Does anybody still think the 40x is special?

[6fatrat]

My first match rifle was a well used 40X-B with the factory barrel pushing 3000rds, this was in 1981.
After a couple years i switched to the M-70's with the Anschutz triggers.
I put on a shot out Krieger that I turned down and set back In .243 and have used it for hunting ever since.
Steve Bair

 

[LCazador]

In the fifty plus years that I've been shooting competitively, I never thought that the action was really the producer of a great shooter. I'm on my 10th year of shooting a 30BR 40X and a custom actioned 30BR in score matches. The 40X has consistently outshot the custom action. While this is a unique experience I maintain it's that great shooting barrel not the action that makes the difference! The three B's. Barrels, Brass, and Bullets!!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

In the fifty plus years that I've been shooting competitively, I never thought that the action was really the producer of a great shooter. I'm on my 10th year of shooting a 30BR 40X and a custom actioned 30BR in score matches. The 40X has consistently outshot the custom action. While this is a unique experience I maintain it's that great shooting barrel not the action that makes the difference! The three B's. Barrels, Brass, and Bullets!!

Im in the camp of the action is THE most important part of the equation. Having consistent ignition, smoothness and speed of operation are way more important than people realize when it comes to an aggregate score. Sure you can shoot good groups with a savage or remington, but over an agg they wont be on top. Theres a reason good gunsmiths spend so much time on actions making sure they are perfect

 

[Cbashooter]

In the fifty plus years that I've been shooting competitively, I never thought that the action was really the producer of a great shooter. I'm on my 10th year of shooting a 30BR 40X and a custom actioned 30BR in score matches. The 40X has consistently outshot the custom action. While this is a unique experience I maintain it's that great shooting barrel not the action that makes the difference! The three B's. Barrels, Brass, and Bullets!!

Agree! I got beat by many 788 actions with Hart barrels...

 

[LCazador]

Im in the camp of the action is THE most important part of the equation. Having consistent ignition, smoothness and speed of operation are way more important than people realize when it comes to an aggregate score. Sure you can shoot good groups with a savage or remington, but over an agg they wont be on top. Theres a reason good gunsmiths spend so much time on actions making sure they are perfect

What you say is elementary. That's pure basic stuff and nobody competes without a good action. My point is it goes beyond that. Besides the three B's, I will rest my case on the shooter's ability to lead the way to winning aggs.

 

[alintx]

The thing i like most about a 40x is not having to try to find magazine parts

Ha, dusty, I have a repeater!

 

[alintx]

I have a prototype that doesn't have the 40x marking. Got it from an old br shooter that shot in the famous warehouse shootings. I think he got it straight from Mike Walker. At some time, he had a Davidson cone bolt made for it. Shoots great with every barrel I ever put in it. Remington verified it as a 40x but the serial number. It's as slick as any custom action made today.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Yeah, I think the older (70s and before). ones are pretty darn special. I have an early one in 244 Rem. the engraving of the lettering on the receiver is real special. Very fine, like the older 722s etc.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

The big difference between the 700 and 40X rifles has always been the barrel. Never saw much difference in the quality of the 2 actions made during the same time period and I've had over 100 of them apart. For that reason, I only bought single shot 40X's for my own use, seeing no difference in the actions of the repeater 40X and the 700. I have several of the new 700 SS single shot actions and concur that they are the best Rem. actions I have seen.

Are you referring to the stainless models with the RR prefix and the hi'tech looking XXXX/code on the receiver? How do I know which 700 action you are talking about? thks.

 

[SBS]

Are you referring to the stainless models with the RR prefix and the hi'tech looking XXXX/code on the receiver? How do I know which 700 action you are talking about? thks.

Yep, that describes the 700 single shot stainless actions pretty well. As far as I know, Remington did not produce a single shot action marked 700 before these -- you had to get the 40X rifle which was available in a true single shot as well as a repeater. True single shot actions were mostly customs until Savage got into the J series (also made as repeaters). Later Savage made single shot rifles available on the long and short actions, followed by single shot target actions (smaller loading ports). Other than Savage, one had to buy a 40X or custom action to get a single shot bolt action. ADDED: Guess I forgot to mention that FN sold some single shot commercial 98 Mauser actions in the 60's-70's -- well made, but outdated. Sako sold some rifles and actions they described as having BR actions, but they fitted loading blocks into the magazine port (well fitted, got to take out of the stock and look hard to see) and they didn't get much traction either.

 

[davidjoe]

In the fifty plus years that I've been shooting competitively, I never thought that the action was really the producer of a great shooter. I'm on my 10th year of shooting a 30BR 40X and a custom actioned 30BR in score matches. The 40X has consistently outshot the custom action. While this is a unique experience I maintain it's that great shooting barrel not the action that makes the difference! The three B's. Barrels, Brass, and Bullets!!

This 40-X single shot action with the short shroud bolt is probably close to 50 years old, and is not special at all, as I reduced a nice old rifle to just an action not knowing better.

This was my first used 40-X, once a .22-250 with a flat faced superb barrel that was so wedded to the action the barrel’s shoulder needed a relief cut, - why’d I agree to that. I recognize it amongst the horde of widow guns I chased on shelves of 3rd generation stores, for 20 years, for its 0 decline Ken Farrel base I put on it as a noob to accuracy “game” equipment, who was reluctant to compress scope springs. So the Badger integral rings have -20 moa.

