Swapping Barrels

ikevanbrauer · 11-11-2009, 05:20 PM

I was reading here about changing out calibers buy swapping barrels is it really that simple. I am about to purchase the model 12 in a .22-250
and wondering is there anything but swapping a barrel to possibly make it a .223?

tropicmaster · 11-11-2009, 05:49 PM

You would also have to change the bolt face- they use different size faces. Have not done it myself yet, but it is a DIY thing according to the guys on here.

.223= .378 bolt face
22-250= .473 bolt face

OAL is almost the same so I would not expect feed issues if it is a repeater

**dfrosch** · 11-11-2009, 06:44 PM

If it's not a single shot, it would need a different magazine also.

**Fjold** · 11-11-2009, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by ikevanbrauer

I was reading here about changing out calibers buy swapping barrels is it really that simple. I am about to purchase the model 12 in a .22-250
and wondering is there anything but swapping a barrel to possibly make it a .223?

From your 22.250 you could change to: 243, 260, 7-08, 308, 338 Federal and 358 Winchester without changing anything other than the barrel.

ikevanbrauer · 11-12-2009, 10:17 AM

so do I need to change magazine and boltface? not really sure if so that's Barrel, Magazine, and Boltface = Just buy another gun!!

tropicmaster · 11-12-2009, 12:20 PM

I am not totally sure you need another magazine. I switched cartridges from .243 to .308 and am using the old magazine with no problems so far. The COAL of the two you are considering is almost the same so I think you would be fine on the mag.

**laportecharlie** · 11-12-2009, 12:36 PM

I have a model 16 that started life as a 243 Win. I rebarreled it to 22-250 and had to change the mag. This was on a center feed gun.
Charlie

**dfrosch** · 11-12-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by tropicmaster

I am not totally sure you need another magazine. I switched cartridges from .243 to .308 and am using the old magazine with no problems so far. The COAL of the two you are considering is almost the same so I think you would be fine on the mag.

The 243 and 308 use the same basic case. A 22-250 uses a similar case that is shorter and has a tiny bit more taper.

The body of a 223 case is about .100" smaller diameter(like the bolt face) and would almost certainly slip right through the magazine feed lips. If you got a couple to stick in the mag, they'd all come out at the same time.