Messing with the M40's

[pmclaine]

Spent some time working with my Remington 700, M40 build checking if tightness of the action screws would improve accuracy...



My initial testing showed me this...


I went with the 40 front/35 rear torque, back to the 100 yard line. 3 groups 5 rounds each. First group top left was clean barrel/cold bore....


To the 300 yard line today...


Not so much joy. Thats a 3 inch circle (1 MOA).


The cross hairs cover the circle but holding so the 8x11 paper is quartered gives a good sight picture. The target below (6 inch circle) actually lets me see the aiming circle at 300 but I figured go for it with the 1 MOA target.

Tomorrow Ill shoot same excercise/same target with an M40A1 and see how things go.

[usmc69]

I have an SSA M40 that will group one inch at 200 yards. Was using 168 gr BTM with 44.9 gr of IMR 4064. Using a Redfield 3-9X.

[pmclaine]

Made it to the range with the M40A1 today...




Noticed something weird in my scope...


There is a line that starts about 9 oclock and bows out across the center of the FOV than comes back in around 5 oclock. Its an old ass Weaver. Got a little hot in the car today, temps in 90s. Wonder if its on its last legs.




Are the MST100s heat sensitive?

Results were "Meh!". I was adjusting from a 100 yard zero to 300 and its always a crap shoot if you get back to the same place. Took the scope down a 1/2 MOA for the next shoot to see if I can get more into the circle.

[pmclaine]

I have an SSA M40 that will group one inch at 200 yards. Was using 168 gr BTM with 44.9 gr of IMR 4064. Using a Redfield 3-9X.

44.9 would seem a little stiff. Primers look good?

[holdover]

here is a post I did a few years ago on THR
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=738172

My 700 is in a SPS stock, one day I will build one in a stock like the M40 of long ago.

I also shoot a 700 LR in 300 win mag that shoots better than the 308.

[pmclaine]

here is a post I did a few years ago on THR
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=738172

My 700 is in a SPS stock, one day I will build one in a stock like the M40 of long ago.

I also shoot a 700 LR in 300 win mag that shoots better than the 308.

Amazing group sir. Your thoughts in that post about the rifle and the glass are practical as hell. You can spend all kinds of money on gear but a solid rifle and skilled shooter cant be beat by emptying the wallet.

[usmc69]

44.9 would seem a little stiff. Primers look good?

Did not look bad to me. A bit flattened, but not puddled.

REMSSA4.jpg
This is mine.

[pmclaine]

Did not look bad to me. A bit flattened, but not puddled.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32067[/ATTACH]
This is mine.

Wow, great figure in that wood.

It would be sweet if someone would make a Bastogne grade walnut stock true to M40 design. They are a great looking rifle.

[pmclaine]

Second round with the M40A1 and trying some new shooting bags...




The M40 will get a second shot tomorrow..

[Richard Turner/Turner Saddlery]

Looks like it didn't take too long to put the M49 to work. How is the strap working out for you, stable enough?

RT

[pmclaine]

Strap works great thank you.

I get a little obsessed about some of my toys and fixated on the little things.

Its a great scope. It has brought the weight of my pack down to nothing. The new shooting bags are working out well though bulky they are light and stable.

Im slowly taking away all my excuses for rotten range results.

[pmclaine]

Not so good today with the M40...




Rifle looked good but targets?...




I dont know if Im messing up controlling the scope parallax or what. This rifle shouldnt shoot this much differently from the A1.

[Johnny P]

I have a Mike Lau built M40A1 with a Hart barrel, and with the Sierra 168 gr. MK's it actually shoots better MOA at 200 yards than 100 on an absolutely still day. My scope is a Leupold Mk4 M3, and you can totally eliminate parallax with the side knob.

[pmclaine]

The Weaver on my A1 has an adjustable objective so Im able to focus out parallax. That scope will soon be replaced by a USO MST 100. The repro Unertl 10X sniper can be adjusted by the user and IIRC the USMC set them for 300 yards.

The M40 has a Redfield 3-9X. I think parallax is set to 150 yards at Redfield.

Trying to stay true to period certainly gives me an appreciation for modern gear, more so for the guys that used this gear and accomplished so much.

[usmc69]

The Weaver on my A1 has an adjustable objective so Im able to focus out parallax. That scope will soon be replaced by a USO MST 100. The repro Unertl 10X sniper can be adjusted by the user and IIRC the USMC set them for 300 yards.

The M40 has a Redfield 3-9X. I think parallax is set to 150 yards at Redfield.

Trying to stay true to period certainly gives me an appreciation for modern gear, more so for the guys that used this gear and accomplished so much.

Is that an original or like mine the copy made in the Leupold Custom Shop?

http://looserounds.com/2013/09/28/reproduction-redfield-usmc-m40-sniper-rifle-optic-and-refield-base-and-rings/

http://swfa.com/Redfield-3-9x40-USMC-M40-Commemorative-Rifle-Scope-P61083.aspx