While I wrecked its barrel I do enjoy this “natural 21.8” pound fast twist .243 Krieger with Manners’ excellent carbon fiber F-Class stock.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Yep, that describes the 700 single shot stainless actions pretty well. As far as I know, Remington did not produce a single shot action marked 700 before these -- you had to get the 40X rifle which was available in a true single shot as well as a repeater. True single shot actions were mostly customs until Savage got into the J series (also made as repeaters). Later Savage made single shot rifles available on the long and short actions, followed by single shot target actions (smaller loading ports). Other than Savage, one had to buy a 40X or custom action to get a single shot bolt action. ADDED: Guess I forgot to mention that FN sold some single shot commercial 98 Mauser actions in the 60's-70's -- well made, but outdated. Sako sold some rifles and actions they described as having BR actions, but they fitted loading blocks into the magazine port (well fitted, got to take out of the stock and look hard to see) and they didn't get much traction either.

Good to know these recent actions are good quality. Years ago on an internet site I did see a Rem 700 blued action in single shot. I screwed around and did not buy it. It looked to be serval years old. my guess is 70s vintage. regret not buying it.

 

[LCazador]

View attachment 1313408

This 40-X single shot action with the short shroud bolt is probably close to 50 years old, and is not special at all, as I reduced a nice old rifle to just an action not knowing better.

This was my first 40-X, once a .22-250 with a flat faced superb barrel that was so wedded to the action the barrel’s shoulder needed a relief cut, - why’d I agree to that. I recognize it amongst the horde of widow guns I chased on shelves of 3rd generation stores, for 20 years, for its 0 decline Ken Farrel base I put on it as a noob to accuracy “game” equipment, who was reluctant to compress scope springs. So the Badger integral rings have -20 moa.

While I wrecked its barrel I do enjoy this “natural 21.8” pound fast twist .243 Krieger with Manners’ excellent carbon fiber F-Class stock.

Well don't feel bad. I've did it several times myself. Back then you could buy an action for $300-400 and the whole rifle for $700-800. I once traded a Baush&Lomb scope for a 40X rifle, a Kevlar stocked one in 220 Swift. I turned that into a custom project thinking it was worth nothing with a shot out barrel. Nice rig! I shot 243 Improved and 250-3000 necked 243 Improved fast twist in late 80's both 40X.

 

[Cbashooter]

Yep, that describes the 700 single shot stainless actions pretty well. As far as I know, Remington did not produce a single shot action marked 700 before these -- you had to get the 40X rifle which was available in a true single shot as well as a repeater. True single shot actions were mostly customs until Savage got into the J series (also made as repeaters). Later Savage made single shot rifles available on the long and short actions, followed by single shot target actions (smaller loading ports). Other than Savage, one had to buy a 40X or custom action to get a single shot bolt action. ADDED: Guess I forgot to mention that FN sold some single shot commercial 98 Mauser actions in the 60's-70's -- well made, but outdated. Sako sold some rifles and actions they described as having BR actions, but they fitted loading blocks into the magazine port (well fitted, got to take out of the stock and look hard to see) and they didn't get much traction either.

We also used quite a few xp100 actions back in the stone age before all of the customs hit the streets.

 

[LCazador]

We also used quite a few xp100 actions back in the stone age before all of the customs hit the streets.

Yep me too! Just finished an XP action on a 6BRA 8 twist. I'm having a fun time with the stock. Action has a front screw under the barrel threads, did a flat spot on the threads for better vibes and screw torque retention on that screw hole. It also has the normal rear screw. A Jewell model 7 will deliver the goods on some poor unsuspecting P-dog out there. If things work out I may also shoot a 600 yard match and surprise myself!

 

[jackieschmidt]

​

Remington 40XB Rangemaster in 243 Win.​

Vintage 1970s with original S2 Stainless barrel. Single shot. Leupold 36 power scope. Grandson can hit an egg with it @ 300 yards. Used a Redfield 6x18 variable scope when hunting woodchuck years ago on the farm. Factory original. Bought after custom barreled Win M70 failed to produce small groups.

40X Great guns.
Having shot many factory rifles in 243 Win from the 70s my 40x was the best of the lot. Having shot the 40x & 700 HB side by side, compare 1/2" to 1". The worst shooter was a Ruger #1 HB. The Sako L579 Forester in 243 Heavy Barrel came close to the 40x. The Savage model 99 was a fun gun. Ok for huntjng.

My shooting buddy had the 222 rem 40XBBR. A very accurate rifle for its time.
Then compared to now, very different. Like drag racing. 8 seconds then, 3.7 seconds now.

I had one just like it in 25-06. The thing shot 115 grn Bergers pretty darned good.

 

[lightman]

I don't know if they are special or not. After quite a bit or research I still don't really know. There is a lot of controversy about 40X's. But I always wanted one, just because.............

Well I bought one of those new actions that a member had for sale on here last year. My plans were to build my version of Remington's short barrel tactical rifle. And I have. I used an HS/Remington stock (bought from another member on here), a Krieger Remington varmint contour fluted barrel finished at 20 inches, PTG recoil lug, Jewell trigger, Badger Rings and Base and NF scope. Its finished but I haven't been able to shoot it yet. While I was waiting on the Krieger barrel I bought a complete 40X rifle. A stainless synthetic stock repeater in 223. The first several groups went about 3/8 from a not so comfortable rest and using ammo that I already had. Thats good enough for the use that I had planned for the rifle.

 

[1911nut]

The Benchrest Shooting Primer - from Precision Shooting.
Article October, 1983
The 40X Versus The Custom Action.
Discussion, Opinions, experience from George Fullmer, Seely Masker, Fred Sinclair, Harold Broughton and Dale Hutcherson.

 

[Fast14riot]

Put a 700 in a 40x stock and nobody knows the difference until you inspect the stamp. This action is now rebarreled and in a new stock, but I shot many 1K f class matches like that from a harris bipod, won a few in my class, too.

 

[Tommie]

@Dusty Stevens
Apparently so.