222 Remington, Short Range Benchrest Build,

[wildcatter]

Well as it says, I know how great the 6PPC is, I know how other actions are preferred, I know how the stock is outdated, 'BUT' this is not about building the most capable rifle for competition, as I have a Scott Built, Bat "D" with Bix and Andy trigger and an assortment of Krieger Barrels. But I know how capable this caliber, action, stock, and trigger were in it's day, as well as the barrels and triggers of that era, and most of all the gentleman that started me out in this mad world of nothing ever being good enough!

So since I stumbled on this rifle by accident, and seeing it was in less than desirable condition, and in no way in a competition chambering, the price was so low, I said what the heck,,, resurrect it! Fred Sinclair guided my thru my first benchrest rifle and since he had quit building rifles at that point, guided me to a man just starting out building hand cut stainless steel benchrest grade barrels nearby. A man I also became good friends with,,, Ron Pence.

So for starters, here is what we are starting with, pretty rough, but I assure you I will get it cleaned up to Eye Candy Standards! This was last week when I drug it home to show it some love!

 

[357Mag]

Wildcatter -

Howdy !

This is really cool beans !

Fred Sinclair and the .222 . Man... that's like cornflakes & milk !

You goin' w/ period-correct trigger, then ?


Please keep us posted !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[wildcatter]

Hope you like it Mag! Here is some of my latest efforts.

Well after some sanding and cleaning, things look a little different today, some might even agree it's acceptable, both the stock and the action. You have to excuse me when I say these don't do the spray can paint job justice, but trust me, it is way better than these pictures apear!




Fact is to paint this stock any other way would not have given better results, I assure you, right down to the 2K clear coat, the highly UV resistant, 2 part epoxy finish the finest detailers offer! Yes the Can has a stem that is pulled when ready to mix the hardener, and 24 hours use or loose it usage time!

In fact, for about $80 bucks and no mixing, no clean up, now waste, no expensive guns and test patterns, it came out so well, I am still deciding if I will rub it out and polish it, or leave it as finished right from the paint booth. It will fair vary well with the last stock I paid over $600.00 to have painted!

Here is a better picture in the sun light to help pop that Candy Ruby Red and show the light sanding that brought the action back to acceptable condition. But trust me, these pictures just don't come close to doing it justice.





Now with the new Shilen (keep it era correct) so no Bartlien's or Krieger's, in hand after a 2 week order to delivery of the 1-14 .224" Heavy Varmint taper Select Match in hand!!! I would be ready to have my gunsmith start chambering,,,,,, BUT',,,, out of three guy's that have chambered for me, it seems none of them currently own a 222 Remington reamer???

The all own 222 Mag, and 223, or if I had a different bolt face a 22PPC or 22BR, and other 22 centerfires, but this is the old school benchrest rifle that so many hall of famers relied on to get into the hall of fame, I am sticking to the 222 Remington, even if I have to pop for a new reamer! But I'm hoping to find one of my shooting buddies that come up with one for me to keep this a true low cost build!

to date I have less than $1,025.00 in everything. I am hoping to finish the project for less than $1250.00 with everything being as a new shooter.

That is without a scope, as for pictures I stuck a Vortex XBR crossbow scope on it as it's my only scope without a home at present. The hunt will start as soon as I get back home next week for a period correct Leupold 'D' series 36X hopefully in silver???

But it's break time for now, Tomorrow I will finish loading the Ultra Classic for a week in the Smoky Mountains cruising the Blue Ridge Skyway and all its motorcycle routes, as well as some live band entertainment in the evenings and some good vitals, every night from the Smokie Mountain Harley Davidson Shed! But till this is finished, it will be on my mind, I just hope I don't screw it up! More to come later!

 

[nockhunter]

I like it. What paint did you use?

Mike

 

[wildcatter]

I like it. What paint did you use?

