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BlackOps Tech 40X conversion Prelim review

MOAxp

Been here a while
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 6, 2001
385
32
Ole OH
Received my 40x rimfire conversion from Mike & crew at BlackOps late friday after traversing the northern states via UPS. I finally had time Sunday afternoon to unbox the barreled action.

Initial thoughts.

Packed well in a McMillan stock shipping box, prototype mags were wrapped and packaged with barreled action - and after 5 days of UPS transfers... no issues.

Machining work on receiver was good, minimal tool marks or chatter present, clean cuts. Ejector and Feedblock were nicely adapted. Bolt was remachined and no issues from visual inspection.




In the lieu of time, I have it in a W3C chassis for function and preliminary accuracy checking. As expected the 40x fits fine, and the mags as supplied locked in fine and appear to be likely to function well (didnt function test rounds Sunday).



I will try to video (iPhone) as well as function / firing test (Assuming Sunny Ohio'r stays that way through this week). Accuracy is will be reflective of others work and should not be inferred as to a product of BlackOps Tech. (Shilen barrel was installed by another smith and if the accuracy isnt there a Rock 5R will go on like yesterday's news).

More to come
 
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I have been thinking about sending in my 40x for the same treatment. What all work did you have BlackOps do to it? How long did it take you to get it back? I hate to part with mine... It shoots great as it is but it sure would look better with the "treatment" yours got. Looks like it runs like a charm in the video. I am jealous!
 
4-30-13 Update

Had a variety of work delays and Ohio spring weather - finally made it back to range....

Quick Stats

Commercial 40X, Shilen bbl, Tuner, NXS in TacticalStocks DD M40A1 style 20MOA base
KRG W3C Gen 1 Chassis (Future stock needs bedded - A5 with B/Ops Bottom Metal --- need to verify the preload will work on rimfire - havent mocked up tested it yet)

BlackOps did the following -
Machine for B/Ops Repeater Conversion
Test function
Supplied 3 Mags (initial ones are the prototype)
Returned to Ohio...

Barrel and other work was not done by Mike - just conversion







When received, as mentioned - packed well, arrived safe and ready to put into stock. Initial function test failed, and was put back to work on other projects - today the issue was diagnosed to a particular pre-production magazine. Rounds were presented at too steep of angle to feed. But once I switched to other mag - ran spot on as expected and anticipated.

Fired RWS HV, RWS R100, and old Federal UM1 Gold medal match (plus WW Wildcat...)

Ran over 150 rounds down through the gun, only issue encountered is the profuse amount of paraffin wax on the RWS HV ammo created drag issue in mag -cleaned and back feeding like mercury on glass. Prior to conversion gun shot extremely well (3/8"-1/2 with unsorted, unprepped HV ammo). AMMO issue not reflective on Mike's work. Accuracy was not impacted by conversion as you would expect.

Upside:
Full size rifle with same controls as many of my existing guns.
Very well executed conversion to repeater - worked in W3C and tested in AICS as well.

Downside
Early adopter wait time - saw his conversions are at a 3 week window recently - may cause another 40X to go out (40X CMP HB)

Cant say much more than the fact I would do another....

Mike let me know when the production mags are done - will get more

Thanks
 
Sorry about the mag failure John....after looking through our parts, it appears you had one of the early test followers (that was used to test the mold) make it into one of your mags (although all of them worked when I test fired your barreled action).

Once we weld the production mags together, I'll get three new ones out to you.

Thanks again and let me know if you need anything.
 
Another decent day at the local range (Kelbly's) and another good run. Feeds well and continues to be a solid trainer.

Mike - any issues using your DBM with the rimfire mags - concern is the mag tension latch in your DBM (but you are running one in your Ravage...) let me know
 
Mike - any issues using your DBM with the rimfire mags - concern is the mag tension latch in your DBM (but you are running one in your Ravage...) let me know

No issues at all John. The design of the magazine precludes the use of the Pre-load piston. The tab on the piston doesn't contact the magazine, so the alignment swell on the mouth of the mag remains properly oriented to the receiver.
 
Thanks for posting this info. I've been looking into rimfire trainer options and with this option the 40x is now on the list of options for me!
 
Thanks for posting this info. I've been looking into rimfire trainer options and with this option the 40x is now on the list of options for me!

Good route to follow or get one of Mike's full custom made ones. The only issue so far I have encountered are a few failure to ejects. (suspected short stroke over ejector issue)
 
Is there a cost-breakdown ( I couldn't find it on the link ) ? Is it compatible with AICS stocks ? Thanks , I think it is a useful modification ....
 
Is there a cost-breakdown ( I couldn't find it on the link ) ? Is it compatible with AICS stocks ? Thanks , I think it is a useful modification ....

The cost of the basic conversion (maintains factory or existing barrel) is $597, which includes one 10 round magazine. Each additional magazine is $38.

As part of the conversion, we replace the factory bolt nose, extractors and firing pin with BlackOps Precision components. The original parts will be returned. Replacing these components with our own saves the customer $53 and it speeds up the delivery. We make the ejector out of the factory shell platform and machine the magazine cut into the receiver....the rest is proprietary.

The conversion (and the BlackOps Rimfire Magazine) is compatible with all Rem 700 SA stocks and available chassis systems.
 
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