Should I buy this? (40xb br)

[Field_2_Fork]

Backstory: I'm new to SR BR shooting. My local range (Southern Alberta) has an informal league, last year was my first time participating, I shot my Tikka M55 Deluxe (heavy barrel) in .243, using 87gr Berger Vlds I placed 3rd in the varmint class shooting a 710-1X/800. I really enjoyed myself and looked forward to this year.

Shortly before this season started a friend of mine came in to a Rem 600 Mohawk with an aftermarket barrel and Timney trigger, chambered in 6x47Rem. He couldn't get it to stabilize a heavy enough bullet for his son to use as a first hunting rifle, so he traded it to me for a compact Tikka M595 I had in .243.

I've been doing pretty good with this rifle so far this year, still a couple weeks to go. Last week I shot 47, 47, 46X at 300, to me that's pretty exciting.

In my search for a better set of dies I have come across a fellow in his 70's who has a great package he is willing to sell me:

Rem 40XB BR in 6x47, 2oz Shilen trigger, 22" aftermarket heavy barrel. He says it's the most accurate rifle he's ever fired, 1" groups at 300. Also has some quality dies and lots of fired and new brass available, as well as a Lyman 10x with a multiplier. Price for the entire package is $1400 Canadian, I believe this to be a great deal.

My question is, should I pursue this or hold off for the day I'm ready to step up and shoot in the open class, of which the few shooters in my club who shoot it have full custom rifles?

I'm worried about not being competitive competitive with the guys with custom rifles.

Funds are tight as usual, so that's a factor. Any thoughts here??

 

[Pyscodog]

I'm no competitive shooter so take what I say with a grain of salt. Once the bug bites you, your screwed. Your going to want bigger and better, then better then better. LOL, its a sickness. No matter how good of a deal it is today and how good it shoots, your going to want better sooner or later. The 40x is a great action but as you grow you'll want better. My best advice is buy what you can afford and enjoy it. When the time comes to get "better", you figure out a way to get there. Main thing is have fun! Lots of help wasn't it? LOL

 

[nakneker]

Backstory: I'm new to SR BR shooting. My local range (Southern Alberta) has an informal league, last year was my first time participating, I shot my Tikka M55 Deluxe (heavy barrel) in .243, using 87gr Berger Vlds I placed 3rd in the varmint class shooting a 710-1X/800. I really enjoyed myself and looked forward to this year.

Shortly before this season started a friend of mine came in to a Rem 600 Mohawk with an aftermarket barrel and Timney trigger, chambered in 6x47Rem. He couldn't get it to stabilize a heavy enough bullet for his son to use as a first hunting rifle, so he traded it to me for a compact Tikka M595 I had in .243.

I've been doing pretty good with this rifle so far this year, still a couple weeks to go. Last week I shot 47, 47, 46X at 300, to me that's pretty exciting.

In my search for a better set of dies I have come across a fellow in his 70's who has a great package he is willing to sell me:

Rem 40XB BR in 6x47, 2oz Shilen trigger, 22" aftermarket heavy barrel. He says it's the most accurate rifle he's ever fired, 1" groups at 300. Also has some quality dies and lots of fired and new brass available, as well as a Lyman 10x with a multiplier. Price for the entire package is $1400 Canadian, I believe this to be a great deal.

My question is, should I pursue this or hold off for the day I'm ready to step up and shoot in the open class, of which the few shooters in my club who shoot it have full custom rifles?

I'm worried about not being competitive competitive with the guys with custom rifles.

Funds are tight as usual, so that's a factor. Any thoughts here??

At that price you could buy it, try it and if you don’t like it get your money back out if it’s in good shape. I’d ask who did the barrel work but it would be hard to get hurt on that deal. I think that’s 1100.00 in US dollars. I’d buy it if that deal came by me.

 

[Hoot]

You can also take a rem 700, get a Remage barrel in that or whatever caliber chambered barrel you please from Northland Shooter Supply, drop in a Jewell or aftermarket trigger of your choice and have essentially the same rifle. That's what I did but in 6XC. Of course, you would have to buy a scope, dies and brass yet. see if you can get a round count on that barrel. That package would be sorely tempting if the barrel has been taken car of and hasn't been shot out. You know what they say about opinions however...

Hoot

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Well, I would. But mostly as I would like a 40XB BR in the cupboard! But if you want to be competitive - there's better out there.
There's some nice actions made in Canada - Ultimatum Precision in BC, and some good barrels from International Barrels and cut- rifled from JC Custom in New Brunswick. So plenty of local talent to choose from. I would also be looking for a more modern scope - Sightron?

 

[Hoot]

Well, I would. But mostly as I would like a 40XB BR in the cupboard! But if you want to be competitive - there's better out there.
There's some nice actions made in Canada - Ultimatum Precision in BC, and some good barrels from International Barrels and cut- rifled from JC Custom in New Brunswick. So plenty of local talent to choose from. I would also be looking for a more modern scope - Sightron?

IMHO, Sightrons are very good scopes. I like the way their elevation and windage system works. I own and use four of them. If you go that route, make sure you get an SII or greater model. Two of mine are SII and two are SIII.

