Fn 49

[Adam Helmer]

Well...got all the parts together. Had to order from Numrich & APEX to find everything. Got it assembled, will try and get out and test fire. Will get pictures up as soon as I can. Thanks for all the replies here. I know very little about this rifle but really like the way it handles. Hope it shoots as well. Thanks Guys!!!!!

rmcc

rmcc,

I like the M49 VERY much and have the 7MM, .30-06 and 8mm. I have never seen the 7.65MM to complete my collection. In my M49s I use cast boolits. For the loads that don't cycle the bolt, I shut off the gas system and manually cycle the bolt to retain my fired cases.

Adam

[yeahbub]

Back in the '90's, I found a beat up middle-eastern '49 in 8mm for cheap, ordered a surplus new 8mm barrel because the surplus ammo was plentiful and a .30 cal blank to make a copy of the original barrel. It sat around a while until finally I had an FN49 in 7.62x51 with a match chamber throated for M-852. It wasn't sighted in for a specific distance, but I got it on the paper and SHAZAM!!! With some surplus M-852 from a rest, it put the first five rounds into one ragged hole at 100 yards. Keeper! Could have covered it with a nickel. I could just make out the first hole from the firing line, and kept wondering where the others were going, but I concentrated on sight picture, breath control, squeeze and let it surprise me, and I was surprised indeed. That very limited supply of surplus M-852 seems to have been the magic, though. I tried everything to reproduce those exquisite results with match 168gr HPBT's, various propellants and specially prepared cases, but couldn't bring it off. I got very good results, but no more one-hole groups. A pity, I thought, but maybe I was spoiled by the initial results. The next effort will be with cast, swaged solid/smooth, paper patched and swaged again for near perfect uniformity. All I need for this is some free time (HAH! Right.), a round tuit and we'll see how it does.

[rmcc]

Well guys, got gas sleeve adjusted and took to range today. Shot some surplus TW54 and some 168 SMK I had loaded in LC NM 65 brass for the Garand. Had a couple of issues with returning to battery, either I am running it too dry or the recoil springs need replaced as they are pretty ratty. All ready have springs ordered and will replace before I take rifle back out. But, I really LIKE this rifle!! Here are some pics. I started with the barreled action, trigger group, and top cover. Had to assemble the rest.


Rifle is a Luxembourg contract with a low serial # ( I think it is low,, anyway)

Thank you for all the comments and info on this rifle from you guys, it was really helpful.

rmcc