For Sale: Remington 700 M40 Rifle USMC Sniper Clone

The Remington 700 M40 rifle launched a well-respected line of USMC sniper rifles with continued employment in U.S. military operations from Vietnam through Iraq/Afghanistan. The first order contracted 700 rifles with initial deliveries beginning in 1966. With less than a thousand rifles ordered by the Marines, the continued use of the rifles, and conversions to the later M40A1 variation, plus the heavy use in combat and hostile tropical environment, limited quantities of these rifles still exist in the original 1966 configuration. To compound these limiting factors, only a small quantity was released into the collector market. As a result, M40s entered the world of military rifle clones with a goal of replicating these sniper rifles as close to original specifications as possible.

The Remington 700 M40 USMC sniper rifle clone presented here was assembled sometime in the early 2000s. Based on an original 1966 six-digit SN Remington Model 700 action, this rifle carries a great overall representation of the original M40. The stock is a period correct, with the brass pin only visible on the left side above the front part of the triggerguard, and was professionally reprofiled to correctly match the shape and contours of the original. The Wichita swivels and MRT sling are also period correct. Gunsmithing on the receiver, including clip-slotting, and overall rifle assembly was performed by Bill Corely, a well-known M40 researcher. The 24-inch tapered barrel is a Remington Model 700 Varmint barrel. Both the parkerized and anodized finishes are correct per the original, as are the hinged floor plate, aluminum trigger guard, tombstone safety, and five-round internal magazine. The Remington aluminum butt plate is correct and fitted to the rifle without re-anodizing the sides.

With the exception of the Remington barrel stamps (date code, R.E.P. proof, .308 caliber, etc.), markings found on the rifle are correct for the M40. ‘Remington/MODEL 700’ adorns the receiver, left side opposite the port, and the ‘U.S.’ property stamp is found above the correct length 6-digit serial number forward of the model marking. The correct ‘7.62 NATO’ stamping forward of the receiver is not present. The butt plate is marked ‘16601/3 on the underside; the butt end of the stock is unmarked.

As with the original 1966 Remington 700 M40 rifles, the scope mounted on this clone is a Redfield Accu-Range 3X-9X with one inch tube that was one of “Toki Wartooth’s”, an expert in M40 scopes, early two-toned green anodized scopes. The F serial number prefix is correct for the 1966 period, and the view includes two stadia wires, fine crosshairs, and tombstone range finder labeled in 50-yard increments up to 600 yards. The four-screw low scope rings, marked ‘1’ on each base, and the bridge base, unmarked, are later variations than what the originals carried. ‘3X-9X/REDFIELD 1” TUBE’ is marked on the left side of the scope, below the elevation turret, and under the windage turret, the serial number is stamped. The ‘MADE IN U.S.A./PATENTED REDFIELD GUNSIGHT CO. DENVER, COLO.’ Redfield address adorns the eyepiece, while the magnification ring is numbered 3 through 9.

The wood finish has a classic walnut grain pattern and carries light handling marks. The bore is like new with sharp rifling. The sling is like new, as is the scope. The view through the scope is clear with no dirt present. This rifle appears to have never been fired, or very little at the least.

Overall, this is an excellent and well-done clone of the USMC Remington 700 M40 sniper rifle adopted in 1966 and used in the Vietnam War. Perfect for the collector and shooter alike.

See pictures for overall condition. FFL or C&R required for purchase.

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