I've been lusting after one of these to go with my Winchester 52D. Mentioned it to a local forum member and found out he was willing to sell one. Thanks again D! Picked it up today. She's a heavyweight!! (13 ish pounds) Made in December 1963. Got a few nicks and bruises here and there but I see no reason it shouldn't shoot well. I will probably refinish the stock since it looks to have some good grain, and I'll try and fix some of the dents and dingss. Came with Redfield Olympic sights. Can't wait to try it out. Maybe tomorrow.

Must. Not. Be. Envious!


Fantastic. Looking forward to the range reports.

I can't wait to see how it shoots. Going to try and shoot it tomorrow. Supposed to be high of 46 degrees in NC. That's pure frigid for us.

Nice -- the 40X is a solid platform.

I bought one a few years ago, then sat on it for way too long. Sent the barreled action to SF's jelrod1 (Modacam rifles) to convert it to a PRS-type magazine-fed repeater. My 40X is in its final stages of conversion, and I should have it back within a few weeks. The 40X's action will be just about the only original part left.

40X actions tend to be well-built, tight, and accurate. Barrels are generally good, some are even outstanding. I didn't want such a long barrel -- IIRC mine was around 26 inches and it made the rifle very unbalanced. My original 40X barrel was respectably accurate, but not up to the level of my Kimber sporter 22lr. Jelrod1 stated that cutting down the original barrels is a real gamble. I believe my 40X replacement barrel will be a Bartlein at 20 or 21 inches.

Enjoy your 40X. The beauty of the 40X platform is that it's way more than a benchrest rifle. It's solid from slings, from multiple shooting positions, from bipod, from barriers, you name it. It's a full-on training tool for center-fire rifles.

Fritz, yes this one is terribly muzzle heavy with a 28" barrel. I can't imagine shooting unsupported. I plan to use strictly for benchrest shooting. Should be outstanding for that.

I think what you are calling a B is actually called a 40XR, rimfire. They are indeed heavy and pretty much intended for prone match shooting. Please observe it's original stock finish and don't alter it to a gloss finish. It's a fine rifle. Try out different ammo for it to see which it likes best. Oh OK, you can shoot it from a bench...lol

Oh my, it has US markings. Prior to CMP. I believe was ODCMP.

Should you decide to round out your trio of American heavy US rimfires, you simply must bring home a H&R US M12. It's another fat bastard to shoulder and shoot. Again, either bench or prone. I had read that many military shooters who used the M12 thought it well out shot the 52s.

Had one as a teen, and I still regret not keeping it! Shot WAY better than I did, and gave me a lot of good feedback about rifle shooting.

Good old days of the Spokane Rifle Club down by the river… Some days they would open it up to long ranges, but even the 100 yard was fun.

Bill R

an addiction is forming,

next will be a Remington 37

then the varieties of 52's (pre A, A, B, C and the E)

then the ''lesser'' guns, Win 75, Rem 513, 581, 541x, 540 etc

quote:

Originally posted by got2hav1:
Fritz, yes this one is terribly muzzle heavy with a 28" barrel. I can't imagine shooting unsupported. I plan to use strictly for benchrest shooting. Should be outstanding for that.

Benchrest provides a great method for evaluating rifle/ammo accuracy, as it virtually eliminates the shooter from the accuracy equation. Consider expanding your shooting disciplines, so that you take a more active roll in managing windage, elevation, follow through, and recoil management. Although you'll initially take a step backwards in target results, over the long run it will provide the opportunity to noticeably improve your marksmanship skills.

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
an addiction is forming,

next will be a Remington 37

then the varieties of 52's (pre A, A, B, C and the E)

then the ''lesser'' guns, Win 75, Rem 513, 581, 541x, 540 etc

It is a deep rabbit hole for sure. Oh I have a Win. 75 and a Rem. 541X already. I am running out of room in the safe.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
I think what you are calling a B is actually called a 40XR, rimfire. They are indeed heavy and pretty much intended for prone match shooting. Please observe it's original stock finish and don't alter it to a gloss finish. It's a fine rifle. Try out different ammo for it to see which it likes best. Oh OK, you can shoot it from a bench...lol

It is definately a "B" serial number.Somewhere along it's life the bolt was changed to a 722 bolt. The correct "B" bolt would have a swept handle and a flatter checkered knob. And it would have been serialed to the gun. Bolt swapping happened a lot on these CMP guns I am told. The headspace on this one has been checked and passed. It's cold here today but I intend to try it out.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
Should you decide to round out your trio of American heavy US rimfires, you simply must bring home a H&R US M12. It's another fat bastard to shoulder and shoot. Again, either bench or prone. I had read that many military shooters who used the M12 thought it well out shot the 52s.

Somehow I missed a M12 a few months ago. It was a local sale and it stayed in the classifieds for many weeks. I didn't know much about them at the time. I was told by the seller it was a very good shooter.

My intial thoughts on the 40XB was to refinish the stock, but this morning I scrubbed it down and waxed it with Ren wax. I think I may just leave it alone. It has some nicely figured wood for a training rifle.

Beautiful ! Such variations in these. Now I'm in for telling. Mine was purchased from a buyer who's son shot on a high school rifle team. The father placed a bid and bought all the rifles, 52s and 40Xs. He got the whole 9 yards of rifles, slings, upper arm cuff slings,hand stops, shooting jackets, sights and all aperture and spare parts, shooting mitts...everything. The son took his 52 which he competed with. I bought a whole set up, all the extras and a beautiful 40X for just $ 225.00. I will never again get a deal like that.

You likely will not!

So it was pretty chilly but I wanted to see how she shoots. This is a 10 shot group from 50 yards that measured .80" CC. Thats the one and only group I shot today, spent another 20 rounds or so getting it on paper. The comb and sight combo doesn't fit me at all. So I had a hard time sighting through the peep sights, but I believe it shows potential. Ammo by the way was SK Rifle Match. I will end up scoping this one since the sights aren't right for me.

It's a shooter. I still have my sights off the first M12 I bought as the gun shop damaged the International front, same as yours and, the flat broke it's Palma rear. I never again went back to that store. I keep the sights as a reminder.

First gun I owned was a 40xb in 22lr. Well finished and real quality.

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:
First gun I owned was a 40xb in 22lr. Well finished and real quality.

Absolutely correct. Both the 40X and 52 are super quality rifles. Nobody makes an equal that I know of today.