FN Patrol Daily Bulletin

[SomeFool]

When I read the Daily Bulletin about the FN Patrols for $350.00 I had the thought of 'a less expensive tactical rifle'.
I own mostly savage and know that I can get into the 1/2 MOA area under a grand. It seems that a $350 action + a $300 stock would leaves me about $350 for a barrel.
Does this = a Drop mag, 1/2 moa tactical rig? I know nothing about these platforms and will appreciate all information and input.
Thank you in advance.

 

[skinnj1]

FN's are a pre 64 style win model 70 action- ie external extractor with the coresponding cut made into the barrel chances of finding a 'drop in' barrel for $300 that both indexes properly and headspaces are slim to none so I reccomend budgeting a new barrel blank and whatever your smith charges...

FWIW I think they are superb actions and come with a darn good trigger/bottom metal/ and sight base

 

[SomeFool]

That is exactly the kind of information I wanted to know. How are the factory barrels? Are they good enough that I might achieving my goal if I just bed the action and work up a load that it likes?
That would be well under budget too.

 

[skinnj1]

Factory barrels are problematic- FN's are chrome lined so if it does not index the extractor cut AND headspace right your done- you can't set it back because the chrome lining is too hard on reamers and will flake,for using as take-off's), factory barrels as is are hit and mis because they are chrome lined it is harder to consistently manufacture them- some get hammers that last for many thousands of rounds and some pull out their hair ...budget for reworking a barrel/ making a new one......

It could be a great rifle for under a grand if you can figure a plan of action on the barrel- it is not plug and play like a savage

I much prefer Winchesters to Savages but I do my own barrel work

 

[SomeFool]

I was 'ball parked' $400 to $450 installed including stainless barrel. Is that reasonable? It seems high to me but I am comparing it to a Savage drop in,apples to oranges I understand). What are the stock options in the $250 to $300 range that would be left in the budget?

 

[skinnj1]

What brand of barrel? Any really good stainless barrel should cost $250 + so I don't think they are charging to much when you consider the investment in equipment/tooling....Are they doing anything to the action?

As far as stocks for that range you can get a factory laminate take-off of a M70 coyote,old marksman style prone stock) and have some change left over or get a HS precision synthetic if you shop around.

Anticipate having to do minor inletting so that the FN bottom metal fits in A M70 SA stock...

 

[HPMike800]

Has anybody worked with one of these actions? How good are they? Does anybody make 5/10 rd mags for them?

 

[SomeFool]

skinnj1,
The barrel price is from McGowen with them doing everything for the barrel, but just installing the action, no truing or anything like that. I have two of their barrels and have had good luck with them, so I thought it would be a reasonable place to start.

HPMike800,
Obviously I know verry little,If you read the thread you know as much as I do), but in my search for mags I was told that there were none for the 'OEM' but that there were a couple aftermarket bottom metals that allowed for the use of AI mags. http://cdiprecisiongunworks.com for example.. about $260 before mags.

 

[skinnj1]

HPMIKE- yes I have,they are like any other Factory M-70 Action-slightly truer than most stock 700's but it is still a factory action,although the triggers seem adjusted consistently lower that what left USRA doors the few decades...). The ones I have examined had brass marks on the bolt face so they were complete rifles FN tore down. They come in two flavors DBM and regular 'BDL style' winchester bottom metal. Both come with a NEAR manufacturing,spendy) 20MOA rail. Actions are,were?) availible in both .473 and WSM SA configurations. Factory mags are limited in the capacity department but the original poster is right CDI does make bottom metal for Accuracy International mags if you want to go that route...I still think they are a steal

Somefool- I've never used McGowan but if you like them I see no reason not to,a lot of people can make a good barrel)...

 

[SomeFool]

I have only owned factory, McGowen and Shilen barrels. Would you recommend a better value for this particular endeavor?

Does anyone know if Bell and Carlson does a varmint/tactical stock for these actions? I have never used one but they look the part.

 

[skinnj1]

Somefool- Barrel Brands are like cars and women, there are a lot of good ones out there but opinions vary....
I have had very good luck with Bartlien, Krieger, and Rock,cut rifled) and Douglas and Rock,button rifled) and would not be afraid to try others based on price and wait times.....