Re: FN SPR questions
mike,
First off, thanks for bearing with my questions!
Frankly, I don't have a massive preference between the two. I really like the classic lines and cut checkering, but I also really like the composite tacticool look.
My concern over the super grade exist around the mandated blue finish (SS preferred) and less on the caliber front. In bolt action, I have stuck to my swede milsurps (I used to own, well, a lot, but the herd has been thinned to just the gems). So if I am abandoning my 6.5x55, then I'm not really tied to any particular caliber. I also shoot 30-06 in my 1903's and already reload for it. Given the minor trade offs in 308->30-06, I don't view that as a terribly bad thing. That said, I appreciate lower recoil (shoulder injury), so I was thinking of going with 270. Still pondering on that front, suffice to say.
To cure the blue finish problem, there is also the extreme weather version.
Accuracy claims have been sub .5 moa with the Super Grade, which is of course luring.
On the flip side, the SPR has more than enough accuracy (I want 1moa or less, bonus for sub .75/8... anything more than that is great, but is worth little more to me than bragging rights which I'm not going to waste money/time on) and there is no problem with the McMillan stock.
My aim in the rifle is to be reliable, accurate and something to build on and replace parts for years to come. Hence the importance on the parts. Tactical concerns are nice, but I don't see any major, mind-numbing trade offs to a wood stock (yes, wood presents maintenance concerns, warping, etc). A lot of fantastic snipers used wood stocks on M70s and 700's. I am trying to keep the rifle a tad lighter, something to sling and walk a distance (which of course leans towards composite).
As a note, the extreme weather I believe comes in other caliber options.
As an additional note, I will probably, if I really like it, end up with one wood stock and the other composite (and if not more beyond that).
So in sum:
M70 (various models) unique pros:
Guaranteed parts compatibility and supply
Available in more calibers (though not my 6.5x55)
About $500-700 cheaper
FN SPR unique pros:
Fantastic stocks
Comes with rails for scope mounting
Comes loaded with features as standard
Fully accurized and trued actions (this is an advantage over the lower model M70's, though the higher model ones have these... or at least they must to achieve the accuracy claims)
Hello All,
