FN SPR Build

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wichitaguns

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Jun 7, 2012
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#1
Just (like 10 mins aGo) purchased 2 fn spr actions. Will be looking to build a "light weight" do all rifle.
thhinking 308 with. 1/10 twist.
decisions to be made are smith...leaning towars chad at lri and stock/chassis.
any input on a ligjt weig ht chassis... For the mod 70 action?
Also barrel profile? Debating flutes for weight
 
#2
My main precision rifle match rifle is an FN SPR in a Manners T3, CDI bottom metal to use AICS magazines, and Rock Creek barrel originally built in 308 by AJ Brown. It was a hammer but I have since had Wade Stuteville rebarrel it with a Bartlein barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor. I've had LRI do work for me and I would have confidence in their work on a Win 70 action. I really like the SPR action or any controlled round feed, fixed ejector Winchester 70 action. It's very smooth and has been rock solid reliable in dirty dusty match conditions. For light weight as in a hunting rifle, why not a 6.5 mm caliber? Also for a barrel for a lightweight build, I'd be going with a Proof carbon fiber barrel. For a lightweight chassis, I'd consider the KRG Bravo, I really like its ergonomics and affordability and it's fairly lightweight. If you're willing to spend more and can wait about 8 months, you can do like I did and order a Manners T2AGAP in carbon fiber it is lightweight like around 3 lbs..

My bad, the KRG Bravo is not available for a Win 70.

As to your questions on barrel profile, etc, I'd choose your rifle builder and then work out the details with them.
 
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#4
Nice action choice, big fan!

For a utility .308 bolt, I'd look at a Bartlien 3B/Light Palma contour at 16.5-20". Stock would be a Manners EH1/T1/T6 Platinum or a McMillian HTG/A1-3/A3 EDGE. Combine that with a lighter weight (sub 24oz) optic (such as an SWFA 3-9) and a flush cup mounted shooting sling and you'll easily have less than 10 pounds in the rifle and retain 90%+ of the capability of an 18 pound competition rifle.

KRG does not make any chassis for the FN action. XLR does make one though if you want a chassis.
 
#5
Manners flat top in your choice. Have Chad do a surface inlet on it. I, for a hunting rifle, really like the eh1. Have a 3b spun up for it or 4.
This is a build I have thought about a lot on my winny featherweight(mine is a wsm action). My dream is eh1 or 2 with a floorplate, bartlien #4 10 twist at 22" in 300WSM and iron sights. I would also mount a nice a scope (probably something by nightforce on the smaller mag side). I think all hunting rifles should have iron sights.
 
#6
Save yourself a boat load of cash a d buy one of the mcm a3 stocks and a tbm system from Midwest. Send the action to Chad for barrel/true ect. Send the stock to Joe ducos for install of cheek rest. Have someone local do the bedding.
 
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#7
I like the idea of the manners mini chassis..no worrying about bedding etc. I will probably have to scrap the dbm and mag system tat comes wit the action if i go the mini chassis route. Which is fine...j ust a slight added expense
 
#12
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/SPR001-013

+

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/62224
and scrap the stock.

Used to be a A3 or A4 stock plus TBM for $400. Add $50 for the Ops INC titanium 20moa Base. I bought a couple of them a few years ago for builds.

You can buy the Stock, DBM, and Action for around $900. Add barrel and smithing and for under $2K you can have a custom FN SPRish in 6.5CM or similar. For those that love the Win 70, its a no brainer. Getting ready to send one out to get a hawk hill 6.5 barrel screwed on mine.
 
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#13
Primus said:
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/SPR001-013

+

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/62224
and scrap the stock.

Used to be a A3 or A4 stock plus TBM for $400. Add $50 for the Ops INC titanium 20moa Base. I bought a couple of them a few years ago for builds.

You can buy the Stock, DBM, and Action for around $900. Add barrel and smithing and for under $2K you can have a custom FN SPRish in 6.5CM or similar. For those that love the Win 70, its a no brainer. Getting ready to send one out to get a hawk hill 6.5 barrel screwed on mine.
Click to expand...

What contour? Curious because I’m thinking of a MTU contour and unsure what size inlet the A3 has

Oh and if ya keep telling everyone about those FN deals there won’t be none left ?
 
#14
Marksman. The stocks are already channeled for the heavy SPR profile barrels.

Im not a fan on the MTU/M40, just way too heavy for anything but a benchrest gun. Medium Palma or Sendero IMO. The Marksman is a nice compromise too.
 
#15
My mistake everyone, Manners mini chassis are not available for the FN SPR nor is the KRG Bravo I wasn't thinking when I typed that. In that case I'd order a flat top Manners stock of your choice and have Long Rifles Inc. do a surface inlet as part of their build.
 
