Rifles

TBA M40A1 USMC STANDARD RIFLE

TBA M40A1 USMC STANDARD RIFLE with optional new Unertl 10X Scope.

Stock is McMillan’s smooth (unstippled) general purpose hunting (HTG). Rifle shown has the standard 24” heavy barrel, Wichita Engineering swivels and .6” Pachmayer recoil pad.

The Marine Corps’ M40A1 is still considered by many to be simply the best tactical long range rifle for many reasons. McMillan’s General Purpose Hunting stock handles well and the reduced size and weight of the stock is preferred over many of the other types of stocks found on other tactical rifles. The M40A1 is well suited for “every clime and place” as demonstrated in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many world wide conflicts since its adoption. Although the new M40A3 was introduced as a replacement for the M40A1, the A1 is still the preferred rifle for many Marine snipers and the Corps continues to build new A1 rifles as well as refurbish and re-issue current inventory.

SPECS

TBA Remington 700 Barreled Action with 24" or 26", 12" Twist, S/S Sniper Taper Barrel, Krieger or Mike Rock
Smooth (or stipled) McMillan General Purpose Hunting Sock in epoxy molded Forest Camo (other colors available)
Receiver is Clip Slotted and “U.S.” marked, drilled and tapped for iron sight bases
“7.62 NATO” marked barrel
Blackened Steel Machined Follower
Blackened Firing Pin Indicator
USMC modified Winchester M70 Hinged Floorplate and Trigger Guard
Parts stamped with last four numerals of receiver serial number
Unertl type scope mount with lugs, 30mm or 1” rings
.60” Pachmayer Brown Pad, optional length of pull
1-1/2” Heavy Gauge Wichita Engineering Sling Swivels
Old style trigger assembly with dual sear, bolt lock, and machined safety head available at extra cost (ask about it)
All metal parts are finished with TBA’s matte black Dura-Coat® coating
Weight is approximately 14 lbs. without scope

TBA M40A1 RIFLE, .22 LONG RIFLE CALIBER

(Left) TBA M40A1 .22 Long Rifle option with Leupold MK4 M1 telescope

Specs:

Ruger 77/22 action with 10 shot rotary magazine
Any McMillan Stock in epoxy molded color of your choice
Match chamber cut with special short throat reamer with minimun dimensions
Receiver “U.S.” marked, drilled and tapped for iron sight bases
Shilen .22 long rifle stainless steel match barrel turned to Marine sniper contour
Recoil lug assembled to appear like Remington 700
Bolt knob has checkered panels similar to Rem 700 bolt
Blackened Firing Pin Indicator
Unertl type scope mount with rear lug to fit Ruger 77/22 receiver, 30mm or 1” rings
.60” Pachmayer Brown Pad, optional length of pull
1-1/2” Heavy Gauge Wichita Engineering Sling Swivels
Standard Ruger 77/22 factory trigger
All metal parts are finished with TBA’s matte black moly-teflon coating
Weight is approximately 15 lbs without scope

M40A2 AND TBA M40A3 TACTICAL RIFLES

M40A2 Tactical Rifle

The M40A2 Tactical Rifle can be assembled with McMillan’s A2 Tactical stock. This stock is a modified target type with a semi-straight grip allowing for thumb wraparound over the top. The forend is wider than a regular sporting type stock and is of about 2” deep. The adjustable cheekpiece allows for use with a 50mm or larger telescope objective lens.

TBA Remington 700 Barreled Action with S/S Sniper Taper Barrel
Tubb Heavy Recoil Lug
Receiver is Clip Slotted and “U.S.” marked, drilled and tapped for iron sight base
Barrel length of 26” recommended for long range shooting
McMillan A2 Tactical Sock in epoxy molded Black (other colors optional)
USMC modified Winchester M70 Hinged Floorplate and Trigger Guard
Parts stamped with last four digits of receiver serial number
Unertl type Scope Mount with Lugs, 30mm or 1” rings
Integral adjustable cheekpiece with side locking screws
Butt Spacer System with 1” Pachmayer Recoil Pad
1 ¾” Heavy Gauge CUP Sling Swivels
Factory trigger adjusted to 2 to 2-1/2 lbs.
Weight is approximately 16 lbs without scope

TBA M40A3 Tactical Rifle

The TBA M40A3 Tactical Rifle options are similar to the M40A2 except that the stock is the McMillan A3 Tactical stock. Molded-in forest camo stock has slimmer and shallower forend. All of the same accessories as for the M40A2 are recommended. Not to be confused with USMC M40A3 which uses the McMillan A4 Tactical Stock.

