I recently glommed what I believe is a first gen FN Special Police rifle. It was at a

[200Apples]

.
While digging around for some contemporary-production Springfield M1A info, I found this "Sniper Rifle Essentials" story and in it are a tidbit or two about the FN Model 70 SPR...

Sniper Rifle Essentials story

In the early days of sniping, as in the early days of IPSC, finding someone who could build what you needed was tough–so tough a task the Marines simply did the job themselves. Now you can have one built by any number of excellent gunsmiths, or just buy one already made. Two examples I have on hand are the H-S Precision and the FN SPR. I’ll soon have for testing (and your enjoyment of the results) the Sako Tikka sniper and the TRG.

Blueprinting an action used to be a lot of work, with quite a few dimensions in need of adjusting. In this modern age of CNC machining, actions are a lot better than they used to be. Companies like H-S Precision and FN are simply shifting the after-manufacturing work that gunsmiths used to do right onto the manufacturing floor and blueprinting actions from the start.

Blueprinting an action for the gunsmith involves recutting the action threads and barrel threads so that they are concentric and centered on the action and bore respectively. Also, it involves making sure the action and barrel shoulders are perpendicular to the action and bore centerline. For a long time “close enough” was good enough. Now computers can make it close to perfect. With all the requisite tools on hand, FN can blueprint its Model 70 Special Police Rifle before it gets blued.

What made me think of that story was USSN's post:

USSN

What are the bases on your receiver? They are not the typical 20MOA picatinny rail, so I'm wondering if there's any slope built into them and if your rings will fit them.

Sniper Rifle Essentials story

Luckily, we have bases such as the Badger Ordnance, with a built-in muzzle rise to let you get all the adjustments in your scope in play for long-range use.

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/rifles/sniper-rifle-essentials/#ixzz3m4nIMUVZ

Enjoy your new rifle. Looking forward to future reports.

 

[Mustang51]

Great information, apple. Thanks

 

[Mustang51]

I picked up the FN SPR from my FFL today, minutes after the 10 day "cooling off" period expired. It is every bit as nice as I remembered and looks very lightly used. I probably can't take any better pics than the full screen, high definition pics at the auction site...

http://cowanauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?id=168847#

but did take a few at different angles.




I'm a little confused about the scope bases. I thought they were two piece affairs, but after looking at them, they almost look like they were originally a 1 piece base that someone cut the middle out of.



You can see lettering that appears to be cut off




Anyone know what to make of that?

Also, I can't say for sure, but it also looks like there is some slope in the bases.

 

[200Apples]

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Glad to have been able to assist in the obscure info dept.

Oh, and now that you've actually taken possession, a hearty "You suck!" is in order. Congrats!

Generally speaking, what part of the state are you in? If near southern CA, bring that thing out to Angeles Shooting Ranges sometime! so I might see it in person.

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, Apples

I live in NorCal and shoot at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. It is a great facility, with everything from 25 yard pistol to 1000 yard rifle ranges.

Here is an overhead view of it...

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=38.44031290637764~-121.0633072846057&lvl=15&dir=0&sty=h&form=LMLTCC

 

[Geno]

That's a nice looking rifle! I wonder if the barrels for the M70 Stealth also were made from M249 barrel blanks?

Geno

 

[200Apples]

.
Pardon my chatter...

Mustang, I owe you an apology. You had already disclosed your regional whereabouts in Post #7. Too, it was a bit cheeky of me to exclaim, "bring the rifle on out to blah blah blah so I can see it"...

I do expect to be shooting with a friend that lives just west of the SVSC in Elk Grove before the year is out. Perhaps I'll catch up with you at some point then.
Again, congrats on a great purchase!

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, guys!

I mounted the scope. Used medium height rings--should have used the low rings

 

[DRYHUMOR]

That's a nice looking rifle! I wonder if the barrels for the M70 Stealth also were made from M249 barrel blanks?

Geno

I think Schnieder made some for them at one point, though it may have been the Sharpshooter M70s I'm thinking about.

 

[Mustang51]

I finally got to the range with my SPR. I didn't have much time and also had a few other rifles to zero. By the time I got this on target, I didn't have many FGMM rounds left.

175gr FGMM @ 100 yards. (4 shot group just under 1"). I'm encouraged and believe that I can do better with some handload development and practice.

 

[horsemen61]

Very nice and yes Itend to agree some hand loads will help tighten up that group some

 

[Geno]

Fantastic rifles! Congrats!

Geno

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, Geno...waiting on my rings for the Remington 40X.

 

[Mustang51]

Very nice and yes I tend to agree some hand loads will help tighten up that group some

Thanks, '61. I've had pretty good luck with IMR 4064 in my .308 hand loads.

 

[Geno]

Mustang51:

Try some Varget powder. It works awesome in my M70 Stealth .308 Win that I gave my nephew. Our max-load is 48 grains, but 47.1 grains is superbly accurate with 155 and 168 grain match projectiles. BTW, that exact load is great in an M1A. Here is the M70 Stealth, with a Nightforce 3.5-15X56, firing this load. Also, see the target.

Geno

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, Geno...I'll give Varget a try.

I tried to access your link, but got this message...

Mustang51, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

 

[Geno]

Hopefully this works. I'm not high tech skilled.

Link to my pic:

http://www.thehighroad.org/album.php?albumid=87&pictureid=454

Geno

 

[Nature Boy]

Nice shooting Stang. Looking forward to seeing the results of your hand loads

 

[Mustang51]

Hopefully this works. I'm not high tech skilled.
Link to my pic:
http://www.thehighroad.org/album.php...&pictureid=454

Geno

Nice looking rig, Geno!

 

[Mustang51]

Nice shooting Stang. Looking forward to seeing the results of your hand loads

Thanks, Nature Boy. I know the .308 has been surpassed by the 6mm and 6.5mm's for long range, but I still love it. I'll post the results of my reloading efforts.

 

[Geno]

Thanks, Mustang51.

That's Bret's heirloom now. I think the Stealth is very similar to your police model, except yours has a chromed bore and chamber. I still have my M70 Stealth in .22-250 Rem. It's equally accurate. They are fun.

Geno

 

[horsemen61]

Hey mustang have you shot the awesome rifle any more?

 

[Mustang51]

Weather and family matters have kept me from shooting it . I'm hoping to shot it again next week.

 

[horsemen61]

I hear you on that well when you do I'd love to hear about it on here