Hello all. I have a new project I have decided to embark on. I have an old 722 with a barrel that has been through a lot, starting as a 222 then being re-chambered to 222 rem mag then cut and chambered to 223. I have tried just about every load under the sun and nothing shoots under an inch at 100 yds, which is unacceptable by my standards. I want to try to turn it into a varmint rifle that I am able to carry around but also shoot a local benchrest match every now and then. If what im looking for is possible then I would like advice on the build. I am thinking of taking it back to its original chambering 222 remington. The original bench rest king. I want this to be a tight neck for the accuracy and im already set up for neck turning 22 ppc(.245 neck). I would like suggestions for reamers because the first place I checked was Pacific Tool and Gauge and they have multiple 222 reamers and none of them specify neck diameter. As for barrels I was going to go with a krieger but the 22 barrels they keep in stock are 1-8 twist and I could be wrong, but I feel that is to fast for the 52-53 grain bullets I plan to use. My second option was lilja because they have a 1-12, but some people say cut rifling is more accurate than button. I think remington varmint contour/light varmint is a good balance between weight and accuracy. Any helpful advice is appreciated.
722 .222 build
- Thread starter .22 ppc
- Start date
jackie schmidt
New member
I'm not much of an expert on 22's, but I can tell you this. Bruno Shooters Supply has 1-12 twist 22 LV Kriegers in stock. A call to Amy and you can have one on your doorstep in 4 days.
Boyd Allen
Active member
I have a tight neck .222 bench rifle. For the usual 50- 53 gr. match bullets a 14 twist was the usual, but I do not think that 12 would be a problem. Mine is a .244 neck, but if I had it to do over again I would go with a .246. With that you would end up with decent neck tension with the typical one piece FL die. I have several different brands. pay some attention to freebore length. I would keep it short, like .025. Mine is on a 722, glued into a prototype McMillan EDGE stock. On your action, disassemble the striker assembly and try the shroud in the bolt by itself. If it is like mine, it will be a worn sloppy fit. While none too elegant, if you tightly wrap several turns of plumbers teflon tape around the part of the shroud threads that does not have a cut for the cocking piece it will tighten things up and perhaps improve the accuracy slightly.
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Mike Bryant
Active member
If you are going to shoot 52 and 53 gr bullets in a .22, I'd suggest going with a 14 twist barrel. That's the common twist rate used for that weight of bullet with the .22 PPC shorts and was what I had back in the 80's on a .222 benchrest rifle, but even then I either shot a .22 PPC, .22 Waldog or .22 PPC .100 short in competition, all with 14 twist barrels. My father in law shot my .222 some in competition, but for the most part that was all mine was ever used in competition.
The 222.5 is a good choice but causes more trouble....and a 222 is just as good. I've had both and believe that statement. The accuracy "level" is going to be what it is going to be once the rifle is built.
If your plan is to shoot 100/200 yards then a 14 twist would be the better choice....52/53 grain bullets. Not off the shelf bullets but rather from a custom bullet maker. I've never bought 22 bullets from makers other than Bob Cautericio and James Messer but they were pretty good stuff.
While I'm here, I'll ask this again. I bought a lot of Sierra 22 bullets and back then I had a pretty good scale. If you bought 52 grain Sierras...every bullet weighed exactly 52 grains. How did they do that?
If your plan is to shoot 100/200 yards then a 14 twist would be the better choice....52/53 grain bullets. Not off the shelf bullets but rather from a custom bullet maker. I've never bought 22 bullets from makers other than Bob Cautericio and James Messer but they were pretty good stuff.
While I'm here, I'll ask this again. I bought a lot of Sierra 22 bullets and back then I had a pretty good scale. If you bought 52 grain Sierras...every bullet weighed exactly 52 grains. How did they do that?
dmort
Active member
Sierra bullets
If the weight was that consistent what was the problem? I'm sure they cost less then the custom bullets. I know there are other variables here so I'm just asking.
Mort
If the weight was that consistent what was the problem? I'm sure they cost less then the custom bullets. I know there are other variables here so I'm just asking.
Mort
I suppose that's the real problem. The Sierras wouldn't shoot anywhere near the group as anything I could buy from a custom bullet maker...but they weighed better. I still haven't figured out how they did that....
martin zuck
Member
If you decide to go with a 14T and want to use bullets heavier than 52-55 grains try some Sierra 63 gr. SMP's. They have made this bullet for the last 50+ years and in my 222's they shoot darn near as good as match bullets.