Rem 788 in .222 rechambered to .223?

[Anonym]

Got a quick question for you guys and gals.  I've got a nice Remington 788 in .222 that I listed in the classifieds section because I've got a stockpile of .223 ammo and I need a shooter for it.  The .222 ammo is more expensive and I don't have much of it at all. 

My debate is whether to pursue selling the 788 to purchase a .223, or have it rechambered (and possibly restocked) and hang on to it.  Any suggestions?  The .222 is a great round out of this rifle, and I just have a hard time putting a fine .222 under the knife...

Thanks,
Anonym

[ncsurveyor]

I'm partial to the 222, having built a mini mauser in that caliber, and doing the subsequent load development.  I'd rechamber mine only if needed for SHTF survival.  I'll reload for it as long as I can, and neck sizing only prolongs the brass life.

Although the 788 isn't what some consider to be a collector's item, I'd be apprehensive to change it.

Besides, is your 223 ammo compatible with the twist of the barrel?

[Anonym]

I agree, I'm very hesitant to change this girl from the .222 simply because she's a fantastic shooter using an excellent round!  My .223 ammo would shoot fine out of it (1:12, I believe), but I'm thinking, as hard as it is, that she'll sell as-is and be replaced.  Wish I could get a .223 and keep her in the armory as well, but I don't think this is in the cards.

Anybody want to try to convince me to rechamber?

Anonym

[jlchucker]

Let's see now.  You've got a .222 that shoots well.  You've got lots of .223 ammo.  You want to change a "fantastic shooter"  Model 788 over in order to shoot up your .223 ammo?  I agree with Ncsurveyor, based on what you've said in your threads.  By the way, before typing this reply I just looked in the Midway catalog and found that Lapua, Norma, Remington, and Winchester all are marketing .222 brass.  You can do lots of handloading for your "fantastic shooter" for a very long time, I would think.   Why take a chance on screwing up a fantastic shooter in order to blast up a pile of .223 ammo?  If it were me, I'd keep the .222 as is and enjoy it.  Then (maybe) I'd keep my eyes open for another rifle in .223.  No sensible  need to put a fine .222 under the knife that I can see. There are plenty of .223's on the market that you could acquire, and even butcher up if you felt a need to. Just think--if you sold your .222, someone could acquire a fantastic shooter and spend many happy years loading and shooting it, not to mention wondering why in heck a previous owner ever sold it.  All of this while you try to make some .223 work for you while wishing at the same time that you never got rid of your .222.

[Anonym]

Excellent point!  Heck, you guys just about convinced me to sell my .223 ammo and get this one rescoped and possibly restocked, and still have some cash floating around to get some ammo to shoot!

[Happy]

Excellent point!  Heck, you guys just about convinced me to sell my .223 ammo and get this one rescoped and possibly restocked, and still have some cash floating around to get some ammo to shoot!

that would be CS to me . Common Sense

[ncsurveyor]

Excellent point!  Heck, you guys just about convinced me to sell my .223 ammo and get this one rescoped and possibly restocked, and still have some cash floating around to get some ammo to shoot!

Seriously, the pressure in the 222 is mild enough that brass will last a long long time.  I've been neck sizing a batch (about 300) I have for about a dozen reloads each and have just now had to start culling a few for some splits.  Haven't noticed any erosion in the barrel either.

Buy a couple hundred new brass and some bullets, next thing you know, you'll be asking what powder to use.

22.2gr of H322 on a 50gr SBK's pretty well does the deal for me.  I even use a hand press.

Build the stock while your at it.

[Waldo Pepper]

I have brass from the early 50's that's been reloaded at least 6 to 8 times by my dad then me, but all shot in same gun, that looks new and has never had to be trimmed down. The old Savage 342 of my dads seem to shoot any 52 to 55 gr excellent, but dad's favorite load was 21gr of IMR 4198 with Sierra 52gr JHP bullet on top.

My dad used to head shoot ground hogs at 150 to 250 yards and I don't remember him ever missing and couple times he reached out to 300 or more yards and take the tops of their heads off using the old Savage and Weaver K10 or K12 Scope, don't remember for sure.

Bought 100 Remington nickel plated brass cases about a year or year and a half ago in a gun shop for $16 and grabbed them because of the price. Evey one of the cases have to be trimmed because they are shade too long at neck and uneven. 

[Siskiyou]

Years back had this guy always looking for the 223 brass I fired.  As I recall he was resizing it to .222 Remington.

[Waldo Pepper]

Years back had this guy always looking for the 223 brass I fired.  As I recall he was resizing it to .222 Remington.

It was not that uncommon for guys to want the cheap surplus cases as the 223 was based off the 222 case.

[Siskiyou]

At the time we were shooting commerical federal and WW.

[ourway77]

Those Remington 788 are hard to find I would keep it the way it is and buy a 223 bolt gun. You can get a savage that will relly shoot for around $400, try bud's gun shop he has some very good prices. Lou