FN SPR am I expecting to much ?

[matchman]

I have one of the Tac Cord A1 FN SPR. A nice bed job (non pillar) and trigger job was done.
My best 5 shot 100yd group .750 with Hand Load 155Grn Sierria HPBT /46grn varget/laupa case.
I guiess when you adverage the groups its just a MOA rifle.
Groups open up more with 175Grn HPBT.
This was with a fore end sled in a hart Rest and rear bag. (my benchrest equipment)
Im really un impressed. Im going to work the load more and try 168 HPBT, but
I think I have just a Ho (non)-hum barrel.

 

[c4xplsv]

I had good results with my spr using 168 SMK, 43gr 4064, CCI 200, and lapua brass - 2.80". I've not used Varget so I can't help there.

FN tests these guns with FGMM 168's. If nothing else, try a few of those and see how it shoots.

Best of luck

 

[Bp44]

I feel your pain, I tried fgmm 175's out of my SPR A1a recently and it printed an honest 1-1.25 MOA. On the flip side with 37.2 grns of WC844 and 175 SMK's loaded to 2.980" it shoots an Honest .250-.500 MOA group.

You have to find what they like

 

[stockdoc]

I would measure the throat and see how far the bullets have to jump to get to rifling, then adjust the seating depth to bring the ogive of the bullet closer (without affecting feeding) to the leade. Adjust up and down until you hit a node the rifle likes. Good luck!

 

[diderr]

I wouldn't give up on the rifle just trying one bullet, charge weight. Try 168s/ 175s. The Varget and the lapua brass should stay, but go two grains below published max then work up to max in .5 grain increments. The problem youre having is the SPR isn't throated for 155s. It was throated for 168/175 matchkings. I've been "lucky" in mine with the one 155 load I've tried, but it's widely inconsistent. Like stockdoc said it's probably "jumping" too much, and you'll need to seat them closer to your lands to shrink the group, but it will only shrink a little if any.

 

[Win.308]

I tried a bunch of different combos with 155s out of mine with little luck. It just didn't seem to do well with the 155s, on a side note the other loads I've tried with 168s Barnes x for hunting and sierra match kings for target have been impressive. I've not tried any 175s through it yet but it was pretty forgiving with the 168s over varget

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[muggs13]

Typically I could get an average of .75 with a few flyers. I loved the action and stock but the consistent accuracy was not there. I have a 700 that shoots much better and after many different types of match grade ammo I knew it was just the best my FN could do. Im not complaining the factory advised 1 moa or better.....

The FN is away right now getting a new barrell and a bedding.

 

[K_4c]

OP stated his groups open up more with 175's....

For testing purposes, I'd load a few long (just off the lands) and single feed them.... in my experience, the seating depth has been more of a crucial aspect to accuracy then powder...

best of luck.

 

[Quarter Horse]

My SPR is one of the early rifles from New Haven so I don't know whether these observations will apply to yours. Using factory ammo my rifle shot FGMM in the fives with 168s and in the sixes-sevens with SW Ammo's 175s using Lapua brass. Handloads were +/-.5" with either bullet using Varget. My rifle is relatively short throated with a max. OAL of 2.85" using 168s, .015" off was most consistent but there was little difference.

Charge weights on both 168s and 175s exceed Sierra's max but are under Hodgdon's recommended max. As always, approach with caution.

If you're using a Hart rest etc. you've probably put many rounds downrange. Still, consider that many of the reported groups, both by posters and makers, are three not five shots. My SPR has produced successive three shot groups in the ones and twos on a given day.

 

[peaceatwar]

MY SPR shot lights out. This might be reloader not rifle. Whats your OAL? I've seen my load with 155 Scenars shot well in several rifles. 155 Scenars, 46.5grs varget, winchester case, 210M primer. 2.8" COAL

 

[srt-4_uk]

check for chrome flaking

 

[DropinLead]

Definitely check barrel for chrome issues. My SPR would shoot under 1/2 groups, problem is shoot 20 rounds and the groups would wander and every time I pulled the trigger it was like someone kicked the barrel to the left. No hop, just a hard jerk to the left. People will say it is technique, except it does not happen with the Remington 700's I also shoot.

My SPR liked the 168 FGMM's over the 175's for sure. It REALLY liked the 178 AMAX! With that the groups were actually super impressive. Mike actually does a GREAT job bedding I agree.

My overall take is the SPR was a great tactical rifle and if your into shooting steel at 600 yd in the desert that gun is great. If you want FClass groups of 15 out of 20 shots at .5 moa and none over 1 MOA at 300 yards you got the wrong gun. You know that though.

Some may do it though the SPR had a lot of variation. A recent test I saw on a popular site that tests and documents guns and published data about loads etc... showed the newer GAP bedded SPR they got actually shot worse than the older A4 version you got, the shiny new $3500 dollar one had trouble breaking 1MOA and the old one was close to 1/4". Read reports of SPR's shooting 1/4 and some shooting 1.75.

Overall I wold say My SPR was a 1MOA gun using 168 FGMM that did shoot 1/4 MOA groups from time to time. Inside my 2 inch group there were definitely smaller 1/4 groups.

My gun cut group size way down with 178 AMAX from SW Ammo. Did not have any luck with their SMK's in my gun though.

BTW mine is getting re-barreled as we speak.
Best of luck brother!