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Are the FN SPR enthusiasts extinct?

I think the main selling point when they 1st came out was the accurate everlasting chromelined barrel , and feel they should have had a few more updated features at the time , like a threaded muzzle .
If they had morphed into a rifle similar to the PH M85 , they may have gained a bigger foot hold , ie had a longer tunion to better support a heavier than sporter barrel , detach double feed , etc , and may have been kept in production ?
Yes I agree with the threaded muzzle, fluting, the better bolt knob. The SPR is an amazing weapon. I like my A2/A4. 1/2 gun. The A5M XP is solid. Mine only shoots .75-1 MOA though. I’m disappointed. I’ve been spoiled by my A2/A4 and M24.
 
I'm ok with how smooth the SPR is because I know it won't malfunction. It's the only action I've used that I have any confidence in the reliability. I still haven't met a push feed that works.
 
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I'm ok with how smooth the SPR is because I know it won't malfunction. It's the only action I've used that I have any confidence in the reliability. I still haven't met a push feed that works.
I’ve never had an issue with an M40A1/A3 or M24 push feed. I actually don’t know one person who has. That’s not discounting your experience. I love the Mauser action (Pre 64 action) a lot though.
 
I think I've yet to meet someone with a 700 that is willing to admit they're unreliable. I once got into a fight with a guy over it. He video taped himself putting 10 rounds through his to prove it to me. There were 4 malfs. He said that's no big deal and completely normal. I agreed that it is normal.
 
I’ve never had an issue with an M40A1/A3 or M24 push feed. I actually don’t know one person who has. That’s not discounting your experience. I love the Mauser action (Pre 64 action) a lot though.
Wasn't the M24 famous for feeding issues due to the long action and short action caliber? I've never shot one. I have shot a GAP M40A1 and that damned thing runs like a top.
Still want one of each.
 
I’ve not heard of anyone having issues with push feed. Many Thousands of rounds through M40’s and not seen any issues.
 
Wasn't the M24 famous for feeding issues due to the long action and short action caliber? I've never shot one. I have shot a GAP M40A1 and that damned thing runs like a top.
Still want one of each.
I’ve not heard that. It’s a very combat proven rifle. Can you post a reputable source? We don’t want any CNN fake news on here. M24 is as combat proven as anything. PSS as well. Again I like the Mauser action more but Remy action is smooth and reliable. My favorite is Winny after 64 push feed though
 
Wasn't the M24 famous for feeding issues due to the long action and short action caliber? I've never shot one. I have shot a GAP M40A1 and that damned thing runs like a top.
Still want one of each.
The M24 didn’t have feeding issues…it was the user who created feeding issues due to their complacency/incompetence when loading.
 
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Let's get some more FN SPR rifles in this thread!!!

If you aren’t sick of seeing this one yet.
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A few oldies
 

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Not sure what this one will end up as. A classic style hunting rifle, light weight rifle or a precision rifle. Looking at the old vintage sniper rifle section has given me the idea of dropping it into a mcmillan htg in urban camo.
 

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I’ve not heard that. It’s a very combat proven rifle. Can you post a reputable source? We don’t want any CNN fake news on here. M24 is as combat proven as anything. PSS as well. Again I like the Mauser action more but Remy action is smooth and reliable. My favorite is Winny after 64 push feed though

It's actually in the review of the m24 on Snipercentral. I am not "in the community" so I dont have any super secret squirrel info to share. Just repeating what I have read. I know I have heard it from other places as well. Mel at SC is speaking from personal experience tho.
 
It's actually in the review of the m24 on Snipercentral. I am not "in the community" so I dont have any super secret squirrel info to share. Just repeating what I have read. I know I have heard it from other places as well. Mel at SC is speaking from personal experience tho.
I would say to use common sense here. The Remington push feed 700 action and all the copies are the most used action of all. It’s not even close. It’s a proven action for a reason. Don’t be a homer. I personally love the Mauser action (Win Pre 64) but to say the 700 action isn’t amazing is just bad. There is no need to justify a purchase by putting down another. Both are amazing. 700 is a simpler action that is the standard by which all others are judged. That’s just the way it is. I love them all.
 
