What can I do with my .22-.250 ?

[amboy49]

One of the first long guns I purchased over 40 years ago was a Remington 700 ADL with a sporter weight barrel. The gun shoots “okay” groups and I’ve shot a lot of Midwest ground hogs with it over the years. I’ve not ventured into the “custom rifle” arena before, but am now getting a little bit of the itch.

Is it folly to consider doing something with this gun ? Using the action as a base to start, could I have a custom barrel installed, put in a replacement trigger, and fit a new stock ? If this is a reasonable project, what barrel ? Do I look for another .22-.250 or is there a different caliber that the action would accept ? The gun is completely stock except for the Timney Trigger I added a few years ago. There are probably no more than 500 rounds down the barrel. The stock is wood and is free floated but not glass bedded. It will shoot roughly MOA with handloads.

My goal would be to end up with a gun for prairie dogs and non competition bench rest shooting. At the outside, perhaps consider some mid range F Class shooting. Keep in mind I am a complete novice when it comes rifle shooting for other than small to big game hunting - but nothing that really required anything better than 2” +/- MOA accuracy.

Would love to hear thoughts, suggestions, advice, etc. Either tell me I’m crazy and just leave it as is - or offer a path or two to consider a remake of this gun. Not sure even what the budget might require as I have no idea what the range of cost is for a custom barrel, gunsmithing, etc. I’ll leave the optics for a different discussion unless that should be part of the equation from the get go.

Thanks in advance.

 

[#40Fan]

If I had a gun that old, I'd start with something new and keep the old gun stock.

You can build a lot of different options from a short action .473" bolt face. Since it sounds like you'd only have the original action if you were to modify it, you won't too much more into a complete setup if you were to buy a new action and build up from there. Plus you'd have 40 year new technology to go with it.

You could skip the need for a gun smith if you went the Savage route. Action wrench, barrel nut wrench and a set of go/no-go gauges and you could build it yourself.

 

[Cloudrepair]

The only advise I can give is i think you have a great rifle for a starting point.
Myself I think I would go with something that I could use on deer , varmints and targets 6br,6bra,6x47l,
6.5x47l and a Krieger or bartlien barrell.
My top choices
I don' know much about the components just the machining well maybe not that either

 

[Prose]

If you screwed a really good barrel on there with no other changes you would probably have 1/2 moa accuracy. 22-250, 250 sav, 243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 260, 7mm-08, 284 win, 308, 338 Federal would all work with that bolt. You have a virtually unlimited amount of options with stocks and triggers. Hand it to nearly any gunsmith and tell him what you want it to do and that old can will do it. If you had the old gun bedded in its current form you would likely see a good improvement at minimal expense.

 

[joed49]

I still have a 700 VS in .25-06 that is 40 years old. About 6 years ago I had it rebarreled with a Krieger. This rifle now shoots groups about 1/2" where it was 1" before. It cleans up with 3 patches. In my opinion it was a good decision and would do it again. I use this rifle for groundhog hunting and have to say accuracy is amazing.

 

[#40Fan]

As of this posting, I don't know what caliber it is, but here is one that might be for sale.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/price-check.3951220/

 

[55fairlane]

22-250 is a great caliber IMO, I might rebarrel it, i might glass bed it.....I personally love my 22-250.....but barrel is short........

I guess if it were me, I would start attending different competitions, and talk to the guys, so you can make a better informed desition

 

[joed49]

....but barrel is short........

Short life, long life. Both are just a moment in time.

 

[Ringostar]

You mentioned the possibility of mid range F class. You would have to decide on TR or open class. If TR, it would have to be a 308 with your action and bolt. If open class, you could run anything based on the 308, BR or 47L case.

 

[snert]

If you are going to just shoot it and plaster some groundhogs, decide how heavy you want it first. Then rebarrel. Millions of 700's out there, no sense in keeping abarrel that shoots only 1 inch when a good barrel will do half that.

Lots of stocks too...from the Bell and Carlsons up to the McMillians in glass, all different styles. Or plunk it in a walnut 40X (60 dollars from Numrich) and off you go.

Caliber/cartridge?

6BR

Does what a 250 will do, and if you twist it at 8, you can shoot heavies or lights. Not as fast, but you make up for it in diameter and in BC.

And 6Br will introduce you to medium range shooting as well.

Most of the guys here shoot sanctioned matches, but a lot of local matches are open to "broader" options when it comes to what you shoot. It is ok to have a gun that makes you happy.

I have done this several times and have never been unhappy with the results.

 

[snert]

Additionally, general costs for a barrel installed on a 700 are about $750.

Stocks can be had from $60 as mentioned to $500 or more.

Timney will work.

There are ways to cut that down...Jdsholler on here did a 20-222 with a PacNor rem/age barrel/nut system for less. He did a 40X walnut and is happy. He had an old action. PM him for an idea.

I did a 722 action with a used BR barrel in 222, a hacked used Anschutz sillouette stock, (later a 40X) and a 40X trigger and managed for under $400.

