Name That Gun

[zotparkerm]

My father-in-law gave me two rifles: first a BSA Martini .22 that shoots like a dream and, then, later, the monster bench rest shown in pictures attached.

I thought it was also a .22 but realized it is a .222. It is a Remington barrel and the serial number is 11551. I can find no other marks on the barrel or the bolt so I am not sure what it is.

The stock may be custom made as there is no information on it. It has a bubble level on top and a nifty mount on the bottom, though I have no clue what it mounts to.

Prior to the BSA Martini I had little interest in bench shooting and was more into handguns. I enjoyed it so much I asked for the other, thinking it was also a .22.

Is .222 ammo still available? Is it rare? I appreciate any information you can give me on this gun. I will be digging into this forum to familiarize my self with this aspect of shooting, but had to know what I've got.

Thanks

 

[JohnWayne]

Your rifle looks like a 40-x remington to me. 222 ammo is available, but you may want to have a chamber cast made just to be sure what you have for sure. Also, congrats on the generous father in law.

 

[762willdo]

Thats a VERY desirable action, don't let anybody talk you out of it cheap.

 

[butchlambert]

Looks like a 722 to me.
Butch

 

[Hal]

Butch

I think it has a solid bottom.
Probably an early 40X action with out seeing more pictures.

Hal

 

[zotparkerm]

Thanks for all of the responses so far. I was thinking it was either the 40X or the 722, but have no clue how to tell.

By 'solid bottom' do you mean single shot? It is single, no slot for a magazine.

I would love to know if there are other stocks it can be mounted in as I don't think I would use it much in its current configuration. The wood case it is in combined with the gun weighs about as much as any 6 or 7 other guns and ammo. I also don't know if there is a mount that I am missing that the fixture on the bottom of the stock sits in.

 

[mpryne]

If that is a home made stock it looks as if that may just be an elevation adjustment. For when it is in a rest.

 

[Preacher]

Any 40X stock will fit your action, and it is if it has no cut out under the bolt...

 

[TominSWNY]

The SN makes it a 722.

 

[zotparkerm]

I was leaning toward 722 because everything I read on the 40X said that '40-x' was etched on that series and this has NO model markings on it, just the SN and 222.

Does a 722 fit in a 40X stock or a 700 stock?

 

[Preacher]

How about a close up of the bottom of the action.
Even the 722's and 721's were marked as such...
The 222 would have been stamped on the barrel not the receiver where the serial number would be..
It will fit in those stocks with a bit of woodwork, and they are for a short action..

 

[zotparkerm]

Here are some pics of the action. Hope they are good enough.

Thanks for the input.

 

[zotparkerm]

Another question: am I correct in understanding that the .222 is 'short action'? I am not sure of the difference between 'short' and 'long' action. Is it based on a measurement of some specific component in the action itself, or is it based on the round?

Thanks

 

[zotparkerm]

Sorry to bump, but:

What means 'short action' and 'long action' as I see it referred to much in reference to the stocks and actions, but don't have a clue re the definition.

Thanks

 

[cold_hunter]

Dude your fatherinlaw is the man. and you better keep his girl smiling forever. Wow I have dies can I make you some top notch ammo. You can buy it but only with 50gr. junk bullets.,sorry) But a single shot 722 in 222 what a classic. Have someone make a stock you wont find one. And if you dont load find someone that does. That gun is giving me well never mind. My .222 is a BSA and it was made by a couple of old dudes on a farm in 1951. They had a lathe and ordered a Douglas air gauged barrel with a 1in9 twist 25in. long. Its throat is gone but it puts 5 in .5' any day. And likes 55gr. bullets and heavier. So mine is very interesting as well with a very high comb.

 

[Hal]

I still think it is an earlier 40X.
It has probably been reblued,removing the 40X etching while doing so).

Another clue is the lack of gas port hole on the right side ahead of the ejection port.

Hal

 

[Marksman]

Very interesting. I have a 4 digit 40X and it clearly states 'Model 40-X' under the Remington logo. I can't tell from the picture if the barrel looks to be factory or not. I would guess that your gun might be a 722,the bolt on yours looks much different than mine) that someone could have possibly filled the bottom and had it reblued? Does anyone own a 722 that could tell us if the 722 is stamped on their receiver?