Rechamber a Winchester Model 70 Heavy Varmint .222?

JKP

I've got two identical Winchester Model 70 Heavy Varmint rifles chambered in .222. Chances are slim I'll ever wear one out. Thinning the herd is an option, but so is rechambering as I really like the rifle as it's the older model with the HS Precision stock from the factory. Some research has suggested that the cartridges below are my options if I don't want to mess with the bolt face and extractor.

Short actions with a bolt face .Dia of .384 +/-
17 Rem, 204 Ruger, 222 Remington, 223 Rem, 20 Nosler, 22 Nosler, and 24 Nosler

Bolded cartridges I already have covered. Thoughts on the others or options not listed? Purpose is killing paper and having fun working up a load. I'm of course open to wildcats as well.

JKP

Pic to avoid the fine. 

shotgunshooter3

I personally am trying to streamline my cartridge inventory, so maybe not the perspective you want.. But I'd keep it as-is or go to .223. If you're that opposed to another .223, maybe a .223 AI would be up your alley.

JKP

20 Tactical or 20 Practical look interesting...

JunkCollector

Not listed but what about 222 Remington magnum ?

Couldn't you just ream the existing barrel ?

It's a very good precise round also.

I have a couple 204's
They are fun and can destroy rocks

Wambli Ska

JKP said:

I've got two identical Winchester Model 70 Heavy Varmint rifles chambered in .222. Chances are slim I'll ever wear one out. Thinning the herd is an option, but so is rechambering as I really like the rifle as it's the older model with the HS Precision stock from the factory. Some research has suggested that the cartridges below are my options if I don't want to mess with the bolt face and extractor.

Short actions with a bolt face .Dia of .384 +/-
17 Rem, 204 Ruger, 222 Remington, 223 Rem, 20 Nosler, 22 Nosler, and 24 Nosler

Bolded cartridges I already have covered. Thoughts on the others or options not listed? Purpose is killing paper and having fun working up a load. I'm of course open to wildcats as well.

Rechamber or rebarrel?  If you are only cutting a new chamber the twist on the .222 and the bolt face will only really allow it to become a .223 and you’ll be limited to very light bullets.  I didn’t think the 22 Nosler shared a .223 bolt face.  Not sure about that one…

17 Rem, 204 Ruger, 20 Nosler, and 24 Nosler will require a new barrel.

Now, If you are willing to rebarrel the options are endless (including the .257 Scooter which funny enough is based on the .222 case so you can use the current bolt) or you can have the bolt face opened up to just about anything you want or you could even buy a new bolt which really opens up possibilities including WSMs.

JKP

Barrel would definitely be required for any cartridge I'd be interested in. 

Which brings me to think I might not want to mess with a very accurate and well built rifle (especially for a Winchester!). Another option is to hold on to it for gifting as I get older. 

Factoring in the cost of a barrel and associated gunsmithing I could just buy a Savage in .204... Checking to see if Zee is paying attention.

Zee

6x45 AR

Factory dies available from RCBS and you can make it from .223 Rem brass. I might know a guy that has brass. 

JKP

Zee said:

6x45 AR

Factory dies available from RCBS and you can make it from .223 Rem brass. I might know a guy that has brass. 

Interesting option. I have an AR similar to yours chambered in 6x45AR. 

Linefinder

JKP, an aside question. I have a Mod 70 HV in .223 Rem that has killed thousands of pdogs and been rebarreled twice.  Problem is, I managed to lose the original front sling stud. Even being a machinist, I can't for the life of me figure out the stud size and screw pitch. Any wisdom to share?

Mike

JKP

Linefinder said:

JKP, an aside question. I have a Mod 70 HV in .223 Rem that has killed thousands of pdogs and been rebarreled twice.  Problem is, I managed to lose the original front sling stud. Even being a machinist, I can't for the life of me figure out the stud size and screw pitch. Any wisdom to share?

Mike

Are you talking about this?

Linefinder

Exactly!

