Turning a .222 cal into a .223 cal
- Thread starter bros
- Start date
Not a problem but if you don,t set the barrel back you will get a shadow shoulder where the 222 chamber shoulder has been moved ahead. It won't interfere with function but will be noticeable . Just restamp the barrel with a +1 after them 222
I have an anschutz .222 and several .223's there is nothing negative to be said of either calibre....however given the barrel twist of your BSA (probably 1:14....and certainly no faster than 1:12) I don't think you gain any real advantage by rechambering....unless you have a whole lot of 223 brass you want to use..and it will diminish the value of your BSA IMO.
Is there enough room in the mag well for the extra length of the 223???
I know a fellow that reamed out a CZ from 222 to the 223 so he could shoot cheap surplus ammo and the cartridges were to long for the magazine.
Likely it isn't a problem with the BSA but I would check it out and make sure. As Guntech pointed out, you will still be limited to 55gr or lighter bullets. As for accuracy??? I have both cartridges built on Rem 700s and in all honesty, they are in identical condition inside and out. If you were looking at any of the targets shot with handloads each of them likes, you would be hard pressed to tell which rifle shot them.
I know a fellow that reamed out a CZ from 222 to the 223 so he could shoot cheap surplus ammo and the cartridges were to long for the magazine.
Likely it isn't a problem with the BSA but I would check it out and make sure. As Guntech pointed out, you will still be limited to 55gr or lighter bullets. As for accuracy??? I have both cartridges built on Rem 700s and in all honesty, they are in identical condition inside and out. If you were looking at any of the targets shot with handloads each of them likes, you would be hard pressed to tell which rifle shot them.
If you hunt around the web you can find the actual dimensions and compare them.
Personally, I wouldn't bother. The price of a couple hundred new brass and a good set of reloading dies, is way less than the price of the work required, and you gain pretty much...nothing by the conversion. A scant few feet per second velocity, and being able to buy ammo at WalMart....maybe.
Unless you change the barrel, you are stuck shooting light bullets. Once you change the barrel (a different set of additional costs), you start with a clean slate and get to wade through the choices.
Cheers
Trev
ackleyruger
Member
- Location
- central AB
I bought a Sako 222 that was re chambered to 223, took hundreds of round to get a shootable load. It only responds to 36-40 grain bullets. Would much rather have it in original 222 form.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Yeah, but then you can shoot crappy cheap ammo out of it.
bros I had a BSA action with a damaged barrel in 222. Came across a good barrel also 222 and made by BSA. It was not quite the same and could not be directly installed onto my action. My smith suggested the easiest fix would be to re-chamber to 223 and headspace to my action. He did tell me upfront that with the 1 in 14 twist the rifle would not likely shoot any bullets heavier than 50 grs, accurately. So no cheap surplus 55 gr stuff. All ammo would have to be handloaded with 50 gr bullets. We did that and I tried a couple different 50 gr bullets with a couple powders. All grouped pretty well and one load with the 50 gr Hornady SX bullet will group 3 shots into a 1/2 inch @ 100 yds. Plenty good enough for the gophers in my world. As already mentioned it will likely reduce the value of your rifle and the only plus is cheap 223 brass. The cost of the re-chamber job would likely buy you a lifetime supply of 222 brass. If you really need a 223 , find another rifle in that cal.