USMC M40A3 (MCMILLAN A4 STOCK) TACTICAL RIFLE

Create the new Marine Corps M40A3 tactical rifle by combining a TBA barreled action with the McMillan A4 Tactical Stock and the options and accessories listed below. The Corps is issuing the new M40A3 rifles to supplement the M40A1’s which are still being used in the States as well as overseas. Recommended optional features of the new stock are an adjustable saddle cheekpiece, recoil pad spacer system, a wider/deeper forend, and a built-in hand stop for the non-firing hand under the buttstock. Additional options include USMC Simrad Cap scope mount and Badger Max 50 30mm rings set with 1” inserts for Unertl type scope, 4 screw rear and 6 screw front as specified by USMC

In addition to the M40A1, A2, and earlier A3 options, TBA can build the new Marine Corps’ M40A3 Tactical rifle around our barreled action with the following options and accessories:

• Benchrest trued Remington 700 action delivering guaranteed ¼ MOA at 100 yards with Black Hills or Federal factory match ammunition.
• Schneider 25” stainless steel barrel chambered with PTG match reamers for all standard and magnum calibers. (USMC spec says 24” but Gary Schneider says they are actually 25” because the Marines did not include the threaded shank in the receiver with the overall length). All chambering, threading, and action fitting tolerances held to .0001” runout from centerline of bore axis. Marine sniper taper with counterbore crown. Twist rate appropriate for caliber. Barrel length options available.
• Tubb heavy recoil lug.
• Remington 700 receiver is clip slotted and modified to USMC spec with the flat bridge.
• McMillan fiberglass Tactical A-4 stock in a choice of Olive Drab Green, Black, Desert Tan or USMC Forest Camo.
• Spacer adjustable butt plate system and saddle type adjustable cheekpiece.
• Pillar bedded barreled action with Devcon. Sealed finish on unbedded interior areas of McMillan fiberglass A4 stock. Barrel is free floating except for 1.5” forward of recoil lug.
• USMC type tall extended Mil Spec 1913 Picatinney rail mount with underside lugs fitted to clip slotted receiver. Rail will handle DD Ross, Badger, or Leupold MK 4 rings. Standard length medium height rail also available. Optional Badger Ordnance Simrad cap.
• 8-40 screws for rail mounting.
• All steel D. D. Ross floorplate/triggerguard assembly on short action only.
• Heavy gauge 1-¾” flush swivel set with 6 flush cups mounted securely into stock.
• Trigger adjusted to 2-1/4 lbs. with no creep or over-travel.
• Black matte or gray parkerized or olive drab moly-teflon coated barreled action and scope rail provides added protection from weather and handling.
• Rifle weight – 17.0 lbs with commercial scope, 18.5 lbs. with Unertl or US Optics USMC.
• Overall length is 46” with 25” barrel.

TBA'S M40A5 LONG RANGE VARMINT & TARGET RIFLE

TBA’s latest offering is McMillan’s Tactical A-5 fiberglass stock. When bedded to our precision Remington 700 barreled action, our M40A5 combines the best features of the new USMC M40A3 tactical rifle but with a more rounded target type forend. Create the TBA long range varmint/target rifle with any Winchester Short Magnum cartridge series including the 6.5 Winchester Short Magnum caliber. Other calibers also available. Besides the target type wide rounded forend, optional features of the new stock are an adjustable saddle cheekpiece, recoil pad spacer system, and a built-in hand stop for the non-firing hand under the buttstock. Suggested option configuration as shown above:

• Benchrest trued Remington 700 action delivering guaranteed ¼ MOA at 100 yards with Black Hills or Federal factory match ammunition.
• Krieger stainless steel barrel chambered with PTG match reamers for all standard and magnum calibers. All chambering, threading, and action fitting tolerances held to .0001” runout from centerline of bore axis. Marine sniper taper with counterbore crown. Twist rate appropriate for caliber. Choice of barrel length.
• Heavy recoil lug.
• Badger Bolt Knob.
• Bridge machined flat.
• Picatinney rail mount with underside lugs and 8-40 screw mounting.
• Pillar bedded barreled action with Devcon. Marine-Tex finish on unbedded interior areas of McMillan fiberglass A4 stock. Barrel is free floating except for 1.5” forward of recoil lug.
• One-piece steel Badger floorplate/triggerguard assembly.
• 1-¾” cup swivels.
• Trigger adjusted to 2-1/4 lbs. with no creep or over-travel.
• Moly-teflon coated barreled action providing added protection from weather and handling.
• Rifle weight – 17.0 lbs. with commercial scope, 18.5 lbs. with Unertl or US Optics USMC.
• Overall length is 47” with 26” barrel.

