I think my favorite .222 700VS is shot out...what would you build?

[29aholic]

So this particular Varmint Special was built in 1974. I can NOT get it to shoot with any of my old standby pet loads, about .75 to 1 MOA at best.
Granted that is probably fine for varmints, but I am used to these guns shooting way better and I am fairly bummed.

SO, what would you do with it given the bolt face? I am tempted to go back with the triple deuce. I have also thought of 222 mag. as I am set up for that caliber.
I have no desire to go .223/5.56

Thoughts??

 

[MitchK]

I hate to say it but go 223' with a fast twist. I used to have a varmint special 222 of about that same vintage. It was a great shooting gun.

 

[181backup]

Why change you've had it for forty years you must really like it. You already have every thing for that round. Why not rebarrel it and bring it back to life. I've never had a 222 but always wanted to shoot one if I had that bolt face that's the round i would go with.

 

[29aholic]

Why change you've had it for forty years you must really like it. You already have every thing for that round. Why not rebarrel it and bring it back to life. I've never had a 222 but always wanted to shoot one if I had that bolt face that's the round i would go with.

That's what I am thinking. We are both in MO if you are close to West Central come on over and shoot it

 

[supratt96]

I have a Rem 700 BDL VS Deluxe that I bought new back in the early '80s. I love that rifle. Mine still has plenty of barrel life left (only about 1200 rounds through it) and still looks almost new.

If I do eventually need to re-barrel, I would stay with 222 Rem. 223s are a dime a dozen. You don't see very many triple deuces any more. With Lapua brass readily available, the 222 is still one of the best varmint/target rifles out there.

 

[Bill Larson]

rebarrel........

 

[jbell]

The triple duce is hard to beat at 300 and under...

 

[rpk762]

I would stick with the 222. I really liked shooting one and keep kicking around going back.

 

[steve123]

20 Vartarg which based off 221 fireball but can be formed from 222 or 223.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I've got a 722 in the triple deuce. Never getting rid if that thing!!

 

[drglock]

Tac 20 at least that's the one I've been pondering

 

[105amatt]

6x47

 

[Rattler56]

Have a little fun and go with a 223 AI.

 

[29aholic]

6x47

Well I had a 6x47 (or 6x222mag.) but I have found those to be ultra finicky to load for.
I am thinking stay with 222, but maybe go with a little faster twist than 1:14

 

[spamassassin]

set the barrel back an inch, cut a new chamber and re-crown it and re-enjoy it for another 40 years. Hell I wish my body would have given me as good of service as your rifle gave you.

 

[SUIScide]

221 fireball? Would be pretty nice set up to shoot 40 ballistic tips with a 16" barrel and a suppressor of course

 

[29aholic]

set the barrel back an inch, cut a new chamber and re-crown it and re-enjoy it for another 40 years. Hell I wish my body would have given me as good of service as your rifle gave you.

LIKE
I think it has earned a new barrel.

 

[Elite_KG]

If you don't go back with .222 since you were already set-up for loading that round, I favor the 22-250. I had one built last year and it has been amazing for varmint hunting. Only stretched it out to 400 yards but had the maiden voyage first round hit and subsequent 4 follow-ups. 100% kill ratio so far this year one still shots.
I wouldn't recommend it if you are planning to shoot high volume each year though.

 

[Travis S]

Just get it re barreled in 222 with a 1/12 twist. Why change since you love the round so much? Different is cool... and that is a killer round! Used to have a contender pistol in that caliber. It was a serious shooter. To play devils advocate, 223 is everything the 222 is and more. Dies are a1 shot deal, brass is dirt cheap

 

[Kells81]

If its still in good outer condition sell it on Gunpoker and help buy a custom rifle with the proceeds... I sold a Seven on there and was emailed a couple of times about the bore which was disclosed but the ultimate winner didn't care what the bore looked like. He was after the outer looks of the gun and what it was. Consider this that I have sold this year on there.

222 Remington 700 ADL $750
222 Remington 7 first year produced $8ish
222 Remington 700 Varmint Special $1600 earlier this year. It was like new though.

I would have been on the Rebarrel bandwagon if it wasn't for that.

 

[FN in MT]

Have a little fun and go with a 223 AI.

My FIRST thought.

But...as a Cooper bolt gun owner in .222 Rem......Can't go wrong with a .222 either. One of those nice conundrums...EITHER choice is a good one.

 

[Marksman]

I would say fast twist 223 AI or 6x45.

Avoid the 221 fireball based rounds on a 700 action as they'll have ejecting issues.

 

[29aholic]

I am thinking stay with 222, but spin a little faster twist barrel on it, maybe along the lines of 1:9.5

 

[SlimySquirrel]

Rebarrel boss!

If you love that round then stay on it... otherwise go 22-250 for some fun.

What ranges are you looking to shoot and what is the purpose? That would most likely determine your twist ratio.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I have the same rifle, inherited when my Eldest Brother passed. I think you are in a uniquely ideal position.

The Deuce is ingrained in me from my teens. I would rebarrel it with a 1:9" twist 24" premium barrel; so I could continue to enjoy this ideal chambering, and still get to walk a little bit onto the wild side with longer bullets. I strongly prefer a Lothar-Walther stainless barrel with LW-50 steel. Fortunately, the current barrel is still at a relatively low round count.

I discontinued my affair with the .22-250 because I didn't like the accompanying rapid/excessive barrel heating; but I just may go back soon.

Greg

 

[29aholic]

Oh I am not going to try to turn into something it isn't, but I think a faster twist will enable me to take advantage of the long neck and longer bullets. I expect probably 500yds and under.

 

[Travis S]

Then why deny the dark side? Join the .223 legion...our go the ai flavor of it?

 

[29aholic]

Then why deny the dark side? Join the .223 legion...our go the ai flavor of it?

223 is for black guns with no soul, besides I have a ton of 222 stuff.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Before I modified the rifle, I would try a deep cleaning using Gunslick Bore Cleaning Foam, followed by a load redeveloping project.

It's worth a try, and surprisingly often resolves such issues.

Greg

 

[29aholic]

Before I modified the rifle, I would try a deep cleaning using Gunslick Bore Cleaning Foam, followed by a load redeveloping project.

It's worth a try, and surprisingly often resolves such issues.

Greg

I am working on that now

 

[Elite_KG]

I am thinking stay with 222, but spin a little faster twist barrel on it, maybe along the lines of 1:9.5

I agree with this option given you favor this cartridge, have all the loading accessories, and you can try a different twist. Plus you get to compare a the new barrel to the old. I'm +1 on this idea. Just research what exact twist rate you will want or need. A little faster than you need is better than a little slower than you need.