FN PBR

[TRD]

Anybody have one or know anything about these?

[Cameron]

I have an FN PBR XP (http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/family.asp?fid=FNF008&gid=FNG004) in .308 with the 20" med fluted barrel, it is a great rifle. Built like a tank in typical FN style, the XP model has the external claw extractor, controlled round feed (protects OTM bullets) and the same action as the SPR line, they use the excellent Winchester pre 64 actions and the trigger can be easily adjusted (mine breaks at about 2.25lbs). The PBR has the hogue stock unlike the SPRs that have the MacMillan. 1:12 twist right hand 4 grooves, mine has the 4 round detachable box magazine.

I put a Leupold MK4 LR/T 4.5-14x50mm TMR on mine and it will turn out sub MOA groups all day with 150s to 175s

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo277/camz_pics/Guns/17%20inch/FNPBRXPL.jpg

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo277/camz_pics/Guns/17%20inch/FNPBRXPR.jpg

Here are a couple of 100 yard groups
http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo277/camz_pics/Shooting/FNPBRTarget1.jpg

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo277/camz_pics/Shooting/FNPBRTarget2.jpg

The problem with the Hogue stock is that it means my wife likes shooting it too much, I should put a steel butt plate on it... First time she had ever shot a scoped rifle and turned out two 4 shot groups sub MOA, makes me feel like dick when I was proud of that achievement.
http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo277/camz_pics/Shooting/FNJen01-1.jpg

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/oo277/camz_pics/Shooting/FNJen03.jpg

[JaxCatm]

I own a PBR with the 24 inch barrel and the SPR A3G both are great guns. I love the PBR because it is light enough to walk with. But my node goes to the SPR A3G for any long range shooting. It's like golf clubs I use the PBR out to 600 yards with great results and the SPR A3G for anything past 600. My only complaint about either one of the rifles is the trigger from the factory which a good gunsmith can fix. Other than the trigger I don't really care for the rubber coating on the PBR stock. After a long shooting session it rubs my face the wrong way. But if your not going to burn lots of ammo it should be fine. For the money the PBR is a good rifle.

[ra2bach]

I have an FN PBR XP (http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/family.asp?fid=FNF008&gid=FNG004) in .308 with the 20" med fluted barrel, it is a great rifle. Built like a tank in typical FN style, the XP model has the external claw extractor, controlled round feed (protects OTM bullets) and the same action as the SPR line, they use the excellent Winchester pre 64 actions and the trigger can be easily adjusted (mine breaks at about 2.25lbs). The PBR has the hogue stock unlike the SPRs that have the MacMillan. 1:12 twist right hand 4 grooves, mine has the 4 round detachable box magazine.

I put a Leupold MK4 LR/T 4.5-14x50mm TMR on mine and it will turn out sub MOA groups all day with 150s to 175s

these are not the pre-64 Winchester action. it is fashioned similar to the "Classic" action that Winchester produced beginning in the late 80's, I believe. and I believe that the FN's all currently use the new Winchester trigger, which is not the Winchester trigger of the previous Classic Model 70.

I understand you meant this to mean that they have the large, non-rotating claw extractor of the pre-64 which holds a cartridge against the bolt face when it is removed from the magazine but there are other, significant differences between these two actions. Not even Winchester referred to the new action as "pre-64".

[Cameron]

these are not the pre-64 Winchester action. it is fashioned similar to the "Classic" action that Winchester produced beginning in the late 80's, I believe. and I believe that the FN's all currently use the new Winchester trigger, which is not the Winchester trigger of the previous Classic Model 70.

I understand you meant this to mean that they have the large, non-rotating claw extractor of the pre-64 which holds a cartridge against the bolt face when it is removed from the magazine but there are other, significant differences between these two actions. Not even Winchester referred to the new action as "pre-64".

From the FN website: (http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/family.asp?fid=FNF006&gid=FNG005)

The "classic" pre-'64 Winchester design has a massive claw extractor that improves reliability by engaging nearly a 1/4 of the cartridge rim. The controlled round feed feature of this action means that as each cartridge leaves the magazine, the base rises up on the bolt face and the rim is captured between the claw extractor and the opposite edge of the bolt face. Because the case is fully controlled by the bolt as it enters the chamber you are assured smooth feeds every single time.

the XP model has the external claw extractor, controlled round feed and the same action as the SPR line, they use the excellent Winchester pre 64 actions and the trigger can be easily adjusted

Seems to me like I was correct.

[JStor]

Both Winchester and FN are merely capitalizing on the "original" pre-64 design. As noted by ra2bach, they are post-64 actions with design features similar to the original, ie; the claw extractor...so they are sort of pre-64 style.

The action bolt spacing is different on real pre-64s vs. the current models, including your FNs. Pre-64s measure 7.450 inches, post-64 long actions are 7.575inches and the short actions FN uses are 7.035 inches center to center on the fore and aft bolts. Also, original pre-64s had bolts machined from a single billet of steel, with a machined in left side guide lug and no gas block on the extractor ring. Post-64s use a slot under the right locking lug for an anti-binding guide.

I handled a PBR today in a gunshop. They are nice, with FN serial numbers, and I like that. I would buy one, and use the rubbery stock while waiting for a McMillan to arrive.

[.308holes]

Both Winchester and FN are merely capitalizing on the "original" pre-64 design. As noted by ra2bach, they are post-64 actions with design features similar to the original, ie; the claw extractor...so they are sort of pre-64 style.

The action bolt spacing is different on real pre-64s vs. the current models, including your FNs. Pre-64s measure 7.450 inches, post-64 long actions are 7.575inches and the short actions FN uses are 7.035 inches center to center on the fore and aft bolts. Also, original pre-64s had bolts machined from a single billet of steel, with a machined in left side guide lug and no gas block on the extractor ring. Post-64s use a slot under the right locking lug for an anti-binding guide.

I handled a PBR today in a gunshop. They are nice, with FN serial numbers, and I like that. I would buy one, and use the rubbery stock while waiting for a McMillan to arrive.


"Both Winchester and FN are merely capitalizing on the "original" pre-64 design."

They are capitalizing on it because it is their design.

Winchester and FN are all built in the same place, owned by the same folks. FN owns the Winchester firearm line and Browning, and Citori shotguns. Winchester-Olin retained the name for the ammunition line, and the plant was re-named the UNited States Repeating Arms Company after FN bought the company.
The USRAC plant was closed in 06', the Winchester model 70's are now made at the FN plant in Columbia, South Carolina, same as the FN SPR rifles.