Which Barrel for a .222 Remington?

[skeeljc]

I want to re-barrel my Remington 700 with a good .222 Remington barrel. I had a 222 back in the 60's with a Douglas barrel that shot extremely well. It looks like Douglas is still using the same equipment that made my barrel back in 1967. I want to use this for target shooting with 52 grain bullets so either a 1 in 12, 1 in 13, or a 1 in 14 twist. I suppose slow twist .22 caliber barrels are hard to find today. A douglas chrome molly barrel is one choice. A 26" in Remington Varmint or Heavy Target contour.

Which barrel makers should I consider?

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I shot my 222 barrel out last year. Smith put an R&P? on it. Shoots great again.

 

[Stan Taylor]

The same one you’re talking about just call me when you’re ready.

 

[No manches"]

Brux 12twist is a must",Contour to your choice!.

 

[Dub]

I have a Douglas barrel on my 222 and it shoots great. Don't shoot it much anymore but it never fails to amaze me

 

[Mark W]

My Hart barreled .222 is a shooter, but their wait time is usually pretty long.

 

[SmokinJoe]

If you just have to have a barrel today, check bugholes.com, they have several 12 twist in stock. Otherwise you oughta take Stan up on his offer.

 

[1911nut]

I’ve had excellent results with Shilen barrels in my 222 and two 22-250’s.
5 shot groups @ 100 yds Shilen 26” heavy bull, 14 twist

 

[LCazador]

I just built a 222 on a Sako L461, burned that old barrel out. I have my own reamer which I had JGS make for me especially suited for Lapua brass head diameter. Krieger 1-9 twist, Rem varmint with small shank for the Sako. It shoots everything into one hole from 52's to 69's. If you're going to shoot any of the newer boat tail bullets in the 52gr weight, go with at least a 12 twist. They are longer and do much better with a 12 twist.

 

[troupe]

Douglas is going to be tough to pass up and their barrel and chamber turn around time is the best in the industry.

 

[AckleymanII]

Stan Taylor will serve you well. I would advise you to get the 12 twist and play with those 53g Hornady with their very high bc. The 12 twist will not hinder any 52-53g Benchrest bullets.

 

[mac86951]

Hart called me; i ordered at the onset of pandemic. Stan; however, has yet to realize that they've provided my smith's with several barrels since.
What's more accurate, the great barrel now, or the perfect barrel in maybe 3yrs?

My opinion, get the great barrel now, and order another as backup to challenge yourself!

 

[357Mag]

I want to re-barrel my Remington 700 with a good .222 Remington barrel. I had a 222 back in the 60's with a Douglas barrel that shot extremely well. It looks like Douglas is still using the same equipment that made my barrel back in 1967. I want to use this for target shooting with 52 grain bullets so either a 1 in 12, 1 in 13, or a 1 in 14 twist. I suppose slow twist .22 caliber barrels are hard to find today. A douglas chrome molly barrel is one choice. A 26" in Remington Varmint or Heavy Target contour.

Which barrel makers should I consider?

Skeel -

Howdy !

X2 on what Mark W said.
A .222 Rem with a 1-14 Hart barrel is like corn flakes & milk. 52s & 53s all day

Any of the top tier manufacturers would make for a great choice. Wait times and cost are always considerations, when deliberating.

Please keep us posted on your progress !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[littlebuddybr]

I just did one with a bartlein.
14 twist
Heavy varmint contour.
Love it.

I would do it again.
Either hart , bartlein, Krieger, Douglas
14 twist

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I just built a 222 on a Sako L461, burned that old barrel out. I have my own reamer which I had JGS make for me especially suited for Lapua brass head diameter. Krieger 1-9 twist, Rem varmint with small shank for the Sako. It shoots everything into one hole from 52's to 69's. If you're going to shoot any of the newer boat tail bullets in the 52gr weight, go with at least a 12 twist. They are longer and do much better with a 12 twist.

What trigger on your L461? I assume from the 70s or 60s with no barrel shroud? Barrel length?

 

[hpshooter]

I am happy with the Douglas Varmint contour barrel Stan put on my Remington 70 in .222 this past summer. Shot a 194 with 4X at our club level 300 yard F class match two Saturdays ago with no load developement using 40 year old Speer 52 grain flat based hollow points, 19 grains of equally old IMR 4198, Lapua brass, and CCI BR primers.

Action is dead stock including the uneven lug contact. Action is bedded in a $100 gun show 3" wide fore end composite BR stock of unknown manufacture and the "hi-dollar" optic is a 6-18 Bushnell Trophy with a heavy duplex reticle. You can have fun with a minimum investment if you don't mind your friends teasing you about the red and white swirl finished stock they say is pink. Guess it is akin to what they would say to you if they ever caught you ridding a moped!

Did I mention just a slight trace of copper? Verified by bore scope inspection.

For comparison shot a 199-8X with the 6.5x47L would have been 200 in a regular match since we score worst ring scoring and one round touched the 9-10 ring. This rifle is a Pac-Nor medium Palma barreled Savage PTA with an SSS evolution trigger in a Masterclass prone stock topped with an VXIII 8-25 scope.

 

[jasophil1]

Douglas xx premium 1-14 get it to Stan they can blue it to if you go with chrome moly it will shoot great you can be shooting around first of the year or a week or so.

 

[rogina]

I just built a 222 on a Sako L461, burned that old barrel out. I have my own reamer which I had JGS make for me especially suited for Lapua brass head diameter. Krieger 1-9 twist, Rem varmint with small shank for the Sako. It shoots everything into one hole from 52's to 69's. If you're going to shoot any of the newer boat tail bullets in the 52gr weight, go with at least a 12 twist. They are longer and do much better with a 12 twist.

After a conversation with R. Robinett, I would use a 12 twist for a 222rem, not a 1 in 14.

 

[skeeljc]

After a conversation with R. Robinett, I would use a 12 twist for a 222rem, not a 1 in 14.

I seem to remember an earlier conversation with Randy where he recommended a 1 in 13 twist for his 52 grain FB bullet. I tried to call him this morning but he was out. We are having a high wind event (>60 mph) this afternoon and his wife assured me he will he home hunkered down this afternoon.

What would you go with for a .222 Remington chamber reamer? SAAMI or custom?

 

[LCazador]

I seem to remember an earlier conversation with Randy where he recommended a 1 in 13 twist for his 52 grain FB bullet. I tried to call him this morning but he was out. We are having a high wind event (>60 mph) this afternoon and his wife assured me he will he home hunkered down this afternoon.

What would you go with for a .222 Remington chamber reamer? SAAMI or custom?

I'd do a custom. Today's brass isn't what it used to be. Neck turning is necessary to get the best out of your brass.