For 2025 I am going to try and build two replica snipers using Remington M700/40-X short actions:
First, a "shooter" M40 replica for CMP vintage sniper matches - so I can keep my Chuck Mawhinny commemorative rifle mostly in the safe, given its increasing collectability.
Secondly, I hope to build a poor man's M24ish (with a short action) - so I will use my M24R a little less, given its collectability.
What I picked up last month to assist in those two projects is what I suspect is a 1969/70 era Remington 40X repeater that the previous owner turned into a poor man's M24ish rifle, complete with an HS Precision stock and a tan camo job. I have an extra RR prefix receiver (short action 308) that I have refinished years ago, and that will be the base of my M24ish rifle. The 40-X has a clip slotted reciever, so that receiver + bolt + trigger + trigger guard will go towards that top wooden stock (BO M40 mount also shown). I can thank USMCSGT0331 for the vintage Remington buttplate for that wood stock - but it needs a bit of sanding to slim it down to the original M40 profile...and a front swivel.
Sort of a nuance, but the 1960s era M700 bolts are a little thinner in the wrist that the later bolts, and the checkering on the knob runs in a diagonal pattern, whereas the later M700 bolts are thicker at the wrist, and the checking runs in vertical and horizontal pattern.
I have no idea when this 40-X was made, but the previous owner thought it was 1969 based on some other original rifles.
The funny thing is the owner of the 40-X painted the rifle in a color and pattern very similar to my M24R shown on the bottom with its original camo job from it's prior service life. Sort of an interesting coincidence, but I like it...He said he got the last 1/2" Remington marked buttpad that HS Precision had on hand. It was under someone's desk, but he snagged it, and it looks better than the 1" versions.
For those who noticed, yes, the old 40-X target rifles from the 1960s had 27.5" SS barrels, and thus I will have my gunsmith cut this down to 24" and re-crown it so it looks more like an M24 barrel. I'll of course have the Redfield front sight block re-installed on the shortended barrel. In the end I hope have a long action M24R as a collection piece, and a short action M24ish as more of a range toy. Might use my extra M3A Ultra scope on the M24ish, but it's currently on my Mk 14 Mod 0 project, but I have most other parts - aside from the Sunny Hill bottom metal.
So, that should keep me busy in 2025....just need to find a proper Bartlein barrel for the M40 replica, and the Sunny Hill 520 bottom metal for the M24ish...
First, a "shooter" M40 replica for CMP vintage sniper matches - so I can keep my Chuck Mawhinny commemorative rifle mostly in the safe, given its increasing collectability.
Secondly, I hope to build a poor man's M24ish (with a short action) - so I will use my M24R a little less, given its collectability.
What I picked up last month to assist in those two projects is what I suspect is a 1969/70 era Remington 40X repeater that the previous owner turned into a poor man's M24ish rifle, complete with an HS Precision stock and a tan camo job. I have an extra RR prefix receiver (short action 308) that I have refinished years ago, and that will be the base of my M24ish rifle. The 40-X has a clip slotted reciever, so that receiver + bolt + trigger + trigger guard will go towards that top wooden stock (BO M40 mount also shown). I can thank USMCSGT0331 for the vintage Remington buttplate for that wood stock - but it needs a bit of sanding to slim it down to the original M40 profile...and a front swivel.
Sort of a nuance, but the 1960s era M700 bolts are a little thinner in the wrist that the later bolts, and the checkering on the knob runs in a diagonal pattern, whereas the later M700 bolts are thicker at the wrist, and the checking runs in vertical and horizontal pattern.
I have no idea when this 40-X was made, but the previous owner thought it was 1969 based on some other original rifles.
The funny thing is the owner of the 40-X painted the rifle in a color and pattern very similar to my M24R shown on the bottom with its original camo job from it's prior service life. Sort of an interesting coincidence, but I like it...He said he got the last 1/2" Remington marked buttpad that HS Precision had on hand. It was under someone's desk, but he snagged it, and it looks better than the 1" versions.
For those who noticed, yes, the old 40-X target rifles from the 1960s had 27.5" SS barrels, and thus I will have my gunsmith cut this down to 24" and re-crown it so it looks more like an M24 barrel. I'll of course have the Redfield front sight block re-installed on the shortended barrel. In the end I hope have a long action M24R as a collection piece, and a short action M24ish as more of a range toy. Might use my extra M3A Ultra scope on the M24ish, but it's currently on my Mk 14 Mod 0 project, but I have most other parts - aside from the Sunny Hill bottom metal.
So, that should keep me busy in 2025....just need to find a proper Bartlein barrel for the M40 replica, and the Sunny Hill 520 bottom metal for the M24ish...
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