Solved: Advise re .222 Remington rifle

[lb-ft]

My most treasured rifle is a 1990’s r700 222 built with Hart/McMillan/Jewell by Dan Dowling.

The things that rifle will do never fail to amaze me.

I would say don’t overlook the r722. It will work with most all the r700 aftermarket bits. They’re wonderful rifles and chambered in 222, perfect. Wish I still had mine.

 

[TAJ45]

Started this early on but failed to send.
End use q. rears its head again.
If there is any chance you will end up doing a colony shoot, squirrels/prairie dogs, I'd lean toward the 223 for brass availability....but you have stated you're decided on 222.
If you think you'd be heavy into the point blank game, then 222 of course but then I'd look at the BR or PPC, same cal. Yes more powder consumption but I'm thinking not a deal killer for you. Slightly more recoil but we're shaving some medium sized hairs here. The bonus is more legs for varmint work.
Bob White has some interesting items most of the time.
I'm thinking you are pretty much settled in to the 222 but with your background, I also get the lurking scent of pure accuracy. I'd seriously consider the ppc in .224.
But it is all for fun so enjoy and hope you find exactly what you want.....why not two, or three...?

 

[mefizto]

Hi SBS,

thank you for mentioning the bench-rest web site, I did not think about it because as you mentioned the .222 is no longer favored. But, will I not have a problem fining a bold with the correct bolt face? I remember the 40X .222 barreled action, it was sold on or about October 24, about two days before I started looking. ;-(

Hi Oso,

thank you for mentioning specific models. As for gun-brokers, see my OP.

Hi JSH, AWS, jepp2, lb-ft,

thank you for mentioning a specific model.

Hi TAJ45,

you are absolutely correct that my primary objective is accuracy, the next one small critters eradication. I have no idea of what PPC .224 is, but I will research it.

Ha, ha, my friend says that if something is worth owning, one must have at least trhee of that kind

Kindest regards,

M

 

[TAJ45]

All I meant was 22ppc...dont know why I stated it thusly.
W a 22 ppc, you get the bonus of absolute inherent accuracy as well as the legs for another 100+ yards to better give flying lessons.
Also, you have widened the horizon of available Quality used rigs. This you have probably noticed on Bob's BR page. Kinda like the flat head Ford or the Hudson Super Hornet. They had their day but is has passed. PPC is king of the hill.

 

[Mark W]

@mefizto, here is a thread that I recently started when I picked up a my first .222.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/222-remington.3988839/

Two say that I’m liking it a lot would be an understatement. IMR 8208 sends 52 SMKs into one hole at 100 yards.

 

[mefizto]

Hi Mark W,

yes, I saw your thread when searching. Is your 40X a repeater? How long is the barrel? How heavy is the rifle?

I am asking because I have a lead on a similar one.

Kindest regards,

M

 

[Mark W]

Hi Mark W,

yes, I saw your thread when searching. Is your 40X a repeater? How long is the barrel? How heavy is the rifle?

I am asking because I have a lead on a similar one.

Kindest regards,

M

Mine is built on a Shilen DGA action with a 40X trigger. It is a single shot t action and weighs 13.5 lbs. The barrel is 23” long and .900 diameter at the muzzle. Definitely not a walk around gun, but it’s balance well enough to take a shot or two off hand.

 

[Oso]

Hi SBS,

thank you for mentioning the bench-rest web site, I did not think about it because as you mentioned the .222 is no longer favored. But, will I not have a problem fining a bold with the correct bolt face? I remember the 40X .222 barreled action, it was sold on or about October 24, about two days before I started looking. ;-(

Hi Oso,

thank you for mentioning specific models. As for gun-brokers, see my OP.

I use Gunbroker to get a initial data point on types of guns offered and price range. You know that you are interested in 222 caliber now the next step is identifying (1) current production models/manufacturers and (2) pre-existing models (used/older guns). The wide price range on used rifles is usually a mint/vintage collector quality rifle or the occasional wingnut with unrealistic expectations/greedy. Once you identify a model that catches your eye, narrow the filter to just that model and caliber and you'll get sense of reasonable average price range.

If you are really trying for accuracy then in most cases it will not be a rifle sporting a factory barrel. Now you are having to find a custom built or re-barreled rifle or looking to buy a rifle with the intentions of re-barreling or building from the ground up. Just to give you some ideas on pricing, which can vary significantly depending on quality of gunsmith and amount of work involved, and some of the items listed below may not be required

New barrel blank $400
Gunsmithing - barrel (cutting, chambering, crowning) $300
Gunsmithing - action (truing an action) $150

Custom action with scope rail $1000 $1500 or buy donor rifle
Stock $300 - $900
Trigger $150 - $250
Trigger guard /bottom metal $100 - $200

 

[velocette]

My .222 is a Rem 722 action with a McGowan Remage, 1:12 heavy 24" barrel, Rifle Basix trigger epoxy bedded in a laminated stock. The bolt has had a Sako extractor fitted also.
It shoots everything I have stuffed in it sub moa, with some loads running about 1/4" @100. It's favorite load to date is a 55 grain Berger FB bullet with Viht N 133 & Lapua brass. Best groups thus far have been 3/8" @200 yds and below 2" at 518 yds (steel disc)
A wonderful happy rifle that has minimal recoil, excellent accuracy and is inexpensive to shoot.

 

[mefizto]

Hi velocette,

I saw your rifle in Mark_W's thread, and your last line express a sentiment of most people who have it. I have the picture sawed on my computer.

Where did you find the stock(?), it is something I have in mind.

Kindest regards,

M

 

[velocette]

Mefizto;
The rifles stock is a Richards Microfit laminated stock. http://www.rifle-stocks.com/target_style's.htm It is their prone style Culbertson stock, the color was their Blue Coral Laminate. It has been Pillar and epoxy bedded, The finish is approximately 20 coats of Ceracote clear, wet sanded between coats. Also fitted with a Brownells (great people) adjustable butt plate. The title, Microfit in the name is a gross exaggeration, It took quite a while to get the barreled action into the stock before epoxying etc.

 

[mefizto]

Hi velocette,

thank you very much for the stock information. I have several adjustable but plates from my air guns, so that will not be a problem.

Kindest regards,

M

 

[gman47564]

Heres a remington 788 in 222.. had a shilen select match barrel put on it.. its always been a tack driver and still is.. got this rifle used 30 some years ago.. it will always have a place in my safe.. love the triple duece..

 

[mefizto]

Hi gman47564,

beautiful. The 788 is a predecessor to the 700 correct?

On a different note, I am not sure that I like all you people with nice .222 rifles, especially if you have a few of them. I am contemplation to start lobbying for a requirement that anyone having more than three should sell me one. Of course, I will be exempted. ;-)

Kindest regards,

M

 

[Evan]

Since you state that you want to buy once, cry once, I would look up a good gunsmith and pick up the phone. Have a rifle built for you and be assured that it is exactly what you want. I recommend Jim Borden and one of his Rimrock BR actions. Mine, chambered in 20 Vartarg, is equisite and exactly what I dreamed it would be. Absolutely worth it if the price tag doesn't hurt you.

 

[Oso]

Since you state that you want to buy once, cry once, I would look up a good gunsmith and pick up the phone. Have a rifle built for you and be assured that it is exactly what you want. I recommend Jim Borden and one of his Rimrock BR actions. Mine, chambered in 20 Vartarg, is equisite and exactly what I dreamed it would be. Absolutely worth it if the price tag doesn't hurt you.

I just rebarrelled a Sako in 20 Vartarg. I saw the Borden action and I will be going back to do another with this in mind.

 

[charlesasmith]

Many good suggestions have been made. Price may be a determiner. You can find older benchrest configurations such as a sleeved Remington 722 that will be really inexpensive that might include a light trigger. I suspect that shooting 10m air rifle means you would be a trigger "snob" as I am. I have found that the older Rem 40X with 20" straight tubes have been quite accurate, but not cheap. Getting a good trigger is easy with the Remington platform.

Another factor you might consider is recoil. The older I get the less tolerant I am of recoil. The 222 has a mild recoil, but I find that my 40XBR is too light to maintain a sight picture shooting prairie dogs. 10m air guns do not recoil. So it will be an adjustment going to a centerfire due to the noise and recoil. If you are only shooting at the bench, loosing the sight picture is not an issue. If you want to use it for a varmint purpose, I suggest adding weight to the stock butt. I have used bird shot mixed with a 2 part resin inserted into a hogged out butt. You can easily control the added weight, but it will be "butt heavy." Another way to increase weight is getting a longer heavy barrel.