Mike

Custom Color website, their Custom Canz Candy Ruby Red, course silver metallic base, black base (on the but), and grey primer, with the 2K clear. They gave a few suggestions that helped greatly, and were very accommodating. Even if I had the proper guns, and filters and everything to measure mix reduce etc,,, I would highly recommend using the cans! Cheaper, easier, less mess, way way cheaper, and the same paint they sell for auto finishes, just stuck in a can with a good enough spray nozzle for small objects like a stock, or motorcycle fender, with ease! The clear, hardener, reducer alone would cost what all the cans I bought to do just one stock would cost.
https://usa.specialistpaints.com/co...ns/products/candy-canz?variant=40350803296435

I can buy the same stuff local from a auto paint supply sells in cans, but triple the money.

I might buff it and polish it like you would see them do with a new car paint job, but I seriously think most would agree, it isn't necessary. But it would absolutely make it as sweet as the best custom jobs available.

 

[357Mag]

Hope you like it Mag! Here is some of my latest efforts.

Well after some sanding and cleaning, things look a little different today, some might even agree it's acceptable, both the stock and the action. You have to excuse me when I say these don't do the spray can paint job justice, but trust me, it is way better than these pictures apear!
View attachment 1374540
View attachment 1374541


Fact is to paint this stock any other way would not have given better results, I assure you, right down to the 2K clear coat, the highly UV resistant, 2 part epoxy finish the finest detailers offer! Yes the Can has a stem that is pulled when ready to mix the hardener, and 24 hours use or loose it usage time!

In fact, for about $80 bucks and no mixing, no clean up, now waste, no expensive guns and test patterns, it came out so well, I am still deciding if I will rub it out and polish it, or leave it as finished right from the paint booth. It will fair vary well with the last stock I paid over $600.00 to have painted!

Here is a better picture in the sun light to help pop that Candy Ruby Red and show the light sanding that brought the action back to acceptable condition. But trust me, these pictures just don't come close to doing it justice.
View attachment 1374543
View attachment 1374545
View attachment 1374548
View attachment 1374546

Now with the new Shilen (keep it era correct) so no Bartlien's or Krieger's, in hand after a 2 week order to delivery of the 1-14 .224" Heavy Varmint taper Select Match in hand!!! I would be ready to have my gunsmith start chambering,,,,,, BUT',,,, out of three guy's that have chambered for me, it seems none of them currently own a 222 Remington reamer???

The all own 222 Mag, and 223, or if I had a different bolt face a 22PPC or 22BR, and other 22 centerfires, but this is the old school benchrest rifle that so many hall of famers relied on to get into the hall of fame, I am sticking to the 222 Remington, even if I have to pop for a new reamer! But I'm hoping to find one of my shooting buddies that come up with one for me to keep this a true low cost build!

to date I have less than $1,025.00 in everything. I am hoping to finish the project for less than $1250.00 with everything being as a new shooter.

That is without a scope, as for pictures I stuck a Vortex XBR crossbow scope on it as it's my only scope without a home at present. The hunt will start as soon as I get back home next week for a period correct Leupold 'D' series 36X hopefully in silver???

But it's break time for now, Tomorrow I will finish loading the Ultra Classic for a week in the Smoky Mountains cruising the Blue Ridge Skyway and all its motorcycle routes, as well as some live band entertainment in the evenings and some good vitals, every night from the Smokie Mountain Harley Davidson Shed! But till this is finished, it will be on my mind, I just hope I don't screw it up! More to come later!

Wildcatter -

Yeh.....yeh.....yeh !!!

Everything you have done is on-point ! Outstanding work on the paint job !! Really, really off the charts !!

I very nicely will wonder out oud, if I might..... Can't say fer sher, but... am thinking silver scopes weren't a huge prescence in the mid -70's ? 1" tubes, to boot. If that's the case, then..... rings woud also be black ?
I guess some pics from that period in benchrest would tell the tale, should memory not serve.

