SPR A5

Discuss the FN bolt action rifle lineup; the Patrol Bolt Rifle (PBR), Special Police Rifle (SPR), Tactical Sport Rifle (TSR), and Ballista.
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Wollychop
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SPR A5

Post by Wollychop » 24 Aug 2008, 09:24

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20" FN SPR A5 .308 detachable box magazine. Harris bipod, currently mounting a Nikon Monarch 5-20X 44mm BDC.

It's a great shooter and very accurate. Even 150 grain magtech produces sub MOA groups at 100 yards:

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What you see is actually two groups of four shots of magtech with a correction. The 1/8 moa correction on the scope means that I sort of creep towards zero, but you can tell what a sweet shooter it is. I currently have data on the rifle for 168 grain hornady bthp which it loves, off the bench quarter MOA. The weakest part of the whole system is ME.

Currently waiting on a flush cup adapter rail for a accu shot rail monopod.

I've been saving pennies for a nice tactical scope but the Nikon works very well and has excellent light transmission. I don't regret the purchase at all (about $550) and when I can finally afford a nice zeiss or leupold the Nikon will go on my deer slaying rem. gamemaster.

I'm a big fan of the rifle and only have two complaints: the lack of a threaded barrel (it's also on my list, along with a vais muzzle brake) and the bolt handle. I wish it (the handle) were a bit beefer, along the lines of a Sako.

But overall, excellent gun!

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f3rr37
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Re: SPR A5

Post by f3rr37 » 24 Aug 2008, 12:10

I'm jealous.

EARS
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Re: SPR A5

Post by EARS » 27 Aug 2008, 03:54

What a nice gun. Real nice. Wish it was my locker.

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flyingirish04
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Re: SPR A5

Post by flyingirish04 » 27 Aug 2008, 12:06

I love the look of the SPRs. That thing is a beaut!
Killed Two Stones with One Bird.

Wollychop
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Re: SPR A5

Post by Wollychop » 27 Aug 2008, 12:13

Thanks guys :)

I really do like it. It is certainly the most rewarding to shoot of the FNs I have.

It's a good thing they don't have 10 round mags available yet... I'd be so broke.

Wollychop
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Re: SPR A5

Post by Wollychop » 27 Aug 2008, 13:29

More gun porn

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And the twins!

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p99guy
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Re: SPR A5

Post by p99guy » 28 Aug 2008, 21:38

Congrats on the SPR A5, Wolly . I know I love mine to the point that if I could only keep one rifle out of all that I own, it would my SPR A5M.


Top: Modified Remington M700 VTR .223 Rem
Bottom: FN Special Police Rifle A5M .308 Win

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Wollychop
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Re: SPR A5

Post by Wollychop » 28 Aug 2008, 21:58

What a nice pair! I like that fluted barrel.

Very sexy. Done any hunting with it?

p99guy
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Re: SPR A5

Post by p99guy » 28 Aug 2008, 23:15

No, I havent done any hunting with it...just paper target punching, and as of late setting up one gallon milk jugs at 400 yds and exploding them with Hornady A-Max 168's. Its really good practice in both target size reletive to real world, and in reading/adjusting for the wind(ok I cheat some- I have Kestrel 4000NV wind meter)


Oh the horror! :guns:

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One way to look at problems....
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jmz5
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Re: SPR A5

Post by jmz5 » 29 Aug 2008, 07:20

I am envious. :drool:
كاف

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f3rr37
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Re: SPR A5

Post by f3rr37 » 29 Aug 2008, 08:51

Please stop posting pictures of the SPR A5 or my wife is going to kill me for asking when I can get one.

Wollychop
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Re: SPR A5

Post by Wollychop » 29 Aug 2008, 09:57

Very nice!!

My favorite target so far has been watermelons. It's very satisfying :)

Wind correction is one reason I want to ultimately get a mildot reticle. The one I have is GREAT for distance once you calibrate, but any wind factor can be hard do SWAG correction.

FUZZY: It's easy. You just get a credit card that she doesn't know about.

Ok, so I wouldn't recommend that, but I guess it depends on how desperate you are.

I just told my wife about the credit card joke and she glared at me. Man I love long weekends.

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f3rr37
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Re: SPR A5

Post by f3rr37 » 29 Aug 2008, 09:59

Wollychop wrote:Very nice!!

My favorite target so far has been watermelons. It's very satisfying :)

Wind correction is one reason I want to ultimately get a mildot reticle. The one I have is GREAT for distance once you calibrate, but any wind factor can be hard do SWAG correction.

FUZZY: It's easy. You just get a credit card that she doesn't know about.

Ok, so I wouldn't recommend that, but I guess it depends on how desperate you are.

I just told my wife about the credit card joke and she glared at me. Man I love long weekends.
haha yeah right. I think she would notice me making payments on a 3K credit card purchase.

Zhurdan
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Re: SPR A5

Post by Zhurdan » 29 Aug 2008, 11:29

OK, let's ween him off of the A5..

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There, the A2 should bring you back a little from the cliff. hehehe :D

Great rifles, I've been working up to 600 yard shots and I tell you what, that 168g bullet will hold the line! I had about 2mph cross wind and it didn't even buck the bullet at all. Once I got a 6mph cross wind, that's another story, it took a little work to get 'em on steel. Still, amazing rifles.

Zhur

p99guy
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Re: SPR A5

Post by p99guy » 29 Aug 2008, 12:14

I too do melons............


