Next rifle purchase

[rarmitage915]

Been looking to switch things up and get a new varmint rifle that I may also do a little longer-range shooting with (400yd and in). Was planning on getting a Tikka 22-250 with the 1:8 twist, but I cannot seem to find one that's left-handed. Was going to shoot that as is, then possibly rechamber to 22CM down the road. Since I cannot find one those rifles, I have been looking at the Bergara Wilderness Sierra in 22-250. It is available in left hand and has a 1:9 twist. I held one in a shop about 2 months ago and much preferred that Wilderness Sierra stock over the black synthetic stock I have on my ,270 Tikka. I have 2 questions:

1) Would I be able to rechamber the Bergara to 22CM considering it has a hinged floorplate and not a magazine?

2) Is it even worth it to rechamber to 22CM when you have a fast twist 22-250?


Here is the Bergara in question: https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/b14wilderness/Sierra/

 

[solarshooter]

22-250 and 22CM perform very similarly in terms of amount of powder and MV per barrel length. However, you may run into issues with throat length, mag length, and seating depth if you choose to run long, high BC bullets in the 22-250. Might still work fine, and I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who have worked out the measurements for the Tikka at least.

What about a .223? With a longer barrel you might get plenty of MV to shoot 400 and in. For that matter a 243 win with lighter bullets and a 24" barrel would probably do great.

I have heard mixed things about Bergara, never owned one. The Tikka stock can be easily and cheaply modified to work very well. Or a new stock can be purchased. Depending on which model Bergara you are comparing to, a Tikka with a new stock could still be cheaper. Say a KRG Bravo or something like that, if weight isn't the primary concern.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

We can get the Tikka T3X Lite 22-250, 22”, 1:8 in left hand and ship to your local FFL if you wanted to go that route.

 

[wind gypsy]

If the bergara 22-250 mag box is standard short action, you have zero COAL concerns to worry about. Creedmoor case was designed to seat slippery 140 class bullets ideally and fit in standard mags. 90 grain 22 pills are still shorter than 140 class 6.5s.

In regards to the re-chambering being worth it.. depends how much it costs and what your goals are. I think the heavier taper of 250 cases can become troublesome once you start getting into higher capacity magazines but that shouldn't be a problem with a bdl setup.

 

[Carbine760]

I believe I would skip the 250 and 22cm and get a 1-8 Tikka in 243.

 

[rarmitage915]

Since the Tikka was originally my first choice, I am going to go that route through ZeroFoxGiven. Glad he was able to locate one for me.

Can anyone answer the following? IF I do decide to go the 22CM route with this Tikka, is anything else besides rechambering the barrel required? It seems like the bolt face should work fine. Just wasn't sure if there is something else I'm missing?

 

[Mike D Texas]

Bolt face is the same.

What is your end goal by rechambering? I’m pretty sure it won’t be as easy as just running a reamer in and rechambering.

You would likely have to set it back and fully chamber. The most preferred way would be a new barrel, either prefit or threaded/chambered by a competent smith.

 

[rarmitage915]

The end goal is to have a "budget" 22CM. Yes, this is something I would send out to a gunsmith that I trust to do. I know the prefits are an option, but I was hoping to save some money by having the factory barrel rechambered.

Since I will be starting with an 8 twist 22-250 and I reload some, I may just end up loading some heavier bullets and seeing how they shoot. The performance of those heavier 22-250 loads looks to be somewhat similar to that of a 22CM.

 

[Formidilosus]

The end goal is to have a "budget" 22CM. Yes, this is something I would send out to a gunsmith that I trust to do. I know the prefits are an option, but I was hoping to save some money by having the factory barrel rechambered.

Since I will be starting with an 8 twist 22-250 and I reload some, I may just end up loading some heavier bullets and seeing how they shoot. The performance of those heavier 22-250 loads looks to be somewhat similar to that of a 22CM.

It’s a simple rechamber from 22-250 to 22CM. Is done all the time on Tikka’s.

 

[SloppyJ]

I was going to link you a 22-250 in left hand but indeed, they are sold out. I recently picked up a stainless t3x in 6.5cm with full intentions to ditch the stock barrel for a new one in 22cm. Well I got it in and I kind of liked it. I had it chopped to 18" and threaded. Now I've got 500ct 130tmks coming and my 22cm build went by the wayside for now. I've been extremely impressed at the feel of the bolt in the stainless model but I feel your pain on the 22-250 being sold out.

What about picking up a 243 and getting it rechambered to a 243ai or a 6creed or just leaving as is? That might be your best bet. You're going to be hard pressed to find something that is as solid as the tikka for that price. I got mine for $674 shipped after the FFL fee. I've personally seen 2 of 3 Bergara rifles that my friends own need to make at least one trip back to them for bad chambers. On paper they seem nice but I haven't been impressed.

 

[rarmitage915]

It’s a simple rechamber from 22-250 to 22CM. Is done all the time on Tikka’s.

Thank you.

 

[Mike D Texas]

The end goal is to have a "budget" 22CM. Yes, this is something I would send out to a gunsmith that I trust to do. I know the prefits are an option, but I was hoping to save some money by having the factory barrel rechambered.

Since I will be starting with an 8 twist 22-250 and I reload some, I may just end up loading some heavier bullets and seeing how they shoot. The performance of those heavier 22-250 loads looks to be somewhat similar to that of a 22CM.

I built a fast twist 22-250AI in 2013 when the heaviest readily available bullets were 75-80 grains. It has a 7 twist Bartlein 5R barrel on it and it shoots the 90 grain ATips at 3350. Barrel is 25” long.

It’s a simple rechamber from 22-250 to 22CM. Is done all the time on Tikka’s.

Well, there ya go. @Formidilosus is it as simple as running a 22 creed reamer in or does that barrel have to be set back?

 

[rarmitage915]

For those who have suggested the .243, I do like the round. Was just looking for a 22-250 as it would better suite the niche I'm looking to full. 6CM has been extremely tempting though.

 

[Formidilosus]

Well, there ya go. @Formidilosus is it as simple as running a 22 creed reamer in or does that barrel have to be set back?

From what I understand, it’s just a rechamber.