M40a1 modifications

[Coutu]

I am considering buying a mil-spec M40a1 from GA Precision. I want it to be as accurate as can be, and was wondering what could they change to make it accurate as far as 1,300 yards. I want to hunt deer and such out to a maximum of 800 yards(mayde 900) and want some knockdown power. I haven't decided what grain to go with, but what one? It has to be heavy (180?) What would I have to change, twist rate, barrel length, etc, to accommodate the specific grain? Or is the rifle fine as is? Also, I want them to build it as close as they can to mil-spec while doing this.
Thanks, Matthew

 

[Precisionshooter]

If you want to hunt that far 308 is not really the caliber of choice, I'd opt for the 300 win mag, 308 power and ballistics suffers at the longer ranges.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MSArmament]

I would go for 300 win as well or 7mm. .308 can become very unpredictable at those ranges even for really good shooters.

 

[mckenzie]

just my 2 cents , if your going to spend the extra money to buy a mill-spec M40A1 from gap, around $3700.....keep it to spec.to me the whole point is the spec build,(as close as they can) thats the extra money and time, if your changing the specs, i think you would lose resale value ,you can still order the same stock, barrel contour,diff bottom metal, etc.i would just go with GAP building a cheaper rifle and less wait time,but its YOUR RIFLE, YOUR MONEY i have m40a1 on order myself. i just looked at the website there is not much of a saving by ordering a cheaper rifle.... so now i will try a pull my foot from my mouth, enjoy your new rifle Mattew plus .308 might not be the best choice to 1300 yards

 

[JWR075]

If you want to stay with a short action, why not chamber it for the 300WSM. It seems that many are favoring it in F-Class open and 1000 yrd benchrest.

Bumblebee .300 WSM F-Open Rig with Defiance ?Deviant? Action « Daily Bulletin

The .300 WSM ? Next Big Thing in F-Open Competition? « Daily Bulletin

 

[MSArmament]

I have to agree with JWR075

If you want to stay with a short action, why not chamber it for the 300WSM. It seems that many are favoring it in F-Class open and 1000 yrd benchrest.

Bumblebee .300 WSM F-Open Rig with Defiance ?Deviant? Action « Daily Bulletin

The .300 WSM ? Next Big Thing in F-Open Competition? « Daily Bulletin

 

[Tickle]

I am considering buying a mil-spec M40a1 from GA Precision. I want it to be as accurate as can be, and was wondering what could they change to make it accurate as far as 1,300 yards. I want to hunt deer and such out to a maximum of 800 yards(mayde 900) and want some knockdown power. I haven't decided what grain to go with, but what one? It has to be heavy (180?) What would I have to change, twist rate, barrel length, etc, to accommodate the specific grain? Or is the rifle fine as is? Also, I want them to build it as close as they can to mil-spec while doing this.
Thanks, Matthew

If you request GAP to change some things around on that USMC spec M40A1, it will no longer be a USMC spec M40A1. It would just be a modified Remington 700. Give Dustin a call at GAP and explain what you are wanting to do. He will be able to make the recommendation on components for a custom gun for you. This would be a good direction to go in.

I don't know your back ground, but I'd do some research and alot of practice before I sling a .308 bullet 800 yards at a deer no matter what bullet weight. Not trying to offend you just sayin. .300 WM is my caliber of choice. 208Gr Amax, RWS brass, Fed 215m primers, and 75.2 gr of H1000....hits like a hammer. Never slung one at a deer at 800 yards though.

 

[woostri]

800 yards is a looooong ways in hunting conditions. I've hit many a steel plate at that range and beyond (albeit not with .308 ) but would never take a cold bore hunting shot at those ranges. Maybe 600-700 IF conditions were perfect and I'd shot in that area before. Anywho, if I had to kill a deer at 800 yards with .308 (assuming for now that its a hit in the boiler room) I'd use 180gr, nothing lighter. You'll want all the mass you can get at that range because velocity will be nearing subsonic. The 180 berger VLD hunt bullets are nice.

--- aim small miss small ---

 

[Coutu]

just my 2 cents , if your going to spend the extra money to buy a mill-spec M40A1 from gap, around $3700.....keep it to spec.to me the whole point is the spec build,(as close as they can) thats the extra money and time, if your changing the specs, i think you would lose resale value ,you can still order the same stock, barrel contour,diff bottom metal, etc.i would just go with GAP building a cheaper rifle and less wait time,but its YOUR RIFLE, YOUR MONEY i have m40a1 on order myself. i just looked at the website there is not much of a saving by ordering a cheaper rifle.... so now i will try a pull my foot from my mouth, enjoy your new rifle Mattew plus .308 might not be the best choice to 1300 yards

I probably will keep it mil-spec. I just wanted to see what you more experienced guys would say. Now that I look back, I meant 600 yards instead of 800, and 1,000 yards instead of 1,300. As far as the rifle preforms mil-spec, what grains do they generally like for LDS? Also, as far as the .300 WSM goes, I've considered that as a possible choice, but for the amount of recoil I just don't see that the jump above the .308 that it has is worth it. If I was going to go that big, what is another round that's popular and balistically stable out to 1,500 yards. .338 fed? 7mm rem. mag.? Also, as far as experience goes, I'm 14, and would NEVER shoot a deer beyond 350 yds.

 

[Precisionshooter]

7mm mag is a great caliber choice, about the same as the 300 win mag, depending on atmospheric conditions it will take you where you want to go. Go to jbm ballistics and do a couple of tests with factory ammo specs, and advertised velocity, you'll see how it performs.