy showed made me happy.

I mislabeled the following targets. Ammo used on the two Dirty Bird 100 yard targets was Remington 168gr Premier Match. The 210 yard target is labeled correctly with 168gr FGMM. I think FGMM at 100 yards would perform even better than the Remington, but I’m very happy with the Remingtons performance in this gun.

2

great shooting! and nice setup!

how do you like the scope so far?

3

Scope is incredible so far! Glass quality is very good. Turrets feel very crisp per click. The zoom range is phenomenal! So far this is a great scope! There is a reason they are so hard to find right now with estimates of delivery being into 2015.

4

How did you mount the bipod? Does this model come with a little rail on it already?

5

The thing that is so impressive, is you get a sub moa CL Barrel. That is just plane awesome.

6

I had one that was bedded. Laying out in the gravel with my questionable abilities behind it, a bipod in front, a balled up hoody under the back, in the cold and rain, I managed ten shots in about .75" center to center.

7

Seekins SRS rail. Replaced the two swivel studs.

This. Long life, easy to clean, and sub MOA…sign me up! So far I’m very impressed with this rifle.

8

If you can afford a 30 cal AAC or Surfire can. Life doesn’t get any better.

Markm and I run AAC cans with half minute results. And we have them braked up for non can shooting like a cream puff.

9

Getting my first can shortly. Just got to send in the paperwork and check to the ATF and wait…and wait…and wait…

10

Stamps are coming back in 3 months now!

11

The ATF just received my Form 4 for a 9mm can today. I’ll hold you to that Pappabear!

I have a 762SD that hasn’t been getting any use since I got it (sold my .308 before the can was approved). I like the look of this SPR, but the barrel isn’t threaded and it’s $$$. Maybe in time…

12

Which AAC cans are you using?

13

Give Mark at Short Action Customs a call. They threaded my SPR barrel and it was very reasonable as far as pricing. They have been awesome as far as working on my SPR thus far.

14

AAC 7.62SDN

15

The only real draw back to the SPR is finding all the fun toys that will work with it. The M700 guys can order anything they want with little to no effort.

16

You might not have as many choices but there is at least one of everything you need and you don’t need to replace as many parts, either.

17

It does take a little more effort to find things that work for it, and the accessories are sometimes pricey, but its a hell of a rifle for a good price point that will absolutely hang with the other manufacturers out there.

I will get some pics of mine up here as soon as I can. I absolutely love it. The FN TBM kit is an awesome addition to this system. Only down side is the price of the bottom metal and the magazines. You’ve got a good shooter though so far and if and when you decide to take it to long range you will be pleasantly surprised. I was able to print a 9.7" group at 1125 with mine.

18

I absolutely love my SPR. Im sure the more you get out and shoot yours the more you will appreciate its performance.

19

I got mine out to 700 yards last weekend. Right now I feel I’m more limited by my scope than the rifle.

Any issues with the TBM yet? I’d like to pull the trigger on one but, as you said, they’re kind of pricey.

20

It was a little pricey. The TBM is solid. I had a few issues with it not easily chambering rounds at first, but when I sent my rifle to SAC to have the barrel threaded, I asked them to take a look at it for me. They fixed it up and didn’t even charge me to do it. They are solid folks.
Aside from the price, I think its a very solid system to replace the factory bottom metal without additional modification.