[Handy]

Hello. I was thinking that the rifle guys would have a better handle on this:

I've been thinking about getting a Contender in .223. But I keep seeing decent deals on used .222s. Question being, how difficult/expensive would it be to have a smith rechamber to .223, and is there a down side?

I realize the barrel will be mismarked, but is there any other problem, like wrong rifling pitch, etc.

The attraction here is a pistol that shoots cheap bulk .223 - like GA 55gr. stuff.


(Moderators - any use of the word "pistol" is a typo, I meant to say "carbine".:D )

[Jim Watson]

I am pretty sure a .223 reamer will clean up a .222 chamber.
I don't know what rifling twist TC uses but the original rifle standard .222 twist was 1x14" and the M193 GI and early commercial .223 twist was 1x12". Cheap boattail bullets like those that lead the Army to increase the twist plus lower velocity aren't going to help accuracy. But I read that they only had complete failures to stabilize in Arctic trials with cold, dense air.

A friend of mine had a Ruger No 2 in .22 K-Hornet that was not much accurate. Don't know what twist they used for that. He asked the gunsmith what he could to to improve it. The 'smith said "Rechamber it to .223." So he did and it helped a lot... but he doesn't shoot cheap ball ammo in it, either. I think it cost him $50 but that was a while back.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Seems like--since it's a Contender---you could just get another barrel for it-----not sure about the availability of .222 chambered barrels though.

Oooppps---read that wrong---just go get a .223 barrel and have both calibers.

[swifter]

I'd figure about $60--$80 for a rechamber. The 'smith should restamp the barrel. Don't know why you'd prefer a .223 over a .222.:neener:
Tom

[Handy]

Aside from any ballistic issues, I would keep the .222 chambering if someone sold .222 Ball at 1000 for $100.

$80 seems like too much. You can rent a chamber reamer for $30. Maybe that's why they rent 'em.