To shorten or not to shorten......

[Rustybroadhead]

I am considering having some work done on a Remington 40x I have. My thought is to turn it into a shorter, lighter (somewhat),more manageable rifle. I am hesitant though due to the fact that the rifle really shoots well and I don't want to sacrifice accuracy. I primarily use this rifle to shoot a tactical 22 match where we shoot steel out to 200yds but would like to be able to plink more and small game hunt with it.

I am considering doing the following:
Whiskey 3 chassis, Huber Trigger, Shorten barrel to 18" and recrown, tactical bolt knob, Ceracoat everything

Right now it really likes the cheap wolf ammo... If I cut the barrel down, is this going to change?

Is any good smith ok to do the work or do I need a rimfire specialist? Who would you guys suggest?

Thoughts......

 

[1time]

Re: To shorten or not to shorten......

It probably won't hurt anything but you never know. I personally can't get over how quiet wolf ammo is through a longer barrel. That will change some.

 

[justin amateur]

Re: To shorten or not to shorten......

If I owned a 40x, I'd keep it original. You want a plinker/tactical rifle?
Pick up an inexpensive semi-auto heavy barrel in a "tactical" stock and go spray and pray.
Keep that classic as is, or sell it to me...

btw, have you checked the value of that 40x on the auction sites?

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: To shorten or not to shorten......

It's a 40x. Why fuck with something that works fine??

And what would you save with a barrel chop? Maybe a pound? Is it really worth it?

 

[BenY 2013]

Re: To shorten or not to shorten......

I shortened the barrel on one of my rifles and it didn't hurt anything. I think the accuracy might have actually improved in my rifle, as long as the crown is done correctly this should be the case as far as I know. Also I would have a reputable smith do the work. I am sure someone here can recommend one! Hope this helps!

 

[Rustybroadhead]

Re: To shorten or not to shorten......

Thanks for everyone's input. Dfoosking, Looks like I had the same questions, just 30 days later. Your thread had some really good info.

Thanks all

 

[flatland1]

Re: To shorten or not to shorten......

I was able to snag three of the CMP 40X rifles - two hvy bbl & on std bbl model. The std bbl is the old-style 40X, with a 721/722 style bolt, while both the hvy bbl rifles were the newer models with M700 style bolt.

I let one of the hvy bbl models go to a friend whom I owed a favor - it shot OK at 100, but one of my CMP 52Ds and my Anschutz 1611 both usually out-shot it at 100. The 2nd hvy 40X was in much better shape than the 1st one, both in physical appearance, and the bore, as revealed by a Hawkeye borescope. It's in the process of having the stock refinished, and will be kept restored to its original condition.

The std wt 40X is by far the roughest of the three, and its bore looks pretty crappy through the borescope. Depending on how well the original bolt extracts & ejects, I may keep or replace it with a PTG. The bbl is definitely going to get pulled, and I will use an "Ultimate EPS" reamer from PTG on a Krieger 22RF blank in Rem sendero contour. If I can adjust the OEM trigger to suit, I'll keep it - otherwise, a Jewell or Timney will replace it.

Stock selection is up in the air - haven't given any serious thought to it yet, though my first choice (if money were no object) would probably be a Manners T6 or McM A5. Either way, it's not going to be any lightweight, but should make a fun trainer and good shooter out to 200yds.