I would say to use common sense here. The Remington push feed 700 action and all the copies are the most used action of all. It’s not even close. It’s a proven action for a reason. Don’t be a homer. I personally love the Mauser action (Win Pre 64) but to say the 700 action isn’t amazing is just bad. There is no need to justify a purchase by putting down another. Both are amazing. 700 is a simpler action that is the standard by which all others are judged. That’s just the way it is. I love them all.
Not putting down your or anyone's purchase. I believe I said I'd love to get a M24. I also own a remington and have owned several. The sendero I sold 10 years ago was amazingly accurate and well made. The VS has a barrel bent significantly but is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. One day I will get a m24, a m40 A1, and I would like to get a old BDL Varmint in 22-250. All I said was I thought the M24 had feeding problems, and stated a source. Have a great day and enjoy your rifles.
 
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That would have also helped but they could have done a lot more with their factory mags had they tried. I am glad I sent mine to CDI before he passed my only regret is not sending him more guns.
 
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Just spent the afternoon fitting barreled action of my A5M XP into the a hogue stock with full length aluminum chassis. The reason for the switch is that I’m trying to compare the accuracy difference between factory bedded Fiberglass McMillan stock and full aluminum chassis stock such as manners. The hogue is considered to be a cheaper alternative.

This hogue stock is originally designed for FN PBR line which shares the same action as SPR line. The barrel channel, on the other hand, is different. Took some time to file both side of fore end of the stock to make the barrel free float. Will update after the range trip. It’s been raining the whole week in Houston.
 
FN was slow to change and left them alone too long in my opinion. They needed threaded barrels and 6.5 Creedmoor across the board.
FN didn’t really market them that hard either. At the time I bought mine, a new A5M was over $2,000. That was just a thousand short of a full blown custom at the time, and the new bottom metal wasn’t out yet so you were stuck with the factory DBM or had to send it off to CDI.

Aftermarket mods were pretty nonexistent then as well.
 
The SRP A1 was about 30% more than a PSS as well when I first started looking at them in 2005ish. PSS was around $900, SPR A1 was around $1200. But the SPR was in a Mcmillian, came with a excellent pic mount and had that chrome lined sub moa guarantee barrel.
 
The SRP A1 was about 30% more than a PSS as well when I first started looking at them in 2005ish. PSS was around $900, SPR A1 was around $1200. But the SPR was in a Mcmillian, came with a excellent pic mount and had that chrome lined sub moa guarantee barrel.
The PSS was sub MOA. McMillan vs H&S. Toss up. I like SPR but let’s keep it real…. PSS is and was amazing. Sub-MOA all day.
 
View attachment 7660552
Just spent the afternoon fitting barreled action of my A5M XP into the a hogue stock with full length aluminum chassis. The reason for the switch is that I’m trying to compare the accuracy difference between factory bedded Fiberglass McMillan stock and full aluminum chassis stock such as manners. The hogue is considered to be a cheaper alternative.

This hogue stock is originally designed for FN PBR line which shares the same action as SPR line. The barrel channel, on the other hand, is different. Took some time to file both side of fore end of the stock to make the barrel free float. Will update after the range trip. It’s been raining the whole week in Houston.
How's the eye relief on that scope?
 
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View attachment 7660552
Just spent the afternoon fitting barreled action of my A5M XP into the a hogue stock with full length aluminum chassis. The reason for the switch is that I’m trying to compare the accuracy difference between factory bedded Fiberglass McMillan stock and full aluminum chassis stock such as manners. The hogue is considered to be a cheaper alternative.

