40XBR New Guy

[sagamore-One]

New to this site with many questions and a pile of shooting supplies from a dearly departed shooting buddy. I ended up with a 40XBR with two bolts, seven barrels in different chamberings 221 Rem to 30-338 Win Mag ,loading dies for each caliber, brass and assorted goodies. Am currently trying to sort out the whole mess. I intend to "lurk" in the background for a while and absorb as much info as possible.
The 40XBR is set up as a switch barrel. The first combination I tried was the 6mm-222mag barrel(6x47). It shoots so well I am hesitant to take it back apart.
So... Lurk away I will.

 

[LHSmith]

You are in for a great experience.What other chamberings? What optics? Remember, in order to get the most from your newly acquired set-up will require flags, and a solid bench and rest.... AND advice from this forum. Never had a 6 x 47, but the old timers claimed they could shoot lights out but do have a finicky nature, reason being they are rarely used in competition these days. I'm sure there are members here who can help you get the most out of your new acquisition. Ask away.

 

[GerryM]

I can give you afew loads if you would like to try them. I'm sure you also aquired some neck turned brass with your buddys rig,
Heres 2 for the 6X 47 on the mag case. 23.5 IMR 4198 careful its a hot one"' seat to miss the lands. Number two load 26.5 IMR 4895 to touch or just into the lands. CCi br primers and reminton cases.
Bullets both the 65 gr and 68 gr work well. Hope this helps some.
By the way Frank James an old timer who passed shot some records with the IMR 4198 load.

 

[sagamore-One]

Thanks for the quick and friendly reply. The first 6x47 load I tried is 26.5 of 748 on top of a 68 Berger. Ragged one hole groups are possible at 100 yards.
The other chamberings include; 221 Fireball, 222 Rem, 222 Rem-246 neck,223 Rem 12 twist, 223 14 twist, 220 swift, 30-338. All are Schutz Bros stainless bench rest heavy barrels with minimum taper. Paperwork indicates the actual rifling done by Tim Scheerer. Too nice to not use.
Next purchase will most likely be a decent front rest.
I will try the 4198 loads soon.

 

[snert]

So what's better than a 40XBR? A switch barrel 40XBR! Welcome aboard. I always wanted a 222 40XBR, and could not afford one. I cloned one from a 722 and wrote about it in Varmint Hunter last year. It loves H322, Fed Match and 50 Grain Nosler BT. I think you will love the gun and the equipment. Every time you embark on a new test, you will be walking in the shoes of your friend, and that is a great way to honor him and remember. Hope this board helps...I visit every day...lurking as well.

Snert

 

[Kenny474]

The original 6X47, what a nice round. An old timer I know still has an old 6X47 on a Rem 700 that he takes out on rare occasion, and man will it shoot. And when I say rare occasion, he is still using Herter's .222mag brass that is probably older than I am.

I think you will like the .222 as well, as that round is extremely accurate and superior to the more popular .223 at short range.

Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy the rifle and that it brings back fond memories of your friend.

 

[sagamore-One]

One of the neat things about the 6x47 is that it came with a set of "hand" dies, quite a departure fromusing a Rockchucker or the Dillon 550B. I find it surprisingly relaxing to sit down and load 100 rounds with the hand dies. It seems to be almost soothing to assemble ammo at such a leisurely pace.
Like I mentioned in a previous post, I am reluctant to switch barrels on this receiver, so a "build" is in my future, neccessitating the purchase of a receiver or two. So lurk away I will.

 

[jonbearman]

Why not just by the bolt you need,like the Ptg bolt or there are others as well.Then just have more barrels fit to your existing reciever.Saves alot of money in the end. Your .223 barrels should make a fine one to try.The 14 twist for extra light bullets and the 12 twist for up to 60 grainers maybe,usually the 12 wont go above 55 grains though.You are gonna have a really good time embarking on this journey.There are many barrel companys too.You have to see which one you can afford.LOL Hobby financing.

 

[Kenny474]

No need to be reluctant, unless it's for sentimental reasons, as you surely won't hurt anything by swapping the barrels around. I can't count the amount of times I have had the barrel off my Savage, and it still shoots just as good as day 1.

 

[sagamore-One]

In response to Mr.Johnbearman, the rifle is currently fitted with a 223 bolt and a magnum bolt. When switching fron 223 to 6x47 it was very easy and simple. But the very size of the 30-338 is somewhat intimidating, with all the loaded rounds it seems like a shame to not try it out. This setup was used as a 1000 yard bench gun.Records indicate it shot in the 2's and 3's at 100 with practice ammo. A 190 gr bullet at almost 3000 ft seems like overkill at 100.
As for the 6x47, with a 14 twist it does NOT like Barnes Varmint Grenade 62 gr bullets. Puts them sideways through the target at 25 yards. It really likes Berger 68's.

 

[Kenny474]

Is the 30-338 a 30-338 Lapua? Or is it a .338 win mag necked down?

I could see being intimidated by a 30-338 Lapua, as it's a bit of a monster compared to the smaller .223 based stuff.

 

[sagamore-One]

It is the 338 Win mag necked to 30 cal. Some of the brass is headstamped 308 Norma Mag. Still a monster compared to the 221 Fireball.
The 40 x must be one heck of an action to handle everything from 221 to 30-338.

 

[bozo699]

sagamore-One,
Welcome to the forum.
Sounds like your going to have way to much fun with that rig.
Wayne.

 

[Eddie Harren]

They offered the 40X rifles in 300 Win. Mag. There is virtually no structural difference between a 40X and a 700 action. The single shots are touted as stiffer, and therefore more accurate, but that is the only difference.

 

[sagamore-One]

I already have several Rem 700's and a couple 600's. I really enjoyed bedding and tuning all of them. This 40 x is a different animal, my first switch barrel.Original owner converted it himself. He was quite a machinist and almost anal about reloading. While I was out blasting groundhogs he was busy weighing charges for one hole shooting. When I say one hole he really meant it. He weighed everything... powder, primers, bullets, cases, powder residue... you get the idea. I normally set the Lyman powder thrower and charge away. But I do have the utmost respect for anyone half as devoted as he was.