Re-chamber single shot from 223 to 22-250
- Thread starter MRogersII
- Start date
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
Seems like you can get a lot more velocity out of a case that's over 40% larger.
But, I would think the key question is what are you wanting to use it for? E.g, for some applications the 223 could completely meet the need and the additional performance of the 22-250 would be superfluous
The criteria was two-fold. First, an inexpensive rifle that could ride around in the tractor with me over the winter. Lots of opportunities for bumps and dings riding in the cab of the tractor.
Second, a simple rifle I would be ok with my daughter taking with her on the side by side when she goes around the farm checking cattle. I like a break open single shot for that reason too. Very simple, very straightforward.
muleystalker
Silver $$ Contributor
Your above statement is the reason I wouldn't waste my time doing this. The rifle isn't capable of that good of accuracy so at the ranges its capable at you really are not going to see that much of the advantages the 22-250 has over the .223. The 22-250 really starts to show its stuff at longer ranges. Shoot it as it is and put the money and energy into finding another 22-250. If you want to stick with a single shot break action keep your eye open for a Thompsen Contender rifle or pistol or a Thompson Enore, Bothe of them you can swap out barrels of different chambering and they are very accurate. They are offered in pistol and rifle, once you have the action it will take pistol or rifle barrels, just change the stock. They have barrels from muzzle loaders to .22 Long rifle and everything in-between.
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CH87
Silver $$ Contributor
I would try it!
muleystalker
Silver $$ Contributor
Just pick the right bullet for what you are trying to achieve and the .223 will do everything that rifle is capable of.
Jonnyofalltrades
Silver $$ Contributor
The .223 will do a great job for you on coyotes. I would leave it as is, personally, not being a big fan of the .22-250.
However, it's a very simple conversion. There is no ejector, and the extractor is just an L shaped piece of steel with plenty of room to cut it back to fit the larger rim.
If you have a lathe and a dremel, have at it.
Those rifles are pretty rough, but tractor guns need to be. My dad used one as a trap line gun for years, banging around on the snowmobile for several months of every year.
The mountain of stuff he killed with it would make your jaw drop.
However, it's a very simple conversion. There is no ejector, and the extractor is just an L shaped piece of steel with plenty of room to cut it back to fit the larger rim.
If you have a lathe and a dremel, have at it.
Those rifles are pretty rough, but tractor guns need to be. My dad used one as a trap line gun for years, banging around on the snowmobile for several months of every year.
The mountain of stuff he killed with it would make your jaw drop.
kojaone
Gold $$ Contributor
I understand having a $200 tractor gun.
I 'm all in on rechamering 223 to 22-250.
Recambering a rifle like this,might not be easy as one would think.
Headspacing rimless cartridges in a break open is tricky.If you use traditional No,Go gauges, you can/will end up with to much headspace,if it has a firing pin plug like T/C, you can headspace with shims.If it doesn't,gonna take some skill.
I would study Bellm T/C head spacing FAQ on TC contender/ break open actions,good read.
I assumed (?) that I would use the smoke & fit method. I've done that before with a single shot 577 Nitro I built a few years back. Would that be appropriate?
Attachments
I have a back project in the works and a modified reamer I designed and
had Manson do up for me. In a nutshell, it's a modified 22 Nosler. For you
it may be just simpler to get a standard 22 Nosler reamer and go have some
fun. Here's a SAMMI print and PDF idea for you......
had Manson do up for me. In a nutshell, it's a modified 22 Nosler. For you
it may be just simpler to get a standard 22 Nosler reamer and go have some
fun. Here's a SAMMI print and PDF idea for you......
Attachments
kojaone
Gold $$ Contributor
All I can say,that is an accuracy issue on contenders,I clear my contenders barrels on my tightest frame ,.010 between frame and barrel,over half of em left a pattern like that on the barrels. Bellm did .050 clearence just to pove a point to some folks that is doesn't affect headspacing.
I have 5 frames and 20+ barrels.
I fit my 577 to just under 010, with about 70% contact. I was pretty pleased with that and it took MANY hours with a needle file, a flat file and several feet of 320 grit. In hindsight, I probably started to smoke and fit about 075 too early. But it was my first and I wasn't sure.
I looked hard for a used Contender but it seeks like they are commanding a pretty high dollar these days. I'm still watching for one though.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Would the extractor be available from Rossi? He is looking for help doing this, not a lot of opinions of why the idea ain't good. Kinda like my 22-284 Ackley or my 17-220 Swift Ackley. I just had to do it and yes I learned something.
WSnyder
Silver $$ Contributor
Rossi shows a 300 BO available so presumably the correct extractor could be had without modifying anything. Question is can you get one? If you can the conversion should be easy.
God bless you all for your help. I'm not so much concerned about the extractor. I had to make one for my 577. Cutting this one back and refitting shouldn't be an issue. I'm more concerned about running the reamer in, and having the pilot not reach the throat for sometime in the initial cut.
WSnyder
Silver $$ Contributor
Indicate the bore at the new throat location, open up undersized with a drill bit, single point bore a touch undersized and run the reamer in. You don’t need the pilot to contact when you do that. The reamer will follow your new precisely located hole.
You're a sweetheart! Thank you, Sir. It really is a handy little rifle. A bit more elegant than the NEF and H&R both.
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