Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

dbasian1977

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May 29, 2011
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Utah, Sevier
Description: FN 75538 A5M 308 TBM 24 FLUTED

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I don't know if the picture will pase on here or not. I am looking at getting one one these just wanted to hear from you guys. Let me know your honest opions. Duke
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

The FN bolt rifles are very nice especially the upgraded ones in the Mac stock. My only down check is the twist on the tube being 1-12. IMHO FN is missing the boat by not twisting them 10 but they are marketing towards the PD crowd so the 12 twist will drive the 168 rather nicely. The 175/178 boolets need to be driven to the edge to spin them effectively. It's a great entry level rifle that needs little upgrade to make it run. Do check that you get a current production gun as there were some a few years back that the chrome lining didn't "stick" and they were terrible after about 200 rounds.

Cheers,

Doc
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

Thanks for the info. I am also looking at a Remmy 5R I know it would be easier to upgrade later on. I didn't pick up on the twist either. I could do $1000.00 dollars of up grades to the remmy for the same price. Thanks for the info.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I'd say get the FN and shoot the crap out of it. Dump the $1K into glass. Remmy's are like Jeeps, the first thing you do is rip out the axels and the motor (barrel & stock) or break both and then build them correctly.

Cheers,

Doc

Edit to add: That chrome lined bore will last a long, long time even running 175/178's hot.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The FN bolt rifles are very nice especially the upgraded ones in the Mac stock. My only down check is the twist on the tube being 1-12. IMHO FN is missing the boat by not twisting them 10 but they are marketing towards the PD crowd so the 12 twist will drive the 168 rather nicely. The 175/178 boolets need to be driven to the edge to spin them effectively. It's a great entry level rifle that needs little upgrade to make it run. Do check that you get a current production gun as there were some a few years back that the chrome lining didn't "stick" and they were terrible after about 200 rounds.

Cheers,

Doc </div></div>

Gotta respectfully disagree a little here...

I prefer 1-10 for a 308, but there's nothing WRONG with 1-12. 1-12 WILL ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY handle 175s and 155 scenars. I've seen a 1-12 handle the 208 hpbt in 40° weather at 1000ft above sea level.

The chrome lining issue is SUPER exaggerated. Yes, there was an issue in the closing days of Connecticut manufacturing. However, very few rifles were affected, and FN will glady fix the rifle and rebarrel it...any model....any reason (not abuse)...FOREVER - Regardless if you're the original owner or not.

Buy with confidence. Great rifles. Gotta love controlled round feed. That SPR action locks up like a bank vault.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

Don't own one but my shooting has been on the high end version. FN brought the rifle and the bullet on leupy glass. I was amazed. It just felt so right. Find a friend with one or both pay for ammo, clean gun. Utah is like ground zero for gun ownership, someone there has to have one. It would have changed my mind on remmy before I bought it.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I'm surprised these rifles don't sell better. $1500 gets you an extremely nice, accurate, well put together rifle that needs no upgrading.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm surprised these rifles don't sell better. $1500 gets you an extremely nice, accurate, well put together rifle that needs no upgrading.</div></div>
the trigger is MEHH... with out sear adjustment, getting it under 2.5 it will fail a drop test...

but for 95$ you can fix that..

http://www.riflebasix.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=210


i was just out with Chris Cerino from TopShot and he just got hired by FN as a shooting team member and trainer... they sent him the SPR to use.. with factory fed match it was 1/2 @ 100y
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

That's a fair point. The trigger, as delivered, is heavy and meeds adjustment. It requires a new spring to SAFELY get down to even 2ish lbs.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

and they need to offer it pre threaded
smile.gif
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I am a FFL dealer and this thing is going to cost me close to 2k new, let me know where you have seen them for $1,500 please. I am leaning towards it I really wish they would offer it in 260. I have a 6.5x 284 and love it but I don't like the barrel life you get out of them. I have never owen a .308 but I know they are proven shooters with ecellent life, and a great cliaber. I really appreciate the info guys. I have shot rifles all my life but proficient long range shooting is something I have just started with in the last year. It's whole new sport, but I am loving it. Duke
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: D&DLONGRANGE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am a FFL dealer and this thing is going to cost me close to 2k new, let me know where you have seen them for $1,500 please. I am leaning towards it I really wish they would offer it in 260. I have a 6.5x 284 and love it but I don't like the barrel life you get out of them. I have never owen a .308 but I know they are proven shooters with ecellent life, and a great cliaber. I really appreciate the info guys. I have shot rifles all my life but proficient long range shooting is something I have just started with in the last year. It's whole new sport, but I am loving it. Duke </div></div>

Duke,

Just picked-up my new FN-SPR A2 yesterday from Mike Scaramagos at Tactical Coordination for $1574 shipped to my local FFL. According to paperwork the rifle was manufactured in 2006.

