Considering Rebarreling a Rem 722 in .222 to 5.56/223 with a heavier barrel
- Thread starter PACraftsman
- Start date
PACraftsman
New member
I certainly did understand why would you think otherwise?
redlightrich
New member
PACraftsman, old roper is razzing std7, not you..
I'd weigh costs, a 722 in .222 Remington does have some value with people as it was never chambered in .223.
I can guarantee you can buy a HB .223 rifle cheaper than you can rebarrel the 722. A simple barrel swap is going to cost between $600-700 locally with buying a barrel and gunsmith fees. If you use a company like ER Shaw you're looking about $320 for a chromoly barrel or $500 for stainless steel barrel installed. Unless you do the cheapest Shaw option you can usually find a HB .223 for under $500 easily. Then if you have to have the Wylde chamber it is only another $50-100 to find a gunsmith with the reamer to recut the throat.
I'm all for replacing barrels on rifles to get exactly what I want when it isn't offered by a manufacturer. However, if you're just wanting a heavy barrel rifle to shoot more common ammunition. I'd just go buy the rifle new rather than rebarrel an old 721.
I can guarantee you can buy a HB .223 rifle cheaper than you can rebarrel the 722. A simple barrel swap is going to cost between $600-700 locally with buying a barrel and gunsmith fees. If you use a company like ER Shaw you're looking about $320 for a chromoly barrel or $500 for stainless steel barrel installed. Unless you do the cheapest Shaw option you can usually find a HB .223 for under $500 easily. Then if you have to have the Wylde chamber it is only another $50-100 to find a gunsmith with the reamer to recut the throat.
I'm all for replacing barrels on rifles to get exactly what I want when it isn't offered by a manufacturer. However, if you're just wanting a heavy barrel rifle to shoot more common ammunition. I'd just go buy the rifle new rather than rebarrel an old 721.
PACraftsman
New member
Does anyone make a 223 Wylde new?
PACraftsman
New member
Just to clarify things, once I figure out how I would do this if I go this route , I’ve always intended to compare prices to getting another rifle instead.
Years ago I used an old Remington 725 chambered in the 222 Remington and converted the rifle to a 223 Remington. The rifle is a bit peculiar with the blued action and stainless fluted barrel but is a heck of a shooter.
The original rifle was a pencil barrel so rather than hog out the sweet little walnut stock I went with an aluminum bedding block stock and took out enough material to float my barrel.
Once the 222 Remington barrel was removed I trued that Remington action. With the barrel still removed I went ahead and lapped the bot lugs and bolt face. I wanted to end up with a good accurate little rifle so doing these extra detail steps helped insure I would get what I wanted. So so far with the action wrench aside I have used:
1. RECEIVER FACING MANDREL Locates Receiver Between Centers For Facing Off & Contouring for Remington 700 Action.
2. MANSON PRECISION - BOLT FACE TRUING TOOLS
Then there were a few grits of lapping compound.
My barrel vise kit is the Brownells version. You will need the inserts for the barrel diameters as well as lead shim stock and some rosin, all available from Brownells.
You will also need the Action Wrench for your Remington 700 receiver.
There is more involved but I think you can see where this is going from a cost stand point. When I was active doing this stuff I had a full machine shop at my disposal and was doing dozens of rifles so the first several paid for my tooling needs.
Now if you want a nice very accurate 223 Remington bolt action rifle you can also consider sending your action to any of several barrel manufacturers like Shilen, Douglas or Heart to name a few. Keep in mind if the 222 Remington has a pencil contour rifle and you do not want to destroy it so at any time the rifle can be returned to original you will be looking for a stock. On my rifle I just replaced the magazine with all new 223 Remington parts. I even went with a Timney trigger.
Depending on the scope of the work you choose I think you will find you can buy a really nice and accurate 223 Remington rifle for much less than changing the rifle you have. Savage, Tika and Sako to name a few.
Just My Take....
Ron
The original rifle was a pencil barrel so rather than hog out the sweet little walnut stock I went with an aluminum bedding block stock and took out enough material to float my barrel.
Once the 222 Remington barrel was removed I trued that Remington action. With the barrel still removed I went ahead and lapped the bot lugs and bolt face. I wanted to end up with a good accurate little rifle so doing these extra detail steps helped insure I would get what I wanted. So so far with the action wrench aside I have used:
1. RECEIVER FACING MANDREL Locates Receiver Between Centers For Facing Off & Contouring for Remington 700 Action.
2. MANSON PRECISION - BOLT FACE TRUING TOOLS
Then there were a few grits of lapping compound.
My barrel vise kit is the Brownells version. You will need the inserts for the barrel diameters as well as lead shim stock and some rosin, all available from Brownells.
You will also need the Action Wrench for your Remington 700 receiver.
There is more involved but I think you can see where this is going from a cost stand point. When I was active doing this stuff I had a full machine shop at my disposal and was doing dozens of rifles so the first several paid for my tooling needs.
Now if you want a nice very accurate 223 Remington bolt action rifle you can also consider sending your action to any of several barrel manufacturers like Shilen, Douglas or Heart to name a few. Keep in mind if the 222 Remington has a pencil contour rifle and you do not want to destroy it so at any time the rifle can be returned to original you will be looking for a stock. On my rifle I just replaced the magazine with all new 223 Remington parts. I even went with a Timney trigger.
Depending on the scope of the work you choose I think you will find you can buy a really nice and accurate 223 Remington rifle for much less than changing the rifle you have. Savage, Tika and Sako to name a few.
Just My Take....
Ron