 

[hoz53]

One of the first long guns I purchased over 40 years ago was a Remington 700 ADL with a sporter weight barrel. The gun shoots “okay” groups and I’ve shot a lot of Midwest ground hogs with it over the years. I’ve not ventured into the “custom rifle” arena before, but am now getting a little bit of the itch.

Is it folly to consider doing something with this gun ? Using the action as a base to start, could I have a custom barrel installed, put in a replacement trigger, and fit a new stock ? If this is a reasonable project, what barrel ? Do I look for another .22-.250 or is there a different caliber that the action would accept ? The gun is completely stock except for the Timney Trigger I added a few years ago. There are probably no more than 500 rounds down the barrel. The stock is wood and is free floated but not glass bedded. It will shoot roughly MOA with handloads.

My goal would stallede onbe to end up with a gun for prairie dogs and non competition bench rest shooting. At the outside, perhaps consider some mid range F Class shooting. Keep in mind I am a complete novice when it comes rifle shooting for other than small to big game hunting - but nothing that really required anything better than 2” +/- MOA accuracy.

Would love to hear thoughts, suggestions, advice, etc. Either tell me I’m crazy and just leave it as is - or offer a path or two to consider a remake of this gun. Not sure even what the budget might require as I have no idea what the range of cost is for a custom barrel, gunsmithing, etc. I’ll leave the optics for a different discussion unless that should be part of the equation from the get go.

Thanks in advance.

+1^^^ following what snert says and ill think youll be happy. i would just add you can often find used BR barrels usually in 6mm 13 or 14 twist cheap. they ar shot out by BR standards but many times provide excellent varmint level accuracy. coarse you take a chance on them and if you dont have a lathe you have to pay 2 or 300 to have one installed.

 

[linebaugh]

.22-250AI, put an 8 twist bbl on it and run higher BC bullets in the 70-80 gr area. That combo will give you the impression of owning a magnum in a minimum caliber. Shoots flat, lots of splat and nil recoil. Fire form loads on a well smithed barrel will be half moa accurate so no need to worry about forming brass. Just load and shoot.

Try to find a cooler running powder and bbl life will be in the 2000 range and still be moa accurate.

I don't know a thing about the benchrest disciplines and I hapen to be a bit biased on the 22 calibers. Lol

Best of luck. No matter your decision you really can't go wrong so go for it.

 

[stork]

Caliber/cartridge?

6BR

Does what a 250 will do, and if you twist it at 8, you can shoot heavies or lights. Not as fast, but you make up for it in diameter and in BC.

THIS!!!
Good advice Snert.

Put a good stock under it, good tube in front, and good glass on top and you're ready to go.

I just replaced my 22-250 barrel with a 260 Criterion (already have a 6br and a 6 Dasher). Preliminary 100 yard sighting in and testing has given me groups in the 3's with the loads I worked up for a Savage LRP in 260. And this is a 24" sporter barrel.

Whatever trips your trigger, just go for it. Lifes too short to settle for 1" groups.

Stork

 

[alinwa]

I'ma kinda' agree wit snert BUT.......

Go with 22BR.

It will do everything you WISH'T your 22-250 would do.

And you got all those bullets to burn up

 

[hoz53]

I'ma kinda' agree wit snert BUT.......

Go with 22BR.

It will do everything you WISH'T your 22-250 would do.

And you got all those bullets to burn up

if ya want a 22---the first reamer i bought was a 22BR--the first barrel i chambered was a 22BR--I wanted to start with a 22cf cause i could get a cheap barrel to practice on in that caliber. Im glad i went with 22BR cause that rifle is a shooter considering what it is.
For longer range though i think a 6mm gets the nod. OP says he might shoot midrange F class

 

[Steve Ladino]

if ya want a 22---the first reamer i bought was a 22BR--the first barrel i chambered was a 22BR--I wanted to start with a 22cf cause i could get a cheap barrel to practice on in that caliber. Im glad i went with 22BR cause that rifle is a shooter considering what it is.
For longer range though i think a 6mm gets the nod. OP says he might shoot midrange F class

Don't alter the ADL but rather research your options then maybe start off with a suitable Savage chambered in some 6.5 or 6 MM chambering. I think it all depends on how deep your pockets are.

 

[284winner]

Lots of good advice here already. Mine is to just pick a bigger .224 cartridge and a fast twist barrel. Shoot 75-80s at speeds over 3000 for and you'll be tickled to death at the results at ranges you'd think you'd need a .243 or bigger to conquer. Plus explosive results.

 

[Timgunner]

You may have already made up your mind, but here is what I would do...

Replace the barrel with a 8 or better yet a 7 twist 224 and keep it a 22-250. Or if you are wanting something new go to 22 creedmoor. You will be able to use the new 95gr SMKs in the 7 twist and pretty much any other bullet in the 8. I had a 22-250 ai with a 21” barrel and was getting 3350 with 80gr eld match bullets and rl26. It is a killer combination!