Changing Grandpaws' rifle

[ArizonaTRex]

After my Grandfather passed away I inherited his Remington model 600 in .222 cal. I have been debating changing it to .223 cal. Dad says to go ahead, and it would be nice to have my rifle and evil black gun use the same cartridge. Just wanted some advice on changing his old triple deuce to push me off the fence one way or another.

 

[DnPRK]

Have you shot it? How does it group? 222 was THE benchrest cartridge of choice for a long time due to outstanding accuracy that isn't matched by a 223.

Antedotal info: I had a buddy who wanted his to convert his 722 in 222 to a 223 for the same reason you state. After getting it back from the gunsmith, the best it ever shot was 2" where it used to be a 3/4 inch rifle as a 222.

 

[Big Az Al]

222 to 223

How far are you willing to go?

You can have the barrel opened to 223, as it is right now. if it leaves a slight step in the chamber, wich is not unsafe for firing factory cartridges, then setting the barrel back one thread will fix that.

Any changes made to a rifle can change how it shoots. Once changed it is changed, going back, NOT!

For me, something that was my dads or gramppa's is going to stay the way it is right now, and I will find or build the variation on something else if that is what floats my boat. Because changing the connection with the past, takes away from the past,, some will say it makes the connection stronger, That may be if it works, If it doesn't there is an ugly break from the past!

 

[rantingredneck]

I struggled recently with the idea of restoring the Model 31 pump that was my grandfathers. I wanted to replace wood and have a professional re-blue done on it. I eventually decided against it. I asked for advice on TFL and Cabelas forum and responses were mixed. Overall what swayed me to keep it as is is the history that's etched in each ding and dent in the wood and every scratch on the stock. Granted your talking about a caliber change, but that is the caliber your grandpa shot. I'd keep it as is just for the sentimental reasons.

 

[FuzzyBunny]

If it were me I would never change it.

If it was good enough fer granpa its good enough fer me.
I cherish every ding and scratch on every family gun passed down to me.

Think about down the road when your son gives it to his son and repeats everything about the gun and the stories that go with it. Its living history.

I would buy a case of .222 or some loading dies if it were me.
But its not me.

Let us know what you decide.

FuzzyBunny

 

[ArizonaTRex]

Thanks Everybody! I have been really leaning toward keeping it the same. So I will keep it as is. As far as how it shoots? I can't brag on my shooting but that gun wants to put every bullet in the same hole! I have already let my boys fire it, so I'll pass on the whichever one wants it-but only after I have a few more years of fun with it!

 

[DeltaGunner]

.222's are great as far as accurate, I had the same thought with a BSA .222 years back, but I left it, and glad I did.

 

[IndianaBoy]

Glad you decided to leave it as is!


Why would you alter a one-hole bolt action rifle?

Why would you alter a gun that belonged to your grandfather for the sake of caliber commonality?


You made the right choice.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

handload some .222's and have some fun. If you change it you'll regret it because it won't be your grandpa's rifle anymore.

 

[ArizonaTRex]

Why Change?

Having two firearms that use cartridges that are so close in appearance and size was the main reason for wanting to change. I mean I'LL never get them mixed up but I wanted to eliminate any chances. .223 is half the cost and reloading is not an option since I am currently living in an apartment and do not have a safe place to work. I will keep Grandpaws rifle for the precision shooting and use the AR for the reason I got it in the first place-practice and SHTF. As soon as it cools off here in Tucson the boys an I will go to Three Points and shoot it some more, right now it is just to hot for them to have fun.