You have many options. Fortunately, there are many knowledgeable people that can help you out on this forum. It would be most helpful for them if you can make a determination of what shooting style you want to do. Recommendations could be more easily narrowed down once you have made a specific choice.

Chuck

 

[mefizto]

Hi charlesasmith,

thank you for the reply. I have already noted that I am not sure what a "trigger snob" is, but, if you mean that I want to get as close as possible to my air rifles, you are absolutely correct.

Since all of my shooting is off-hand, I do understand about the weight, I have been working on the air-rifle both weight-wise and balance-wise, I am not sure whether this can be easily accomplished with center fire stocks, which do not have all the adjustments.

I keep hearing about the many options, but I am starting to doubt it. As far as I was able to ascertain, tho have a nice two stage trigger, my only option is Remington 700 or clone based action. Further complication is the rarity of the .222 cambering. Since, as noted already, I am opposed to by form the auction sites, my options boil down to (1) have a rifle built, (2) buy a Remington 700 or clone chambered in .223 and have the barrel re-chambered, if it is possible, and (3) hope for a miracle that I will be on the classified section at the right time. Just yesterday, while doing my evening chores, I missed the Bob White Custom. http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/bob-white-custom.3991222/

Sorry for the pessimism in the last paragraph.

Kindest regards,

M

 

[dgeesaman]

Hi charlesasmith,

Since all of my shooting is off-hand, I do understand about the weight, I have been working on the air-rifle both weight-wise and balance-wise, I am not sure whether this can be easily accomplished with center fire stocks, which do not have all the adjustments.

I keep hearing about the many options, but I am starting to doubt it. As far as I was able to ascertain, tho have a nice two stage trigger, my only option is Remington 700 or clone based action. Further complication is the rarity of the .222 cambering. Since, as noted already, I am opposed to by form the auction sites, my options boil down to (1) have a rifle built, (2) buy a Remington 700 or clone chambered in .223 and have the barrel re-chambered, if it is possible, and (3) hope for a miracle that I will be on the classified section at the right time. Just yesterday, while doing my evening chores, I missed the Bob White Custom. http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/bob-white-custom.3991222/

Sorry for the pessimism in the last paragraph.

Kindest regards,

M

Sorry for introducing the term trigger snob. If you're an airgunner, you're probably used to a light two stage trigger. For me, changing to a heavy single stage trigger was not easy. The alternative to being a two-stage trigger snob is being a knuckle-dragging single-stage glass rod breaker.

So I'm still mostly using top-end two-stage triggers and settling for top-end single stage when I have no alternative. I suppose if I was in the woods climbing up and down slopes I might have better appreciation for a firm single stage.

Based on your thoughts, it might be worth looking across the Anschutz line.

The 1771 series is available in .222 Remington and with a two-stage trigger. Regardless of the factory trigger weight, it can be set or rebuild to achieve great things.
https://www.anschutznorthamerica.com...e_Trigger.html

The only downside to this rifle is the barrels cannot be replaced as the bolt lugs are actually machined into the barrel. Even Anschutz is not rebarreling them. That said, unless you go prairie dogging and get your barrel very hot, you can get amazing barrel life from .222.

ANA Custom shop does interesting work too: perhaps they can do one in a GRS stock which adds adjustability.
https://www.anschutznorthamerica.com...rs-rifles.html

Here's another fun Anschutz option. Not sure if it's a two-stage trigger but to my eye it could well be a 5098.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/836636835

Of course you can have your own gun built. Take a Remington 700 or 40x barreled action or equivalent custom clone (single or magazine, your choice) in .222 Remington, add a two stage trigger, add a stock, have a gun stock smith inlet and bed it. The Remington 700 action platform of course allows for just about any custom barrel supplier and chambering by just about any gunsmith.

David

 

[JSH]

mefizto, if your luck runs like mine, buy what you think you will be happy with. Then do pillars and bedding, scope rings and load work. When that is all done, one will come up for a killer deal and price.

Then on the other hand, I have learned to ask for what you are looking for in the classifieds. You may get what your looking for.

I did that on my last build. One gent was taking off of a rifle everything I was looking for, made me a good package deal.
Jeff