FN Patrol Build Finally Finished!!!!

[diderr]

Well, here she is slightly over-due, and over budget. I'm very happy how it turned out.
Specs:
FN Patrol action
Bartlein 5r, 1 in 10, 22" from lug, 308
Premier Heritage 3-15
Badger rings
Near 20 moa base
PGW Defense NV rail
Cerakote OD Green
McM A5

Didn't have time to shoot for real groups today. I was trying to race a rain storm to get the barrel broke in. I threw together a load of left over components I had lying around with Sierra 180 Game Kings, a random charge of h414 (between min and max), Win case, fed 215 primer. I put a 9 shot group in under 3/4" and that was with cleaning after every shot. first 4 were under 1/2" but as the rain drops became more apparent I was in a hurry to just shoot and clean.

 

[S12A]

thats a great build mate , i really want an FN so i'm thinking of building off the base model TSR.

 

[Frank Green]

Great looking gun! Like the O.D. Green!

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[Boltfluter]

Great looking rifle. Nice choice on the components.

Regards,
Paul

 

[tackleberry2000]

Nice rifle. Looks fantastic. Great work!

 

[Tac284]

Nice build! Where did you come up with the action? Gun you had or did you find just an action? I've been trying to come up with one but so far nothin.

 

[creech]

Looks great! I'm in the process of building one myself. Gives me hope!

 

[diderr]

Nice build! Where did you come up with the action? Gun you had or did you find just an action? I've been trying to come up with one but so far nothin.

Thanks all!
I bought the whole gun new on GB for $748. I sold the take off barrel for $225 and the Hogue stock for $90. So I got an action and base for basically $433.

 

[Frank Green]

If I remember correctly CDNN a while back you could buy just actions for around $400. You would have to look. I don't think they have anymore though.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[diderr]

I looked into it when I first started my build. They didn't have any. The only real option available is to buy the base FN model's and part out.

 

[Quarter Horse]

Frank is correct, unless there is a recent change, CDNN no longer has the actions available. The CDNN actions were SPR actions and are already trued. They pop up on the auctions occasionally but are steadily increasing in price. Great looking build, I'm looking forward to a complete range report.

 

[BG_Bashar]

Great looking build!

Since it's not in your list, I assume you're using the stock bolt? How's it look for quality?

I recently picked up a "new" and unfired FN PBR on Gunbroker. The barrel and receiver are beautiful. The Hogue stock and two-piece scope mounts were not, so I sold the stock and I'm shopping around for a scope mount.

The bolt body, however, looks like hammered shit! It appears to be cast in one piece, then rough ground is some places, and sort of smoothed up in others. There are pits and inclusions everywhere! I'm just curious if mine is a rare experience, or all to common. It's not a big deal, as I'm picking up a PTG bolt once they're in full production in July. I just have to be patient.

Sometimes, I think I should have just gone with a Rem 700 - availability and selection of aftermarket options and such - but I've read good things about FNs. Like I said, the barrel and receiver look beautiful.

 

[Lukas Koukal]

Workhorse look... now make it be one

 

[diderr]

Great looking build!

Since it's not in your list, I assume you're using the stock bolt? How's it look for quality?

I recently picked up a "new" and unfired FN PBR on Gunbroker. The barrel and receiver are beautiful. The Hogue stock and two-piece scope mounts were not, so I sold the stock and I'm shopping around for a scope mount.

The bolt body, however, looks like hammered shit! It appears to be cast in one piece, then rough ground is some places, and sort of smoothed up in others. There are pits and inclusions everywhere! I'm just curious if mine is a rare experience, or all to common. It's not a big deal, as I'm picking up a PTG bolt once they're in full production in July. I just have to be patient.

Sometimes, I think I should have just gone with a Rem 700 - availability and selection of aftermarket options and such - but I've read good things about FNs. Like I said, the barrel and receiver look beautiful.

I wanted something different. The first gun I built was on a 700. I think the only draw back in this is I cant get the Badger bottom metal I want. I know there's always the CDI, but might get that down the road.

My bolt was perfectly fine. It did have some "weird" wear marks on it for a new gun, but nothing too abnormal. I used some Flitz on it, and it pulled out quite a bit of rust and gunk. It's now smooth as silk. I like the one piece Near base that came with it; even better than the Badger I had on my 700.

 

[diderr]

Workhorse look... now make it be one

Getting there. Here's my 155 grain Berger load at 100 and 600 yards. Both shot off rear bag and bipod.
0.175"

4.53"

 

[longguntoter]

Wow, very nice rifle. You'll be able to knock something down with that!

 

[BG_Bashar]

I wanted something different. The first gun I built was on a 700. I think the only draw back in this is I cant get the Badger bottom metal I want. I know there's always the CDI, but might get that down the road.

My bolt was perfectly fine. It did have some "weird" wear marks on it for a new gun, but nothing too abnormal. I used some Flitz on it, and it pulled out quite a bit of rust and gunk. It's now smooth as silk. I like the one piece Near base that came with it; even better than the Badger I had on my 700.

You'll soon have another option for bottom metal: PTG will also have their Winchester Stealth bottom metal available in July.

I'd heard they were putting Near bases on the newer rifles. Any experience with Nightforce scope bases?

 

[diderr]

You'll soon have another option for bottom metal: PTG will also have their Winchester Stealth bottom metal available in July.

I'd heard they were putting Near bases on the newer rifles. Any experience with Nightforce scope bases?

Nice. I'll have to keep any eye out for that. No experience with Nightforce, but heard good things.

 

[proneshooter]

Nice stick. I like the 22" tube, nice halfway point between the usual 24 and 20.

 

[Katahdin]

The rifle looks and shoots great! My first rifle (and I still have it) was an FN PBR, I really need to upgrade it one of these days like yours.

 

[mzvarner]

Very nice. Looks like you have got a shooter there. I like the camo paint in the stock.

 

[Canuck1977]

Wow, really nice rifle man. Enjoy!!!

 

[trigger643]

Simply Outstanding!

 

[c4xplsv]

nice setup - fan of the FN rifles myself