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Sunday, April 4, 2010

FNAR Review - Posts, Pros, Cons, and Bottom Line

FNAR Review, FNAR Rifle Review, 308 Review, FNH Review, FNAR Accuracy
Since I have written many posts during my review of the FNAR 7.62x51mm (308 Win) Standard Autoloading Rifle, I have listed them all together in this post and placed them in the order that I conducted the FNAR reviews.  You can click on the links below to follow the reviews in the sequence from my initial purchase to my final range testing.  Along the way, I had to add mounts and a scope, and since these are mounted on my FNAR, I have included links to those reviews so you can follow the progression to my final setup.

Posts:
  1. FNAR Review - The Purchase
  2. FNAR Review - What's In The Box - Gun
  3. FNAR Review - What's In The Box - Magazines
  4. FNAR Review - What's In The Box - Interchangeable Inserts
  5. FNAR Review - What's In The Box - Stock Shims
  6. FNAR Review - What's In The Box - The Rest
  7. FNAR Review - Pre "Test Fire" Summary
  8. Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x50 MC Target Scope Review & Burris XTR Xtreme Tactical Rings Review on a FNAR Rifle
  9. Scope Height - FNAR + Zeiss Conquest + Burris XTR Rings
  10. What 308 Winchester Ammo to Use During My FNAR Range Test?
  11. FNAR Review - First Range Test
  12. FNAR Review - Second Range Test (25 Yards Indoors)
  13. FNAR Review - Third Range Test (100 Yards) - Issues with rest system.
  14. FNAR Review - Fourth Range Test (100 Yards) - Clearly a 1 MOA or better rifle
  15. FNAR Review - Fifth Range Test (100 Yards)
  16. FNAR Review - Posts, Pros, Cons, and Bottom Line (this post)
Pros:
  • An automatic that will shoot 1 MOA out of the box (checkout th fourth range test)
  • Descended from Browning BAR for reliability and durability
  • Automatic action helps absorb recoil and is fun to shoot
  • 5, 10, 20 round magazines available
  • Fully adjustable butt stock to a shooters preference
  • Nice trigger pull
  • An autoloader with character.  The look of a hunting rifle with the extras of a tactical rifle.
  • Control and comfort of a pistol grip
  • Rail ready for those night time hunts
  • Competitive price when compared to other .308 rifles that claim 1 MOA out of the box
Cons:
  • Magazine costs - In time, I can see these coming down, especially if someone can make an aftermarket magazine. Current pricing is about $65 to $80 per magazine and there doesn't seem to be a price difference between the 5, 10 and 20 round magazines.
  • Small Gun Case - Honestly this has nothing to do with the gun and at least the gun case is not a custom molded one that is not usable with another rifle. Since it can be used for another rifle, maybe this is actually a pro.
  • More difficult to strip and clean than a typical AR style rifle
Bottom Line:

This rifle offers a good blend of both the hunting and tactical features and is a platform that can deliver reliability and accuracy.  FNH proved that they stand behind their products when they corrected a manufacturing issue on my rifle in record time.  I am pleased with my FNAR and have no regrets.  I'm also looking forward to shooting the rifle at farther distances.  Just to be clear, I want to answer the following questions:
  • Do I have any regrets in purchasing this rifle over another rifle? No
  • Would I purchase another FNAR?  Yes and actually I am considering getting one for my son.
  • Would I recommend this rifle?  Yes
  • Does the FNAR make an attractive shooting platform?  My opinion is yes, but you decide.

In The Photo Above:
  • FNH FNAR 7.62x51mm (308 Win) Standard Autoloading Rifle
  • FNH FNAR 5 Round Magazine
  • Burris XTR Xtreme Tactical Rings - Medium
  • Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x50mm with Target Turrets
  • Zeiss Sunshade
  • Butler Creek Flip-Open Objective Cover
  • Harris Bipod Series S Model LM
  • Blackhawk Single Point Sling Adapter

12 comments:

  1. Great Review. I love your website.

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  2. I appreciate your site too Kevin. It’s so well done with photos and information. Keep up the good work.