This hogue stock is originally designed for FN PBR line which shares the same action as SPR line. The barrel channel, on the other hand, is different. Took some time to file both side of fore end of the stock to make the barrel free float. Will update after the range trip. It’s been raining the whole week in Houston.
I am doing the same thing. I can’t get this rifle to shoot with the stock McMillan. .75-1. I put the hogue on. It’s needs to be floated still. I love the look and feel. Please let us know how it shoots. Thanks
 

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I can’t get this rifle to shoot with the stock McMillan. .75-1.
What have you tried?

My A5M XP shoots ok, .75moa consistently, sometimes better with Varget and 175smk’s. But IMR4895 seems to produce better groups without me trying near as hard to shoot well.
 
What have you tried?

My A5M XP shoots ok, .75moa consistently, sometimes better with Varget and 175smk’s. But IMR4895 seems to produce better groups without me trying near as hard to shoot well.
I have posted on this on this thread. FGMM 168/175. Also, Federal AB39 (7.62 175gn Match). Shoot the same. The gun just doesn’t shoot as good as I would expect from an FN SPR. My A2/A4 is 1/2 MOA and M24 is 1/4 MOA pretty consistently.
 
Rebarrel??? That’s the easy way out. I want to get it to shoot. I am trying other things out. The hogue stock is next. I started sanding it to free float. Also, where am I going to get an FN barrel? I want to keep the chrome lined barrel.
 
Rebarrel??? That’s the easy way out. I want to get it to shoot. I am trying other things out. The hogue stock is next. I started sanding it to free float. Also, where am I going to get an FN barrel? I want to keep the chrome lined barrel.

How much better do you think it will shoot in the Hogue stock? I would think if all thinks where built properly the rifle should shoot better in your mcmillan stock. I know the a3g was bedded. Was the A5m xp?

I always thought the rubber texture on the hogue would make a great all weather rifle.
 
Did the A5M have a accuracy guarantee?
No idea where you could get a chrome lined barrel, but you can get a barrel melonited.
My rifle shoots like a house on fire, but I have contemplated getting it rebarreled to 25 creedmoor or 6.5x47. Wonder if a FN takeoff would index?
 
Did the A5M have a accuracy guarantee?
No idea where you could get a chrome lined barrel, but you can get a barrel melonited.
My rifle shoots like a house on fire, but I have contemplated getting it rebarreled to 25 creedmoor or 6.5x47. Wonder if a FN takeoff would index?

I seem to remember finding some literature once that showed the A5M being "guaranteed" to be sub-moa for at least 10,000 rounds with factory match ammo. The FBI A3 (with bedding done by GA Precision I believe) was basically the same barrelled action as the A5M, but it had a "guarantee" of being sub-moa for 30,000 rounds. I wonder if I saved that literature?

Regards,
Ross
 
How much better do you think it will shoot in the Hogue stock? I would think if all thinks where built properly the rifle should shoot better in your mcmillan stock. I know the a3g was bedded. Was the A5m xp?

I always thought the rubber texture on the hogue would make a great all weather rifle.
I completely understand what you are saying and it makes sense. The A5M XP is spot bedded only. The Hogue has an aluminum bed. Someone else had mentioned FN guarantees. A3G had a 1/2 MOA and the rest of the SPR’s were 1 MOA.

I am just trying everything to get it to group. I like the feel of the hogue. I’d like to make it a hunting rifle. I have to finish opening up the barrel channel from barrel contact and torque her down and then shoot. If this doesn’t work then maybe a rebarrel would be the next option. Or maybe just be content with .75-1 MOA
 
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How much better do you think it will shoot in the Hogue stock? I would think if all thinks where built properly the rifle should shoot better in your mcmillan stock. I know the a3g was bedded. Was the A5m xp?

