222 Rem Build Questions For A Friend

[COhunter]

So a hunting friend of mine is wanting to build a lightweight, walking varmint rifle in 222 remington. He would like a little insight from the awesome group here on some of the particulars. He already has a blueprinted short action but has a dilemma with which barrel manufacture. He is looking at either a Hart or Shilen at this point in time and either a Peak 44 or AG Composite stock. Any points that he is missing? He has a reamer, i believe that it is just a sammi spec reamer. Not sure of the free bore on it. Anything else he is overlooking?

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Nope. Sounds good to me. Tell him to go with it. All components sound great.

 

[Richard Jones]

Shilen has a great .250 neck reamer. If not a 'pre-fit', the reamer dimensions are available and I'm sure that more than a few smiths would have it or something close. Which action is it?
Even a SAAMI 222 is awesomeness.......... I ran one for years and have zero complaints.

 

[nakneker]

222s are classics for a reason, sounds like your friend is good to go. Either barrel should give him good results. I’ve had a few built over the years. My wife’s 222 is built on a 700, HS precision stock, Kreiger 18” barrel that shes uses for varmint calling, it’s been an excellent rifle. My own builds had Douglas, Kreiger, PacNor and Brux barrels, a variety of stocks. All of them had short freebores or no freebores, I mostly shoot 50 and 52 grains bullets in them. Some have longer barrels, some have shorter barrels. If he’s wanting a walking varminter it’s a great choice for a cartridge. Barrel length is personal preference, I like the handiness of shorter barrel but you certainly give up a little speed. 22” is a nice compromise in something like a #3 contour.

That’s the beauty of a custom build, get exactly what you want.

I have few factory 222s, older Remingtons, Sakos, CZ, Tikkas, they all shoot sub .5

I hope your buddy enjoys the mighty triple duece. It’s easy to tune, accurate and certainly has a history. Nice to see mentioned more and more.

 

[lawman29]

but has a dilemma with which barrel manufacture. He is looking at either a Hart or Shilen at this point in time

More important question is what twist?