Rifle advice please, FN SPR A1 or Tikka T3X Tac A1

[bnanaphone]

I currently have an SPR A1 with the action bedded into an A4 stock (with adjustable cheek riser and LOP), the FN bottom metal with 1-10 and 1-5 round magazine, SilencerCo brake for my Specwar762 and a large bolt knob with roughly 500 rounds through it. It is an excellent shooter but chambered in .308 and I am getting more into LR comps and want to switch over to 6.5 creedmoor.

I am debating weather I sould have my current rifle rebarreled or sell it to fund the purchase of the new Tikka Tac A1? If I sell my rifle, the funds should cover the cost of the Tikka. If I have my gun rebarreled, I am looking at $500-700-ish out of pocket, digging into ammo funds.

For those of you whom have experience with both rifles, which is the better bet for longevity and reliability?

I appreciate the help.

 

[308pirate]

Rebarrel: no question. It's a controlled round feed Winchester Model 70, longevity and reliability are a given. You will gain nothing in longevity and reliability and will lose controlled round feeding with a Tikka.

I'm assuming the FN shoots lights out and you are comfortable shooting it from every position

You're gonna eat into your ammo funds for rebarreling sooner or later so that's a non-issue

 

[BangBangBlatBlat]

My main experience is with the FN. I have an A1 that I changed over to 260 Remington that I used for PRS matches.

My FN worked very well.

I now shoot a Surgeon, so I can compare those.

The FN has a better safety, and a better extractor. It also single-feeds a little easier due to the coned bolt face.

My Surgeon has a way better trigger. I am actually going to put a CG trigger on the FN at some point so they are the same.

The firing pin fall on the FN seems pretty heavy. It might actually benefit from one of the Tubb speedlock kits.

The Surgeon is smoother. But I can always feel when a round is stripped from a magazine in the FN. It has a very good but mechanical feel to it.

My FN is only 11 pounds with a Medium Palma barrel. It's great as a do everything rifle, but my Surgeon is better for comps. Heavier rifles are just easier to shoot off sand bags.

I like fiberglass stocks better than chassis. With so many rail systems coming out, it's now possible to get similar functionality from a normal stock and a chassis.

I moved away from 308 because I didn't think it was good enough. Now I'm using both 308 for training, and 6.5 Creedmoor for matches. It's hard to be able to train as much as I want to with how finite barrel life on Creedmoor can be.

The other eventuality with upgrading the FN is that you can keep the factory barrel. You can turn the rifle into a switch barrel setup with a barrel vice, rear entry action wrench, and a torque wrench. Properly done, you wouldn't have to remove the action from the stock.

 

[bnanaphone]

308pirate, you make some great points and I agree with you. I think I was just trying to avoid finding a smith and spending the money for the rebarrel. The rifle is a fantastic shooter too.

BangBangBlatBlat, I will look into the Tubb kit. I have had the trigger adjusted and it works fine for me. I am sure an aftermarket unit would make it better.

I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Txmxracer]

I was in the same boat last year. Decided to have mine rebarreled to 6.5 creed and couldn't be happier.

 

[Serpico1985]

Only thing I'll add is that if you get into aftermarket trigger or chassis's the FN can be tricky. I have a FN PBR that GA Precision trued and re barreled. When I bought the XTSP 2 stage for it I had to send the barreled action to XTSP to get them to install due to tolerance issues. Also, in speaking with XLR they commented that sometimes customers have fitment issues when they order chassis cut for the Winchester/FN and have to send them to XLR to get them tweaked. Just a thought if your considering either of those parts. Both of these potential issues are due to the somewhat loosey-goosey tolerances/specs of the FN/Winchester receivers. Love the FN otherwise.

 

[PBWalsh]

I deeply regret selling my A1. I personally would not have traded it for a Tikka. I don’t have any experience with Tikka’s but to me, the FN’s action inspried confidence.

 

[M77]

i would definitely be keeping the FN

 

[bnanaphone]

Thank you guuys for all the info and thoughts. Looks like I will be keeping my rifle and have it re-barreled. This is the course I wanted the whole time but that Tikka had me curious.

Appreciate it.