I know production of the Model 70 has ceased. Isn't the FN bolt action the Model 70? If so, who makes it? Will it stay in production?

No! The FN Mauser and the M-70 both are CRF with the long claw extractor but the similairity ends there. One of the more knowledgeable members can probably rattle off a string of differences.

Mark

Actually, I believe that FN, who also owns usrac, is marketing a model 70 under the FN name. I know that they were marketing a USRAC 1300 shotgun under the FN namd. Presumably, the 'FN' rifle will also be discontinued.

The closest thing one can get to the M-70 is the Montana 1999 or the Dakota.

The FN Mauser has not been produced for a very long time but the (nearly) same item is being produced by Zastava and is (almost) currently marketed by Remington.

The waffenfabrik Hein action is close to a m70 only a lot better.

But I would prefer a Mauser action over a M70 any time.

To be clear, I'm talking about the current FN police rifles.

a friend of mine bought one and basically it was a m70 with a big heavy barrel and stock with a funky finish. Marked FN but clearly out of usrac, i pulled the bolt out of a factory m70 and his gun and you couldnt tell them apart.

_BB

IIRC, the first generation FN SPR was built on a standard CM M70 short action. The current production SPR is built on the WSM version of the short action. The spacing of the scope mount screws differs between the two, and the 2nd generation actions require a specific scope base (available from Badger Ordnance). Otherwise, you can consider the SPR to essentially be a Model 70 Winchester, and parts are interchangeable. Rumor has it that FN currently has enough actions to build SPR's (and I suppose Patrol Rifles) for another projected two years.

If you're interested in picking up a CRF version, make sure that you get the SPR (Special Police Rifle), and not the PBR (Patrol Bolt Rifle), which utlizes the "controlled round push feed" system. The PBRs are priced around $1000, and the SPRs are around $1400.