Question on re-chambering or re-barreling

[wkndwarrior]

I am considering a private purchase of a custom bench rest rifle - Remington 721 in a switch barrel configuration of 17 Javelina and 22 BR. I do not currently reload and information on the internet tells me that there's nothing simple about procuring or forming brass for either of these calibers. I am, however, swooning over this rifle.

I was wondering if anyone could provide input to potential rechambering options for the existing barrels or if I purchased an additional barrel. I'd like it to be something that has commercially available ammunition that I could reload in the future.

Any advice for a high precision newbie? This would be used mostly for target shooting and hopefully one day long range varmint hunting.

TIA,
-Weekend Warrior

 

[Hotshot]

You could sell those barrels and have a barrel made for whatever cartridge you desire

 

[Gary in MD]

Probably could have the 22 BR barrel re -chambered to 22-250. Factory ammo is available.

 

[TAJ45]

Sell Jav. Bbl. Neck size 22 BR from 6BR. 6 BR brass is available. May have to turn necks?? Sounds like a fun rig. Might as well start reloading.
Two bolts? Jav is small bf, .373 iirc. BR is std .473 for 308 class.
Have you checked bores for firecracking? How long are the bbls? Worth rechambering?
A lot of inputs to factor in. Have fun

 

[Hotshot]

22-250 case has way more taper than a 22BR, you would have to cut off the BR chamber and start new.

 

[JSH]

High precision and off the shelf ammo, seldom go together.
With what you seek at this point in time, I would suggest locating ammo of all the same lot and then buy or build the rifle. Still no guarantee of “high precision”.

 

[GLShooter]

You might be able to just do a 17 Remington on the one barrel. I don't have my book handy or I could tell you right off the top.

Greg

 

[358WCF]

22-250 case has way more taper than a 22BR, you would have to cut off the BR chamber and start new.

Maybe a 22-250 Ackley? But then he's handloading after the 1st shot..

 

[urbanrifleman]

22br

Buy 6br brass.
Run through sizing die.
load.
Shoot.

This is pretty easy.

 

[wkndwarrior]

Thanks for the input so far! It does indeed have two custom bolts and I believe both of the barrels are 26" Krieger SS, only the 22 BR has any rounds through it and I believe it comes with some reloading dies for both cartridges. It's probably not worth the hassle to try to sell the barrels (and I don't want this to go off topic).

For rechambering I was thinking that if the 17 barrel could be machined out to 17-222 I might be able to convince a coworker to load for me (at least it looks like an easier cartridge to form) or if I let go of the idea of rechambering, and was going to buy another barrel that's compatible with one of the existing bolts, what would you go with? As a disclaimer, this is a professionally built rifle and I already have a similar one in 17 fireball. I also already have a 220 swift, 22-250 and 223 (all factory rifles). I was thinking about a 204 ruger or 6mm BR mostly because I see ammunition is available online.

As you might tell, I am indecisive - I have until late next week to make a decision on the rifle.

 

[Oso]

Thanks for the input so far! It does indeed have two custom bolts and I believe both of the barrels are 26" Krieger SS, only the 22 BR has any rounds through it and I believe it comes with some reloading dies for both cartridges. It's probably not worth the hassle to try to sell the barrels (and I don't want this to go off topic).

For rechambering I was thinking that if the 17 barrel could be machined out to 17-222 I might be able to convince a coworker to load for me (at least it looks like an easier cartridge to form) or if I let go of the idea of rechambering, and was going to buy another barrel that's compatible with one of the existing bolts, what would you go with? As a disclaimer, this is a professionally built rifle and I already have a similar one in 17 fireball. I also already have a 220 swift, 22-250 and 223 (all factory rifles). I was thinking about a 204 ruger or 6mm BR mostly because I see ammunition is available online.

As you might tell, I am indecisive - I have until late next week to make a decision on the rifle

The 17-222 is nice caliber. As far as reloading goes it is relatively straight forward is using 222 cases. The Javelina is also a really nice cartridge. If it were me I would learn how to reload and keep the Javelina.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I have 223a barrels in stock. Shoot Walmart 223 and save your brass.

 

[Hal]

Does the rifle come with 2 bolts , one for the .17 (222 family) and one for the .22 Br.(6BRA family size ) ?
Unless you can get the rifle cheap you will end up with a fair amount of money in it rebuilding it into something you want.

