A Favor from Owners of Sako L-46s in .222 and .218 Bee

[Teddy Bear Rat]

Yet another project has started at the TBR household (using passive voice to divert responsibility for starting yet another project when a dozen other pending projects await my attention ). I have a very nice L-46 .222 Rem with machined bottom metal but modified stock and slightly damaged barrel. I also have a nice Shilen Select Match .224" barrel blank looking for a home. Instead of replicating just another .222, I want to do something different.

My initial thought was .221 FB, as I am set up for that cartridge, I really like it, and the existing magazine would work fine, but then I started feeling the sting of the even cuter and cooler .218 Bee, for which I am also well situated, and for which I have only one rifle, a Dakota Model 10 I rebarreled (yes, I'm spoiled with an embarrassment of riches...aren't we all?).

Obviously, we have the issue of a magazine, for which I have a plan, but I'm thinking all else I need to do is open up and deepen the bolt face to match the larger diameter and thicker Bee case rim. The only other possible issue I can think of is the shallower Bee rim groove, which might also require slight contouring of the extractor tip...although the more protruding Bee rim may help here.

So, my question is, for those who happen to own an L-46 in .222 and are lucky enough to also own one in .218 Bee (or, dare I ask, a .25-20?), what differences do you see in the bolt, the extractor, the chamber mouth, or anything else? Again, I am aware of the magazine issues, but I think my idea on that has a good chance of success.

I look forward to your replies.

TBR