Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Late 80's 700 Rebarrel

I have a late 80's Remington 700 in 22/250. I have had it since new and it has accounted for sending many Groundhogs and crow as well as paper targets to the other side. It has always been an accurate rifle and well kept. Sadly recent years it has become a safe queen after the passing of my favorite shooting/hunting partner and Dad. I now want to bring it out of retirement and rebarrel it in a SST barrel and possibly in a 22/250AI I have numerous hunting calibers 6mm Rem, 7/08, .35Whelen, .350Rem Mag, 30/06 etc. I rarely fall prey to the latest fad that comes out but at the mention of my choice gets looks that make me think I am living in the past. If better brass was available the 6mmRem would be a contender but again I get those facial expressions that make me think I may need to look at a newer round. The new 6.5's seem great but I choose to stay in the 6mm or under caliber-wise. I want a rifle capable of ruining a groundhog out to say 500yards. I love the explosiveness of the 22/250 and am thinking a 12 twist AI version might be the ticket. I would like an honest opinion from a gunsmith that loads his own and shoots as well to share some wisdom on this one.

if I was building a 22-250ai I would be using a 8 twist and running heavy bullets

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Make sure the throat of the reamer will support heavy bullets

Or, have the throat reamed separately to fit whatever bullets you intend to use.

this is what no do that way thetebnot to many reamers laying around

I would buil a standard 22-250 with an eight inch twist. This will push 80's to 3350 and will shoot pretty darned flat. GD

At least 8 twist.

This Mohawk wears an 8 twist #2, 22" Shilen, loves 75's and 80's.

It's a half inch gun with the right loads, has Timney trigger, aftermarket aluminum bottom metal, is glassed and free floated. It's handy and I like it.

DF





Here's where 8 twist comes in handy. I bought some Midway seconds. I think it was a run of 80 gr. TAC SBR bullets. I would think in the short barrel .223's, 80's were moving pretty slow and Hornady didn't make any more. (SBR stands for short barreled rifle). Link for Hornady TAC SBR ammo. http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/556-nato/75-gr-tap-sbr
75 gr. is the heaviest they offer.

Compare bullet construction with these 80 gr. Of course, Midway isn't saying what they are. Hornady calls for 7 twist for their 75 gr. TAC SBR .223 ammo. In the much faster .22-250, 8 twist does just fine with the 80's. I didn't clock it, but published data indicates this load should be running around 3,075-3,100 fps. These are no longer available, so I'm saving them for hogs; they should do a job on a hog.

If you want to shoot long range, the 22s are not the answer, IMHO. I would go with a 6mm offering. How about a 243 AI, or a 6mm Creedmoor?

I've had a couple regular 22-250's, and decided to change it up because I hate trimming cases and I really don't need to burn 40gr of powder to kill ground squirrels.
I just chambered an 8" twist Krieger in 22BR. Just broke in the barrel and it put three 75 Amax into a .150 hole. I should be within 100fps of a 22-250 without the need to trim brass all the time and I'll have a bit less muzzle blast and better accuracy. This or the Dasher version would the supreme 5-600yd 22 caliber cartridge. In 6mm I would go with the 6 Dasher, 6XC, or the Creedmoor version.

Long range and .22's go together just fine if you pick the right bullets to accomplish your task. However, a 22-250 with a 12 twist is a total waste IMO. I have a factory Rem 22-250 with a 12 twist and it shoots 50-55 grain bullets passably well, but not exceptional. However, with Varget and 40g BT's it excells. Groups in the .1's and .2's isn't uncommon, and they are hyperspeed, but not really a long range affair. An 7 or 8 twist will give you more flexibility with the 75 and 80 grain long, high BC bullets that will light up your day on long range targets. Do a little research on them in some reloading manuals to see what the longer .22 bullets do for drop and wind drift at very long ranges and you'll wonder why you've never tried them before.

Bob

I had my late 70s R700 22/250 rebarreled to a 220 swift. I don’t remember the twist but shot 50 grain bullets exclusively. I shot the barrel out and sold it.
It was a prairie dog killing machine. Very accurate and very explosive.

This post does not count...Forrest