You're making a outstanding tribute gun there ! It'll be fun to see how it shoots !!


With regards,
357Mag

 

[wildcatter]

Wildcatter -

Yeh.....yeh.....yeh !!!

Everything you have done is on-point ! Outstanding work on the paint job !! Really, really off the charts !!

I very nicely will wonder out oud, if I might..... Can't say fer sher, but... am thinking silver scopes weren't a huge prescence in the mid -70's ? 1" tubes, to boot. If that's the case, then..... rings woud also be black ?
I guess some pics from that period in benchrest would tell the tale, should memory not serve.

You're making a outstanding tribute gun there ! It'll be fun to see how it shoots !!


With regards,
357Mag

We'll see about the rings and scope, I would think 30mm Kelbly's in silver should be an easy trade for the black 1"? but I would like to go with a boosted 36x Leupold from Premier, but it seems just buying a 36x Leupold is going to be rough for the price I will be willing to pay!

My last 36X went back for repair, and the parts are no longer available, although they gladly replaced it with the new 30mm Premier 40X. I went through 3 of those and will never run another. Weaver although they didn't make it back then does offer the 36X 1" and it is a better scope in my hands on experience than the newer Leupold BR scopes.

But right now finding a 222 Remington reamer is proving to be a challenge without buying one. But I am thinking about just taking it all to Kelbly's and have the men go through everything, and be sure it is back up to full spec, and have to think they have a reamer? We got the rest of the winter to figure the rest out.

 

[357Mag]

Wildcatter -

Howdy, again ! Thanx for your posts & responses !

A Weaver does sound like a possible option. When I shot short range BR..... back in the latter -70s,
I was using a 24X Leupold. A Weaver T-36 would " look " right, and likely shoot right; too.
Decisions, decisions......

I had been using a 2X-boosted T-36 " classic " for varmint / target work for many years.
I decided to make an improvement in my scope needs, when making my next scope purchase.
Tried in-ernest to talk myself into springing for a top-of-the-line NF, March; or Leupold.
I am not currently shooting competitively, and one does not absolutely have-to-have a multi-K $$$
scope to kill groundhogs.

I took note that Weaver made a T-36 XR, that added a 3rd knob for parallax adjust. Found out they were offered for sale in both black & silver version on the Wally World website, the black one being some $64 cheaper than the silver scope. The T-36XR offered great capabilities for the price, and I was already acquainted w/ Weaver's quality & clarity. I bought the black T-36XR, and put a 2.5X optical booster on it.
I was amazed @ the resolving power this set-up gave me, and the clarity seen on the target @ 100yd.

But.... I digress.

FWIW - Guess I'm saying that if you do go w/ a T-36, a " classic " would look more that " part " than a newer 3-knob XR.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[wildcatter]

Wildcatter -

Howdy, again ! Thanx for your posts & responses !

A Weaver does sound like a possible option. When I shot short range BR..... back in the latter -70s,
I was using a 24X Leupold. A Weaver T-36 would " look " right, and likely shoot right; too.
Decisions, decisions......

I had been using a 2X-boosted T-36 " classic " for varmint / target work for many years.
I decided to make an improvement in my scope needs, when making my next scope purchase.
Tried in-ernest to talk myself into springing for a top-of-the-line NF, March; or Leupold.
I am not currently shooting competitively, and one does not absolutely have-to-have a multi-K $$$
scope to kill groundhogs.

I took note that Weaver made a T-36 XR, that added a 3rd knob for parallax adjust. Found out they were offered for sale in both black & silver version on the Wally World website, the black one being some $64 cheaper than the silver scope. The T-36XR offered great capabilities for the price, and I was already acquainted w/ Weaver's quality & clarity. I bought the black T-36XR, and put a 2.5X optical booster on it.
I was amazed @ the resolving power this set-up gave me, and the clarity seen on the target @ 100yd.

But.... I digress.

