Does anyone here have a Remington 58x series rifle converted to 22 hornet? Or another similar caliber? I want something to bridge the gap between 5mm and 22-250, and I think a 22 hornet would be about perfect. Looking for any tips, tricks, things todo or to avoid, opinions on a good gunsmith. Please share pictures of what you have too, thanks!
Remington 58x series to 22 hornet or others
- Thread starter Remnick99
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Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
Threading the barrel and receiver would be high on my list. I think a 580 would be the best option, don't think a 581 would work and surely a 582 wouldn't. Also making the bolt into centerfire instead of rimfire would be another hurdle.
I have a couple of them. I bought a bolt head, dies, and brass and converted a rimfire 5mm over to 5mm Craig. OAL dictates single loading with any of the bullets you can readily buy.
The other was a shop-done conversion to CF. It's a 580. I used a CZ take-off 22 Hornet barrel. My memory isn't perfect since it was 10 years ago, but I recall threading the receiver, setting back and rechambering the barrel, opening the action port, and building a new bolt head of 4140PH. And all the usual bluing and refinishing of the stock. It's very light and works as expected - though I rarely shoot it. I think the extractor is currently broken; it was made out of "whatever steel" I had handy and I knew it wasn't likely to last.
Edit - I started with the plans from Calhoun; down the page a bit: http://www.jamescalhoon.com/pricelist.php
The other was a shop-done conversion to CF. It's a 580. I used a CZ take-off 22 Hornet barrel. My memory isn't perfect since it was 10 years ago, but I recall threading the receiver, setting back and rechambering the barrel, opening the action port, and building a new bolt head of 4140PH. And all the usual bluing and refinishing of the stock. It's very light and works as expected - though I rarely shoot it. I think the extractor is currently broken; it was made out of "whatever steel" I had handy and I knew it wasn't likely to last.
Edit - I started with the plans from Calhoun; down the page a bit: http://www.jamescalhoon.com/pricelist.php
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ggshoots
Gold $$ Contributor
I have built on quite a few 58x series rifles but stuck with rimfire. I dont believe I would try doing to much in the CF line of cartridges for a couple reasons.
1. The cost has gotten pretty high on them.
2. Harder to find.
3. It is a pretty light action with not much real estate to work with trying to fit a larger cartridge.
4. By the time you thread that receiver I would feel very comfortable hanging a very heavy barrel on it.
The 591 and 592 I believe were converted a lot because they had a slightly different configuration with more clearance and different type of extractor which was quite often a whole different problem.
Don't get me wrong, I love that little Remington Action but just don't think its the best for this.
Here is my favorite squirrel rifle, 581 Action.
1. The cost has gotten pretty high on them.
2. Harder to find.
3. It is a pretty light action with not much real estate to work with trying to fit a larger cartridge.
4. By the time you thread that receiver I would feel very comfortable hanging a very heavy barrel on it.
The 591 and 592 I believe were converted a lot because they had a slightly different configuration with more clearance and different type of extractor which was quite often a whole different problem.
Don't get me wrong, I love that little Remington Action but just don't think its the best for this.
Here is my favorite squirrel rifle, 581 Action.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
I think you would be better off building a 788. PTG said they'll be making new 788 actions again, soon, already making replacement bolts.
ggshoots
Gold $$ Contributor
Here is a 722 Action with a cartridge I built to run similar to a Hornet. Very short with 40 deg shoulder running a 40gr Vmax and 14gr N110 goes 3325.FPS. I also have another load running a 45 gr Spear with 4198 right at 2400fps. The second load was my initial goal to shoot squirrels in the head at 150yds, It will do it.
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
I've had a few Hornets and they're perfect for what your wanting. They even work well on ground squirrels out to 225ish and coyotes to 175 or so.
5.7x28
There have been a number of 54X, 58X & 59X converted to centrefire and I've even seen one in17 Fireball, the actions are quite strong as they had to be to handle the 5mm Rem Mag.
But I think creating a centrefire with one eliminates the ability to use a magazine so they become single shot rifles.
I'm contemplating altering a 581 I've got to centrefire but instead of a full length Hornet case it would be a 17 Squirrel, if I make a magazine it may be able to be a repeater, but I still need to verify that.
The 54X, 58X, 59X make a nice light carry rifle which is ideal for what I want to use it for.
But I think creating a centrefire with one eliminates the ability to use a magazine so they become single shot rifles.
I'm contemplating altering a 581 I've got to centrefire but instead of a full length Hornet case it would be a 17 Squirrel, if I make a magazine it may be able to be a repeater, but I still need to verify that.
The 54X, 58X, 59X make a nice light carry rifle which is ideal for what I want to use it for.
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