I always thought the rubber texture on the hogue would make a great all weather rifle.
The hogue stock I fitted on my A5M XP has a built-in full length aluminum chassis, CNC'd for the SPR/PBR action based on the spec provided by FN. Desite hogue is not a big name as Mcmillan, the rigidity/fit of the stock is on par, if not better, than a fiberglass stocks with bedding. Plus I'm not a big fan for the factory bedding on my A5M XP as FN only beded the recolil lug and tang. Before I'm sending it to a gun smith to fully bed the Mcmillan, I want to try out the hogue first to see if that is going to be a lower cost solution.
 
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The hogue stock I fitted on my A5M XP has a built-in full length aluminum chassis, CNC'd for the SPR/PBR action based on the spec provided by FN. Desite hogue is not a big name as Mcmillan, the rigidity/fit of the stock is on par, if not better, than a glass fiber stocks with bedding. Plus I'm not a big fan for the factory bedding on my A5M XP as FN only beded the recolil lug and tang. Before I'm sending it to a gun smith to fully bed the Mcmillan, I want to try out the hogue first to see if that is going to be a lower cost solution.
Exactly what I’m trying to do. Thanks
 
I am doing the same thing. I can’t get this rifle to shoot with the stock McMillan. .75-1. I put the hogue on. It’s needs to be floated still. I love the look and feel. Please let us know how it shoots. Thanks
Same issue here. For some very weird reason my A5M XP is not grouping well with 168 FGMM, and I'm talking about a 1.5-2MOA 100 yard 5 shots groups. I've tried varies factory match ammo, Hornady, PPU, Geco, Sig Sauer.....so far the best result is from the winchester varmint 308 ammo loaded with 135gr Sierra Varminter, 4 consecutive 5 shots group with an average of .5 MOA group, which is weird as the 1:10 barrel is not optimal for such bullet weight. Such inconsistency has made me wonder if the issue comes from the bedding, however before I send the stock to re-bed I want to drop it into an alternative to check my assumption, and hogue appears to be a really good candidate for that work.

I was not able to make it to the local range due to weather. I'll try again this weekend, hopefully the weather gets better.
 
I've got an A1 and A2 that are barely under the MOA guarantee as well. Both took a considerable amount of load development to get down to .75 MOA for five shots. I think the test target for the A1 is .95". I don't remember seeing one for the A2, but I bought it NIB from a retailer.

I also have a first gen SPR with the 26" barrel and HS stock. I got it pretty well used, but not abused. I skim bedded it when I brought it home. I know that I shot a single box of 168gr FGMM when I got it, and that it was under MOA...but I don't recall being super excited about the groups. Then I tried ONE hunting handload in it...damn thing shot .419" for five shots. Loaded some more up and it'll keep that accuracy up as far as my skill level will...which diminishes to about 1 MOA at about 400 yards. It was my go-to hunting rifle the last three seasons.

I also have an M24R that would only shoot in the .9" range with factory 7.62x51 and .308 175gr FGMM...pretty frustrating. After considerable load development for that rifle though I can usually squeeze out five shots into the .4 - .5 range. That barrel is finicky as hell...literally .3gr either way and you're back close to MOA.

I am beginning to think I have a .308 curse. Everything shoots well enough to keep, but I'm not able to jump on the interwebs and brag about a 1/4 MOA rifle. I also shoot 4x5 or 5x5 for an average, so maybe that hurts me a bit too :D.
 
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Did the A5M have a accuracy guarantee?
No idea where you could get a chrome lined barrel, but you can get a barrel melonited.
My rifle shoots like a house on fire, but I have contemplated getting it rebarreled to 25 creedmoor or 6.5x47. Wonder if a FN takeoff would index?

I have a spr action and my takeoff a3g barrel. I had mentioned previously in the thread of having those two put together and dropping it into a mcmillan stock I also have. Was advised that the relief cut in the barrel would not line up with the action. Plan is to eventually put the original action/barrel together and turn the other action into a hunting rifle.
 
I'd say my SPR is a 5/8" gun. So that's .6 MOA. I have a more accurate gun, but I like the SPR better.
 
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