Gunsmithing Are FN Actions more difficult to barrel up?

[WT1]

I was chatting with a barrel maker at a train up for competing in the Wisconsin Precision Rifle Steel Challenge (WPRSC on FB) and mentioned I had a line on a like new FN action with a 300 WSM bolt face. He recommended simply using a Remington Action because, he said, seating the barrel on an FN action (Winchester Claw Extractor) was much more difficult than simply using a Remington 700 action. I have an FN PBR which I like very much, which also has the claw extractor, and am considering the FN WSM bolt face action to match up with a custom barrel.

I don't want to discount what he said about seating a barrel with an FN action, but was wondering what all is involved in comparison to seating the barrel on a Remington 700 or Savage action compared to the FN action?

Does anyone have any experiences they can share?

 

[linedrive301ft]

I have 2 FN actions that I have built on and they are smooth. Go ahead, you won't be disappointed. Smith has to cut an extractor groove. No big deal.

 

[WT1]

OK, I'm guessing that is what he was referring to when he said it's more work. Yes, I like the claw extractor myself. Flings the brass quite a bit but nothing like a claw extractor when you are hunting where there is dangerous game.

 

[moosemeat]

Not a gunsmith and don't pretend to be but a FN is a flat bottom action and is more difficult to fixture. However and good Smith should be able to knock it out. I KNOW Chad at LRI can and will. Moon at Cresent Customs also does.

 

[Ledzep]

You have to make a square cut in the breech face for the claw extractor. There's a conical breech vs. the remington "3 rings" counterbore setup. And obviously a different thread pitch/dia.

The extractor cut being the biggest difference and "extra" work required. Has to be timed correctly so that it's exactly at 3 O'clock when the barrel is torqued on the receiver, and have the correct clearance for the extractor, but not be too deep to give unsupported case web.

 

[WT1]

I think I'm going to pass on the action. Sounds like a lot of work. It's 300 WSM bolt face and unless I went with 270 WSM on it I don't see it being worth the time.

 

[blackblue]

Extractor cut is the only extra step and was no extra cost involved when Moon did my build. It would be a nice action for a 6.5 4s.

 

[mrbig]

I have a Win M70 Classic Featherweight 270 WSM that was made in the last year at New Haven,,it is a really nice walnut stocked dark blued rifle but doesnt shoot real good,,1.25 MOA 3 shot average,,I would love to have it done in 6.5 Gap..

 

[northern50]

Shit no. The Winchester mod 70's and the FN's are awesome actions, awesome extractors, and no bullshit recoil lug to deal with. I'd 100% take an FN or winny any day over a 700. Where you at in Wi?

 

[mdmp5]

You have to make a square cut in the breech face for the claw extractor. There's a conical breech vs. the remington "3 rings" counterbore setup. And obviously a different thread pitch/dia.

The extractor cut being the biggest difference and "extra" work required. Has to be timed correctly so that it's exactly at 3 O'clock when the barrel is torqued on the receiver, and have the correct clearance for the extractor, but not be too deep to give unsupported case web.

This sums it up perfectly. For a skilled smith, this is no problem at all. I was in the shop when SAC rebarreled my SPR in 6.5x47L. In my opinion, I think the FN action is much more reliable when it comes to extraction and ejection than the Remington.

 

[Messmaker]

I'm a hobby gunsmith but I've done a couple of win/fn actions and there is not all that much different than doing any other action. If your smith is truing off of the outside of a cylindrical action you shouldn't use him anyways. Using an action jig and truing to the centerline of the bolt bore raceway is IMHO the best way to true an action. If it's done this way it's the same tooling for a win or a rem action. I'm also partial to the claw extractor, mechanical ejector and itregal recoil lug.

 

[LRI]

We were mentioned, so here's the pitch:

How we duz itz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNy7SSYHWsc

No difference on a Winny or FN. We do some extra stuff though:

Machine the entire bottom of the action, that's first op. Gotta be nice n flat for the fixture to work right.
Taper the lead side of the recoil lug, peels out of bedding easier
New threads entirely. 1-1/16x18. Virgin material, laser straight.

Easy stuff.

 

[Messmaker]

We were mentioned, so here's the pitch:

How we duz itz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNy7SSYHWsc

No difference on a Winny or FN. We do some extra stuff though:

Machine the entire bottom of the action, that's first op. Gotta be nice n flat for the fixture to work right.
Taper the lead side of the recoil lug, peels out of bedding easier
New threads entirely. 1-1/16x18. Virgin material, laser straight.

Easy stuff.

I would love to see the machining that goes on in your shop.

 

[LRI]

I would love to see the machining that goes on in your shop.

Just look from wherever you live to where I live. The black cloud? Yeah, those are cuss words...lol. A machine shop vocabulary tends to parallel that of war criminals.