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#16
I got mine factory in an A3. Ducos did the cheek piece and it has been my go to rifle, even with the single stage factory Winchester trigger. Very comfy and shoots lights out. CDI bottom metal btw

C0578313-FD24-4106-A947-54DBD7E8FFE5.jpeg
 
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#17
nice looking rifle.
So i checked the description on the website and it clearly states it is a controlled rounf feed bolt...but the picture does not show the mauser style claw...which now raises a question as to whether i bought a crf action without the claw extractor. THat was one of the fn/win action variants.looks like i need to call midwest gun works tomorrow and check.
Here is the listing
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/FNPBR1
Compared to this
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/fnpbr3.
The descriptions of the actions are identiical eventh though the pic is different
 
#18
The claw is the main defining characteristic of the pre 64 design. I’ve never heard of one without it, but I’m no historian neither
 
#19
That is what i gatheresd..the question then becomes
1 is the picture wrong and my action actually has the claw vs
2 the description is semiaccurate i i boughy a crpf (control round push feed) action...which would be not great but noy terrible either. Ill have to call an check tomorrow
 
#21
I can't get the attachment to load but that could be my isp ! . My first rifle was a post 64 push feed 30/06 light weight carbine with a pencil contour 16" barrel . It shot OK and never failed to feed or extract , it did beat the shit out of my shoulder and I got alot of dirty looks from anyone on the bench next to me while testing loads . I full length bedded the action and barrel and got better accuracy , my first venture into accurizing !
Either way these actions are solid and the triggers are very good also . Hmmmmm ! , I better check my credit union account balance .
 
#22
wichitaguns said:
nice looking rifle.
So i checked the description on the website and it clearly states it is a controlled rounf feed bolt...but the picture does not show the mauser style claw...which now raises a question as to whether i bought a crf action without the claw extractor. THat was one of the fn/win action variants.looks like i need to call midwest gun works tomorrow and check.
Here is the listing
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/FNPBR1
Compared to this
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/fnpbr3.
The descriptions of the actions are identiical eventh though the pic is different
Click to expand...
The rifle action in the first link is definitely a push feed. Hopefully you get what you wanted.
 
#24
Skookum said:
The rifle action in the first link is definitely a push feed. Hopefully you get what you wanted.
Click to expand...
I think your right. The part of tge bokt thats burnished was what I thought was the kick out on the extracter. Still, the crpf actions are flat bottomed, stiff and generally pretty straight. Plus it comes with dbm and rail... still not a bad buy.

The heading says pbr action. Dead give away. All pbr actions where crpf.
 
#25
FN had three versions of the M70SA
CRF - Claw extractor
PF - Push Feed with sliding plate extractor, cartridge is pushed into the chamber and the extractor snaps over the rim
CPF - Sliding plate extractor with bottom of boltface machined out allowing the cartridge rim to slide up under the extractor

To my knowledge all 0.470" SPR's are CRF. PBR's can be CRF or PF, depending on when they were made and what chambering. PBR-XP's in think are CRF.
 
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#26
moosemeat said:
I think your right. The part of tge bokt thats burnished was what I thought was the kick out on the extracter. Still, the crpf actions are flat bottomed, stiff and generally pretty straight. Plus it comes with dbm and rail... still not a bad buy.
Click to expand...
I personally like the Winchester pushfeeds. The stigma simply comes from the "Winchester guys" wanting the CRF.

The way the winchester mag works, the round is captured until the nose is well into the chamber anyway. And the funky looking follower works perfectly to guide it in at the correct angle. Other than tradition, there really is no real need for the CRF.

One thing that needed done on my shooting partners rifle, was the firing pin had to be reduced and bushed. It was ungodly big (.079" I think ) and was cratering and piercing primers well below max pressure. Maybe @ken226 can chime in, he is the one with the rifle and did the bushing.
 
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#28
The SPRs have a pretty big firing pin and with higher pressure loads, or softer primer cups will crater and blank badly. I bushed mine to .062 and cured that.

The action in the first link is a CRF. The picture appears to show a push feed, but the text description states that it comes with a CRF bolt.

These actions are a pleasure to work on and are very true out of the box.

Dont bother buying an aftermarket trigger. A competent smith can make the FN trigger into a fantastic trigger.

If you need any drawings for the tenon, floorplate or pillars, i made and posted technical drawings and solid models of my work on grabcad.com
 
#29
HEy...good to know there are win70 crowd in a rem 700 world. Lol.
i think i will be happy either way. I think the win70 crfp are fine, just confused as to what i just bought. If it is a crfp i can see not investing as much in a build.
buffymaster nailed it with the listing of win70 variants. Intrestingly the win 70 crpf is most lkely the forebearer of the mcmillian crf action.
i called midwest but the lady answering the phone was not all that familiar with the technical minutia. Not that i would expect her to be. I may call back and ask to speak to an in-house technical guy.
the burnished area looks like it may have housed the connecting ring for the mauser claw. dont know what would cause that burnishimg patern on a crfp.
i will keep yall updated.
 
#30
I’m pretty sure all of the FN SPR actions that were made are controlled round feed. Other than the AIAW, my other precision rifles are Rem 700 footprint push round feed actions and I love being able buy chassis or stocks with mini chassis and bolt them in myself, but my FN SPR action works flawlessly and it's the rifle I'm shooting the most right now.