FWIW - Guess I'm saying that if you do go w/ a T-36, a " classic " would look more that " part " than a newer 3-knob XR.


With regards,
357Mag

Yep, that classic 36X with the front Parallax would be the one, it is no big sacrifice as for this rifle I will only adjust one yardage and shoot the agg. then only adjust again to start another yardage. But I'll continue to be on the lookout for the 36x Leupold with or without a Premier or Tucker conversion.

But for Varmint and other competition where ranges change frequently, I'll not only drop the coin for more modern scopes with side parallax, but my investment will lean towards the NF glass when possible with absolute reliability and true spot on adjustments, time after time proven at the longest yardages!

This is also a rifle only being used in club matches, so thinking maybe go Heavy Gun (13.5#), as their is no requirement for weight in any of the several club group and score shoots I participate in, only that a 13.5# maximum weight is allowed in their unlimited class and custom classes.

I'll make that decision when I chamber the new Shilen, which I aint sure was available back then with ratchet rifeling, which this select match has. But I think Fred is looking down smiling at the fact Bench Rest is also about making advancements????? I know Ron likes it.

 

[357Mag]

Wildcatter -

Howdy, again !

You articulated your scope needs well. I do understand your points.

Boy, 13.5# allowed in " unlimited " should result in a really killer rifle !

From memory, I don't recall fer sher whether Shilen offered ratchet rifling in the mid -70s ?
I sent them an inquiriy about what year they started offering it. When they give me an answer, I'll be happy to send that along.


Man.... I'm still taking in that paint job you did !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[357Mag]

Yep, that classic 36X with the front Parallax would be the one, it is no big sacrifice as for this rifle I will only adjust one yardage and shoot the agg. then only adjust again to start another yardage. But I'll continue to be on the lookout for the 36x Leupold with or without a Premier or Tucker conversion.

But for Varmint and other competition where ranges change frequently, I'll not only drop the coin for more modern scopes with side parallax, but my investment will lean towards the NF glass when possible with absolute reliability and true spot on adjustments, time after time proven at the longest yardages!

This is also a rifle only being used in club matches, so thinking maybe go Heavy Gun (13.5#), as their is no requirement for weight in any of the several club group and score shoots I participate in, only that a 13.5# maximum weight is allowed in their unlimited class and custom classes.

I'll make that decision when I chamber the new Shilen, which I aint sure was available back then with ratchet rifeling, which this select match has. But I think Fred is looking down smiling at the fact Bench Rest is also about making advancements????? I know Ron likes it.

Wildcatter -

Howdy !

FWIW:
The " Shilen Team's " repsonse to my question of when they started to offer " ratchet rifling " for benchrest barrels was:

" Since the 90's, possibly the 80's. "



With regards,
357Mag

 

[357Mag]

We'll see about the rings and scope, I would think 30mm Kelbly's in silver should be an easy trade for the black 1"? but I would like to go with a boosted 36x Leupold from Premier, but it seems just buying a 36x Leupold is going to be rough for the price I will be willing to pay!

My last 36X went back for repair, and the parts are no longer available, although they gladly replaced it with the new 30mm Premier 40X. I went through 3 of those and will never run another. Weaver although they didn't make it back then does offer the 36X 1" and it is a better scope in my hands on experience than the newer Leupold BR scopes.

But right now finding a 222 Remington reamer is proving to be a challenge without buying one. But I am thinking about just taking it all to Kelbly's and have the men go through everything, and be sure it is back up to full spec, and have to think they have a reamer? We got the rest of the winter to figure the rest out.

Wildcatter -

Member ALFFE has a 36X Leupold up for sale, here on the website.


Regards,
357Mag

 

[wildcatter]

Ya, that was quick. period correct rubber lens covers as well. Thanks for the heads up though, it was nice.

We got all winter, besides, after what I spent so far, and the money I spent on my Smokie Mountain trip on necessary lodging refreshments, souvenirs, and discount upgrades for the Harley,,,,, I'm on cost right now till after we get it barreled.

