FN 49 accuracy question?

[moses]

I got one over the weekend 8mm egyption and the top cover on rear of receiver wiggles a little left and right. is this common? I shot it and got pretty poor groups 6" at 100yds it was cold and windy so I didn't stay long and when I got home I noticed the stock was a little loose because the screws weren't very tight I'm hoping this was the problem instead of the top cover wiggle. I could move the action inside the stock at least an 1/8 of an inch befgore I tightened the screws. Any info would be great as I won't be able to shoot until the weekend. oh the barrel is very tight and straight so I don't think it's the problem.
thanks

[Squint]

I shot my 30.06 and 7mm '49s for the first time about 4 or 5 months ago. I could get about 3" groups at 100 yards off the bench. I am not a very good shot. I got my 7mm ammo from SAMCO and it looked like the termites had gotten to it. The 30.06 was M-2 ball from the CMP.

[OZ]

With surplus 8mm ball, I could do 2" off the bench at 100yds. The most important thing is to get the optimal gas setup for the ammo you are shooting. This way you will not get too much gas, hence less felt recoil (more accurate) and no excessive wear on rifle.

[Shawn1780]

A friend of mine has an Egyptian 8mm and a Columbian 30-06. We are going to shoot them in the next couple of weeks. I will try and let you know how they do. I have read several articles in gun magazines on FN-49. From what I have read and seen they are well made guns but don't always shoot good groups considering their quality of construction. I believe the 7mm I read about was printing 3-4" groups. I can print better groups than that with a Chinese SKS. Just my 2 cents.

[OMR_RDTandE]

My 8mm has a new barrel and I've been able to get a 3" 3-shot group firing from the prone position with a loop sling. The ammo was some 8mm Port I'd gotten back in '93. My receiver was a little loose in the stock and this was reflected in the poor groups I'd shot the same day from the bench. I'm in the process of transfering the receiver to a much better stock. Aside from that, what the FN-49 really needs is a better rear sight. A smaller, and hooded aperture, went a long way to improve my groups.

[Goose52]

Shawn1780:

PLEASE have your friend with the Colombian FN49 contact me or post info on his rifle on one of my survey posts on this forum (or on the Parallax or Gunboards military semi-auto rifle forums)

To all:

I shoot handloads nearly exclusively in my FN49s and nealy always with the gas turned off. All of my '49s have great barrels. With a scope mounted, I've been under an inch - not consitently but close. When my eyes were still good, I could hold 1.5" to 2" at 100.

Most of my smallest groups have been with a 7mm Vennie but then that is what I shoot the most. I've also had good groups out of my other '49s in the other available calibers but don't shoot those as often.

Now that I'm getting old, I spend more of my time shooting these rifles at 50 . . .

Goose

[paladin6]

Johnny where did you get yours? Just curious.
Mine was splatting the pop ups at Riverside, first time I shot it. Seems to me from the way it is designed not much of the metal parts should be loose. Is the latch in the back(attached to the rod with the half circle) able to snug it up? Stocks I imagine you are savvy on. If you come Raleigh way, look me up and we'll compare notes. I have access to a gun shop that has/had 3 of 'em.
A

[moses]

I got it at the Charlotte collectors show. is the latch supposed to be tight when closed (down)mine moves pretty freely side to side.

[doubletap]

The several I have owned have all shot much better than the apperance condition would indicate (the Egytians that is). Using handloads of H414 with Hornady 150 gr. slugs, groups of 1.5" or so were not uncommon. The loads I was using weren't powderpuffs either. I used them as hunting/truck/predator eliminators. I also used a 125 gr. at just over 3000 fps that shot great. Was hell on coyotes. Normally, I would have the gas turned way down, just until ejection was positive.
Get the stock tightened up and I believe most of your troubles will disappear. Might need to bed it to get it tight. None of the 5 I've had had top covers that were really jiggly.

Doubletap

[OZ]

You may want to check your muzzle crown for wear from excessive cleaning. You may want to check if the gas setting on the rifle is right for the ammo you are shooting. The gas regulator is located under the front hand guard. Start with the gas bleed completely open, then gradually close the gas bleed by one click after shooting one round until semi-auto operation is achieved.

[moses]

Like I said the barrel is really tight no wear or pitting! I set the gas all the way open and it still throws the brass 20 ft. does any one else's top cover wiggle a little left to right?

thanks

[OMR_RDTandE]

Johnny,

The rear cover does have some side to side play.

Actually, 20 feet sounds about right. However, make sure you have all THREE recoil springs in the rear cover (2 small connected end-to-end inside of one large). I've seen FN-49s that recoiled/ejected hard because one or more of the springs was missing/cut.

I hope you're not using some of the hot 8mm ammo that's floating around.

HTH,

Omar

[EMDII]

My Egyptian 49 was also loose, although I checked it (and all firearms) before shooting. The rifle shot 2" casually off the bench using Turkish surplus. I have a box of Remington I'm going to try ASAP.

If all is well, you too should do under 2.5". The receiver cover may vhave some wiggle, but it seems to return to normal after some goosing by me. SLap it on, rotate the latching lever, and wiggle it hard L/R. It should center up.

[moses]

I tightend stock screws and shot the gun again and I must say the groups were much better 2 1/2 to 3" groups until rear screw loosend up again. a little lock tite is in order. thanks for all the help!