Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
12-31-2006, 01:07 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Berkeley Springs, WV
Posts: 1,293
Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
I guess this is one for the reloading forum since I'll be reloading for it.
I went to a pawn shop and got agreat deal on an older Rem 700BDL. Its a wood stock 222rem. It had a vari-x II 3-9-40 on top. I bought it for 250$ I couldnt pass it up. Ive had the gun for about 2 years and it shoots fine. It is one of the older 700's, it has a factory 24" barrel.
My question is what can I easily rechamber this too. I already havea 223 and 22-250 and really dont need or use the 222 much. I dont know how much I can open up the bolt face to except a larger shell. My bud has a new factory 260rem barrel he said he would give me but didnt know if it would work with current space in the magazine. Im even up for a wildcat cartridge. Im just not sure what I can do with the small space of a 222.
thx in advance.
I went to a pawn shop and got agreat deal on an older Rem 700BDL. Its a wood stock 222rem. It had a vari-x II 3-9-40 on top. I bought it for 250$ I couldnt pass it up. Ive had the gun for about 2 years and it shoots fine. It is one of the older 700's, it has a factory 24" barrel.
My question is what can I easily rechamber this too. I already havea 223 and 22-250 and really dont need or use the 222 much. I dont know how much I can open up the bolt face to except a larger shell. My bud has a new factory 260rem barrel he said he would give me but didnt know if it would work with current space in the magazine. Im even up for a wildcat cartridge. Im just not sure what I can do with the small space of a 222.
thx in advance.
12-31-2006, 03:52 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,127
RE: Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
Hitting the "easy" button here is to set the barrel back and rechamber for either the .223 or the .223 Ackey Improved. Once you get to into opening up the bolt face, installing a Sako extractor, replacing the magazine box/follower, and rechambering/rebarreling for something with a larger bolt face; you are getting close to the break even point where it might be smarter to just sell the rifle for $300 and buy another in the caliber you want.
12-31-2006, 04:51 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Berkeley Springs, WV
Posts: 1,293
RE: Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
Correct me if Im wrong, Ive never had any "real" custom work done on an action or had a barrel replaced. If its a short action can I go with any short action caliber. I guess I was debating on a 338 fed. The largest caliber I currently own is a 300wthby. I thought of doing some bigger likea 350 rem mag or 338fed, would it be possible for something like that with my current action. If I get a new barrel and open bolt face am I looking at somewhere around 400$? I sold the scope off of the gun so I only have about 50$ in it now.
I hate selling guns I already have but want to be able to have more use with this one. I really dont want to just rechamber it for a 223 since I already have one. My bud that bought the scope is bugging me to buy the gun so maybe it might be better just to sell the gun.
I hate selling guns I already have but want to be able to have more use with this one. I really dont want to just rechamber it for a 223 since I already have one. My bud that bought the scope is bugging me to buy the gun so maybe it might be better just to sell the gun.
12-31-2006, 05:51 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MB.
Posts: 2,984
RE: Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
What about the 221 Fireball. Just a thought. This was my choice at one time till I found out it was hard to get brass around here and ended up with the 222 instead...
12-31-2006, 09:49 PM
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location:
Posts: 299
RE: Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
Bolt face will dictate your options. That 222 Rem has a .378" bolt face which rules out a 260 Rem or anything with a 308 Win bolt face (.473").
Keeping that barrel and bolt face, a 223 Rem would be the ticket, depending on the barrel twist. I have an old 788 222 Rem that I re-chambered to 223 Rem that shoots great but only with light bullets since it's got a slow, 1-14" twist.
You can however, have the bolt face opened up and a Sako style extractor installed, and switch barrels to any short action length cartridge. Of course that costs money.
Keeping that barrel and bolt face, a 223 Rem would be the ticket, depending on the barrel twist. I have an old 788 222 Rem that I re-chambered to 223 Rem that shoots great but only with light bullets since it's got a slow, 1-14" twist.
You can however, have the bolt face opened up and a Sako style extractor installed, and switch barrels to any short action length cartridge. Of course that costs money.
01-01-2007, 10:28 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Berkeley Springs, WV
Posts: 1,293
RE: Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
This is prob a dumb question but is the length of the magazine boxin my222 is shorter then a 308 correct? I imagine alot is involved in longating it. Would going with a Wssm which is the same length as a 222 make any difference? I just want to be sure before I sell or trade it.
I can get an ER Shaw barrel already chambered in a 25Wssm for 145$ Plus cost of installing barrel and opening bolt face. What would need done to the magazine area with the fatter round?
I can get an ER Shaw barrel already chambered in a 25Wssm for 145$ Plus cost of installing barrel and opening bolt face. What would need done to the magazine area with the fatter round?
01-02-2007, 05:31 AM
#7
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location:
Posts: 299
RE: Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
If it's a 700 short action, the magazine is long enough. But your bolt face is still too small and will have to be opened up. Also, the guide/feed rails on the receiver will have to be opened up and fitted for the fatter round. All that, plus fitting and headspacing the new barrel is going to add up to quite a bit of money. You'd spend less buying a brand new rifle. Also, if you're going to build a custom rifle, it would be a shame to spend all that money and time and use a medium quality barrel like Shaw's.
ORIGINAL: Duckbutter48
This is prob a dumb question but is the length of the magazine boxin my222 is shorter then a 308 correct? I imagine alot is involved in longating it. Would going with a Wssm which is the same length as a 222 make any difference? I just want to be sure before I sell or trade it.
I can get an ER Shaw barrel already chambered in a 25Wssm for 145$ Plus cost of installing barrel and opening bolt face. What would need done to the magazine area with the fatter round?
This is prob a dumb question but is the length of the magazine boxin my222 is shorter then a 308 correct? I imagine alot is involved in longating it. Would going with a Wssm which is the same length as a 222 make any difference? I just want to be sure before I sell or trade it.
I can get an ER Shaw barrel already chambered in a 25Wssm for 145$ Plus cost of installing barrel and opening bolt face. What would need done to the magazine area with the fatter round?
01-02-2007, 11:06 AM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,127
RE: Rechambering recommendations for 700rem 222.
Yes, the .222 Rem has a shorter magazine box than a .308. Also a shorter follower and spring. Although the actions themselves are the same, with the exception of the bolt face. The WSM has a completely different magazine box and follower. Send me a PM. We might be able to do some trading. Roskoe.