reline or buy a new barrel

[2520]

A recent post made reference to .22 rf barrels being used in early .22 Hornet rifles.  This, of course was true and at least one bullet manufacturer still makes bullets to shoot in them-the .223 Hornet.  I found this out this summer when I bought a small Martini action chambered in .218 Bee.  The barrel does not have a mark on it.  I spent a good deal of time and effort trying to come up with a load for this rifle using .224 bullets when it finally occured to me that the barrel might be an old .22 rf barrel.  Bought some .223 bullets and finally shot some decent groups and lost the high pressure problems.  Problem is I am limited to these bullets alone.  Question: If I want to shoot the .224 bullets (and I do) do I need a new barrel or could I reline the barrel with a .224 liner?  I like the length and contour of the old barrel.  I could have a new barrel made to duplicate the old one but am curious if a new liner would not work as well and maybe save a few dollars.  Thanks in advance.  2520

[jhm]

Just a thought wouldnt it be possible to open that old barrel to .224?  Surely someone can re-cut the barrel out to .224    JIM

[2520]

jhm:  That is a possibility.  Did not mention that the barrel has a 1/16 twist. A 1/14 is now the standard pretty much and would be prefered for bullet weights over 45 gr.  I will check this out.  Thanks, 2520

[iiranger]

Much cheaper option.
The standard bore for .218 Bee was .224. At the same time, you could have a rechambered .22 RF. .22 RF bore is .222.
     [You can cast/measure your bore with garden sulfur (melt outdoors. Pour like wax. If it catches fire, you got it too hot and IT STINKS). Plug the barrel. Pour in the molten sulfur. GENTLY push the plug out. Measure with mike. It is brittle and will not take rough handling.]
   OR Then, you can buy a "ring die" with which to reduce the bullet diameter to whatever you choose. (Purchase from Corbins.com, rceco.com, ch4d.com, or any machine shop...) Shove a bullet you like thru and it comes out slighly smaller and more suited to your purpose.
    Both brothers, Dave and Rich, have books on their web sites (swage.com and rceco.com) that discuss ring dies. Read and/or download before making a decision that will cost money.
     OR you could buy dies with which to make your own bullets. Using fired rimfire cases is legendary and the basis of firms like Horandy/Speer (who worked together in Lincoln Ne briefly)... Dies and a large reloading press will give you whatever you want.
     Having the rifling recut, possible, but I don't even want to guess the price. HIGH. LUCK

[2520]

iiranger:  Thanks, but I don't want to make any new bullets.  This could get pricey as well.  I just would like to make use of those commercial .224 bullets.  I checked with one place I know about to rebore and rerifle.  Can do but  pricey and nearest practical rebore is .25 cal.  Don't want to do that either.  I can't see that it should be any more difficult to reline a barrel to .224 than to reline the same barrel for .22 rimfire.  This has got to be cheaper  (I would think) than to buy, countour, chamber, etc a new barrel.  Or is it?  2520

[Nobade]

Check out Randall Redmond. He makes liners, and does a great job installing them. Not expensive and they work great.

[iiranger]

     I think you can get a ring die in .223 or .224 from CH for around $55.00. Other options are not going to approach this price, but it is your bucks.
     The other consideration is the measurements of the throat. If it is tight, it might throw things off and, again, very cheap to have a good 'smith open it a trifle for use with .224 bullets. Cheap compared to what you discuss. It is no big deal to Swage a .224 bullet down to go through a .223 barrel... Shouldn't have noticeable effect on accuracy if you are not shooting national competition.
     Relining rimfires that work at around 15K LUP is common and safe. In some instances, the rifled barrel part is cut out and the liner is installed ahead of the chamber.  Doesn't take alot of barrel to contain those pressures. Smokeless centerfire working at 3x or more pressure... You need more metal. That means cutting out enough metal to put in a liner with chamber... Do you have enough barrel to start? Don't forget the screw holes for sights...? Yes, along with actually cutting each groove a trifle deeper is possible, BUT it is not cheap. Your bucks. LUCK. Happy trails... Oh yes, you can buy custom bullets made to your specs. swage.com has a list of bullet makers. enjoy...