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Grouse
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Re: SPR A5

Post by Grouse » 01 Mar 2009, 11:16

if i may ask what to the a5 and a2 go for now adays, i have not seen any in my local shops

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wolcottaj
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Re: SPR A5

Post by wolcottaj » 01 Mar 2009, 14:35

Wollychop you need a bigger scope on that thing!
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Wollychop
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Re: SPR A5

Post by Wollychop » 01 Mar 2009, 14:40

:laugh: Most of that scope is actually the sunshade!

bpeters113
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Re: SPR A5

Post by bpeters113 » 13 Apr 2009, 21:06

Grouse wrote:if i may ask what to the a5 and a2 go for now adays, i have not seen any in my local shops
i was able to get my A5 for $1500 a few months ago, 24" fluted, no scope or bipod. have since bought a scope/rings, bipod, and pelican case for it. shooting quarters or better at 200 yards. while i don't know what they go for, i can tell you that $5,000 wouldn't get me to let mine go.

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f3rr37
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Re: SPR A5

Post by f3rr37 » 13 Apr 2009, 22:06

bpeters113 wrote:
Grouse wrote:if i may ask what to the a5 and a2 go for now adays, i have not seen any in my local shops
i was able to get my A5 for $1500 a few months ago, 24" fluted, no scope or bipod. have since bought a scope/rings, bipod, and pelican case for it. shooting quarters or better at 200 yards. while i don't know what they go for, i can tell you that $5,000 wouldn't get me to let mine go.
You serious? Where'd you pick it up from?

bpeters113
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Re: SPR A5

Post by bpeters113 » 13 Apr 2009, 22:25

Friend of a friend who was a salesman for FN. it was his demo unit with about 20 rounds through it.

ruf
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Re: SPR A5

Post by ruf » 05 Jun 2009, 10:38

Anyone have a vendor of choice for the SPR A5? Tanner's isn't carrying them right now.

romer522
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Re: SPR A5

Post by romer522 » 05 Jun 2009, 10:53

I think there was one on GB a couple days ago, might still be there.

romer522
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Re: SPR A5

Post by romer522 » 05 Jun 2009, 10:54

Yup, here's one

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =130037911" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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f3rr37
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Re: SPR A5

Post by f3rr37 » 05 Jun 2009, 11:29

You've really got to search around for one. I talked to a dealer last year and they hadn't seen one in a long time from FN.

p99guy
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Re: SPR A5

Post by p99guy » 11 Jun 2009, 19:02

I noticed as well that when you do spot one for sale its one of the shorter 20" inchers.

Looking at that gunbroker ad, the log book shows it fired 5 shots at the factory, mine
was fired 17 times in two sessions several months apart, the last session was only withen a week before they shipped it directly to me. Its first Session was fired by U.S. Repeating Arms (Winchester)

bpeters113
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Re: SPR A5

Post by bpeters113 » 08 Jul 2009, 20:16

I was told by a firearm rep that, while never officially being offered to the public, the A5 is no longer available to the public.

romer522
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Re: SPR A5

Post by romer522 » 08 Jul 2009, 22:01

bpeters113 wrote:I was told by a firearm rep that, while never officially being offered to the public, the A5 is no longer available to the public.
Dunno if i buy that one, i mean its half true because right now there are no FN bolt rifles being offered to the public.

It kind of depends on how their bolt rifle mfg. line will be running when it comes back on line but there's really zero business logic behind that decision if its true. Low run psuedo-specialty items produce the greatest profit when sold in reasonable quantities and I really think a good chunk of A5 sales were to the public.

The A5 was on my short list, but now I am waiting for the new PSR. Cheaper, lighter while not being too light, and likely almost as accurate.

p99guy
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Re: SPR A5

Post by p99guy » 13 Jul 2009, 20:07

I'm sure glad I purchased one, its one serious mo-chine...easily the most accurate rifle I have ever owned, or fired ( and it loves being handloaded for ) You can always tell the ones at the range that knows what it is.....they get that look of reverence :laugh:

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Re: SPR A5

Post by burdy » 16 Jan 2010, 13:06

Wollychop wrote: I've been saving pennies for a nice tactical scope but the Nikon works very well and has excellent light transmission. I don't regret the purchase at all (about $550) and when I can finally afford a nice zeiss or leupold the Nikon will go on my deer slaying rem. gamemaster.
While I can see the Zeiss as a slight upgrade, I would have to challenge you on the Leupold. Ignore the factory specs for light transmission and find a place where you can look through similarly priced Nikons and Leupolds at the same time under the same conditions. Having perform this test myself I can almost guarantee you, your Monarch will be brighter and have more clarity. Thats why I also have a Monarch on my .270.

p99guy
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Re: SPR A5

Post by p99guy » 03 Mar 2010, 13:41

playing with the new camera... SPR A5m .308 on bottom, 1990's vintage Winchester M70 HV .223, Suppressed Ruger 10/22 on top.

Image
By p99guy, shot with Canon PowerShot SX20 IS at 2010-03-03

murphies_finest
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Re: SPR A5

Post by murphies_finest » 03 Mar 2010, 14:03

wolcottaj wrote:Wollychop you need a bigger scope on that thing!

I am a Surveyor and I think I could run a traverse with that scope lmao.

No seriously I wish I could own one!!
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Re: SPR A5

Post by blueorison » 03 Mar 2010, 15:44

great pictures, p99guy! I forgot what scope you had on the A5m, can you remind me?
Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity.
The shooter will always matter more than the gear ever will.
Stop relying on others to do the work for you.
Shoot more, worry less.

p99guy
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Re: SPR A5

Post by p99guy » 03 Mar 2010, 16:05

Thats a Shepperd 310-P2 "calculators! We don need no stin'king mil-dot calculators!"

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