[WilsonDTOM]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum so i hope i can fit right in. Anyways I am about to pull the trigger on FN SPR A5M, i just want to see if anyone has had personal experience with it and what you guys would recommend for a glass. I am not 100% yet i am still up in the air between the A3 and A5. I will the get 20' .308 but i don't know if the bedding is going to make that big of difference. They both have the same twist rate so i am really stuck on which to go with. Also last note how is the trigger need after market work?

Thanks for the help and thanks for the warm welcome,
Jack
Psalm 16:8

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

A5M XP Or you will spend the money upgrading to the XP anyways. The XP has a 1 in 10 RH twist, threaded barrel, McMillan stock, over sized bolt handle, etc etc etc

See here: FNH USA - Distinct Advantage :: FN SPR? A5M XP

For glass, look at Vortex among others.

You can also check this thread out: http://fnforum.net/forums/fn-bolt-action-rifles/49982-spr-a5m-xp.html which is right below this thread in the forum and has information of the A3, A5, and A5M XP.

 

[Talhoffer]

Both the A3 and the A5M are great and I debated which to go with but I didn't feel the extra beading was worth it. In the end I went with the 20" A5M and am still very happy, no regrets outside of not waiting for the A5M XP but when I'm done only the twist rate will be different .

I see no reason to change/rework the trigger that comes in the A5M, it's not like a remington 700 trigger and is good to go from the factory I feel.
I felt the best plan for me was the A5M and use the difference in price to go in the optics funds.
Glass is kinda subjective, I'm running a IOR Valdada 4-14 till I can decide between the Vortex 3-18x50 Razor Gen II HD or Leupold MK6 3-18x44.
These rifles deserve good optics and when paired with that they can produce awesome results.

 

[WilsonDTOM]

Ok thank you guys, yeah i asked about the trigger due to old 700 use. I think i will just go with the A5M i personally don't think the twist will have a SUPER effect on me, I'm not shooting over 900yards. But outside from bedding and new bolt handle are there any other aftermarket pieces you would recommend for this gun?

Thank you for the help

 

[djv38]

I have a 6.5-20 x 50 Leupold Mark IV on mine with the TMR reticule. Nice glass, clear, worked well for 1000 yard shooting.

As to aftermarket stuff, I put a Seekins rail on the bottom so I could mount my Atlas bipod. Wish I would have gone with the 2" rail as it would have prevented me from drilling 2 holes in the stock (would still have to drill 1).

As to the A5m (xp included), there are several members here whose rifles will shoot sub 1/4 moa. To me the extra bedding and price wasn't worth it for the A3g (only available in 24" bbl, I prefer the 20" bbl, which is another reason I went with the A5m)

 

[WilsonDTOM]

Ok thank you guys, i think you have all sold me on the A5m ill go hopefully pick it up this weekend!!
Range report coming soon

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

Ok thank you guys, i think you have all sold me on the A5m ill go hopefully pick it up this weekend!!
Range report coming soon

Compare the A5M and A5M XP. I looked at both and the A3 and decided that I wanted the XP as it better fit my needs.

Lucky me, I get to pick up the A5M XP today.

 

[WilsonDTOM]

lucky... I'm out of town right now if i was i would be shooting... live an hour away from Thunder Valley!! take it for a spin

 

[WilsonDTOM]

Hey guys one more question, what grain do you use with a 1:12 twist. I'm getting the 20" .308

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

168 seems to be the choice du jour.

 

[djv38]

Hey guys one more question, what grain do you use with a 1:12 twist. I'm getting the 20" .308

Mine loves 168 GR FGMM. I have not quite been able to load up 168 gr SMK's to match it yet, but am getting close. I need to try 175's as I've heard those shoot really good as well (and 155 gr match bullets)

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

OK for the few of us that have the A5M XP, what did you get in the box?

I got the rifle
I got the bolt
I got the mag
I got the target with three holes in it (Shebuski 9-25-14 168gr FGMM .80 grouping - although I measure it at under .75)
And I got the Gun Record Book
I got a brown box with Styrofoam

I did not get a lock
I did not get a manual

Am I missing these or did they not come with the rifle?

 

[SONYtec]

168 seems to be the choice du jour.

Depends on twist rate of the barrel, and distance to target.

Anyone shooting 100 yards, isn't going to notice a lot of difference, when it comes to match grade ammo, with different bullet weight's.

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

Depends on twist rate of the barrel, and distance to target.

Anyone shooting 100 yards, isn't going to notice a lot of difference, when it comes to match grade ammo, with different bullet weight's.

Assuming the 1 in 12 RH that the OP was asking about on the A5M, I think that 168gr is the choice for today. With the A5M XP with the 1 in 10 RH, I think I am going with the 175 as well as the 168 to see which one it likes better. Considering that FN test shooters use the 168 FGMM for zero and grouping test shots, I would say that the 168 is probably the choice of today's shooters, however the rifle should eat anything between 110 and 220. I know some like the 155 as well. It is just finding the sweet spot with the ammo load and the rifle combo.

But I agree, it won't be until 500 to 600 yards that you will start to notice a difference if all other variables are standardized.

 

[black_dog]

OK for the few of us that have the A5M XP, what did you get in the box?

I got the rifle
I got the bolt
I got the mag
I got the target with three holes in it (Shebuski 9-25-14 168gr FGMM .80 grouping - although I measure it at under .75)
And I got the Gun Record Book
I got a brown box with Styrofoam

I did not get a lock
I did not get a manual

Am I missing these or did they not come with the rifle?

I did not get a lock, but did get a manual.

 

[cgk]

I did not get a lock, but did get a manual.

Same here.