Is the FN/M70 “dead”...

[TheBigCountry]

In the precision world, is the FN SPR series/Model 70 “dead”? I’ve always wanted an SPR, but with FN ditching all but they high end one, and no “precision” style coming out (that I know if), will we ever see them try to get back into the game?

I ask because of what I said earlier about always wanting an FN. It may happen after this fire season, but ultimately I’m curious to know if we will see them jump back into the fray? If not , a Mausingfield or TL3 seems to be the next logical step for a CRF action...

 

[BangBangBlatBlat]

They are not hard to find. I think Tactical Coordination is still selling a bunch that are steeply discounted.

I think it's dead because they don't have anything other than 308 Winchester.

It also doesn't help that the consumer gun market is lined up for AR-esque precision rifles based on super cheap hunting actions. (RPR, Mossberg, Win XPC, Savage)

Basically steel and fiberglass is dead outside of the custom gun market.

 

[PBWalsh]

Yeah plus the .308 is a 1-12” not 1-10”. FN would do well with the action in a nice stock or chassis, a fast twist .308, 6.5, and a 6mm chambering, and AI mag compatibility from the factory.

I’m sure they could contract Greyboe to do an inlet, as well as some chassis makers like KRG or MPA. XLR, MCM, and MCS have the inlet already.

The actions are excellent and very smooth, I wish I wouldn’t have sold my A1. Personally, besides ease of barrel changes, I believe the SPR actions realistically give nothing up to a Mausingfield and even have small benefits over a Mausingfield such as a bayonet style bolt disassembly. If someone came up with an idea to do at home barrel changes with an SPR, I would be VERY tempted to pick up another over the pricier Mausingfield action.

 

[mackdrvr]

My SPR is a 308, and has a 1-10 twist.

 

[diggler1833]

I don't know if "dead" or not, but certainly thinning the herd. I recently picked up one of the first generation SPRs with the H-S Precision stock that looks almost unfired (haven't even taken it to the range myself yet).

I haven't looked at any of their sales figures, but I think that with the increase in demand for more modular chassis systems that perhaps the segment that FN once competed heavily in may have dwindled down a bit. It is a shame for people like me who live under a rock and prefer fiberglass/kevlar over AR compatibility.

 

[rookie7]

Basically steel and fiberglass is dead outside of the custom gun market.

Will you explain that in more depth please? thanks

 

[BangBangBlatBlat]

Will you explain that in more depth please? thanks

None of the major gun makers produce their own fiberglass stocks. There are essentially two suppliers, McMillan and Manners. Both businesses exist primarily for stock production and it is a specialized skill with specialized labor. Fiberglass stocks need to be glass bedded which is another form of specialized labor.

Rifle chassis on the other hand only require a CNC machine. Gun manufacturers already have CNC Machines for producing guns, and they already pay people to maintain and operate them. So they already have the equipment ready to go, and it's only a matter of design and production. The cost of the machine isn't really relevant because it's already been paid for on the gun manufacturing side.

Once a chassis is made, the parts assemblers can just screw it on an action and it's good to go. No need to employ gunsmiths to bed them and make sure the bottom metal is correctly located. No need to buy stocks from a third party. And they look better to the general public who wants to be able to customize their rifle by screwing new AR bits and pieces to it.

 

[ogonzalez13]

Funny that you ask this question as I was just about to start a thread on this when I stumbled upon yours.

I have owned a couple factory FN SPRs and a few custom rifles built off of that action. I have since sold them but have always wanted another as they had always been great shooters and I really do love the action. Smooth and reliable.

I just purchased a custom 6.5 Creedmoor built on a Winchester Model 70 Action that was built by Moon of Crescent Custom rifles and can tell you that I am blown away by it.

I love the model 70 action and in my opinion is way better than any Factory Remington 700 Action.

I am very happy to have one back In the stable and will not be letting go of this one.

 

[I Spot 4U - "Eagle Eyes"]

I can't tell you about any future plans of FN in regards to their rifles. As I do not work for nor have any affiliation to their company. I shoot the FN SPR A2/A4 FLP 24 inch .308 1/12 twist, using Lapua brass. 44.0 gr. Varget, 175 gr. SMK. It does everything I've needed it to do and never had an issue nor regret. I purchased the rifle from Tactical Coordination in AZ. And would not hesitate to purchase from them again.

 

[Zebra3]

Another reason that the SPR/M70 actions aren't as popular as the 700 clones is due to the extra work that goes into re-barreling. 700s, savage, RPRs, etc can be re-barrel pretty much anywhere by a competent smith or even in the comfort of your own home with one of the many prefit barrel/nut combos. However, a CRF action requires the extractor cut out which many smiths don't know how or just don't offer. This will always be one of the biggest discriminators to the actions which is a shame. The Mausingfield is the only mauser-esq action that doesn't need the cut, not sure out the crf Defiance action.

 

[Hondo64d]

Another reason that the SPR/M70 actions aren't as popular as the 700 clones is due to the extra work that goes into re-barreling. 700s, savage, RPRs, etc can be re-barrel pretty much anywhere by a competent smith or even in the comfort of your own home with one of the many prefit barrel/nut combos. However, a CRF action requires the extractor cut out which many smiths don't know how or just don't offer. This will always be one of the biggest discriminators to the actions which is a shame. The Mausingfield is the only mauser-esq action that doesn't need the cut, not sure out the crf Defiance action.

The Montana Rifle Company actions don’t require an extractor cut either.

John

 

[TheBigCountry]

Thanks for all the replies. I’m drawn to the SPR, regardless of the twist, due to the feel of the CRF actions. I’ve kicked th idea of buying one for too long, and had one of the actions I sold due to unfortunate circumstances. Picking one up is on the short list, as well as the CRPF 223 version to go along with it unless I fall for the Kool-Aid and save harder for the Mausingfield

 

[308pirate]

Thanks for all the replies. I’m drawn to the SPR, regardless of the twist, due to the feel of the CRF actions. I’ve kicked th idea of buying one for too long, and had one of the actions I sold due to unfortunate circumstances. Picking one up is on the short list, as well as the CRPF 223 version to go along with it unless I fall for the Kool-Aid and save harder for the Mausingfield

Everyone drools over the Bighorn TL3 "controlled round feed" and seem to forget that Winchester did it first back in the late 90s......

Bighorn TL3 bolt

Winchester Model 70 Controlled Round Push Feed bolt