TBA ARMY M24 SNIPER RIFLE

The TBA Army M24 Sniper Rifle option creates a faithful reproduction of the current U.S. Army M24 sniper rifle except with TBA’s accuracy improvements. Suggested options and accessories:

Benchrest trued Remington 700 long action delivering guaranteed ¼ MOA at 100 yards with Black Hills or Federal factory match ammunition.
H-S Precision stock with aluminum bedding block and provision for free floating barrel
M24 adjustable buttplate
Mike Rock 5R barrel. Barrel twist rate appropriate for caliber. 24” is standard issue length for .308 caliber, but barrel length is optional. Counterbore crown is Army M24 type
Your choice of standard factory or heavy recoil lug
Receiver and barrel are assembled with M-24 iron sights bases
Pillar bedded barreled action with Devcon
One piece Leupold MK4 scope mount base
Dakota Arms steel floorplate/triggerguard assembly
Uncle Mike’s swivel studs for sling and bipod
Trigger adjusted to 2-1/4 lbs. with no creep or over-travel
Correct M24 marked receiver and barrel
Moly-teflon coated barreled action providing added protection from weather and handling
Rifle weight – 15.0 lbs without scope
Overall length is 46” with 24” barrel

M25 AND FAST CO. DMR TACTICAL RIFLE

Convert your M1A/M14 rifle to an M25 Tactical Rifle or USMC Designated Marksman Rifle as currently being used by elite U.S. Special Operations units. Stock choice for the M25 is the McMillan M3A. The DMR rifle features the McMillan M2A stock with the full pistol grip for use on pre-ban M1A/M14 rifles. Features of the new stocks boasts an adjustable saddle cheekpiece for high scope use, recoil pad spacer system, and a fuller forend. Rifle can be fitted with any of the Leupold, Unertl, Night Force, or U.S. Optics telescopes. Additional optional features and accessories:• Springfield Armory commercial M1A action.

• Krieger stainless heavy match grade M1A/M14 barrel. Twist rates available in 10”, 11” or 12”.
• Headspace cut with 7.62mm pull-through match reamer.
• McMillan Fiberglass M2A or M3A stock, your color choice.
• Single lugged M1A receiver is Devcon bedded to the stock using the 5 pillar method. Stock liner is not used.
• Sealed finish on unbedded interior areas of McMillan fiberglass stock.
• Adjustable saddle cheekpiece.
• Adjustable spacer butt pad system.
• Trigger honed for 3 to 3-1/2 lbs.
• Moly-teflon coated barreled action providing added protection from weather and handling.
• National Match front and rear sights.
• National Match welded one-piece gas cylinder and front stock band.
• Smith Enterprise scope mount or Springfield Armory scope mount
• Vortex flash hider optional

WINCHESTER M70 RIFLE

Presenting the Vietnam era USMC Scout-Sniper --Winchester Model 70 in caliber .30-06 with Unertl tel

Marine Scout-Sniper Carlos Hathcock was credited with over 80 confirmed kills during his first tour of the Republic of Vietnam between 1966 and 1967. Except for the use of a .50 caliber M2 machine gun, with his 8x Unertl scope mounted on it, the majority of these kills were made with his caliber .30-06 Winchester Model 70 and the Unertl telescope. In Charles Henderson’s book, MARINE SNIPER, 93 Confirmed Kills, Carlos Hathcock describes in Chapter 17 his return for a second tour of duty to RVN in May 1969. As the platoon sergeant of the 7th Marines sniper platoon, he was surprised to find the unit still equipped with Winchester M70s, M-1Ds, and a couple of M40X (Remington 40X) prototype rifles. He expected to see the new M40 Remington 700 rifles because they were being delivered in-country back in ’67. Carlos had his platoon armorer, SSG Ron McAbee, recondition all the “old sticks” from their “pretty humble shape” to finely tuned weapons. The sniper platoon soon became one of the most effective in RVN and received a Presidential Unit Citation for their achievements. On 10 July 1969, Carlos Hathcock and Ron McAbee were providing security for convoys along Western Route 4. For this operation, Carlos selected a .30-06 Winchester Model 70 mounting a Lyman 8X telescope that McAbee had fine-tuned. With this rifle, Carlos describes killing 7 more Viet Cong soldiers and shared the 8th VC with McAbee. Carlos eventually received an M40 sniper rifle and made his last few confirmed KIA’s with this new rifle. Carlos’ M40 rifle was later destroyed when the AMTRAC Carlos was riding on hit a land mine that also seriously injured him. When accounting for all of Carlos’ 93 confirmed kills, the majority was with the .30-06 Winchester Model 70.

