Thinking about building a 22 centerfire - opinions sought!

[Randy in Arizona]

I have a 1903 MkI action, (It has been drilled & tapped so no collector value) DHT bolt, Fajen Aristocrat Stock, Timney Sportsman trigger, scope mount & rings. Yes, I know there are lots of GeeWhiz new actions out there. I happen to have a soft spot for Springfields. Up for debate is where the soft spot is; in my heart or head.

Questions:

Which barrel maker? Chrome Moly or Stainless?

Which gunsmith in LA? (Lower Arizona)

What caliber? 22-250? 22 WSSM? Something smaller for better barrel life?
Link to barrel life study

Leupold or ??? scope?

 

[xring44]

Chamber it in .22 BR, put on a hart stainless barrel, leave it 26", put a 6.5X20 Leupold VariX111 on it with the side focus, get the barrel in 1 in 12 twist, load lots of ammo, invite me to come shoot it!

 

[Jim Watson]

The barrel life "study" advertisement you link is apples and oranges. Chrome lined sporter barrels are not common or readily available aftermarket.

I'd make it a Swift, with Krieger barrel, but there are others.
Replace as necessary, HV rifle barrels are not a "til death do us part" thing.

 

[redneck2]

what do you want to do with it??

punch paper, long range, prarie dogs???

I kinda like the BR idea. If you're gonna invest that kind of money in something that's got low trade in value, it better be something worthwhile (read accurate)

It you just want a screamer, get a WSSM. I love the 22-250, but you can buy them by the rack full. Why invest this kind of $$$ in a factory caliber??? You're building this because you want something different. Might as well be different.

I've got a 6.5x20 Leo on my AR. Excellent scope. I'd also consider a Burris mil-dot 8x32 if you're doing long range hunting

 

[Randy in Arizona]

xring44 - you'd be welcome, but it isn't built yet.

Jim Watson - "I'd make it a Swift, with Krieger barrel" - I want high velocity, but I also want fair barrel life 2500 to 3500 rounds.

redneck2 - "what do you want to do with it?? punch paper, long range, prairie dogs??? - Yes, all of the above.

"I love the 22-250, but you can buy them by the rack full. Why invest this kind of $$$ in a factory caliber??? " - I had a Remington 788 in the early 70's. It would shoot 1/2" groups anytime I did my part, but the heads would part company with the rest of the case after 3 or 4 firings. Good Brass, RCBS dies, properly adjusted. Medium loads, Sierra & Hornady bullets. Mild loads but lousy case life. I want a rifle that won't screw up the brass and I really like Springfields. I already have a 243 Super Rockchucker for moderate ranges and a 300 Win Mag for longer stuff, both on Smith Corona 03A3 actions.

Anyone with a gunsmith recommendation for Southern Arizona?

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, let's look at the options.
You need a standard head diameter cartridge to avoid changing the bolt face and extractor of that Mk I. You need a close to standard body diameter to avoid having to tinker with the feed surfaces on the frame rails.
That pretty well knocks out the Whizzms - too fat, and the .223 - too skinny.
Not much left but the .22-250.
I just recently read a site describing the limitations of the 788, and "compression" of the rear locking bolt with .473" head cartridges was said to be a major fault. Nothing wrong with the calibre. My Ruger 77V .22-250 doesn't give casehead separations, for example.

.22 BR would fit the bolt face but would probably leave you in single shot mode because it is so much shorter than '06. .22-250 might, at that. Wouldn't bother me, I seldom shoot out of the magazine anyhow.