Hal

 

[wkndwarrior]

Hal - it comes with two bolts and is a pretty solid deal as far as I can tell. I think if I bought it and could add an additional barrel for >$400 I'd be extremely happy. I'd just need to decide on a caliber.

Urban - you have a very nice website. I recently picked up a Henry long ranger .223 for shooting cheap ammo and it is fun - probably not looking to outfit this in .223 though.

Oso - if it was a matter of reloading I think I'd stick with it. I just need enough brass to get going. I haven't had luck finding any reasonably priced and available.

 

[Oso]

I have a 17-222, and it is a very nice caliber. The only real difference between converting a 222 case into a 17-222 or 17 Javelina is that the Javelina will require the shoulder to be bumped back a little bit and then a minor amount of case trimming to shorten the neck. Depending upon the chamber you may/may not need to do any neck turning.

I would first try shooting it in 17 Javelina before making the effort to rechamber/rebarrel. There are some guys who make/form custom brass for sell. Perhaps buy 50 cases from them and see what she likes.

Honestly - I want to see a picture of the rifle that is making you willing to 2x-3x the purchase price in order to get it chambered into cartridges that you will shoot.

 

[wkndwarrior]

I have a 17-222, and it is a very nice caliber. The only real difference between converting a 222 case into a 17-222 or 17 Javelina is that the Javelina will require the shoulder to be bumped back a little bit and then a minor amount of case trimming to shorten the neck. Depending upon the chamber you may/may not need to do any neck turning.

I would first try shooting it in 17 Javelina before making the effort to rechamber/rebarrel. There are some guys who make/form custom brass for sell. Perhaps buy 50 cases from them and see what she likes.

Honestly - I want to see a picture of the rifle that is making you willing to 2x-3x the purchase price in order to get it chambered into cartridges that you will shoot.

Oso - Thank you for the information, do you have any leads on who would sell some javelina brass at a reasonable cost? If I had the brass I'm sure one of my coworkers teach me how to load with his equipment.

I'll post more specific information and pictures next weekend if I pick it up.

 

[redrockranger]

I am considering a private purchase of a custom bench rest rifle - Remington 721 in a switch barrel configuration of 17 Javelina and 22 BR. I do not currently reload and information on the internet tells me that there's nothing simple about procuring or forming brass for either of these calibers. I am, however, swooning over this rifle.

I was wondering if anyone could provide input to potential rechambering options for the existing barrels or if I purchased an additional barrel. I'd like it to be something that has commercially available ammunition that I could reload in the future.

Any advice for a high precision newbie? This would be used mostly for target shooting and hopefully one day long range varmint hunting.

TIA,
-Weekend Warrior

Yes there is a learning curve. Stick with the 22 BR if it is the Norma / Lapua chamber.. 22-250 is a barrel burner.

 

[chuckshooter]

For me, This has been an important phrase to learn and accept. "It's just a barrel" use it, rechamber it or discard it. Barrels wear out, just don't shoot or don't fit your needs. "It just a barrel" . If you like the rifle, that's what counts. make it what you want, I just finished rechambering one of those rem custom shop barreled actions from Pt&g. Came to me as a 204, I have enough 204's, now it's a 20 vartarg, and shoots great. If it didn't, I would put a different barrel on, because " it's just a barrel".

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

If it were me, I would not want to depend on another person reloading my ammo. There are many reasons why this can be a disaster. Especially for wildcat cartridges.

You can equip yourself with the necessary tools to do this yourself, especially if you will be buying special dies and other components necessary to reload without spending an enormous amount of money. This way you are not at the mercy of someone who may or may not have the tie or inclination to due your loading. While I do enjoy reloading, I do not think I would like to continually need to meet the needs of someone else. No matter how good a friend he may be, he has his own life and conflicts to deal with.

 

[Pyscodog]

To me, "wildcat" and "reasonably priced" usually don't go together in the same sentence. LOL! Not being a reloader even makes it worse. I have a safe full of rifles I just had to have and now I wonder why the hell did I buy this? Not trying to talk you out of it, just making you aware that buying the rifle is the easy part. Feeding it will be the hardest and costly as well. Todays market for components makes it even tougher. You might set down and think about how much its going to cost you above the cost of the rifle. Just the thoughts of an old fart.