How is the FN SPR?

[M2CattleCo]

How is an FN SPR A3?

I have the opportunity to purchase one, but don't really know anything about 'em. Anything to look out for, known problems? I have a couple of Remington 700s and I know about all of their problems/potential problems. Looking for something more solid without going full custom $$.

I like it because it has a hinged floor plate, Mcmillan A3 stock, 20MOA rail, and if the barrel shoots as good as they claim, I like it too.

 

[moosemeat]

I know of no problems with the SPR line except the factory dbm but thats only on the upgraded models. Is it a SPR A3G or the SPR A1 that came in a mcmillian A3? The G has the adjustable stock and a .5 moa guarantee i believe. My A1 is a adsolute hammer. My best group on record in a BR match is .192 and my scores went up in F T/R. Never had a failure of any kind. My inletting isnt perfect but my glass bedding is good. The trigger isnt as light as my Timney on my Remmy but it feels great. I think to get a better rifle your stepping up to a TRG, AI or custom. Tikkas bolts feel better but I like mcmillan stocks better, though depending on price i would consider a Sporter.
Is it a good price and do you need a awesome 308?

 

[enichols]

My shooting buddy has one of the A5 SPR models. It's an excellent rifle, and very accurate. The trigger was easy to adjust and now feels as good as the Timney 510 I have in my 700. I think that the SPR is one of the best out of the box options out there.

 

[M2CattleCo]

I believe it's an A3G. 24" fluted barrel. It has a green McMillan A3 with adjustable LOP spacers and a saddle type cheek riser. Hinged floorplate. I really don't want DBM on what I want this rifle for.

 

[Upstate43]

FN SPR's are pretty solid shooters and very well made. Easily sub-MOA out of the box, potentially .5 MOA with better load development and tweaking the trigger and action. The CRPF bolt is great and pretty reliable.

IMO, the A1's are better deals because you can get them for around $1.1k-$1.2k, whereas the other models will generally be a bit more expensive. The main differences between models are in the stock features (LOP, cheek riser, pre-installed box magazine) and barrel features (fluting, pre-threaded barrel). The actual construction and quality of the action, trigger, and barrel are pretty much the same between all models, so I think the A1 is a better buy since you can get the same basic SPR platform for cheaper and have extra money to modify if you so choose. The main exception to that comparison is that the brand new A5M XP does come with a 1:10" twist rate (versus the traditional 1:12" twist used by older models); that faster twist rate is probably somewhat better at throwing the heavier .308 rounds at longer ranges. But for shooting 175gr's at 1k yards and in, the 1:12" twist rate still works fine.

Between the well-built McMillan stock and the heavy profile barrel, they're all pretty heavy, so there's no mistaking them for lightweight hunting or patrol rifles (though FN made a lightweight version of the SPR known as the TSR). These things are target/tactical rifles through-and-through, and if you're going to use them as such, I'd ditch the hinged floorplate and get either 4 round detachable box magazine or the 5/10 round tactical box magazine setup.

 

[Dan M]

My A3G was a great rifle... kept well under the accuracy guarantee throughout effective range of cartridge.It was an early gun with a New Haven roll mark. The only thing that sucked was that saddle cheekpiece.

Only got rid of it to finance another GAP, and have a TRG-22 and an M24 to scratch the .308 tich.

 

[LRI]

It's a great action. Built a lot of rifles on them...