help with a build starting with M700 action

A

Archibald

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Regina, Saskatchewan
Hi guys, I am wanting to build a rifle after the original USMC M40 of 1966. Please hold the usual responses of "why?" and "there are better rifles you can build", this is just the rifle that I want to build.

I was hopeing to find a 1960’s vintage remington 700 rifle (ADL i suppose) or more specifically the action with any/all of the following:
-the 6-digit serial number range
-short bolt shroud.
-clip charger slot cut into the rear bridge (a feature that was dropped in 1964 on commercial rifles)

I realize this may be hard to find, but I really don't know which forum in the exchange forum section will get me the result I desire (parts/bits, hunting, precision?). Which one should I try? The other side of this is hopefully one of you guys know where I can find what I am looking for.

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
You will have trouble finding one of these actions.

Remington are still making models that will load from a stripper clip but they are from the Custom Shop.

40XB Rangemaster and the 40XB KS.

These actions are designed to be used with open target sights and not scopes (scope blocks the loading port).

Ask in the Precision forum.

Good luck in your endeavor.

Actually it's a good project. You will also need a walnut, oiled stock as well as a Redfield scope (I forget which model). The park'ing isn't a problem.
 
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Over the years, I have seen a few of the early pattern 700s. They are around, but you are going to have to be patient, and keep your eyes open. A want ad. in the EE might help.
 
RePete said:
You will have trouble finding one of these actions.

Remington are still making models that will load from a stripper clip but they are from the Custom Shop.

40XB Rangemaster and the 40XB KS.

These actions are designed to be used with open target sights and not scopes (scope blocks the loading port).

Ask in the Precision forum.

Good luck in your endeavor.

Actually it's a good project. You will also need a walnut, oiled stock as well as a Redfield scope (I forget which model). The park'ing isn't a problem.
Click to expand...

My 40-XB Rangemaster can have open sights or a scope (I have a scope on mine). Mine is a single shot, so I don't know about the stripper clip for the repeaters. However, mine is old (about 30 yrs or so) but from what I can tell from their website the model hasn't changed much.
 
I think this is what you want...

An almost cherry 700 .308 bolt face, serial # 130,###. It has the original short bolt shroud too.
I am going to true the action shortly.

Email me...

old%20700.jpg
 
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Archibald said:
so there are different styles of clip slots? I came across this on the web:

A1-clip-slot.gif
Click to expand...

I have never seen one of these but it is my belief these little round recesses on each side of the "slot" are not deep and designed to hold the end of a stripper clip. I do not know if Remington machined them or an armourer. Each firearm begins life as a Remington 700, and is then extensively modified by hand by USMC 2112/gunsmiths at Marine Corps Base Quantico, using components from a number of suppliers.

Here is a link to another forum talking about this: longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/ed-doc-harrens-m40a1-25188/

Part way down the page is stated:

The USMC M40 and M40A1 rifles were clip slotted as received from Remington. Initially this would be of zero benefit as the scope base covers the clip slot and block the clip slot normal usage. I suppose there was some thought of using a front and receiver sight as used by the Army M24 for some of the rifles or for the marksmanship training but I don't know for sure.

The second generation M40, the M40A1 with the Unertl base used the clip slot to augment the strength of the base to rifle bond, the base was machined to slide into the clip slot front and rear.

Badger Ordnance and U S Optics are known to me to make clip slotted bases for use with these type rifles and actions.

To have a genuine synthetic (clone) of an M40 or M40A1 the action must be clip slotted.
 
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The clip slots depicted in the picture show how the stripper clip is retained (the 2 radius cuts at the rear).

Remington did make the cuts in the original 700's but the scope useage prevented you from loading with them. Either from a 1 piece base and/or the scope body.
 
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