I have a Remington 788 in 22-250 that has been re-barreled with a factory 700 barrel, still in 22-250; however it doesn't shoot great! I think the smith did a crappy job! I want to re-barrel it to a .223, I want to do the work myself with a high end barrel. Is this worth doing? Can the gun be made accurate? Any advice on how to or what barrel brand? I was thinking 16" barrel (cuz I like short barrels) is .223 ok in this length? Would love any help! I think this will make a great summer project! Thank you guys!
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Remington 788 build?
- Thread starter BenY 2013
- Start date
The first thing you're going to have to deal with is the bolt face. The 22-250 has a bolt face diameter of .473". The .223 Remington has a bolt face diameter if .378". Your 22-250 bolt won't work for a .223 Remington.
What are you looking to do with the rifle? Is it going to be just a varmint rig? Are you planning on handloading or shooting factory? If you are handloading, I would consider a 6br, 6x47 lapua, 6.5 anything or something like that. If you are going factory, go with 22-250, 6.5 creed, or 243 win. Easy to get and with a custom barrel, accuracy will be great. Just depends on what you want and expect out of the rifle. Whats the distance you are wanting to shoot? 16" is short, but if thats what cranks your engine, more power to ya. Personally 18" would be the shortest I would consider. But if you are looking for just 100-300, Im sure 16" would do fine. Good luck.
My friend DMiller and I put a new barrel on my grandpa's 788, it was a fun project. I think your 22-250 would make a great 6.5mm or 6mm!
Remington 788 Project | Sin City Precision
Remington 788 Project | Sin City Precision
I did not realize the bolt face was different in the two rounds! How could I go about changing that on the 788? I know on Savages its easy but never done anything on a gun other than a Savage. What I was kind of hoping to do with this rifle was a very accurate hunting rifle for deer and coyote sized game to maybe 300 yards. Possibly shoot targets much farther if possible! I realize .223 might not be best for this, but I also wanted to keep ammo prices lower, I do have a reloading set up, just have not started using any of it yet! Something like the .22-250 Chad Dixon built for the guys at Oneil Ops is kind of what I had in mind! Short and compact, but still a thumper to around 300-400yds! Out of all of the calibers mentioned which would be the best for what I am wanting? Remember ammo cost is a factor!
And JFComfort I saw that thread! Awesome work! As this build progresses I may have to PM you a few questions if you don't mind!
And JFComfort I saw that thread! Awesome work! As this build progresses I may have to PM you a few questions if you don't mind!
Don't forget about the magazine. 22-250 is different from 223 there too. Perhaps a 250 Savage barrel? Same bolt face and magazine... Too bad you did not find a 788 like mine in 7mm-08. I have herd about the bolt handle breaking before - can anyone here relate a personal experience?
I don't mind at all! It was fun doing something different and my grandpa reported back that its a shooter! You can't change the bolt face of the 788, you would need to find another 788 bolt with a .223/5.56 bolt face.
I don't think it would be as simple as a bolt swap. The 22-250 was unique in action length and magazine. It is not the same as the 308/7-08/243/6mm actions.
You will need to stick to a similar length cartridge. A 6xc would be my first choice.
You will need to stick to a similar length cartridge. A 6xc would be my first choice.
After looking some at ammo prices I may just stay with the .22-250 or try and find another bolt for another caliber if that is possible. I think I may go with an 18" barrel something like the Oneil Ops guys run for coyotes!
Apparently you don`t know alot about guns and cartridges. You honestly didn`t know that a 223 wouldn`t fit the existing boltface. What a joke. You have some homework to do.
Really? Wow, love seeing dicks like this treat newbies this way! I have a feeling that I know more than most 18 year olds do about this type of thing! Glad to see people like you encouraging the younger generation to get into AND STAY shooting! This would completely discourage a person just getting into shooting! Yes I have not done my homework with this yet, thats why I asked here first so I could learn! So get a life and quick treating people like this! I don't know alot about this cartridge, I have only shot it a few times it was given to me by my grandfather and not used much at all. That is why I'm on this site is to learn!
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Go out and buy (Cartridges of the World) or better yet, a reloading manual. It has the case drawings. The 22-250 has a rim diameter of .473. The 223 has a rim diameter of .378. Yes, you can build a 223 on a Rem 788 that was a factory 22-250, it will fire, but it will not extract.
I am now aware of that! We took care of that in the 1st few posts of this thread! Thank you for the advice tho!
As mentioned before, this action length/Bolt face/Magazine is fairly unique. If you want to make a good hunting rifle for deer size game just look at the parent cartridge of the 22-250, The .250-3000 or .250 Savage. Under rated, over looked nice little cartridge, excellent deer cartridge out to 400 yd to 500 yd. Bullet weights from 60 gr. to 120 gr if you reload. Get a barrel twist for hunting loads and long range with 87 gr. to 120 gr. bullets.
