Gunsmithing 22BR problems

[Sledge1]

I've got a 22 BR that I can't get to shoot, and I'm hoping you all can help me line it out. It's done on an XR100 action with a 1 in 14 twist Brux that's 26" long, Rem varmint contour. Same profile that was on the gun originally. I had the action trued, put a new PT&G bolt in it, and it already had an aftermarket trigger (not sure which, bought it used). The rifle shot lights out when I got it (.223), but I wanted to have something built for my Dad. I grew up hearing all about how his old .220 Swifts used to shoot. Well I didn't want to do a swift so I did what I thought would be the next best thing. Anyway, I sent it to a guy that had done a lot of 22BR's, had his own reamer etc. He chambered the barrel and did the action work and such. I found out that the reamer he used was set up for 75grn bullets which would never work in my 14 twist barrel, leaving me with a ton of freebore. I've been loading 53 grn V-maxes with several powders and can't get anything close to MOA from it. I'm planning to try some 40's or 45's thru it, bit other than that what would you all suggest?

 

[excaliber]

Re: 22BR problems

Did you tell the smith that you was going to shoot the light bullets? If you did and he used his reamer just to save money, take it back and tell him to use another short throated reamer.

 

[dsink]

Re: 22BR problems

You really need to have that barrel set back and the chamber cleaned up with a shorter throat.
The smith that did it should have known by it being a 14 twist that his reamer was not going to work due to all the freebore.

I would recommend taking it back to the smith and let him fix it. He should do it free of charge.

 

[Sledge1]

Re: 22BR problems

That's kinda what I had in mind. I had to re-bed the thing when I got it back due to the heavier lug. I'm not really pleased with my job on it, so I'm going to re-do it before I try anything else. I'm sure a barrel set back is in order.

 

[dsink]

Re: 22BR problems

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sledge1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's kinda what I had in mind. I had to re-bed the thing when I got it back due to the heavier lug. I'm not really pleased with my job on it, so I'm going to re-do it before I try anything else. I'm sure a barrel set back is in order. </div></div>

I wouldnt waste my time until he fixed his screw up. If I built one for a customer and it had the same problem as yours, then I would set the barrel back and redo it like should have been done.

 

[Bopman]

I had a Rem 700 in .243 rechambered for the 22BR. The smith took it on himself to provide a .100 freebore. This rifle had a 1-12" twist and I intended to shoot 40-60 grain bullets. (I provided him with three dummy bullets, seated with Sierra 40, 50, and 55 grain Blitzkings, that he evidently didn't use. I would have appreciated an e-mail or phone call regarding the freebore. Anyway, I complained to him and he fixed it. The fix consisted of setting the barrel back a few threads and re-reaming the barrel with "0" freebore and a .254 neck. I'm resizing Lapua 6mmBR brass exclusively. I didn't like the way this build went for me and other shooters had the same gunsmith make the same mistake. I have over $2K invested in this rifle at this time and I'm disappointed because in addition to the rework the smith's logo is located at the top of the barrel, "0" degree and part of the inscription is missing because of the barrel setback. I am going to the range today and see if it will shoot. I'm using Sierra's accuracy recommendation of Benchmark powder. The chamber gauge the smith provided me did not work. I had to use the old magic marker trick to find the lans. I won't use a jackleg gunsmith again.

FYI, the smith I used resides in Texas. Very most likely the same one you used. He's okay to talk to, but I would never, never use this guy again. Send me a message if you would like to compare notes. Sorry you had a bad build.