222 Rem Mag

M1100Jim · August 23, 2009, 09:44 AM

I just picked up a Sako Vixen in 222 Rem mag. Can this be rechambered to .223 cal?

Thank You

Jim

Jim Watson · August 23, 2009, 09:52 AM

No.
.222 Magnum is already longer in case length and headspace dimensions, you can't ream a big hole smaller.

I guess the barrel could be set back enough to allow it, with the shank extended and the shoulder moved, but that would run up a big gunsmithing bill.

Brass is available.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...ber=1601168657

LHB1 · August 23, 2009, 04:19 PM

Will .222 Mag rounds fit into your magazine? Many years ago I had a Sako short action fitted with Douglas Premium barrel and chambered for .222 Rem Mag. The gun shot great, extremely small groups, but the bullets had to be seated very deep to fit into the short magazine. I had a local gunsmith open up the front of magazine so I could fit 3 rounds in it with longer seated bullets. The gun worked fine but was limited to 3 round magazine capacity for my handloads.

Old Grump · August 23, 2009, 04:25 PM

Just a dinosaurs opinion but you already have a gun better than the 223, only reason to change would be to economize on ammo. Better to buy a 223 if that is your objective. Personally I would rather have the 222 Mag.

steveno · August 23, 2009, 05:09 PM

I would think that there might be some collector interest in the rifle in that caliber. it would be easier to trade and get the 223 that you really want. those rifles would really shoot good.

Bowes · August 27, 2009, 02:10 AM

I have a 223 Cooper 21 and a custom Sako 222 Mag. I setup my neck-sizer to siz every bit of the neck of my Mag, and I don't need to change anything to necksize plenty of my 223 necks to do the job. Rem 222 Mag brass is readily available from Midway and/or Huntington. Going to all that trouble and expense is hard to justify when the results are so similar.

Nightowl · August 27, 2009, 06:01 AM

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...0230157AAHirVv

Scorch · August 27, 2009, 12:24 PM

To rechamber the 222 Mag for 223 Rem, you will need to set the barrel back and recut the chamber. Fairy simple operation. Whether you would want to go to all the trouble is a different issue entirely.

jamaica · August 31, 2009, 03:38 PM

Why would you want to? The 222 is probably the sweetest 22 ever made.

August 23, 2009, 09:44 AM	#1
M1100Jim Junior Member Join Date: August 23, 2009 Posts: 1	222 Rem Mag I just picked up a Sako Vixen in 222 Rem mag. Can this be rechambered to .223 cal? Thank You Jim

August 23, 2009, 04:19 PM	#3
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Will .222 Mag rounds fit into your magazine? Many years ago I had a Sako short action fitted with Douglas Premium barrel and chambered for .222 Rem Mag. The gun shot great, extremely small groups, but the bullets had to be seated very deep to fit into the short magazine. I had a local gunsmith open up the front of magazine so I could fit 3 rounds in it with longer seated bullets. The gun worked fine but was limited to 3 round magazine capacity for my handloads. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

August 23, 2009, 04:25 PM	#4
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Just a dinosaurs opinion but you already have a gun better than the 223, only reason to change would be to economize on ammo. Better to buy a 223 if that is your objective. Personally I would rather have the 222 Mag. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

August 27, 2009, 02:10 AM	#6
Bowes Member Join Date: April 5, 2009 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 32	222 Mag & 223 are sooooooo close I have a 223 Cooper 21 and a custom Sako 222 Mag. I setup my neck-sizer to siz every bit of the neck of my Mag, and I don't need to change anything to necksize plenty of my 223 necks to do the job. Rem 222 Mag brass is readily available from Midway and/or Huntington. Going to all that trouble and expense is hard to justify when the results are so similar.

August 27, 2009, 06:01 AM	#7
Nightowl Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2009 Location: New England Posts: 113	Informative reading http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...0230157AAHirVv __________________ Nightowl NRA Life Member & GOAL Supporter Proud Veteran Always - Safety First!

August 23, 2009, 09:52 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	No. .222 Magnum is already longer in case length and headspace dimensions, you can't ream a big hole smaller. I guess the barrel could be set back enough to allow it, with the shank extended and the shoulder moved, but that would run up a big gunsmithing bill. Brass is available. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...ber=1601168657

August 23, 2009, 05:09 PM	#5
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	I would think that there might be some collector interest in the rifle in that caliber. it would be easier to trade and get the 223 that you really want. those rifles would really shoot good.

August 27, 2009, 12:24 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	To rechamber the 222 Mag for 223 Rem, you will need to set the barrel back and recut the chamber. Fairy simple operation. Whether you would want to go to all the trouble is a different issue entirely. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 31, 2009, 03:38 PM	#9
jamaica Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2006 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 705	Why would you want to? The 222 is probably the sweetest 22 ever made.