    I took my FNAR out today and despite freezing temperatures, fogged up safety glasses and a numb trigger finger managed two .97” groups at 101 yards with Federal Gold Medal 168 grain and Hornady TAP-FPD 155 grains. You might want to try the TAP-FPD at some point, the ballistics look on par with the Federal Gold Medal and the FNAR seems to like it.

    I also shot Turkish NATO ball, Black Hills Gold Match and Federal Tactical. These were all in the 1.2-2+” range but the rifle shoots noticeably better with the ammo described above.

    I’d like to pick up some Remington hunting ammo at some point to test. I have heard good things too about their bonded soft points and would like to see if the FNAR likes them.

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  3. THANK yo so very much for doing this review. I have just purchased an FNAR and had read some very good things about it before putting down the $1099 that CDNN Sports wanted for one. Your posts give me some things to think about and to watch for.

    I am going to work out to 400 yards or so. My old eyes aren't much good beyond that and besides, even that is well beyond effective range for a 5.56. My family's safety could well depend on how accurate I am with the thing one day.

    BTW, why do so many think the FNAR is ugly? I fell in love with it the first time I saw one. I think it is a beautiful pieces of engineering and looks exactly like what it is - a tool to kill something fairly large at fairly long ranges.

    Bad Cyborg X%-er

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  4. Beautiful site I have a question ... does the bipod need an adapter to be properly mounted to the FNAR? If so what type of adapter would be best?

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  5. Since the FNAR has a swivel stud mounted on the short Picatinny rail, you can mount a Harris style bipod without any adapter.

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    Replies
    1. ...and still mount a sling, too.

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  6. Excellent site! I have enjoyed reading the reviews and the pics added in make for an exceptional read. I too have purchased an FNAR with the 16" Barrel. Mine likes the 150 grain ammo. I do a lot of reloading and use BLC(2) and Varget powders mostly. So far, the best groups I've gotten is using 44 grains of BLC(2). They usually measure around 3/4" to 1" groups (5 shots @ 100 yds). It was shooting anywhere from about 7/8" to 1-1/4" groups previous to my adding an E-Z Pull Trigger Assist which did wonders on the trigger! I have a hair less than 2 lb. trigger pull now! It even feels better than I'd hoped. You should add one just out of curiousity, you won't regret it! By the way, I'm using a Nikon 5-20x44mm on mine.

    Good Shooting!

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  7. I shoot off a bench with Harris bipods. I mounted the old style (double A batteries) EOTECH 65 MOA circle, 1 MOA dot). With my olde eyes the red dot appears to cover about 4 MOA on 5" Shoot N See peel and stick targets. I have only shot one box of remanufactured 147 gr HP's out of the FNAR. It shot 1.25" 3 shot groups at 140 yards. I had 8 rounds left after I attained a 1" high 140 yard zero (for approximate point of aim hits from zero to 300 yards on coyotes). I shot the last 8 rounds rapid fire and left a ragged string of touching holes, the outer edges of which measured .55 inches high by 1.7 inches across. Good enough.

    However, I reload for my H-Bar Rem. 700 (McMillan M40 Stock and bottom metal to accommodate a ten round detachable box mag with Leopold 4-16x) in .308 / 7.62 and cut MOA (1.4") 5 shot 140 yard groups to 1/2 MOA (.7") by using weighed and measured uniform new WW brass, CCI BR LR primers and 44 grains of Varget and seating Sierra 168 gr HPBT's just short of the rifling. Presumably concocting a proper reload the FNAR will enjoy similar gains in accuracy.

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  8. I own a fnar love it tried the black hawk single point adapter hated it it was very much in way of my grip would like to see a sngl point. Adapter. That fit where it fits on Ar between. Stock & reciever also have burros extreme mount love them

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  9. Great review. Are the two front side accessory rails removable?

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  10. I really like your writing style, great information, thankyou for posting.
    7.62x39 ammo for sale

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