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40X .22 Trainer w/Murphy Precision Rail

sinister

Rifle Pointer
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 16, 2002
2,765
2,332
Midland, Georgia
I bought an Army turn-in standard barrel .22LR trainer from the CMP at Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised to find the standard barrel profile matches the 700 Varmint factory taper.

I sent the rifle to Charley Robertson's Score High Gunsmithing in Albuquerque to glass bed into a take-off H-S Remington 700VS stock. Charley used the take-off stamped bottom metal from the old GI wood stock to cover the magazine hole with proper clearance for the 40X trigger.

I called Cameron Murphy at Murphy Precision for one of his correct pre-74 height rails for non alphanumeric serialed 40X and 700 receivers. It fit without any monkeying -- no gap, no bowing or springing, it just dropped on flat. The stainless Torx screws fit the standard 6-48 holes correctly, first try.

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I asked for a 3/4 inch forward extension so I could get the scope just a little further forward for benchrest and prone eye relief. The rail's below line-of-sight when I shoot a Centra rear sight and 22mm aperture in front.

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I fitted one of Dan Criswell's excellent comb Cheekwelders for proper no-shading eye alignment through the scope tube. I shoot this rifle with both iron sights and scope, and I didn't want to use a Karsten or Eagle stock pack for iron sight shooting. The Cheekwelder comes in three heights (this one's a high for a sloped rail and 42mm objective bell -- use the extra-high for 50 and 56mm objectives) and uses a tension fit to clip on and off like a Kydex taco shell (there's a soft liner for stock contact, a consideration for those with nice wood or finishes you don't want marred or scratched).

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Rifle with a side-focus 10X Super Sniper and ready to go for my son.

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The rifle shoots fantastic despite an unknown round count.

Thanks CMP, Charley, and Cameron.

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Re: 40X .22 Trainer w/Murphy Precision Rail

The std barrels can shoot every bit as nice as the hb's. I think it is more about finding the right ammo than barrel weight.

Good to know about the 700VS stock fit. I always wondered about the effort required for restocking.

Thanks for the info. Its a nice set up and your son is a lucky boy..
 
Re: 40X .22 Trainer w/Murphy Precision Rail

I just got a Cheekwelder from Dan and I think it's a great product. It snaps on, stays in place very securely, and snaps off when you want. It's perfect and he makes them specific for different stocks so they're a perfect fit.

Marc