no love for the FN SPR?

krausb said:
The general consensus seems to be that while the A5M is an excellent rifle, it is not significantly better then competing rifles to justify the $3500 for what is essentially an Winchester model 70 in a McMillan A5 stock.

I almost pulled the trigger on one last month but a little research and a general lack of enthusiasm for this platform held me back. And as luck would have it, just in time for the release of the new Ruger Precision Rifle platform which seems to be a whole lot of rifle for the price.
Click to expand...

In the US they have more good reviews than here. I think it is because no one could bring it to Canada until the last of couple years. Do you guys think Ruger can outshot FN A5M?
Also, what are the cons of the FN?
 
I honestly have no idea if the Ruger will outshootthe SPR but I would tend to doubt it. That said, the Ruger is literally 1/3 the price of the A5M so even if it is 75-90% the shooter that the A5M is, it will still be a great gun and an amazing value.

You are right that the SPRs are generally favourably reviewed south of the border and every review seems to indicate a solid half to three quarter MOA shooter out to 300 m. I don't recall any reviews past 300 meters. I'm sure it holds its own at longer ranges too.

The only two drawbacks are: 1) it is heavy (maybe not a big deal to most long range shoots) and; 2) it is expensive. It's price point puts it squarely in competition with the Sako TRG-22 and other well established high end precision guns.

I have never seen a head to head comparison between any other gun and an SPR but I would love to. I'm sure it holds its own. The only real question is: is it worth the $3500 selling price?...
 
There is (or at least was last month) a brand new TRG-22, .308 blued finish at the wholesale Sports in Saskatoon for a mere $2699. By most accounts, the finest out of the non-custome box precision rifle to be had. I have no real first hand experience with either rifle so I will withhold judgment for the time being. But the opinions voiced in this thread from some very experienced shooters were enough to make me think twice about spending $3500 on the A5M.
 
krausb said:
There is (or at least was last month) a brand new TRG-22, .308 blued finish at the wholesale Sports in Saskatoon for a mere $2699. By most accounts, the finest out of the non-custome box precision rifle to be had. I have no real first hand experience with either rifle so I will withhold judgment for the time being. But the opinions voiced in this thread from some very experienced shooters were enough to make me think twice about spending $3500 on the A5M.
Click to expand...

Did they list it online on the website? I checked their website but did not see any Sako rifles. Do you know if they still have it?
 
If you go up about a dozen or so posts, the whole TRG story plays out. Long story short, no WS mail order division does not have any TRGs showing but the Saskatoon store does have at least one in stock. I phoned thAt store and talked to a counter guy there. You would have to phone them to see if they still have it. I haven't talked to them in a few weeks.

But honestly, if you like the A5M, I say just get it! If you don't have an issue with the price give it a whirl. One other big plus for the A5M is the relatively cheap 10 round magazines. Wolverine lists them on their website but doesn't have any in stock at the moment.
 
Wolverine's website won't let me turn off the filter that only shows in stock items. Sorry, I can't get to them either. You may have to call them. Odd though, I was able to see them just a couple of weeks ago. They had both the 5 and 10 round mags for the A5M.
 
I contacted WSS Sasktoon and they don't have it.

I can't decide what I want now after I looked around more. I like Remington LTR as well, and it is a lot cheaper compare to FN SPR A5M XP. I could go with the LTR one, but I was thinking that I might put more money into it to upgrade whereas if I go with the FN one all I just need to but is extra mags, scope, and bipod. I don't know I can't decide. lol
 
haha, I feel your pain! It is an agonizing decision. But if the A5M is in your budget and you want a gun that is good to go out of the box, I'd say go for it if you really like it.
 
krausb said:
If you go up about a dozen or so posts, the whole TRG story plays out. Long story short, no WS mail order division does not have any TRGs showing but the Saskatoon store does have at least one in stock. I phoned thAt store and talked to a counter guy there. You would have to phone them to see if they still have it. I haven't talked to them in a few weeks.

But honestly, if you like the A5M, I say just get it! If you don't have an issue with the price give it a whirl. One other big plus for the A5M is the relatively cheap 10 round magazines. Wolverine lists them on their website but doesn't have any in stock at the moment.
Click to expand...

I now have the Saskatoon TRG. I got a very friendly CGNer to pick it up and mail it to me. Have a feeling the Saskatoon WSS guys didn't really know what they had.
 
Just to add to the info on the SPR. Had ordered extra mags in 5 rd instead of 4 (for the a1) and when they arrived they were the wrong mags. Through some back and forth emails we figured out that the a5 has an upgraded bottom metal allowing for 5 and ten round mags hence part of the cost increase over the a1. Another 500 dollar touch for the upgraded BM. The rifle however is still an increadible shooter, the load I settled on was 168 berger classic hunter, 45.5 win 748, cci 200 primers. I use the classic hunters as the gun has a long throat and these are way less sensitive to the jump and they group pretty consistently 1/2 moa. Other load is 215 hybrid with 42gr IMR 4350 loaded to touch the lands. These are single load only but group the same with POI shift 2 1/2 inches low at 200m. So that's my latest 2 bits for those still looking at the SPR.
 
ive got a PBR, which i can say is the heaviest bare bolt action ive handled. However, the bolt is incredibly light and fast to cycle.
accuracy is easily sub moa.. guarantee be damned.. most bolt guns now days shoot sub with even half good ammo.

That said. I wouldnt pay $3500 for one of them.. thats what we pay here in NZ!!

Get a TRG if you wanna fork the money. or get the Tikka Tac, it will shoot just as well and its lighter.
 
I got my SPR A5M finally. It is a high quality built gun. The finish is great and the bolt is very smooth. No regrets. TRG will cost you over than $4500 and I understand that an SPR A5M will perform the same out of the box. SPR has chrome lined barrel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom