An evil (not really) concoction was cooked up in the depths of the Rab-Lab (my kitchen table) 
To preface this build for those who are unaware, I took part in a group buy of Lilja barrels for the CZ 455, which was organized on Rimfire Central. There was a design flaw in these barrels where the cone was cut waaaaayyyyy too thin, resulting in several splits at the breech 
Lilja recalled all of the barrels for re-work to the standard flat breech face, since if someone's hadn't split yet it was just a matter of time before failure. Thanks to stupid ITAR, it would cost about $400 in permit fees to get my barrel back to Lilja, and I sure wasn't footing that bill. They ended up sending me a full replacement barrel, which is just awesome customer service.
So, what to do with this otherwise excellent barrel? I looked in my gun safe and there was only one rifle I could possibly have this barrel fitted to, my Remington 597. Ok, I have a plan! The barrel threads into a "tombstone" which attaches to the receiver via a "wedge" clamp. If you thought the new attachment method used in the CZ 455 was inferior, you'll certainly turn your nose up at this! Only threaded-to-the-receiver barrels are accurate, right?
I whipped up a sketch of how to fit this barrel to the Remmy
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Now, where to find a gunsmith!?!? I sure wasn't going back to the local guy here who butchered my CZ last year... Fun fact, he got banned from this site Turns out one of the guys at the Silhouette matches I started going to last year is a gunsmith, and several shooters there gave positive feedback about him. I gave him the barrel and action at the August match, and received it back at this Sunday's match. He re-profiled the barrel to match factory specs, rather than leaving it fat like I sketched out. I'd say it looks good and clean done that way. It was given a "match" chamber, but I am unsure specifically what kind (EPS, Lilja, Anschütz, etc...) it does engrave the bullets when chambered.
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
It shot pretty well with SK Standard Plus at 50 yards, shots 11-35. A little inconsistent with SK Rifle Match, but dialed in with Center-X. My bullet holes measured around 0.215", and I handicapped myself by using 0.205" as the correction factor.
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Best group of the day was shot with RWS Rifle Match "S"
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
I think the gunsmith did a fantastic job, and this beautiful barrel has been salvaged, turning my 597 into a very unique (and accurate) .22 rifle
It's neat how just about any decent rifle action/platform can shoot accurately with a good barrel on it. So, why not post it in the 1/2" challenge thread already as the first 597?? Hold your horses! I've got less than 150 rounds shot with the new barrel, and not even tested half my ammo! It can do solid 0.3's or better, I'm sure of it. Time to get into tuning to see what it can really do. First thoughts lead me back to the barrel attachment: the thin, boxy, aluminum receiver. Maybe it's a little too flexy? I might shim it near the receiver to stiffen up that junction, and try out that limbsaver X-Ring doughnut to see if it'll settle the barrel down a little. Also, I might try single loading shots so that bullets don't get nicked up by the semi-auto cycling action.
The trigger is also 4 lbs and a little creepy, there are some ways to tune it and I might get it down to 2.5-3 lbs. Who says that semi-autos and 597s can't shoot?
To preface this build for those who are unaware, I took part in a group buy of Lilja barrels for the CZ 455, which was organized on Rimfire Central. There was a design flaw in these barrels where the cone was cut waaaaayyyyy too thin, resulting in several splits at the breech Lilja recalled all of the barrels for re-work to the standard flat breech face, since if someone's hadn't split yet it was just a matter of time before failure. Thanks to stupid ITAR, it would cost about $400 in permit fees to get my barrel back to Lilja, and I sure wasn't footing that bill. They ended up sending me a full replacement barrel, which is just awesome customer service.
So, what to do with this otherwise excellent barrel? I looked in my gun safe and there was only one rifle I could possibly have this barrel fitted to, my Remington 597. Ok, I have a plan! The barrel threads into a "tombstone" which attaches to the receiver via a "wedge" clamp. If you thought the new attachment method used in the CZ 455 was inferior, you'll certainly turn your nose up at this! Only threaded-to-the-receiver barrels are accurate, right?
I whipped up a sketch of how to fit this barrel to the Remmy
Uploaded at Snapagogo.comNow, where to find a gunsmith!?!? I sure wasn't going back to the local guy here who butchered my CZ last year... Fun fact, he got banned from this site
Turns out one of the guys at the Silhouette matches I started going to last year is a gunsmith, and several shooters there gave positive feedback about him. I gave him the barrel and action at the August match, and received it back at this Sunday's match. He re-profiled the barrel to match factory specs, rather than leaving it fat like I sketched out. I'd say it looks good and clean done that way. It was given a "match" chamber, but I am unsure specifically what kind (EPS, Lilja, Anschütz, etc...) it does engrave the bullets when chambered.Uploaded at Snapagogo.comUploaded at Snapagogo.comUploaded at Snapagogo.comIt shot pretty well with SK Standard Plus at 50 yards, shots 11-35. A little inconsistent with SK Rifle Match, but dialed in with Center-X. My bullet holes measured around 0.215", and I handicapped myself by using 0.205" as the correction factor.
Uploaded at Snapagogo.comUploaded at Snapagogo.comUploaded at Snapagogo.comUploaded at Snapagogo.comBest group of the day was shot with RWS Rifle Match "S"
Uploaded at Snapagogo.comI think the gunsmith did a fantastic job, and this beautiful barrel has been salvaged, turning my 597 into a very unique (and accurate) .22 rifle
It's neat how just about any decent rifle action/platform can shoot accurately with a good barrel on it. So, why not post it in the 1/2" challenge thread already as the first 597?? Hold your horses! I've got less than 150 rounds shot with the new barrel, and not even tested half my ammo! It can do solid 0.3's or better, I'm sure of it. Time to get into tuning to see what it can really do. First thoughts lead me back to the barrel attachment: the thin, boxy, aluminum receiver. Maybe it's a little too flexy? I might shim it near the receiver to stiffen up that junction, and try out that limbsaver X-Ring doughnut to see if it'll settle the barrel down a little. Also, I might try single loading shots so that bullets don't get nicked up by the semi-auto cycling action.
The trigger is also 4 lbs and a little creepy, there are some ways to tune it and I might get it down to 2.5-3 lbs. Who says that semi-autos and 597s can't shoot?