JKP

Happy to remove and send to you or try to take some measurements. 

jaywapti

Mike, removed 2 one from a 1955 M-70 and one from a push feed M-70 both are 10 x 32tpi checked my parts bin got about 50 all 10x32 lengths from 1/2" to 1 1/4" and wood screws.

JAY

Linefinder

If you have an extra one, I'd appreciate it. More than glad to reimburse you. I've purchased 3 "universal" studs. Nope....not Universal.....LOL.....Sending PM.

Mike

Linefinder

JKP said:

Happy to remove and send to you or try to take some measurements. 

JKP,

I think jay hit the nail on the head. I appreciate you time and offer.

Mike

jaywapti

Mike, I'm gonna send ya a wood screw one and a 10x32 threaded one with a nut, FWIW i doubt any gun maker made there own sling studs , they just bought them by the truck load from Uncle Mikes. You have a synthetic stock  i suggest you use the threaded one and epoxy the nut in the stock.
Give me a couple of days and ill mail them to you 

JAY

Linefinder

Thanks, Jay. The stock on mine is, I think H-S Precision. Seems to have a threaded ferrule in the fore end and I've never been able to get a good measurement on it. Nothing I've bought fits. Thank you.

Mike

Zee

JKP said:

Zee said:

6x45 AR

Factory dies available from RCBS and you can make it from .223 Rem brass. I might know a guy that has brass. 

Interesting option. I have an AR similar to yours chambered in 6x45AR. 

Didn’t know you already had one. Never mind. 

sakodude

If you do a 222 Rem Mag I've got dies your welcome to.

Bigslug

Zee said:

6x45 AR

+1

JunkCollector

sakodude said:

If you do a 222 Rem Mag I've got dies your welcome to.

If they'd work in the mag seams to be to be a great option.
Ream existing barrel, stamp mag after 222 and go to town.

JKP

JunkCollector said:

sakodude said:

If you do a 222 Rem Mag I've got dies your welcome to.

If they'd work in the mag seams to be to be a great option.
Ream existing barrel, stamp mag after 222 and go to town.

Looking at the two cartridges side by side I can see where mag fit would definitely be an issue. Same for some of the other cartridges like .204 Ruger (necked down 222 Rem Mag).

Wambli Ska

I was just reading up on the 24 Nosler and it looks good on paper, especially in an action you can seat bullets long, and it does work with the .223 bolt face!

Gene L

I wouldn't rechamber for a 222 Magnum for a couple of reasons.  First, the brass is harder to find, but second, the twist may be too slow in a .222 barrel.  In fact, it may not work well for a .223.

If you want another caliber, sell one .222 and get another rifle.  Otherwise you're going to be in too deep with rechambering/rebarreling into something else.  In these days of hard-to-get ammo, I'd stick with historic calibers.

Wambli Ska

Gene L said:

I wouldn't rechamber for a 222 Magnum for a couple of reasons.  First, the brass is harder to find, but second, the twist may be too slow in a .222 barrel.  In fact, it may not work well for a .223.

If you want another caliber, sell one .222 and get another rifle.  Otherwise you're going to be in too deep with rechambering/rebarreling into something else.  In these days of hard-to-get ammo, I'd stick with historic calibers.

There are pro/cons to that idea.  Historically popular cartridge disappear first.  During this whole last panic I saw Norma, Nosler and other proprietary cartridges on the shelves almost continuously while .223, 9mm and .45 disappeared first and were hoarded by everyone.  6mm Creed was available everywhere while 6.5 Creed (more popular) was a unicorn.

I think ultimately the trick is to have enough in hand of anything you want/need that these panics do not affect you…

Ernie Bishop

223AI or a 20 Vartarg

Ernie Bishop

20 Vartarg would be a rebarrel obviously.

Gene L

I checked the twist rate on a Remington 700 .222.  It's 1/14, which is slow but right for a 45-50 grain bullets.  I would think rechambering should keep this in mind.

jaywapti

Sierra's 2003 manual lists M-70 222 as 1 /14 also

JAY

Ernie Bishop

I am not you by any means, but I would rebarrel, as it opens you up to more options.  Not only in caliber, but also with twist rates