Hoot

 

[Kurz]

Field_2_Fork,​

While any of the 40x actions would be a nice prize, the considerable amount of older 'stuff' simply bogs down your real need and desire as far as your club shooting is concerned. It is a nice price for what is represented but I am thinking a little further along in your shooting needs.

Personally, I think you might give consideration to something along the lines of a 6BR or one of the many variations; 6BRX, 6BRAI, etc. Here you have a proven Match winner all the way out to 1,000 yards. Bullets for extreme accuracy are readily available usually, although I'm not familiar with Canadian supplies.

The scope included in the package above was a real asset 50 or more years ago but there have been extensive (huge) improvements in the field of shooting optics to such an extent that there really is no reason to buy anything from that era unless you are a collector.

Yes, you would have to create the package from the get go but dies, bullets, barrels and stocks are readily available. My suggestion is to find a pre-owned 6BR or variant with some decent barrel life remaining and start from there. Do some searching and asking around to see if you can find what you need and go from there.

This is a slightly older review but it's still good information:

https://www.6mmbr.com/6mmbr.html

https://www.6mmbr.com/6BRImproved01.html

Competition information:

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2019/09/14/6bra-6brx-6br-load-data/

Excellent brass is currently available from several manufacturers for the 6BR and Lapua is making brass for the 6 Dasher.

As an aside to the more than capable 6BR you can also consider the 6x47 Lapua which is slightly longer but considered to be an exceptionally competitive cartridge.

Enjoy the process!

 

[Field_2_Fork]

Field_2_Fork,​

While any of the 40x actions would be a nice prize, the considerable amount of older 'stuff' simply bogs down your real need and desire as far as your club shooting is concerned. It is a nice price for what is represented but I am thinking a little further along in your shooting needs.

Enjoy the process!

Yes, this is pretty much essentially how my thought process worked the situation out over the past 24 hours.
1. Buying the 40XBR would possibly put me into the open class, which I'm not ready for. Having a pretty good time right now shooting my thin barrel against the varmint rifles, and doing pretty good!
2. The 6x47 while accurate and very efficient is past it's prime for several reasons, more than I'm even aware of I know.
3. I will likely want something more custom in the future, funds are limited so I'm likely better off to wait until I'm ready.

Thank you all for the insight. I see the 40X being tossed around on here occasionally so I knew I'd get reliable advice.
I will likely shoot the old Tikka and the old Rem Mohawk for a few more years, try and build some skills, then get a somewhat custom in a newer cartridge. Maybe the 30BR, I like those big holes!

In the meantime I'll keep trying to sell off other possessions, maybe I can afford to upgrade my wind-flags?!

(If anyone is looking for vintage Puma knives I may offload a few)
Cheers!

 

[243winxb]

my wind-flags?

And i thought my wind flags were lame.

aftermarket heavy barrel

Have to wonder how much life is left in the barrel. Good price.

 

[Field_2_Fork]

And i thought my wind flags were lame.View attachment 1275234

Have to wonder how much life is left in the barrel. Good price.

Ha! Beauty!
Apparently the barrel has 80 rounds through it, was brand new when he bought it from an estate sale. Makes it a little more tempting for sure.

 

[snert]

I'd be on that 40xbr like stink on a skunk, but then again I would still be wearing a mullet (if I had hair) and sporting a Molly Hatchet tee shirt, if I had my way.

I like old school and have so much fun with old rifles. But to each their own. I shoot a 6x50, just a bit more than a 47. I like it. But yes, past its prime. That's what makes it so fun

 

[Field_2_Fork]

I'd be on that 40xbr like stink on a skunk, but then again I would still be wearing a mullet (if I had hair) and sporting a Molly Hatchet tee shirt, if I had my way.

I like old school and have so much fun with old rifles. But to each their own. I shoot a 6x50, just a bit more than a 47. I like it. But yes, past its prime. That's what makes it so fun

In my limited experience I quite enjoy old rifles as well, that's the part that is still nagging at me. I like the sound of 6x50, never heard of it but I can see how a little more case could be nice.

 

[snert]

5.6x50 Mag RWS case necked up to 6mm. Better brass than the old Remington 222 MAg, and a smidge more powder. I call it the 6 Mo'Better. Cause its just a bit bigger, hence better, than the 6x47.

I'd buy that rifle, but thats me. I love the old flat front walnut 40xbr stock. and the old 2 ounce triggers are a hoot. I shoot several of them.

 

[snert]

But the other advice is right, considering you would have to compete with real customs. If that is your goal, the 40XBR would limit you. Sad though it is to see it not be used. And that old Lyman...well...some things are best left in the past.

 

[Kurz]

The lure of nostalgia is strong with those of us who appreciate the quality of the older blue and wood rifles. But when we add in competition on any level, the necessity can override and compromise nostalgia. The solution is to buy both. The drawback though can be confounded by the lack of funds. We can't have both so we're forced into making a very difficult choice:

Nostalgia and a lesser ability to compete but something nice to have around.

Pre-owned possibly but competitive quality in a modern action and cartridge design using modern bullets and powder.

Life is choices! Enjoy the challenge!