M40a1 clone!

[ScreaminEagle]

I want to build one. I've really been thinking about getting a 308WIN, and what better platform to have one in? I don't care if it's a "correct" clone. I just like the looks of them. I know Guy has one, but do any others?

How would you guys go about building one on a budget?

Also, post up those pics!

 

[Guy Miner]

http://www.gaprecision.net/mil-spec-rifles/m40a1.html

$3550 and it's yours... without the scope...

Thanks for the compliment about my rifle, but it's really not all that much like the real M40A1. Mine is lighter, less expensive, and has the wrong stock, wrong barrel contour, wrong scope mounts, wrong scope... Etc...

The Average Joe can get close:

Rem 700 short action
McMillan stock (yes, they still build the right one)
M40A1 contour barrel

The more you want it to be like the originals (1980's & 1990's) the more expensive it gets.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

http://www.gaprecision.net/mil-spec-rifles/m40a1.html

$3550 and it's yours... without the scope...

Thanks for the compliment about my rifle, but it's really not all that much like the real M40A1. Mine is lighter, less expensive, and has the wrong stock, wrong barrel contour, wrong scope mounts, wrong scope... Etc...

The Average Joe can get close:

Rem 700 short action
McMillan stock (yes, they still build the right one)
M40A1 contour barrel

The more you want it to be like the originals (1980's & 1990's) the more expensive it gets.

Yours looks freakin awesome. Like I said I don't care if it's "correct". I just want the idea. I actually prefer the stock that you have. What model is it? Less expensive is a good thing!

 

[Guy Miner]

Quoting from McMillan's web site, the correct McMillan stock to replicate the M40A1 is:

M40A-1 HTG (GENERAL PURPOSE HUNTING)

The original M40A1 Marine Sniper Rifle stock was designed for a heavy barrel Remington 700. It can be used for either short or long actions, as well as ADL (blind magazine), BDL (hinged floorplate), and most detachable box magazine systems. It will take any barrel contour up to a #8. This stock can also be used for most Remington, Winchester, and Savage actions. The M40A1 is available with or without texture on the forend and pistol grip. Available in right and left hand

I've got the:

A1-3™

This stock was designed in response to a federal agency that requested certain modifications to the M40A1 sniper stock. The A1-3 features a wider forend similar to the A-3 tactical stock. The comb has been raised to the maximum height practical and the 2" wide forend allows for mounting a broad range of optical options, such as night vision equipment. The stock has texturing on the pistol grip with a smooth surface on the forend. This stock is not available with an adjustable cheekpiece. It is made for Remingtons and Savage blind mag type actions and is ambidextrous.

I really like my A1-3 stock, it's extremely comfortable to shoot. One good thing about McMillan is all the different options available - and I still think it's best to get on the phone and talk personally with them to order. Each stock is laid up by hand. I ordered mine with a fore-end rail, because among other uses, I intended to use it for NRA competition, with a sling stop. I also specified a longer length of pull, anticipating shooting it primarily from prone. There are a wide variety of molded-in or painted on colors avail. Mine is molded in.

You can also get several varieties of sling swivels. Even to getting flush cups installed on the sides of the rifle, which assist in carrying it flat across the shooter's back. The original M40A1's had the fixed Wichita sling swivels - but they're not really swivels - just the old style of attaching the sling.

One way that I initially held down costs on mine was to use the Remington Varmint barrel that came on the rifle, until it was shot out at around 4,000 rounds. Then I replaced it with a Kreiger of the same contour. The actual contour of the USMC rifles is heavier.

Also, the USMC rifles used a fixed 10x Unertle. That scope is now made by U.S. Optics and is quite rugged, but it's old technology and there are better optics avail these days.

The original rifles had their receivers clip slotted. This was/is still done by Remington on the 40X competition rifles for rapid reloading via a stripper clip. The USMC armorers took a look at that clip slot and decided to use it as an additional way to anchor the scope base. It worked well. I didn't go that route myself and just bolted on a zero-degree base and rings from Badger. I've been happy with the Badger setup, but these days I'd get the base and rings from Glenn Seekins at Seekins Precision, and I'd get them in aluminum to shave a little weight.

I went with the zero degree base because I had no intention of using the rifle beyond 600 yards, and it was vital that I be able to zero the rifle at 100 yards. A couple of times a year I push it out beyond 800 yards, no problem. If I was going to shoot it at 1000 yards regularly, I'd have specified the 20 degree mount. Depending on scopes, sometimes a rifle with a 20 degree mount can't be zeroed at 100 yards. This isn't that big a deal as they can usually be zeroed at 200 yards just fine.

