Day out with my M40 at 600 yards

August 01, 2026, 09:24 PM

benny6

I took out my M40 to an informal 600yd shoot today. I cleaned the first round of 10 shots. 100-5X

I pulled a shot on the next string and scored a 99-5X

I shot in place of my teammate during one of his strings and pulled another shot and scored a 99-7X

I'm really happy how this rifle is shooting!

Tony.

August 02, 2026, 07:29 AM

cigardad

That shoots as good as it looks. It complements your ability to a T.

Do you build those as well?

August 02, 2026, 10:07 AM

bigpond73

That's some fine shooting there, Tony. What ammo were you using?

August 02, 2026, 01:34 PM

benny6

Thanks! I was shooting 169 SMK’s loaded with Varget.

August 02, 2026, 02:29 PM

MRMATT

Wow! I am seriously impressed.

_____________________________
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." George Washington.

August 02, 2026, 03:01 PM

benny6

Thanks again! And for those of you that don't know, each grid square is 1 MOA, or 6" at 600 yards.

Tony.

August 03, 2026, 01:23 PM

fritz

Some nice targets.

I believe you've discussed this rifle before, but I don't recall what barrel is installed.

Assuming the X ring is 1 MOA in diameter, it looks like you're achieving 1 MOA-ish of vertical. With 169 SMK and Varget, I would have expected vertical spreads of 3/4 MOA -- maybe even a little less.

August 03, 2026, 01:29 PM

Slippery Pete

Super nice rifle. Good shooting.

August 03, 2026, 03:43 PM

benny6

I'm using a Bartlein 5R barrel. The vertical spread on the first target that I cleaned is about 3/4 MOA.

You have to remember, this is a timed and scripted event with only a front sandbag and no rear bag. The scope must be a 3-9x40 non-target scope. It's a single-feed match and you have to load an unload on command. Once the command "LOAD" is give you insert a single round and close the bolt. About 3 seconds later you get the "TARGET" command (They actually changed it now to START). From the command you have about 10 seconds to get off the shot.

I'm sure the rifle and the load are shooting better. This was me getting used to shooting this rifle at this match. I could probably cut the groups in half if given a better front sandbag, a rear bag, a better scope and a better mount. You can't use a picatinny rail on these rifles for the match. It has to be a Redfield hunting mount or a replica (Leupold).

Here's the exact setup that's allowed. You have to use that exact sandbag from Creedmoor. You can fill it however you like though.

Tony.