Craig
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I just went and took a look and there are a few differences, those were FN-SPR A2 and the one I was looking at is a FN 75538 A5M 308 TBM 24 FLUTED. It looks like the main differances are the stock and that the A5m is clip feed. I don't know if that is worth an extra $700.00 or not.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I've owned a A1 & A5M. The trigger does need some work, but they were a great bargain out of the box. They both shot under 0.5 MOA @ 100 w/ ease. However, I did sell them both to buy a GAP:)
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: D&DLONGRANGE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just went and took a look and there are a few differences, those were FN-SPR A2 and the one I was looking at is a FN 75538 A5M 308 TBM 24 FLUTED. It looks like the main differances are the stock and that the A5m is <span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">clip</span></span> feed. I don't know if that is worth an extra $700.00 or not. </div></div>

Does it pop out the top like a garand?
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I have the FN A5 300WSM. I will say thing thing shoots as well as any other custom I have built. When I got it it shot .5MOA consistantly. I threaded the muzzle for my can, added a bolt knob and bedded it. Bedding tremendously helps. It now shoots high .3's with 208 Amax. I have even had 2" 5 shot groups at 600 with it and stretched it out to 1400 and just been a tack driver. The FN's are amazing for what they cost. Buy with confidence. The chrome lined bore is a deffinate plus adding for additional barrel life.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

+1 for FN. Mine is the earliest model with the HS Precicion stock. The last five rounds out of it put two 168gr. FGMM in the bottom of a 1" bull and three SW 175gr. directly above the first two. The composite group was under an inch.

If you have any questions about the SPRs, PM Ben Voss who is "Action Guy" on this site. He works for FN and can answer your questions.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quarter Horse</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 for FN. Mine is the earliest model with the HS Precicion stock. The last five rounds out of it put two 168gr. FGMM in the bottom of a 1" bull and three SW 175gr. directly above the first two. The composite group was under an inch.

If you have any questions about the SPRs, PM Ben Voss who is "Action Guy" on this site. He works for FN and can answer your questions. </div></div>

That's awesome. Per my logbook, he was the one who test fired my rifle after bedding.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

Was just joking bud. Good choice. I hope you have luck (more likely skill) like b.veal. They are awesome. Can't wait to order mine, but have too many .308's already.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

My shooting buddy owns one, and it shoots very well with 168gr & 175gr SMKs. It has no problem stabilizing those weight bullets, but we shoot over 4000ft. He has made consistent hits, in the right wind conditions, on a chest sized plate at 1000 yards with his SPR, so I would say the accuracy is excellent. The rifle is a good weight and balances well.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I just bought my FN SPR A1A at a local shop for $1715. I am extremely happy with the rifle. My first box of Federal Match 168 I had three groups at and under 1/2 MOA at 100 yards.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I'm told they're one of the most accurate out of the box rifles. I just purchased one from someone here on the hide (my first precision rifle). My instructor loves his FNs. He said the one main con is that they are a bit on the heavy side.

I'm excited to have it on the way. Good luck with your decision.
 
Re: Looking at buying a FN 308 any body ever had one??

I had one. I sold it. And selling it was the dumbest thing I've done in quite some time. It was a factory PBR barreled action bedded by GAP into an A3, and it shot 175gr FGMM better than some of my customs. I now have an SPR action, and a new A3, and I am trying to replicate the factory rifle that I no longer have.

I, too, shot the ASC issue match. FN provided 25 identical factory rifles. They were all tested for inherent accuracy with the CorBon load provided. The best of the rifles shot in the .1 MOA range at 100. I received one of the worst ones - it shot in the .4 MOA range in testing. Regardless of what that rifle did at 100 yards it was a long range hammer all weekend. I had no trouble connecting at 1000, even on ASC-size targets with a 20" barrel.