Re-chambering to 22BR from 22-250

[ourway77]

Have a Hart 1-9 twist 22-250 barrel I got used don't know the round count. If the barrel has been shot too many times would it be feasable to have it re-chambered to 22BR and would the 1-9 twist work? or stay with the 22-250? Also is there another caliber that would be suitable to re-chamber too. Thanks Lou

 

[fdshuster]

ourway77: I did just that with my present 22BR. It started out as my fourth chambering (over a 20 year period) in 22-250, with a Shilen stainless 1-12 twist. Using my borescope, I was able to see the beginning of some very serious firecracking at 550 rounds fired, pulled the barrel off and had a friend set it back ( only lost about an inch of length) and recut the chamber to 22 BR, this one with a .251 chamber neck. It has been excellent and now at 1835 rds. fired ( total including the previous 550) the throat still looks almost as good as when it was cut. Bullet seating depth has increased very little from when it was cut. My previous 22-250 barrels were all done at 2300 to 2450 rounds, but this one looks like it will go well beyond that. Just guessing at this point. An additional thought: You should have the bore 'scoped, and take a measurement to find how much of the throat is gone. If the barrel is the typical Remington varmint contour with the stepdown contour if front of the chamber area, you may not have enough barrel diameter to cut the barrel threads and still get the new throat surface in the good ( non firecracked) area. The reason I set mine back at 550 rounds. More may have been too late to do a rechamber.

 

[ourway77]

fdshuster the barrel is a heart 1-9 twist, 28" long same diameter front to the back. No step barrel. I will follow your advise Thanks Lou

 

[fdshuster]

Lou: Starting with a 28" straight taper, you should easily be able to get a 26" after the setback. My .251" chamber neck requires a light outside neck turning to .0125" when using the old cardboard box Lapua, but with the new blue box already being .0125", no turning would be req'd. With a 9 twist you should be able to use the 69 gr. bullets. I'm limited to 60's with my 1-12. When working up loads, do it slowly. I started out using H322 & everything was fine, but without any warning suddenly had high pressure. Hard bolt lifts & ugly primers. 1/2 grain of additional powder & it went from perfectly fine to high pressure. Nice ctg./ you'll like it.

 

[Alycidon]

Thats a no brainer in my book, more accurate, you see most if not all of the impacts, less powder use, just as dead, longer barrel life. Maybe not quite the same splat factor agreed but the benifits far outweigh the drawbacks. Got a mate of mine over here who also posts with you changing his 22.250AI to 22BR for just these reasons.

A

 

[ourway77]

Thanks all I haven't shot the rifle yetdue to sickness but as soon as I do I will post the results, I think whether or not groups are bad I am going to take the advise given and go with the 22BR. When I send my barreled action to my gunsmith What should I specify? the barrel is a hart 1-9 twist? such as no trim necks? using lapua brass etc. I am 74 and have never even thought of target shooting til I visited this sight. It's only been trying for VG accuracy for hunting. Thank you all so much for all the help. It's so nice to go to the experts for information Thanks Again Lou