Shot FN 49 in match today

[rmcc]

Gun club had our final Service rifle match of the year today. I took my M1 Garand and the FN 49. I had planned on shooting the M1 but one of the members brought his boy so long story short I loaned the M1 to the dad so the kid could shoot dad's AR. So, I went to the line with the FN. It is a Luxembourg 30/06. Well, I shot all over the place! Used to M1 trigger and the Fn's is nothing to brag about. Ended up in the middle of the pack. Take away is this in comparison:
The FN shoots softer than the M1 probably because of the adjustable gas system
The M1 balances WAY better shooting offhand.
M1 has better sights for match shooting
FN has 10 rounds which is faster even with 1 reload
Both weigh about the same
Both are good "battle" rifles

I will take them out again and shoot head to head again and see what results. Shot AMA 62 ball in FN for the match.

[K43]

Cool beans! Good egg for helping the other guys.
I found the exact same points with the K43 in an Axis vs Allies match. Except rapid fire requires 2 and 8 in mags or 5 and 5 on strippers like standard high-power rules.

[Ithaca Gunner]

One of the few guns I traded away that I really regret was a like new FN-49 sniper in .30/06. Perfectly matching cheek piece, G&H 1'' side mount. I didn't have an original scope, as I recall I had a Japanese made Bushnell 3-9 on it. Standard two stage trigger. About any standard .30/06 bolt action sporter would shoot better, with the scope mounted rounds had to be hand fed into the magazine.

It was a good rifle, never once failed or jammed. I agree, they feel ''clunky'' compared to an M-1, the sights aren't as good, the safety takes some getting used to, and the magazine, while detachable, (like a Mauser floor plate) should have been quick detachable, but they are dependable shooters and I prefer the stripper loading to the M-1's enbloc.

I swapped it off for an HK-41 sniper, which even with its little 4x Hensoldt scope was more accurate than the FN and just as dependable, though it had it's own strange features, like you needed a 4-5'' long thumb to get to the fire control switch, the iron battle sights were actually worse, hollow plastic stock, and a chincy strap on foam cheek piece that never seemed to go in exactly the same position each time.

I'll stick with my M-1's.

[Adam Helmer]

I like the M49 FN Rifle and have the 7mm, 8mm and .30-06. I never found the 7.65mm that would complete the collection. The sights are fine with me and the adjustable gas pressure is great. All my M49s were bought years ago for $69.00 to $200. At the local gun show yesterday, any M49s in Good Condition were over $1,000 and HIGHER.

I have a few Garands and shot them in DCM Matches and onto my state high power rifle team for Camp Perry, twice. Both rifles are favorites.

Adam