Rifle for the lady friend - FN SPR A5M XP vs 700 5-R Gen 2, 308

[ramsfan6239]

So upgrading the girlfriends .223 and stuck between two options.

Option A) FN SPR A5M XP

Can pick up a rifle from grabagun for $2167, and all it needs is a muzzle brake.

Total - $~2250

Option B) Remington 700 5-R Gen 2 24" model

Parts) 1) Gun on Grabagun - $1032
AICS 2.0 Chassis - $1200
Nightforce 20 MOA Base - $57
Timney 2 Stage - $179
Muzzle Brake - $85

Total - $2553

Our longest range around here is 350 yards, so we don't shoot incredibly long range but we shoot for very tight groups. We don't reload as well so we are stuck using GMM or whatever factory load works the best with these rifles

I'm basically looking for 1/4" MOA at 100 yards if possible, so is the extra few hundred bucks to build out the remmy worth it? Or just grab the FN?

 

[cruze5]

i can tell you my experience with BOTH.

i have that same FN and the Gen 2 in 300WM.

The FN is an AWESOME out of box rifle, i LOVE that McM stock! the only thing i would change initially is the FN trigger, it is a horribly long trigger. you can adjust the trigger if you feel comfortable but i do not like adjusting rifle triggers so i replaced it with a timney trigger! perfection

the Remington did not have a free floating stock, i ended up dropping it into an AICAT and also installing a TImey to replace the xmark trigger.


accuracy wise the Remington from day one shoots 3/4 inch groups. i still have yet to shoot under an inch with the FN... i am not sure if its the chrome lined barrel or what. that and i just have not had the time for load development since i am shooting 260 more these days sadly my vote goes to the remy. but the FN is still an awesome rifle

 

[wapiti16b]

I love my FN , great shooter , easy to maintain and chrome lined longevity . My only gripe is the factory magazine ( it works fine but 2.890 coal is max for function ) and in my rifle too much jump !

 

[Mike402]

If you are expecting 1/4" groups out of factory rifles with factory ammo, prepare to disappointed.

With that being said, seems like most SPRs shoot 1/2 moa or better with FGMM. I think the Remmy is more of a lotto with the barrel you get.

 

[spife7980]

Out of those options I would go the 5R just for the cost. I saw just this week someone grabbed on for under a grand and you wouldn't have to go with an ai chassis, you could get a McMillan just like the fn and cut that 1200 down to 600 and be more affordable. An extra 600 on mags and glass and ammo and if you're wanting a 1/4 moa gun with factory everything you're rolling the dice and neither of those two options are guaranteed to get you that. So I would roll the dice on the table with a lower buy in.

 

[moosemeat]

FN all day every day. Remingtons are good for actions.

 

[moosemeat]

The FN is a higher quality rifle. The Remington will be easier for a Smith to build later. Neither will be .25 MOA guns. Not until one of the smiths screws a new barrel on it.

Best option- Buy 700 action. Have Chad, moon, Dave, whoever you feel is good screw a new tube on it. Buy a KRG X-Ray. Shoot tiny groups. Should be under budget.

 

[STROP]

I've owned 3 SPRs. Solid, no doubt. TBM 10rd mags have been problematic for some. Hope they are still using the classic trigger in the A5s, not the newer MOA or whatever they were putting in the TSRs.

That said...

T3x CTR 20" 6.5CM in the stock or chassis of her choice. Brake it, too.

Put the $600-900 savings in mags, ammo, fancy paint. Might not want to make it in pink for when you steal it from her.

 

[Quarter Horse]

The argument of 700 vs. Mod 70 is significantly older than the vast number of people that populate the hide. I'm not going to get into that discussion as it has proven to be fruitless over the past half century. Suffice it to say that the design of the 700 action was driven by the attempt by Remington to cut production costs not to build a better action. They succeeded in their goal hence all the mods. offered by the many competent 'smiths who pin recoil lugs, add more reliable extractors, install side bolt releases, etc. The post '64 push feed is a better action than the 700.

What do you get with an SPR? First a quality stock, then a trued action, next a quality 20MOA rail, then a highly reliable trigger that can easily be adjusted to a bit under 3#, a chrome lined barrel and a one inch guarantee (ostensibly) for life.

What do you get with a 5R? ............ You get a bunch of great 'smiths with the ability to make a 700 what it should have been to start with plus the invoice for their necessary and valuable work.

I will probably never be able to outshoot my SPR and I am convinced I will be working on getting my remaining 700 right five years from now.

 

[PBWalsh]

FN makes a great bolt rifle. Check to see if TACCORD has any left at SH prices. If not the FN, get a semi-custom Tikka like the user above said.

 

[cruze5]

DSG arms has that rifle now cheaper than i've ever seen it

clearance > arrange by high price

 

[hollowoutadime]

Another option, pick something up in a 6.5 caliber. Less recoil, good barrel life, no brake to listen to. More pleasure to shoot, especially for a person of smaller stature.

 

[mackdrvr]

I'm a little late to this party, but if you can score that FN new in box for that price grab it. I have the same rifle, and I paid $2,600 new. Use the money saved towards glass, and a mount. You don't need a brake on that FN. My 15 year old daughter shoots 10 round magazines all day long. Its a heavy gun, and it soaks up the recoil. Unless you gf is like 100 pounds she'll be fine.

 

[GASSR20]

With the 5R Gen 2 in 6.5 now (.260 Rem), that gets my vote. Remington is doing a $150 rebate now on that particular rifle and any of their tactical rifles if purchased by July 30th. The Magpul 260 is really a 5R too which may be a better $$$ option if you plan on ditching the stock.