#1
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20-222 build
I have a 222 Rem H & R Ultra Wildcat rifle I purchased new in 1973. It has a Sako L461 action and appears to also be stocked by Sako. It has been shot a lot and accuracy has gone to pot. I borescoped it and there is wear and alligatoring in the first inches of the barrel. Since I have other 222s and three 17s so I thought I'd rebarrel to 20-222. Any help/advice in making this happen would be appreciated. My smith can't get a rental reamer so I would have to buy one at about $200. Thanks in advance. Steve.
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#2
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jones1180, Sent you PM ref. 20-222 reamer. Link that follows has quite a bit of info on 20-222.
http://www.saubier.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9548
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John |
#3
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I can’t give much input.
I started asking around about something smaller than the 204 Ruger, mainly a 20VT. I was advised by several to just do a 20-221 or a 20-222, straight up no changes except necking down. I ended up doing a 20VT. Now that it is done I should have went with a 20-222. I wanted several hundred cases, at $1 + each it seemed like, I made my own with the purchase of a couple of dies and a mini chop saw, I was still ahead making my 221 brass even buying new virgin to boot. You may or may not end up with a donut, depends on who ya talk too. BUT, with the long neck of the 222 I doubt it would ever be an issue even with a zero free bore and a 40 grain bullet. I say go for it myself. No sense in reinventing the wheel. The only thing is the 20VT has many fans and possesses magical power, lol, if I part with it it is a selling point and little else if anything. |
#4
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Send it off to PacNor - they used to have a reamer. They did one for me and it was a great shooter.
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A 9mm may expand but a .45 doesn't shrink |
#5
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The 20-222 seems to have gained a certain amount of new interest. I had mine built and hung on to the reamer until I recently sold it a couple months ago. I guess they've become a popular item because I had nearly ten different people reach out to me wanting to be inline if the sale fell though.
20-222 is a fun little cartridge that is super easy to make with a set of easy to find 222 bushing die set. I use Redding 222 bushing FL die for sizing and a Redding 222 Comp seater die, they work great. I'd recommend using a reamer with a .235 nk dia. so with just about any brand brass you won't have to do any neck turning. My reamer was from JGS and had a .235 nk dia. and 30 thou freebore. I only use Lapua 222 brass in my 20-222 but Lapua has discontinued making 222 brass so unless you already have some finding any now won't be easy and if you do you'll likely have to pay a premium for it. Necked down Lapua 222 brass, H322, 40gr Berger, and 205M or CCI BR4 is what I use. I'd have to look to be sure but if I recall I'm using 22.5gr H322 with those 40gr Berger's which is a mild-ish load, brass will last forever, and it launches those 40's at 3650. I could step on it a little harder and get more velocity out of it but it shoots consistently so crazy good with that load I just can't see messing with it for, maybe, another 100-150fps. Mine is built on a SA Rem 700 with a Hart 11tw barrel. I would use at least a 11 twist and nothing faster than a 10 twist. If you're certain you'll never shoot anything heavier than a 35gr bullet a 12tw will be fine but an 11tw is the preferred choice and will allow you to shoot all of the 40's with no stabilization issues. The smaller case wildcats are a lot of fun and seem to do a lot with so little and as much as I really like the 20-222 with Lapua no longer making 222 brass it would be a hard decision for me between the 20-222 and 20-223 aka 20 Practical. There's always the different "improved" versions but for me, I already have to many AI'd or "improved" cartridges I have to form brass for and the case capacity gain on these little cases just isn't worth the extra hassle of forming cases so I much prefer the straight neck down wildcats. |
#6
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Pacnor have a reamer, .234 neck, they will do a prefit for you, 1-11 number 5 profile is a nice thing.
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#7
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You can get 222 brass from Starline. They do periodic runs of it so if you’re serious, I would get my order in via their website. I haven’t personally tried their 222 brass, but the reports are good. Their brass that I have used has been excellent.
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#8
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Starline 222 is just as good as the rest of their brass.
If your in need or even considering, I advise to get on the list and order Now. Mine took a bit over a year. Even if you don’t follow through with this project, getting funds back is easy, seems there is a demand for 222. |
#9
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I have a Sako L461 action as well. It's been sitting in the safe for a few years now. Finally got around to ordering a barrel for it from my favourite barrel guy - Bob Jury in Red Deer. Ordered to finish at 24", medium sporter contour with a 10 twist. Going to build another 20 Extreme with it.
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#10
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20-222 build
Thanks to everyone for your responses. I have a reamer on the way. It has a .232 neck and was wondering what bushings I should acquire w/ The Redding FL bushing die in 222 Rem. I am well stocked in new 222 brass from R-P, Winchester and Norma. Suspect that I will need to neck turn. Pac-Nor didn't have a reamer and I'm working w/ them on what contour will most easily fit my stock w/ a minimum of wood removal needed. Any other advice you can offer is appreciated. Steve.
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