Remington 40XBR .223 Remington 24″ Bolt Action Single Shot Rifle, MFD 1986
SOLD FOR: $1,502.00
LSB#: LSB251009TE001
Make: Remington
Model: 40XBR (Based on Rem. 700 Action)
Serial Number: 060819BZ
Year of Manufacture: April 1986 (CG Date Code)
Caliber: .223 Remington
Action Type: Bolt Action, Single Shot.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “223 REM”, along with a couple proof marks, and the “CG” date code. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number, and “REMINGTON / MODEL 40XBR”.
Barrel Length: 24″ Stainless Heavy Contour
Sights / Optics: There are no provisions for iron sights. The top of the receiver is mounted with a two-piece Leupold style base and 1″ rings for optics.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece textured polymer stock, finished in a green color, with a semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, rubber buttpad, and a wide flat bottom forend. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stock shows minor handling wear. The texturing is well defined throughout. The stock fits tightly to the barreled action with no play, while keeping the barrel completely free-floating. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stock rates in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless (Barrel), Blued (Receiver, Bolt Handle)
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows minor handling wear, with only superficial imperfections scattered throughout. The bluing on the receiver and bolt handle is deep and dark. The jeweling on the bolt is bright and vivid. The stainless finish on the barrel is bright. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the safety. The trigger has a crisp and clean break. We did not fire this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the scope mounts and rings as mentioned above.
Our Assessment: Remington’s 40XBR line emerged from the company’s Custom Shop as purpose-built benchrest and target rifles, tailored for shooters who demanded extreme repeatability long before precision rifles became commonplace. By the mid-1980s, when this example was produced, the 40XBR had already earned a reputation for hand-fitted actions, exceptional barrels, and the kind of rigid, single-shot configuration that benchrest competitors favored for minimizing variables. The stainless heavy barrel on this 1986 rifle reflects the era’s growing emphasis on consistent heat management and harmonic stability, and the 40XBR name remained synonymous with Remington’s highest-grade accuracy platforms for decades.
The .223 Remington cartridge, introduced in the early 1960s and standardized shortly afterward, had by the 1980s become one of the most inherently accurate small-bore centerfire rounds available. Its mild recoil, high velocity, and efficient case design made it an immediate favorite for varminting and emerging precision disciplines, where shooters valued predictable external ballistics and long barrel life. In a single-shot 40XBR configuration, the .223’s strengths are amplified; controlled chambering, rigid bedding, and a heavy contour barrel allow the cartridge to deliver the kind of consistency that competitive shooters relied upon for tight groups.
This example remains in Excellent condition, with superb metal finish, vivid bolt jeweling, a clean free-floating stock, and a mirror-bright bore that reflects the limited use these Custom Shop rifles typically saw. Its polymer target stock offers the flat forend and rigidity favored by benchrest shooters, and the rifle presents today as a highly capable precision tool as well as a collectible representative of Remington’s finest work from the period. For enthusiasts of classic accuracy rifles, it stands out as both a functional performer and a testament to the craftsmanship of Remington’s Custom Shop in its prime. Please see our high resolution photos and good luck on your bid! – J.D.
