RARE Remington 700?

[hittman77]

If there’s any such thing as a rare Remington 700, I think I shot one today.

Date code puts it to late 1962. 20 inch barrel and chambered in .222 Remington Magnum. And a Weaver scope and rings the original owner put on it when new.

Today was a bunch of “firsts” for me as I’d never shot a Rem 700 or knew of that caliber. Seemed like quite a tack driver to me.

Anybody else know of the carbine length barrels on these or about this now obscure caliber?

Oh, and I think it’s what they call the ADL Deluxe model.

 

[22hipower]

Yes, probably qualifies as "rare" at least relative to other Rem 700 production. The 222 Magnum didn't last long as it was eclipsed by the 223 Remington which had essentially equal ballistics in a slightly smaller cartridge which became the military choice. After the military went with the 223 Rem there wasn't much need for Remington, or anybody else, to continue with the 222 Magnum.

As an aside, P. O. Ackley used the 222 Magnum case to develop 17 caliber magnums and built custom rifles for a few years in the '60s and perhaps early '70s. Ackley, and his partner, whose name escapes me at the moment, often used Sako L46 actions and added barrels and stocks. I have one of their rifles in 17 Magnum but haven't yet figured out how to form 17 Magnum cases from 222 Remington Magnum cases (which still turn up for sale occasionally).

Neat that you had a chance to handle and shoot one of those rarely seen rifles.

Edit: They (700s in 222 Magnum) do show up occasionally for sale. That big auction site we all know has one up for sale now and shows three closed sales. Prices between $1600-$2k.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[mauser9]

Must be pretty rare. Unfortunately my Bluebook does not say how many produced or year ending for guns in 222 magnum. Does say Rem.700 in that caliber are worth a premium.

 

[Homie]

According to Lacy's book the 20" carbine version production was over 2000 when the barrel was changed to 23.5" (He lists 1003 made in '62).
Brass is scarce these days, partially due to the case being a favorite for 6mm and 7mm wildcats with BR (6x47) and silhouette shooters (7x47).

 

[ReloadforFun]

As I recall, the 204 Ruger is the 222 Rem Mag necked down. You may have more luck finding the 204 cases.

 

[Lee Barner]

when I was in Germany(80-85) it was the #1 deer cartridge for use on those little deer they had. I think a .22lr or .22 mag would have worked on them they were so small. Lee

 

[rockquarry]

As I recall, I had trouble finding .222 Magnum brass thirty-five years ago when I used it for re-forming to 6x47. I suppose it's never been very popular and probably one of those cases that is run on a limited production basis every few years.

 

[bigolddave]

I have a 722B that is chambered in .222 Magnum. By the stamp, it is likely that it was rechambered. Beautiful little rifle. I think I have about 600 new brass, and dies, so at seventy=eight I think I'm fixed for life.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The Remington ADL was quite the weapon back in the 60's that had to go against the good looks of Weatherby and other custom stocks that caught the eyes of the shooters back in those times.

It was also a time for new load and lots of "Wildcats" for people to spend their mony on, be it in a rifle or the fancy pistols that were a "Hot item" back then.

I always liked a wood stock but then they started coming out with the plastic stocks and the flood waters began to rise.

"Odd Balls" are interresting but as mentioned, supplys are generally few and far between shipments, like a 264 Newton !!

Glad you got to shoot one of the "Oldies but goodies" .

 

[Gene L]

Sounds like a winner, if you can find ammo for it, or components you're golden. I've got a .222, but not a magnum. I love it! It's a 788.

The BDL is the "luxury" 700. The ADL I think has a blind magazine. The ADL of the 60s, though, is probably nicer than a BDL of today.

 

[k22fan]

Gene is correct. The standard sock wood on 700s was walnut. The ADL was the less expensive version that had to be loaded and unloaded through the action. The more expensive BDL had a hinged floor plate for unloading. I remember older men bringing .22 Rem Mag 700s to the range during the 1980s but never the carbine length. While I thought the 22 Rem Magnum's longer neck made it the preferable cartridge I bought .223s so I could use the inexpensive and abundant .223 brass. It's the old story. Whatever Uncle Sam chooses becomes popular.

 

[usmc2427765]

Brings back great memories of my teenage years.

 

[Buford57]

I hunted pheasant around Kankakee 15 or 20 years ago with two brothers who had one of those. (Not that they used the Remington for pheasant, but they were quite proud of it) The one who invited me was Bob. Darned if I recall the other one's name or the family name. May be the same one.

 

[hittman77]

Thanks for all the replies, info and comments folks.

God really smiled on me today. Just for kicks one day last week I asked at a local store I frequent if they have any of this ammo.

Today I was there again and the owner found TWO 20 round green and yellow boxes he had stashed away. He said years ago he had one of these and finally took the ammo home ‘cause there was no call for it. I was able to buy them both at non-panic / non-pandemic prices.

 

[double-dipper]

Reloadforfun beat me to it, the 204 Ruger is a necked down 222 Remington Mag. Kind of a rebirth of the 222 mag.

 

[H Richard]

Couldn't 222 mag brass be formed by necking up the 204?

 

[The Kid]

I’m one of the few left who regularly use a 222mag. I have a few hundred brass and of course the 204 angle is there so I don’t worry about it much.

Mine was originally a 222mag 700 that live a rough life in an Alaskan village shooting seals, caribou, and walrus. I rebarreled it with a Shilen and put it in a synthetic stock. I carry it afield and use it regularly, mostly coyotes and pigs but I did kill two cow elk with it last fall.

 

[Krogen]

Couldn't 222 mag brass be formed by necking up the 204?

I'm pretty sure you're correct. I shoot a 6x47 Remington. It's an out-of-favor benchrest cartridge that is a 222 Mag necked up to 6mm. Some have said if 222 Mag can't be had, a 204 case is usable but it's a bigger stretch. So yeah, I'd think a 204 could be opened up to 222 Mag.