 

[wildcatter]

Well moving right along here, the scope is on it's way. Maybe a little later era but still one Fred liked, Bausch & Lomb. After talking to another old friend, that knew Fred even better than I did, renowned stock'er Tom Meredith owner of TM Stock Works, Fred gave him one when they were introduced for his Bench Gun.

So even if they were a little late to the game, or after the PPC started being used, there will some 222 still around that used this scope, besides after talking with Tom and knowing the one he used when I shot with him, we know it had Fred's blessing! Thanks to Drill man here it is a done deal.

So now the black anodized 1" rings and everything is complete, and I think Fred at SSS has come up with a reamer,,, I'm pretty sure Fred is smiling down on this rifle and would have easily received his blessing, and that's what this rifle is all about!

 

[357Mag]

Well moving right along here, the scope is on it's way. Maybe a little later era but still one Fred liked, Bausch & Lomb. After talking to another old friend, that knew Fred even better than I did, renowned stock'er Tom Meredith owner of TM Stock Works, Fred gave him one when they were introduced for his Bench Gun.

So even if they were a little late to the game, or after the PPC started being used, there will some 222 still around that used this scope, besides after talking with Tom and knowing the one he used when I shot with him, we know it had Fred's blessing! Thanks to Drill man here it is a done deal.

So now the black anodized 1" rings and everything is complete, and I think Fred at SSS has come up with a reamer,,, I'm pretty sure Fred is smiling down on this rifle and would have easily received his blessing, and that's what this rifle is all about!

Wildcatter -

Howdy !

Another great choice !

My first varmint rifle was a .22-250 heavy barrelled varminter on an Interarms Mk X, out of P.O. Ackley's shop in Utah. I put a B & L " Balvar " 2.5 - 8 on it, and thought I was master of all I surveyed !

Lot's of great, great decisions on your tribute rifle ! You're really " bringing it ", on this project !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[wildcatter]

Well we got a reamer, but Fred wants to cut a chamber on an old barrel before we use it on the new Shilen. But this could come together quick?

 

[357Mag]

Well we got a reamer, but Fred wants to cut a chamber on an old barrel before we use it on the new Shilen. But this could come together quick?

Wildcatter -

Yes.... it sure could !

Please continue to keep us posted !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[wildcatter]

Right now my search is the rings, and BRASS, I mean good Brass to give it it's best opportunity to compete favorably against the 6mm and namely the PPC! I just need 50 or so Lapua cases, and might just have a budy that has them, but he's out of town working till???????

I got till spring to really get it up and running. But make no mistake, there is no turning back now. The best thing about this new BR build, is it's been decades since I spent so little to build a competitive rifle and have results this good at this point in the build. The main thing now is not to make the mistake of settling for less than what is necessary to get the results needed to compete with this caliber today.

 

[Bob3700]

I had some RWS brass for my 222 that was excellent. Don’t know if they still even make it.

In the Midwest, I shot with Rich Griffin and Ron Hoehn and they were shooting 222/35,s. Said that was “The Setup”. In keeping with ur handle, that would be most appropriate!

 

[357Mag]

Right now my search is the rings, and BRASS, I mean good Brass to give it it's best opportunity to compete favorably against the 6mm and namely the PPC! I just need 50 or so Lapua cases, and might just have a budy that has them, but he's out of town working till???????

I got till spring to really get it up and running. But make no mistake, there is no turning back now. The best thing about this new BR build, is it's been decades since I spent so little to build a competitive rifle and have results this good at this point in the build. The main thing now is not to make the mistake of settling for less than what is necessary to get the results needed to compete with this caliber today.

Wildcatter -

Howdy !

I am wondering, what trigger guard you might be thinking of using ? Perhaps you already have one.

Fred had some BR rifles w/ trigger guards that looked like they were simply formed from a strap of steel.


With regards,
357Mag