FN or R700?

[c17driver]

Hi, new to the forum, but have done quite a lot of browsing over the last few weeks.

This is my situation,

I am in the market for a good rifle for 500+ YRD shooting at the range and in the field.

I have decided I want to do .308 because it's right there with the 7.62 that i know and respect, and I already have the dies.

The first rifle I acquired was an Accuracy Int. in .308 but sold it when I moved back to the states; looking at prices for the newer models and prices I can't justify spending that amount of money at the moment, and not many seem to be widely available, and my M1 is not exactly the gun I want to shoot 500 rounds a month in, as it is pretty old, I don't want to ruin something. My target is 2000-3000 all said and done. I plan to recycle my Nikon lens and bipod etc... so all I am concerned about is the rifle itself.

I was looking into the FN a5 series because I am familiar with their other product lines and can appreciate the quality, but I am tempted to go with the R700 XCR LR because of the price and some favourable reviews. I found it for around 1200USD out the door, and the FNA5 for about 2250USD. I am planning to get an adj cheek piece if I get the R700, or possibly the AI conversion kit, and leaving the FN stock until i know where i sit with it, so the difference out the door should be about 1K USD unless I go with the kit.

I guess my main question is, what would be a better waste of my money.... i mean investment.

My second question is how does the grip compare to an M1 or M14, the only non pistol grip or thumb holed rifles I have shot. The FN looks more comfortable than the R700...

Thanks

 

[DangerFirst]

Re: FN or R700?

Build.

 

[c17driver]

Re: FN or R700?

yea that seems like a good idea, I can pick up the AI chassis with the folding stock for about 1000USD. Are the mid range R700's as good? I saw some for like 800 something MSRP and 700 something. I am wondering if i should go for the more expensive one, or if I do that am i just paying for a chassis I am not gonna use.

 

[NOBODYSHERE]

Re: FN or R700?

I'm anti-CRF as a whole,though I prolly slum more than I'd confess too(including an SPR).

Donor actions are still 300 a pop and a killer blank no more than that. Install pricing runs the gamut,but I'd not be into the barreled action for more than 800 clams on the outside. that leaves you the latitudes to throat/twist as per whim and also concentrate on balance/handling,as per contour selection and it's length. I'd never go more than 23" on a 308(if only because I have).

The more you've an understanding of what does what,the happier you'll be in the end. If unsure,gun an LTR and rock on.

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: FN or R700?

By Build I think Larry means grab a take-off remington receiver, purchase a quality barrel and stock, and have the barrel screwed on by a competent smith. For an investment much less than the options you noted, you can have a rifle that performs exceptionally well. You end up paying a lot of money for other "frills" and "niceties", that may not really increase the performance of your rifle.

For example, there have been a few receivers here of late sell for $375. Buy a good barrel for $300, have your action trued and the barrel chambered for $200. Buy a McMillan A-series stock for $525. Net cost around $1400. Now, start adding DBM's, adjustable stocks and the like, and the cost goes up quickly.

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: FN or R700?

Oops - too slow.

 

[NOBODYSHERE]

Re: FN or R700?

If the stars align,$1K for a turnkey rifle is certainly doable.

 

[c17driver]

Re: FN or R700?

oye... This is getting technical..

the xcr is a 26 inch, so the cost/performance ratio does not really justify that over the other R700s? I gather that i would be just paying for the "frills."

I guess what I am trying to say is that building a rifle sounds like it's gonna be a lot more work than I really have time for. I am looking for something to where I can come home from a 2 week trip and go to the range or go out in the field for a few days and bag something. I am looking for something I can "grow" with as my LR shooting gets better. I mean OTS doesn't teach much other than basic rifle, and I am not infantry, so I don't shoot unless I pay for it for the most part. I want to buy something that is gonna be a good starting point but still comparable to the AI .308 I am used to. My main concern is that I don't want to go cheap and regret going cheap, and end up paying more for my kit than if i would have gone with something better.
Case in point, guy talked me into an Springfield XD rather than the USP 45 compact that i wanted and trained with. Ended up selling the XD for a loss and getting the USP after about a month.

---

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: FN or R700?

Had you considered a 5r and if desired can mod later?

 

[c17driver]

Re: FN or R700?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ghogs Nightmare</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Had you considered a 5r and if desired can mod later? </div></div>


I looked at the 5r along with the other 700 series they put out, and would be willing to use it as a base platform, but I don't know if it's gonna be better to start with something else as a base and build on that.... I am not that familiar with Remington. I saw one for about $800, and that is really cheap if it's a good piece of equipment to begin with.