M40A3 Questions

[JayHAR15]

Hey Everyone! New to the site - and to Bolt Action Rifles.

I'm looking into building a M40A3 - Clone of the US Marines Sniper Rifle and have a few questions. I have done my research as to what parts are on the Rifle and was wondering if it is less costly to build from the lower receiver up vs. purchasing a Remington 700 and upgrade and swap parts as I see the Trigger guard, trigger, magwell, Action and stock are all different from the Manufactured out-the-box Remington.

I have a little bit of experience building rifles as I have built a few AR15s

Not really in a RUSH to complete the build so purchasing a part here and there would fit my needs rather than dropping 800 just on the rifle alone.

if anyone has built from the receiver up or has upgraded their Remmy to the M40A1-5 please let me know the problems-if any occured and what I should be aware of.

Thanks for any input.
-Jay

 

[Chuck0313]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Buy the action and build it from there. If you buy an off the shelf Remmington you will get rid of everything except the action. However, a new bolt and action is going to run you somewhere around 500 to 600 dollars. If you can buy a complete rifle for that or less get it and sell everything but the action. You might want to look at used Remmington rifles since you are going to have the bolt and receiver "blue printed" it won't matter if it is used.

 

[JayHAR15]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Thanks Chuck,
The action on the Marine's Sniper Rifle is a Short action. Any Remington that I have come across has the regular Long acion for it, or am I not coming upon the Short Action Remington Model.. anyone know which Model Remington has the Short Action receiver?

 

[deadly0311]

Re: M40A3 Questions

buy an off the shelf remington 700 in 308.

 

[JayHAR15]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Thats what caliber I plan on building. Do all the smaller calibers 700's have the Short Actions and the Larger Calibers have the longer actions- sorry maybe a Noob question for Bolt Action

 

[deadly0311]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Yes....get a Remington 700 in 308 or 243 both have short actions

 

[seanh]

Re: M40A3 Questions

the only problem with buying piece by piece is the over all cost. You'll end up spending almost as much on the action as you do for a complete rifle.

for example- the 243 here...you'll pay that much just for the action, only to true it up. At least with this, you can sell the barrel for 50 bucks, stock for 50 bucks, lower metal another 25 bucks or so.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=327582221

or a new one here
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=328183283

 

[scudzuki]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Haven't looked today but last night there was a .243 for $500 or so here on the Hide in the classifieds.

Joe

 

[Chuck0313]

Re: M40A3 Questions

The M40A3 and A5's are short actions. Look for something in 308 it should be a short action. Do your research and decide what will work for you. I was in the same spot you are in now and thought I would buy a complete gun and sell off the parts I didn't use. It was more of a hassel than anything else and for me it wasn't worth it. I was only able to get about 150 dollars back from the resale of parts which was only the stock and barrel. No one wanted the bottom metal or recoil lug. Not much money in those anyway.

What parts do you have so far and how much did you budget for this project?

 

[JayHAR15]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Thanks for the input guys. so far I dont have any parts, just an idea of my next project.
I would like to be in around $1,500 - $2,000 without optic, but I don't want to drop that much in one sitting ya know
so doing is piece by piece I think would be a little easier.

but I do see just actions alone being almost the cost of the complete rifle. Would make more sense just to build a 2nd rifle with the left over parts from the Out-the-box remington.

 

[Chuck0313]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Just an idea of approximately what you're looking at:
Remmington 308 short action - 500 to 600
Schneider barrel - 300
USMC McMillan A4 stock - 800
McMillan doesn't bed anymore so bedding will be - 200 to 300
Over sized recoil lug - 30
Two options here:
Older style A3's had DD Ross bottom metal - 300
Newer A3's and A5's use a Badger Ordnance box mag - 400
One piece 20 or 30 MOA scope mount with larger screws - 100
Gunsmithing around 700 to 1000:
Trueing action and bolt
Cut, crown, chambering, and installing barrel
Some sort of coating since Schneider will only send SS barrel blank.
Schmidt and bender 3-12x50 PM II/LP - 3200

You can also think about buying one already built. GA Precision offers A3's and A5's for around 4500. I'm not sure if that is with or without scope.

 

[pahunter1975]

Re: M40A3 Questions

First time user hope I'm in the right place. I am looking at purchasing a Remington 700 Varmint from Dick's as a starting platform for a M40 build with just add on's at this point.(no gunsmithing work) to see what the accuracy will be.(do to limited funds) Was originally going to get a 700 VLS but if I read correctly they have the same barrel. Any help at all would be great, thank you all for any input.

 

[JayHAR15]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Thank you for the breakdown. I'm close with my shop so the gunsmithing won't be that for me. I think buying the complete .308 remington would work to get familiar with it. And then take it one step at a time with upgrading. They don't call it a "project" for nothing lol

Thanks for all the info guys and once I start, ill post pics

-J

 

[D_TROS]

Re: M40A3 Questions

Not sure if you have read this

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=768063

Regards,
DT

 

[JayHAR15]

Re: M40A3 Questions

No I haven't. Thanks DT