Understanding the FN SCAR and its Variants
Introduction
The FN SCAR. The title itself conjures pictures of rugged reliability, modularity, and battle-proven efficiency. From the demanding environments of particular operations to the fingers of civilian fanatics, the SCAR platform has earned a fame for its adaptability. However for a lot of, the attract of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, identified for its distinctive long-range accuracy and efficiency, beckons. This results in the core query: Can a SCAR, particularly the SCAR 17S chambered in .308 Winchester, be transformed to shoot the more and more widespread 6.5 Creedmoor? Let’s dive in and discover the chances, challenges, and issues concerned in such a change.
The SCAR Platform
The core of the SCAR’s modularity lies in its simply interchangeable parts. The higher receiver, housing the bolt provider group and barrel, is designed to be eliminated shortly. This, at first look, means that swapping the barrel is a simple course of. Nevertheless, the satan is within the particulars. The SCAR’s design facilitates barrel modifications, however does it assist the mandatory modifications for switching calibers? The reply isn’t so simple as a straight “sure.”
Technical Compatibility and Challenges
Barrel Threads and Receiver Compatibility
One of many crucial questions revolves across the barrel threads and receiver compatibility. The barrel threads on a SCAR 17S are designed to safe the barrel to the higher receiver. Whereas the thread pitch and dimension could theoretically accommodate a barrel designed for six.5 Creedmoor, merely screwing in a brand new barrel is only the start. The chamber dimensions, the barrel’s total dimensions, and the headspace (the space between the bolt face and the purpose on the chamber the place the cartridge sits) must be exactly matched to the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. Presently, whereas some aftermarket producers are providing barrels, there is not an OEM answer.
Bolt and Bolt Provider Group Compatibility
Subsequent, the bolt and bolt provider group develop into central to the controversy. The bolt, the a part of the rifle that locks the cartridge into the chamber, should be appropriate with the cartridge’s case dimensions. A .308 bolt is designed to work with the .308 Winchester cartridge, which has a special case head diameter than the 6.5 Creedmoor. A 6.5 Creedmoor bolt may have a smaller face to accommodate the smaller case head. Consequently, a easy barrel swap wouldn’t be adequate. The bolt and sure the bolt provider group would must be modified. This considerably will increase the complexity of the conversion. Merely put, you can’t use your current .308 bolt and provider group with a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel.
Journal Compatibility
Journal compatibility is one other space to contemplate. The SCAR 17S makes use of magazines designed for .308 Winchester. Whereas the general journal effectively dimension is identical, the inner dimensions and the feed lips should match the case dimensions of the cartridge. On this state of affairs, current .308 magazines will possible not perform correctly with the 6.5 Creedmoor. You may want devoted magazines designed for the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge to make sure dependable feeding. This may occasionally imply both buying new magazines or discovering customized modification options if potential.
Gasoline System Adjustment
The fuel system additionally calls for scrutiny. The SCAR’s fuel system performs a significant position in biking the motion, guaranteeing dependable extraction, ejection, and loading of cartridges. The fuel port dimension within the barrel is calibrated to the .308 Winchester cartridge. Switching to six.5 Creedmoor, which operates at a special strain and requires a special powder burn fee, would possibly necessitate adjusting the fuel system to take care of optimum perform. Failing to take action might result in malfunctions, extreme recoil, or injury to the rifle. A gunsmith with expertise in SCAR customization is crucial to appropriately tackle these fuel system changes.
Headspace Issues
Headspace, that crucial measurement representing the space between the bolt face and the chamber, is one other crucial piece of the puzzle. Correct headspace ensures that the cartridge sits on the appropriate depth within the chamber when the bolt is closed. If the headspace is simply too quick, the rifle could not shut and even hearth. If the headspace is simply too lengthy, the cartridge could stretch and trigger failures. Headspace must be meticulously checked after barrel substitute, guaranteeing the right dimension particular to six.5 Creedmoor is achieved.
Elements Wanted for the Conversion (If Potential)
If a conversion is to be tried, it requires greater than a easy barrel swap. Right here is an summary of the mandatory parts, and the challenges that include them. At the start, a brand new barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor is crucial. This barrel might want to have appropriate threads for the SCAR receiver and may come from a good producer identified for high quality. Second, a bolt particularly designed for six.5 Creedmoor. You’ll additionally want a bolt provider group designed to pair with that bolt. Third, magazines appropriate with the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. Lastly, consideration should be given to the fuel system, which can require adjustment to accommodate the differing pressures of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge.
The Professionals and Cons of Switching
Benefits of Utilizing 6.5 Creedmoor
Some great benefits of probably changing your SCAR to six.5 Creedmoor are actually interesting. The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge is widely known for its superior ballistic efficiency in comparison with the .308 Winchester, particularly at longer ranges. The 6.5 Creedmoor sometimes presents a flatter trajectory, much less wind drift, and better retained vitality downrange than the .308. This implies extra correct pictures at prolonged distances. As well as, some shooters could expertise a perceived discount in recoil with the 6.5 Creedmoor in comparison with the .308, making it extra snug to shoot and probably enhancing accuracy.
Disadvantages and Issues
Nevertheless, there are important disadvantages to contemplate. The first one is the associated fee. The worth of a brand new barrel, bolt, provider group, magazines, {and professional} gunsmithing provides up shortly. Conversion might simply value lots of, and even hundreds of {dollars}, relying on the parts and the gunsmith’s charges. One other main concern is reliability. If the conversion isn’t carried out appropriately by a talented gunsmith, you would expertise malfunctions, diminished accuracy, and potential injury to the rifle. This additionally might impression the rifle’s resale worth. Earlier than deciding, make certain your state and native legal guidelines permit for modifications like these.
Present Availability and Market Options
As for present availability, it’s an evolving area, there are some aftermarket producers that supply barrels in 6.5 Creedmoor for the SCAR platform. Nevertheless, as of now, there are not any formally sanctioned conversion kits provided by FN Herstal. The aftermarket options present a pathway, however they require cautious consideration {and professional} experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, *can* your SCAR change barrels from .308 to six.5 Creedmoor? The reply is, *probably*, with some important caveats. It’s *potential* to transform a SCAR 17S to six.5 Creedmoor, however it’s not a easy barrel swap. It requires the acquisition of particular components, together with a barrel, bolt, bolt provider group, and magazines, and, most significantly, knowledgeable gunsmithing. Some great benefits of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge are actual, together with its long-range accuracy and ballistic efficiency. But the associated fee, the complexity, and the potential for reliability points should be rigorously weighed. In the event you’re contemplating this conversion, begin by completely researching accessible components, consulting with a certified gunsmith skilled with SCAR rifles, and figuring out whether or not the associated fee and energy are justified to your capturing wants. The SCAR is an distinctive rifle. Correctly changing to a brand new caliber just like the 6.5 Creedmoor can open new doorways for precision and efficiency. Nevertheless, the trail to that transformation requires a devoted strategy and the experience of knowledgeable.
