Author Topic: .22 WMR Versa Pak  (Read 1017 times)

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Offline MSP Ret

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.22 WMR Versa Pak
« on: January 09, 2008, 01:11:10 PM »
yes, the title says it all, I now have my .22 Mag Versa Pak barrel and it is great. I got a chance to stop at my gunsmiths today, and after checking, he just happened to have the proper reamer. Over some light discussion and talk about the next bible study at his church and some easy banter, it was accomplished. I have fired it once for function in my bullet trap in the cellar and hope to get out to the range this weekend with a few different types of ammo. It is so nice and light and compact with the iron sights I would like to be able to keep it that way but we will see what the old eyes will do with them....Happy Days are here!!!....<><....:)

I do not know who makes the business decisions at H&R/NEF but can you imagine the number of .22 LR (and .2 Mag !!!) Versa Pak barrels they would sell if they sold and fit them to centerfire frames, both rifle and shotgun? I would think that just about everyone would buy one as an additional barrel for center fire hunting gun. What a great thing to take to camp for fun or to practice with....<><....:)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2008, 03:49:13 PM »
Well guys I went to the range today and fired the .22 LR Versa Pak barrel that I have had rechambered to .22 Magl...
It is GREAT!!!. I put up an old B-5 combat target backwards so I had a big white sheet of paper at 50 yards, then I put on a sticky 3.5" red spot in the center of that paper and proceeded to shoot it it with various .22 Mag ammo using the iron sights that come on the Versa Pak just as they were and I used my old tired eyes. The first 12 shots, 3 shot groups of 4 different kinds of ammo were all in the red dot!!!! I have a keeper here. I did drift the rear sight a bit to the right then back to the left a bit and tried raising the site one notch on the elevator but pretty much kept the sights as they were. A nice surprise was that the gun really seemed to like some cheap "Armscor" 40 grain jacketed ammo that I bought on sale for $5 a box. I have about 2 1/2 boxes left and I may dedicate it to this Versa Pak barrel....<><....:)   
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline EVOC ONE

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2008, 12:26:31 AM »
Congratulations.  :) 

I agree, what a combo.  The package seems so logical.  Sometimes we look past the obvious.  Perhaps a suggestion to NEF is all that's needed.

Well done. 






Offline stimpylu32

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2008, 03:01:57 AM »
Andy

Good going buddy , i may have to find me one of them and do the same thing . Did you ever slug the bore to see what it was for sure ?

stimpy
Deceased June 17, 2015


:D If i can,t stop it with 6 it can,t be stopped

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2008, 03:37:07 AM »
Hi guys, thanks and no, I did not slug the bore. my gunsmith tried his reamer in each of the 2 Versa Pak barrels which I am lucky enough to own. He said that he has done this to several .22 LR's and the only problem was with some barels the bore of the original .22LR was to small to accept the pilot on the barrel rechambering reamer. He told me if the pilot of the reamer fit it would be possible and easy to do. I took both of my barrels to him with the intent to see which, if either, the pilot fit, that was the barrel which I was going to have done. It fit in both barrels and they each seem to be about the same dimensions. He asked which I wanted to and told me that either was a viable candidate. I chose one simply on the style of the front sight it wore, not scientific I know, but my other option was to go to the range, conduct in depth shooting comparisons between the barrels with several brands of .22 LR ammo and try to make a decision based on those results. I decided it was not brain surgery and chose one based on the front sight (!!!). I has worked out great, the .22 Mag barrel is very accurate and the one that remains as a .22 LR is equally as accurate. I am as they say, a happy camper. I am already pairing the .22 Mag barrel up with a nickled 22" 20 gauge modified barrel and hopefully a 30-40 Krag barrel for what may be a very unusual and useful combination for hunting in the northeast. I am also considering adding either a .223, .22-250, or .22 Hornet to the group to have every base covered. It is reallly working out sweet and thanks to all here who have made this project possible through your information and opinions, your selfless gifts, swaps, sales and purchases, and friendship. The one thing that no one can argue about these fine little guns is, they sure are FUN!!!...<><....:) 

P.S. - I know is is not a rimfire but I want to add that my long awaited .45 ACP barrel is in the works. I am impatiently waiting for it to be completed but realize it might be a while, it took me a year to get the parts and to get it to the gunsmith and with his able help we have been making decisions. This is like ordering a new car. So many decisions to be made, what barrel blank (OD and ID), what twist, what length, what finished diameter, what barrel material, SS or carbon steel, what finish, blued, polished, or beadblasted, muzzle brake or no muzzle brake, which muzzle brake (or just a plain barrel extention depending on which barrel blank I chose to use, which forarm (idividually fitted and bedded to the barrel), sighting arrangements, crown, also I had to decide which action I wanted the barrel fitted to...mind boggling and nerve wracking for a single shot fan, but strangely enjoyable. I will keep you all posted as this project progresses and on the results after I get the barrel and shoot it. A question to you all, what do you think of blued polished SS as a finish?....<><....:)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline greg916

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2008, 12:04:56 PM »
MSP Ret, I have never tried it, so I have no personal experience, but I do not think you can blue stainless steel.

OSTENDO NON OSTENDO

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2008, 12:31:53 PM »
I thought I have heard of a process that would do it, perhaps I am mistaken, that has happened before, once at least... ;D. Does anyone know for sure if SS can be blued or blackened? Also, if I am going to stay with a regular stainless steel finish any thoughts either on a high polish finish or a bead blasted finish?....<><....:)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2008, 01:02:30 PM »
A quick google shows stainless can be blued or oxidized by a couple different processes of hot bluing.

Tim

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=198151

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_(steel)
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2008, 01:14:56 PM »
Thanks Tim, If I go the unblued route what are your feelings on the polished stainless vs. a matte (bead blasted?) stainless barrel?....<><....:)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2008, 05:09:38 PM »
I really like the appearance of my Tikka stainless, it has a matte, bead blasted texture, it's a very nice finish and I bet its very durable. ;) Tim

"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: .22 WMR Versa Pak
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2008, 12:58:50 AM »
Thanks Tim, that does look nice. Decisions, decisions....<><....:)d
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley