My 788 20-222

[Jrjones]

Just wanted to share my 20-222 project. Finally coming together after years of acquiring everything. Found a guy parting out a mint rem788 in 223. I paid $150 for the barreled action. And another $150 to get the matching bolt. Krieger 11 twist MTU contour 26",McMillan hunter class stock, timney trigger about a pound, Japan Nikon 6.5-20 FCH. Smithed buy Dave Bruno of Pennsylvania.

 

[Jrjones]

Shoot tiny clover leafs effortlessly. Using a Redding type s die, 226 bushing. I seat w a lee 222 seater w a 204 stem in it. Only tried h4198 so far. @ 20.5 grs I'm shooting 3850 w this long barrel. I plan on trying n133 as well as A2230. Blast to shoot. Zero recoil. Barrel hardly heats up. What are you 20-222 guys running?

 

[20 TAC]

I run H4198 in both of mine also. All the accuracy I ever needed from both of them. Stiffer charge than you’re currently loading but every rifle is different. Congratulations on your build. It should offer you many years of enjoyment. Excellent choice of chambering—my 2nd favorite 20 cal chambering out there. Simple neck down and shoot little bitty groups. The 788 action just shoots doesn’t it?

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Nice Build.

 

[Jrjones]

Thanks guys, and hey 20 tac - yes what a fun chambering. So easy. And yes the 788's Ive been around just simply shoot awesome. I'm running this one single shot. Adl trigger guard. Put the softest spring I cld find behind ejector plunger. I open the bolt and it's sitting there waiting for me. This is a .232 Nk .010 FB. I'm using Winchester brass. (Old blue&white bag)

 

[nakneker]

What a killer set up and cartridge, fun! Looks like it shoots too!

 

[T Kop]

Dave put together a 788 for me with a Krieger 1/17 twist, I load it like a 30br. The thing is no joke.
Tim

 

[Jrjones]

He was rebarreling a 30-30 when I asked him to do mine. This thing is no joke either. Really happy w it so far

 

[durand mortenson]

My old Remington 722 222 loved 19.6 grains. of H4198. Most accurate factory rifle I ever had. Can't get H4198 now but N133 is a good alternative.

Mort

 

[NZ_Fclass]

My old Remington 722 222 loved 19.6 grains. of H4198. Most accurate factory rifle I ever had. Can't get H4198 now but N133 is a good alternative.

Mort

N120 works pretty well in the 222

 

[T Kop]

Forgot to mention it’s a 30-30 788
Tim

 

[Jrjones]

T kop I hear ya. Sweet. And my favorite old school 222 load has always been 20grs imr4198 50gr Hornady sx. Just killed everything w that load forever.

 

[17VLD]

Sweet rifle, it’s great to see an older Remington built into a beautiful 20 caliber.
Love the stock color.Heres my 20-222imp with somewhat orange stock.

 

[Jrjones]

That is just killer. I bet thats rock solid. What a beautiful set up. My McMillan is 90% orange 10% white marble.

 

[17VLD]

Thank you! The prairie dogs don’t like it though, one thought he was safe at 572 yards but he wasn’t the 40 VMax told him otherwise.I decided to build a purpose built pd gun that could be shot all day with the VMax bullet and am happy I did the 222 case is about perfect for my needs when it comes to small colony varmints.That was back when the BAT SV was a new item, glad I went down that path. I need another McMillan and am kinda surprised at the new pricing on them but feel they are worth it, hopefully I can find something like yours with some orange and white swirl.

 

[Jrjones]

I built this heavy 20-222 just for plans of going on a p dog trip someday. I've been out west but never did a p dog shoot. We have some groundhogs here but not like old days. My dad shot em all. My favorite varmint for fun is crows. I just love watching the feathers come off those buggers. The 39gr sierra bking is the most explosive bullet I've tried, followed buy the 39gr speer tnt. Vmax are hard to be for quantity and price.

 

[snert]

I think the 788 is one of the most overlooked actions on which to build a 222 variant.