I've been tempted over the years to build, or buy, a replica of the M40A1, but am happy with mine. It's got the general look of the 1980's and 1990's USMC sniper rifles, with changes to suit my purposes and budget. It's also very accurate, and easy to shoot.

Enjoy your rifle project!

Guy

 

[Desert Fox]

Like Guy, I build mine on a budget also. I have an ADL 243 that I acquired from a friend for $300.00. I sent it to Grunning Precision together with a Pac-Nor 12 twist Pac-nor 3 grove Supermatch blank that I bought for $300.00 also. Jim turned the Pac-Nor into an MTU contour and installed the Tubbs recoil lugs. The smithing set me back $1,100.00 and that includes Teflon coating the barreled action, Jim's own bolt handle and Picatinny 20MOA base. I bolted the barrel action into an HS Precision Pro-Stock that I acquired for $130.00 and another $180.00 for the HS DBM. I bought and installed a Kydex cheekpiece for $55.00. I found a brand new MK4 - 16 X scope from e-bay for $900.00 and a MK4 Rings at a local gunshop for $12.00. (Yes $12 for a Mk4 rings).

So in total I spent $2,977.00. Here's what the rifle looks like after I'm done putting it together.

Since then, I upgraded the rifle, replacing the stock and the scope. I bought an AICS chassis and an IOR Valdada Tactical scope. Both upgrade cost me an additional $2,000 but it was offset by the money I've got when I sold the MK4 and the HS Stock and DBM. The rifle looks much cooler now.

 

[Woodycreek]

SE,

I would go with the Rem 700 SPS-V .308 ($550-$600) and a Mickey stock for a budget M40. I had great luck accuracy wise with the last three new SPS 700s. The finish on the three suck, but they all shoot well. You could substitute a B&C stock and save some money? One of my buddies has the SPS-V 308 with a 22" chopped/recrowned barrel and it shoots 168gr Amaxs lights out. I have the SPS Tactical 20" barrel 308 and it shoots 150 BTs/ABs lights out also. Had both rifles Duracoated since the finish is so cheap on them.

 

[Woodycreek]

DF,

The original 308 looked cool, but that AICS stock puts it over the top! I love shooting the one another buddy has on his Remmy 40x 308.

How's that little puppy doing?

 

[Desert Fox]

DF,

The original 308 looked cool, but that AICS stock puts it over the top! I love shooting the one another buddy has on his Remmy 40x 308.

How's that little puppy doing?

WC, I love the AICS. They're heavy and not for everyone but the ergonomics is better than any of the Tactical stock out there IMO.

I had to gave up my puppy. A few months ago, my daughter's Chihuahua attacked my pet over a bone. The Pet reacted and accidentally killed the Chihuahua. I didn't think the Pet meant to hurt the Chihuahua. He grabbed the Chihuahua and tossed him aside accidentally crushing the chihuahua skull in the process.

We're all so sad and devastated over the whole thing. I had nightmare for a couple of weeks about the incident. I saw it unfolded in front of me but I was slow to react. The pet was my wife's dog. We talked to several vet and the local human society and they all recommended to my wife to give up the dog. So we gave it up for adoption.

 

[SJB358]

I want to build one. I've really been thinking about getting a 308WIN, and what better platform to have one in? I don't care if it's a "correct" clone. I just like the looks of them. I know Guy has one, but do any others?

How would you guys go about building one on a budget?

Also, post up those pics!

Hey, are you sure you don't want the M24! I mean, to keep it "service correct"! HA! :twisted:

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I want to build one. I've really been thinking about getting a 308WIN, and what better platform to have one in? I don't care if it's a "correct" clone. I just like the looks of them. I know Guy has one, but do any others?

How would you guys go about building one on a budget?

Also, post up those pics!

Hey, are you sure you don't want the M24! I mean, to keep it "service correct"! HA! :twisted:

:roll:

 

[Woodycreek]

I want to build one. I've really been thinking about getting a 308WIN, and what better platform to have one in? I don't care if it's a "correct" clone. I just like the looks of them. I know Guy has one, but do any others?

How would you guys go about building one on a budget?

Also, post up those pics!

Hey, are you sure you don't want the M24! I mean, to keep it "service correct"! HA! :twisted:

I didn't want to say anything since he is making a good pick :mrgreen:


DF,

Sorry about the dogs buddy.

 

[BK]

DF,

Sorry about the dogs buddy.

Yeah, me too. Not a big fan of drop-kick dogs (no bigger than a football).