One suggestion that I would give you is whatever you do for the rest of your build get the CDI bottom metal and get your stock inletted for it. This will allow you to use any AICS magazine instead of the proprietary FN magazines which are harder to find and more expensive.
 
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#33
I got my FN mags on Ebay for 55.00 each with free shipping.

FN E-Store is selling them for abouf the same price, but with about 9$ shipping. But FN gives u a free hat or t-shirt with the purchase.

I used a CDI for years in a Howa. The quality was great and the mags work well, but
I just replaced the PTG bottom metal and AE-MK1 mag setup on my SPR with a TBM setup and it feeds better.

The FN mags are slick, they feed great. The FN bottom metal uses an ambi push button release and the bottom metal is steel.

Either would be a good choice. My own personal preference though is the FN bottom metal. The FN mags are readily available, cheaper than the AICS mags (albeit not cheaper than the magpul aics mags)
 
#36
Skookum said:
One thing that needed done on my shooting partners rifle, was the firing pin had to be reduced and bushed. It was ungodly big (.079" I think ) and was cratering and piercing primers well below max pressure. Maybe @ken226 can chime in, he is the one with the rifle and did the bushing.
Click to expand...

Interesting you said this, I just shipped my bolt off today to have it "Bushed" by Gre-Tan Rifles. I bought a Manners and an FN CRF action off of GB and had a rifle built by Diamond T Rifles out of Craigmont Idaho (see pic above #20) its in 6.5 CM and I shoot Lapua small primer brass. I too experienced blown primers at low pressures, 1500 rounds later and I'm finally getting it fixed. Other than an occasional blown primer, the action has been superb and the FN bottom metal has worked excellent. After 1500 rounds, it is finally breaking in and cycling pretty smooth.
 
#37
I had a FN A3G years ago. Had bartlein put a new barrel on it after several years of shooting. The bartlein barrel that they put on it shot outstanding. I still regret selling it. It was a great set up.
Xdeano
 
#39
Whatever you decide, send it to LRI for action/trigger work and barreling. They are one of the few Smith's who really understand how to get a crf to run and tune the extractor. They can also clean up the fantastic stock trigger. A proof would be awesome on there.
 
#44
OK , let's get this build going ! , I'm thinking LRI for the heavy work and would like some input on barrels .
In no particular order .
Bartlein # 23 contour .
Proof Carbon Sendero
Schneider P5 Medium Palma'ish
Broughton Palma'ish , I really like the heavy sporter Tim made for my SAKO 300WM .
I'm 90% sure it will be a 7mm & 80% sure a 7mm SAW
Twist will be 1n8.5"
Any suggestions/opinions will be greatly appreciated !
 
#45
wapiti16b said:
OK , let's get this build going ! , I'm thinking LRI for the heavy work and would like some input on barrels .
In no particular order .
Bartlein # 23 contour .
Proof Carbon Sendero
Schneider P5 Medium Palma'ish
Broughton Palma'ish , I really like the heavy sporter Tim made for my SAKO 300WM .
I'm 90% sure it will be a 7mm & 80% sure a 7mm SAW
Twist will be 1n8.5"
Any suggestions/opinions will be greatly appreciated !
Click to expand...
When I built my FN SPR, I shopped around a bunch of barrel MFG's. I ended up buying a Hart because they only build one grade of barrels, been building barrels forever, and could have it shipped to my builder in 6 weeks. My build was in 6.5 CM, 1/8 RH twist, barrel tapered to FNSPR A5 specs, fluted, and threaded for suppressor. The barrel is accurate and after 1500 plus rounds, haven't lost a lot of throat.
 
#46
Mine is a Benchmark Sendero contour, finished at 23".

I vote for the Proof Research sendero. The carbon fiber looks uber cool.

What stock did you decide on? Midwest Gunworks has an awesome price on a McMillan A4 / TBM combo.

Im going shooting today to test some old .260 brass that i converted to 6.5 Croodmoor. I had about 500 peices of .260 brass that i havnt done anything with in years. It would be nice if i can get some use out of it.

They trimmed down and resized surprisingly easy. The necks ended up being .0145" thick, about the same as my hornady brass, with no donut.

I wore calluses on my hands opening and closing my Lee case trimmer mounted in a cordless dewalt. Im waiting for the 3d printer to finish some thumb savers for the Lee trimmer before i do any more.

Hopefully it works.
 
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#48
CRF, side bolt release, mechanical eject, flat bottom, intergral recoil lug, 3 position safety, bayonet (tooless) bolt disassembly.

Oh and you can get one with a trigger and scope base for $400...

Honestly, the ONLY downside to these is that you cannot get prefit barrels for them because of the extractor relief cut. Now you might could find a gunsmith to measure the action for possible prefits, but I am unaware of any that will.

EDIT/PSA: Midwestgunworks is now sold out of the actions, missed my chance again! I’m irrationally pissed at myself...

**goes into a corner and cries into an AI**
 
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#50
Looks like i got mine just in time. shoukd be here sometime next week. Ill out some pictures up. This was meant to be a long term build for my kids.......that might just happen in the not so long term. You know, time to break in the action
 
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