no love for the FN SPR?

krausb said:
Not to derail my original question, but now that i see the prices of TRGs I have to ask; who is stocking them these days? A quick perusal of some sponsor's sites has turned up nothing so far... :(
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Depends on which you want. The. 308 version is rare as hens teeth right now, to much demand. The 300wm is just as rare it seems, but the 338lm is everywhere.epps has tons in stock both new and used.
 
Shabazz said:
I bought my brand new TRG last year for $3020 before tax. It's the blued barrel version but whatever I'll get it cerakoted one day. Prices have gone up but I bet there are still TRGs out there for $3500 or less.
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I remember when you could buy a brand new TRG for $1200. "No way I'm paying that!" Now look at what we consider a good price. It's out of control.
 
hend238 said:
I remember when you could buy a brand new TRG for $1200. "No way I'm paying that!" Now look at what we consider a good price. It's out of control.
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"back in my day, you coukd buy a lee enfield full military with matching bayo for $25 at the hardware store! "
Things change, more demand prices go up.
 
So back to the SPR for a moment. Although there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of hands-on experience with them, the general consensus seems to be that they are well made rifles, with FNH building off of pre '64 Winchester actions, great barrels, decent stocks, etc.; but that there are probably better choices in the given prices ranges for these guns...

The base model (SPR A1) sells for around the $2400 mark and is a few hundred more than a Tikka Tac. Iit has a better stock than a TikTac but not as nice of a trigger. The difference in price can almost pay for a very nice aftermarket stock for the Tikka.

The higher end A5M model is selling for $3500 - $3600 at Canadian dealers and that is encroaching on TRG territory, and from what I can tell the TRG seems to be king of the factory precision rifles in that price range. si that is pretty much a no brainer as well.

I will add that I did get to handle an A5M at Calgary Shooting Centre yesterday and it is definitely feels like a quality gun; but definitely a pricey one.

So, as of right now, I am leaning toward starting off with a nice basic Tikka Tac and put a little extra money into a decent scope instead of more gun. Then maybe add an aftermarket stock down the road. I figure that should do me fine for a few years until I get good enough to fully appreciate a better rig.
 
krausb said:
So back to the SPR for a moment. Although there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of hands-on experience with them, the general consensus seems to be that they are well made rifles, with FNH building off of pre '64 Winchester actions, great barrels, decent stocks, etc.; but that there are probably better choices in the given prices ranges for these guns...

The base model (SPR A1) sells for around the $2400 mark and is a few hundred more than a Tikka Tac. Iit has a better stock than a TikTac but not as nice of a trigger. The difference in price can almost pay for a very nice aftermarket stock for the Tikka.

The higher end A5M model is selling for $3500 - $3600 at Canadian dealers and that is encroaching on TRG territory, and from what I can tell the TRG seems to be king of the factory precision rifles in that price range. si that is pretty much a no brainer as well.

I will add that I did get to handle an A5M at Calgary Shooting Centre yesterday and it is definitely feels like a quality gun; but definitely a pricey one.

So, as of right now, I am leaning toward starting off with a nice basic Tikka Tac and put a little extra money into a decent scope instead of more gun. Then maybe add an aftermarket stock down the road. I figure that should do me fine for a few years until I get good enough to fully appreciate a better rig.
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If you're gonna go the Tikka route get a "Sporter" instead of the Tactical. Much better stock for LR work. Both are similarly priced.
The CTR is also an option and avreally great value considering the upgraded bottom metal/magazine. Barrel profile might be on the light side for sustained shooting sessions though.
 
marcoman said:
If you're gonna go the Tikka route get a "Sporter" instead of the Tactical. Much better stock for LR work. Both are similarly priced.
The CTR is also an option and avreally great value considering the upgraded bottom metal/magazine. Barrel profile might be on the light side for sustained shooting sessions though.
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Thanks for the tip, marcomam. I am curious though, I have been told that the Tac uses a Sako TRG barrel and is inherently more accurate than other T3 rifles. Is this just internet gossip, or do you think there is any truth to it?

Interestingly enough, the Sporter also comes in .260, which the Tac does not. I have been giving this caliber some consideration so the Sporter may be the better choice!
 
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Got mine (SPR A1) from Wolverine and the test target that came with it is 0.23 moa.

For 2150$ it came with a Mcm A3, a steel floorplate, det mag, a log book (included are the head space and action screws torque settings) and a steel 20 moa Badger rail. The action is well machined (no machine marks) and very reliable. The fit and finish is perfect.

With all these specs and a 0.23 moa test target, I thinks it is well worth the price I've paid. You can't beat that IMHO.
 
IntelGDR691 said:
Got mine (SPR A1) from Wolverine and the test target that came with it is 0.23 moa.

For 2150$ it came with a Mcm A3, a steel floorplate, det mag, a log book (included are the head space and action screws torque settings) and a steel 20 moa Badger rail. The action is well machined (no machine marks) and very reliable. The fit and finish is perfect.

With all these specs and a 0.23 moa test target, I thinks it is well worth the price I've paid. You can't beat that IMHO.
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Thanks for the first hand info! How do you like the trigger on your A1?
 
Thanks. The A1 does seem to be a better value than the A5M. And the only real differences that I can see are:
1. upgraded stock with adjustable LOP and cheek riser
2. fancier box magazine (still not sure the real differences)
3. larger bolt knob
4. fluted and threaded barrel.

Not sure if it is $1000 dollars worth of upgrades, but probably pretty close actually... I would be much happier if there was only a $500 difference in price.
 
When the FN bolt action tactical rifles first came out, I really wanted one as various firearms publications (both credible and not) reported excellent accuracy. The availability in Canada at the time was scant/non existant (probably d/t FN Sports/R. Nichols). So, we/I ended up buying something else.

I'm glad that some dealers supposedly have them now.
 
Thanks. That is very decent. I may have to give Shakatoon a call. am I right in assuming that it is a blued model rather than phosphate finish?
 
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.
 
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