SCAR17 - To Creedmoor or not?

[alpine44]

Got a SCAR17 recently and the first loads I threw together hastily are already well under 1 MOA. One group was 3 in one hole and the remaining two shots opened the group up to .75 center to center. I hate to admit it but the factory trigger may be a little too demanding for me. I could live with the drag but the weight of the stock trigger is just insane.

I was initially concerned about the way FN mounts the barrel in the receiver. Instead of free floating from the extension on forward (like an AR10 barrel) the SCAR barrel is fixed additionally at the front of the receiver close to the gas block. After the first range session I am beginning to wonder whether the additional barrel support might be an asset of this platform. I need to do a whole lot more testing but this guns seem relatively insensitive to powder charges and bullet weight. With a decent bullet and reasonable powders it just shoots very well for a run of the mill gasser.

However, the 16" 1-12 twist barrel is going to limit the range for the 7.62 and I am contemplating to make a barrel assembly in 6.5 Creedmoor for the SCAR17.

Has this been done before? Does anyone sell SCAR17 barrels in 6.5 Creedmoor? Who sells the SCAR17 extension and gas block? (They are listed as "out of stock" at HDD and Midwest.)

The reason I am leaning towards the 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win or other cartridges is that I recently re-barreled a Savage 99 lever action to 6.5CM. The rotary magazine (originally for .300 Savage) is a little short for the 140gr AMAX factory load but everything else feeds beautifully.

I have been hunting with the 6.5x55 for over 20 year and now having that performance in a shorter cartridge just makes you want to tinker.

 

[svxwilson]

I looked for a 260 or 6.5 cm barrel for my SCAR17 and had no luck. Just ended up buying another AR in 6.5cm instead. I would like to hear news of someone making them other than HDD as they never reply and never have them in Stock.

 

[agbm]

Here you go, SOCOM is doing conversions!!!!!!
http://kitup.military.com/2010/06/socom-developing-caliber-conversion-for-scar.html
http://hi-desertdog.com/scar-info.html
http://hi-desertdog.com/fnh-scar-/barrels-conversion-kits-.html

 

[alpine44]

Here you go, SOCOM is doing conversions!!!!!!
http://kitup.military.com/2010/06/socom-developing-caliber-conversion-for-scar.html
SCAR ENHANCEMENTS by HDD TACTICAL - hi-desertdog.com - (Powered by CubeCart)
Hi-desertdog FNH parts - hi-desertdog.com - (Powered by CubeCart)

Thanks. According to the article, SOCOM wants to convert between the beaten, old NATO horses 5.56 and 7.62. Fortunately, as civilians we have better options and learn quicker from our experiences.

When I started hunting as a student, I chose the .223 (later glorified into the 5.56x45mm) because it was the cheapest round still barely legal for deer. I lived in Germany where hunting ammo was outrageously expensive and I helped a friend managing the hunting lease he had inherited from his father. We had to kill 80+ deer a year between the two of us and some friends to satisfy the quota set by the state. All deer I shot went eventually to the butcher but a lot of them ran quite a bit. Close to the border I opted for head shots or, if too dicey, waited for a better day. Fortunately for a hunter, deer do not shoot back.

When we were getting invaded with wild boar I upgraded to the 7.62x51 that I was familiar with from my mandatory stint in the Bundeswehr. That round puts game down with authority but you need a heavier gun and the trajectory is not that great. Back then, hunters did not have sniper turrets on their scope.

Through a great hunting opportunity in the Alps I was introduced to the 6.5x55 which, in my opinion, is the best of both world. It shoots pleasantly from light guns and the impressive sectional density knocks everything down in Europe and North America with maybe the exceptions of the Big Bruins in AK. Due to their high BC, the bullets fly far and flat. If that is not enough, there is the 6.5x68 (similar to a 264 WinMag) which still recoils tolerably in light mountain guns but barks viciously and burns barrels rather fast.

Back in the flatlands I continued to use the 6.5x55 with the heavy Nosler Partition that was very reliable on boar and did not tear the deer up either. The 7.62 began to collect dust and the 5.56 had long been sold.

Long story short: SOCOM should realize that 5.56 is too little on all counts, 7.62 is too much close-up and still range limited, but a 6.5 in a modern 45-48mm case knocks stuff down and goes the distance in a very pleasant manner.

 

[alpine44]

<snip>....the way FN mounts the barrel in the receiver. Instead of free floating from the extension on forward (like an AR10 barrel) the SCAR barrel is fixed additionally at the front of the receiver close to the gas block.....

CORRECTION: The barrel of the SCAR17 does free float from the extension on forward. The front screws on the receiver just hold the lower Picatinny rail via a bridge that wraps around the barrel without touching it.

 

[ddavis]

I'd save up for a SCAR if someone made a 6.5 CM barrel.

 

[USGILT]

"HDD is bad juju stay away!"

I would ask the question what do you want the rifle to do?

From what you have described above I think you would be better served with a GAP10 / REPR, bolt gun, etc for your intended purpose. Or if/when FNH ever decides to produce the MK20 for civilian hands…... don’t hold your breath.

If you’re looking for a SHTF /woods rifle the unmodified SCAR17s has to be one of my favorite general purpose .308/7.62 rifles on the market.

It looks like FNH broke all the rules on a battle rifle built for accuracy but they just seem to consistently shoot well. Light weight chrome lined barrel, extruded aluminum receiver, wobbly polymer stock, polymer lower, and gritty heavy trigger. But the rifle consistently turns in 1" or better accuracy at 100yards.

I'm a traditionalist so my vote is to keep it stock other than replace the trigger with a Geissele/Timmney depending on what your shooting style is.

 

[Cobracutter]

I would love to a a 17 in 6.5CM. It wouldnt replace the current 17, but I think it would be an amazing platform.

Hopefully Hi desert gets working and producing them or someone else picks up the slack. The SCAR is an just an amazing piece of engineering and execution, and has not got close to reaching its potential yet.