Texas Brigade Armory is currently reproducing the Vietnam era USMC Scout-Sniper Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle in caliber .30-06 with Unertl telescope for collectors and target shooters. Specifications for the TBA rifle include:

Original pre-1964 or pre-WWII Winchester Model 70 action
Caliber .30-06 Springfield cartridge
Douglas air gauged 24” chrome moly steel barrel in medium heavy contour (Winchester dimension) with flat crown, no markings
Standard grade checkered Winchester Model 70 stock inletted for larger barrel, straight comb, lacquer finish
Checkered steel M70 buttplate, M70 floorplate and trigger guard
Winchester M70 standard grade 1-1/4” sling swivels
Action glass bedded into stock, barrel free floating
Factory trigger is completely reworked and tuned
Unertl telescope (8x in 1-1/4” Combination telescope if available)
May or may not be USMC marked.
Black anodized Unertl telescope mounting rings
Unertl type telescope mounting bases of the correct height and spacing
Metal parts left with original blue/black finish or blued to duplicate original luster Winchester metal finish
Rifle system guaranteed to shoot ½ moa with Federal or Black Hills Match ammunition

A complete rifle system as described with Unertl telescope will be priced on request depending on the availability of Winchester rifles and Unertl telescopes. Pricing will be as low as $815 if you provide the rifle and telescope. We will install the .30-06 match grade barrel, blue the barrel, inlet the stock, bed the action, drill and tap the barrel, install Unertl telescope mounting blocks, and tune the trigger.

Just a few of the other ways we can build a USMC Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle for you if you don’t have quite the right components are as follows:

post-war pre-64 Model 70 with Monte Carlo stock are also Vietnam era
alter post-war pre-64 safety and bolt sleeve to look like a pre-war
alter curved tang of post-war pre-64 to “figure 8” pre-war configuration
replace your modified or custom stock with the correct style stock
alter your Monte Carlo stock to a straight comb style
fit a steel checkered Winchester buttplate and correct swivels to your stock
refinish your stock, recut checkering
reblue your metal parts
black anodize your aluminum Unertl scope rings
dovetail cut in barrel for front iron sight base and install base
build the sniper system on a post-1964 Model 70 action
Winchester M70 barreled action only
Any early type Unertl or Lyman target telescope will be acceptable for the Vietnam era

A note about the Model 70 Winchester rifle by Mike Lau:

Say something interesting about your business here.With the announcement that Winchester Model 70’s would no longer be produced at this time, prices on pre-1964 and post-1964 rifles have gone up. As a collector and custom riflesmith of pre-1964 Winchester Model 70s, I noticed that there are still a reasonable number of good Model 70s available that are not truly collectable and do not bring a premium price. Some of the ways to find one are as follows. First, the least collectible M70s are the .30-06 and .270 Winchester standard grades. These were produced in large numbers and their market values are lower than other M70’s, somewhere between $500 to $1200 range. Second, because of their popularity as hunting rifles, many have seen a lot of use and many have also been “customized” with extra holes drilled and tapped in the receiver, original buttplates replaced by rubber butt pads causing cut down stocks, custom barrels installed, barrels cut shorter, etc.. Collectors stay away from these, but are fine for creating the USMC rifle. Third, look for rifles with worn finish, worn bores, or even slight damage on both metal and stock. Pre-1964 and even some pre-war M70s in the above conditions will sell for under $1000. Rifles like these can sometimes be found on the Internet and in periodicals such as gunbroker.com, gunsamerica.com, the Cabelas website, the Shotgun News, and the Gun Digest Magazine (formerly the Gun List). Don’t be discouraged by the higher priced listings as these are usually the better collectible examples. Thousands of non-collectable pre-64 Model 70s are out there and will never be listed anywhere because the owners know the alterations and wear won’t get them the higher prices. Ask local gun collectors and dealers because they would refuse many of these rifles and may know who still might have them. Ask your friends and fellow shooters because they too may have one and never use them. I may also take any Model 70 for credit or trade for any of my USMC sniper rifles. Please note that I will not alter any truly collectable Winchester M70.

Dig out your M70 “safe queen” or find a Model 70 for upgrade. I guarantee that your USMC scout-sniper Winchester 70 rifle will be one of those you will enjoy taking to the range or field to show-off and shoot right alongside with your synthetic stock, stainless steel, custom long range target and sporting rifles. No sniper rifle collection, or a complete M70 rifle collection, should be without an example of the USMC M70 sniper rifle. Feel and adore the looks of the pre-1964 Model 70 with it’s classic wood stock, period telescope, and the all time favorite Caliber .30 Model 1906 cartridge. Relive the by-gone era of the 1960’s and early 70’s, in places like Hill 55 and the Ca De Song river valley, where the USMC scout-sniper, the Winchester Model 70, and Unertl telescope became more than history, where they became legend.

RIFLES