Remington 40X 22LR from 1955

[orkan]

Took my Remington 40X with serial number in the 900's out for some shooting the other day.

The date code on this rifle puts manufacture in August of 1955. The trigger has the tiniest bit of creep in it, but hits a second little wall that allows for fairly easy shooting. Pull weight is a little on the heavy side for a target rifle at about 3lbs. It's actually quite surprising how well it can be shot for how much character the trigger has.

I topped it with my Unertl 16X Programmer for this outing. It all worked so well, I think I'll leave it on this rifle for a while. I absolutely adore the Programmers and am always on the lookout for more.

I streamed the entire session live on instagram. The wind was VERY uncooperative, with gusts up to 20mph+ and the valley dropping all the way down to 8mph. Gusty and difficult to see. Despite that, at 50yds, I was able to squeeze off the three 5-shot groups I show below during favorable winds.

It is so very fun and satisfying shooting these historic rifles and witnessing their incredible capabilities, which remain unchanged from so many decades ago.

 

[flatland1]

Will always be grateful to CMP for the chances to own a few of these rifles and a couple of Winchester 52Ds as well. The 1st 40XB I received from CMP had a lot of dings in the stock, and that truck axle of a bbl was hard on my left elbow while shooting prone with sling, but it put 'em right in there. I shot some of these rifles when I joined the rifle club at K-State back in 1969 - had almost forgotten how accurate the 40Xs & 52s could be. Good on you for keeping one in its original condition...

 

[orkan]

It would be a hanging offense to modify this rifle. It is full original and didn't come through CMP.

 

[SecretSquirrels]

That might be the coolest rifle I have ever seen. The scope looks like something Allan Quatermain would have liked.

SS

 

[goosed]

It would be a hanging offense to modify this rifle. It is full original and didn't come through CMP.

Yes, it would be. That thing is a beauty!

 

[jbell]

That is a great looking rifle Greg! Nice shooting too.

 

[Merlin O]

So we have 100+ threads touting rifles that cost multiple thousands of dollars only to rediscover that guns built in 1955 are every bit as accurate....

?

 

[Davo308]

Beautiful gun.

 

[flatland1]

So tell me Merlin, how much do you think it'd cost to duplicate orkan's beautiful 40X in today's dollars? Assuming you're talking about the long thread on the V22 - if so, you should understand that Mike's design is a very thorough & thoughtful update/upgrade on the 40X action...and the pricing on the Vudoos is very reasonable when you take into account the quality of the V22 action compared to that of the original 40Xs.

 

[Merlin O]

flatland1 the point you make is valid and one that I have no problem with. Dollar for adjusted dollar the rifles made today may cost less. Certainly more choices with an incredibly diverse assortment to choose from.

From me - Simply a comment that a rifle is not obsolete when it has it's first birthday. The groups shown from this rifle are as good as anything I have seen (that I actually believe were shot as stated) in any thread I have noticed. Actually far better than most.

I have 5 rifles made in my birth year of 1952 and they shoot as good (actually better) than anything (I have seen) made today. (Lever guns I shoot in 3 different divisions of NRA Metallic Silhouette)

 

[orkan]

The groups shown from this rifle are as good as anything I have seen (that I actually believe were shot as stated) in any thread I have noticed. Actually far better than most.

There were lots of other groups shot that day that weren't this good. ... but that's why I shot them all live. No one can argue when they see it with their own eyes.

 

[Merlin O]

orkan I have seen your posts and it is quite obvious that you show the good.. the bad and the ugly. ?
Honesty is an excellent trait in any person. Thank You.

 

[flatland1]

Merlin - You're a whole year younger than me! I see your point & agree with you. There's nothing more enjoyable to me than looking at and handling some of the premier smallbore rifles from our country's past, which is one reason I loved being able to buy the 52s & 40Xs through the CMP at reasonable prices. Still enjoy getting one of mine out from time to time.

I do have one 40XB that jelrod converted into a repeater that uses the V22 mags, and with the Krieger bbl I fitted & chambered for it, it shoots as good as my Krieger & Bartlein-bbl'd V22s - but the V22s run smoother. It's all good, even shooting the CZ457s, especially the two that I've re-barreled with Shilens. I am ready for this COVID-19 madness to be over, so I can get together with friends to shoot some 22RF matches.

 

[orkan]

orkan I have seen your posts and it is quite obvious that you show the good.. the bad and the ugly. ?
Honesty is an excellent trait in any person. Thank You.

Things shoot how they shoot. I get tired of seeing exaggerated 22lr performance posted online. I have long since not had anything to prove. If someone wants to see how they stack up against me, they can come shoot against me. The internet surely isn't the place where it will get figured out.

 

[Merlin O]

I have always been the unluckiest bastard ever born. My truck get 5 mpg less than everyone else, my wife won't do the nasty as often as all my friends brides do, I have been shortchanged in the manhood department and my guns are never as accurate as the next guys.

 

[Rlbol]

I know exactly how you feel!!
I love my 40x w/t Unertl