I'm wanting to start my chase for an action for a custom 22 sporter build. Was thinking about this for a few years and prices are climbing. Looking to start the chase even if it sets in the tool box a couple years. Here is a list of ones I like and looking for a beater(?)...don't want to destroy a pristine rifle, or give that kind of money for one.

Winchester 52
Winchester 75
Remington 37
Remington 40x

Is there one I maybe overlooking also?

What do you want to do with your custom 22 sporter? How much serious paper punching? Or are you going to use it for small game hunting, informal shooting, etc.

Have you thought about one of the 1922 Springfield types? Not often found as beaters, but they were sold by the DCM in the 50s. I have seen them (particularly the M2 version) built into pretty classy rifles.

Have you thought about single shots? The Winchester Winder Musket is really a much-modified High Wall and can be made into a really classy rifle. They are often found as beaters, but the prices are climbing.

quote:

What do you want to do with your custom 22 sporter? How much serious paper punching? Or are you going to use it for small game hunting, informal shooting, etc.

All the above.

quote:

Have you thought about one of the 1922 Springfield types?

Good one, add it to the list.
No single shots...bolt actions. Thanks!

I'd add BRNO and CZ 452/455 to the list. They are very high quality actions and are available.

I've seen some nice sporters done on BRNO actions. (James Anderson did a spectacular job on a BRNO No.1 action a couple of years back.) Check out some of the builds by "Teddy Bear Rat" on the Rimfire Central site for ideas.

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
I'm wanting to start my chase for an action for a custom 22 sporter build. Was thinking about this for a few years and prices are climbing. Looking to start the chase even if it sets in the tool box a couple years. Here is a list of ones I like and looking for a beater(?)...don't want to destroy a pristine rifle, or give that kind of money for one.

Winchester 52
Winchester 75
Remington 37
Remington 40x

Is there one I maybe overlooking also?

It might be kind of time-consuming to find a beater-grade rifle of those types, unless it's a surplus military trainer.

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
I'm wanting to start my chase for an action for a custom 22 sporter build. .....

.....

Is there one I maybe overlooking also?

Yes! One thing you maybe overlooking or haven't thought of:

Give Remington's custom shop a call. If they don't have the options to get you all you want, You may very well learn somethings that will help you.

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
I'm wanting to start my chase for an action for a custom 22 sporter build. .....

.....

Is there one I maybe overlooking also?

Yes! One thing you maybe overlooking or haven't thought of:

Give Remington's custom shop a call. If they don't have the options to get you all you want, You may very well learn somethings that will help you.

Ray, I believe the custom shop is closed. Steve, I'm doing a 40X at this time. Most of the others are a lot more valuable in original trim. The 1922 M2s are getting very expensive. I have 4 Mod 37s and I wouldn't let the worse one go for less than $1500.
Link to my 40X build.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/...wthread.php?t=580905
Richard Gorham from close to you did the barrel work. Not shown I believe, but Kerry Stottlemyer did the custom bases and rings. Should be ready for bluing in a few weeks. Evan Koch in Minnesota is doing the stock on Roger Vardy wood.

Butch...that's why I say beater. Not so much the action, say...carved up stock or cracked.I had an action in 80% mod37 but could NOT find parts for it. Sold it to the parts man . I seen a Winchester 52 in 100% last year at the Tulsa show (5 grand and a very beautiful rifle). I can't give that kind of money for one...but I can spend twice that building one. I'm just kicking tires right now and have been for awhile, guess when the RIGHT one hit me up side the head that's the one I'll get?

Butch...neat project...
Evan, nice stock work...

Everybody that put in their 2 cents...Thanks!

Got something to add, I'm listening.

Should have contacted me on the Mod 37 parts. I still have some parts.

Remington 5-teens are nice, although the triggers can't be readily swapped out for something lighter. The Winchester 75 might not be on a par with the others listed, for accuracy.

Tom...regardless of the action I'm replacing the barrel with a custom contour. Accuracy should be fine with premium aftermarket barrel. I'm thinking hard on the 75...?.

quote:

Should have contacted me on the Mod 37 parts. I still have some parts.

I'm not a mind reader... .

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
regardless of the action I'm replacing the barrel with a custom contour. Accuracy should be fine with premium aftermarket barrel. I'm thinking hard on the 75...?.

Since you are planning to replace the barrel, I suggest you look for a 75 target rifle. The 75 sporters are just about in the same price range now as the Miroku-built Winchester 52 reproduction sporters. (The 52 repro is superior to the 75 sporter in my estimation, and it would make a fine basis for a custom rimfire.) The 75 target rifle is still relatively inexpensive, and, if you plan to re-barrel and re-stock anyway, would be a good action to base a custom rifle on.

I would also consider the Anschutz M-54 or the older Mauser B 340/350 series, which is what the Anschutz evolved from.
This is one I picked up a couple of years ago and as it weighs 8 1/2 pounds and is super accurate it is a real pleasure to shoot.

You also might keep an eye out for a Walther UIB or other target rifle as they can often be had for quite reasonable prices.

quote:

Originally posted by srtrax:
Tom...regardless of the action I'm replacing the barrel with a custom contour. Accuracy should be fine with premium aftermarket barrel. I'm thinking hard on the 75...?.

The Winchester 75 is a threaded receiver, you won't have to cut the barrel tenon for a pinned setup but will have to watch where the ejector slots go. I was going to fit one to a Remington five-teen just for entertainment, then got busy and didn't do it. I didn't measure the threads either, just noted that the threaded portion looked large enough to turn on the lather and fit a five-teen receiver. It did have what seemed to be a tighter chamber than a Remington 511.

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:

Ray, I believe the custom shop is closed.

No, not closed - Moved to Sturgis,SD when Remington bought Dakota Arms, Inc.

Repo 52

Anschutz

More ideas...Thanks!

Steve,

As you know I just finished the first of two sporters on CZ 452 actions. IF you want a light carrying rifle I would suggest using the CZ. Mine weighs 7-1/4 lbs. with a Weaver 4 X 16 variable mounted. This is a big honkin' scope for a little rifle but it allows me to see well enough to shoot it in matches.

The metal work on the CZ is remarkable for the price. I hear (not sure it's true) that they hand-lap the barrels. I can find out though, I know the people at CZ.

Should you do so, I suggest you grind down the rear of the tang to a slimmer shape. It will make stocking easier. I found this out too late to do it on mine. The trigger needs a lot of re-doing because it's way too ugly for a classy rifle. The twenty buck Yo Dave trigger kit will do everything you want for an excellent trigger. They also look much better if the magazine is shortened but that isn't too hard to do.

For a heavier gun I would choose the big Anschutz action. I stocked one years ago for a free rifle and it's quite easy to do. Much less messing around on the inletting.

Good luck. If I can be of any help, let me know.

Steve,

You will also want a trigger guard for DIProducts. Order it ASAP and you will eventually get it.

I just started shooting mine and it's proving to be a tack driver with the right ammo.

Does any body do a safety for the Cz that works back for safe, forward for fire - like most other rifles?

I'll be looking for a rimfire CZ myself this weekend in Tulsa. I've had a 452 (wonderful little rifle), but I'll also keep an eye out for a 455. The quick change barrel system of the latter is particularly interesting.

Thanks all. As par for the course ask a question here and get a hundred different great ideas to make it even more confusing.

Steve,

First you have to decide what you are going to do with it. If it's a light gun to carry in the woods, at least to me, a CZ is an obvious choice. If I had a smaller, single-purpose scope on mine it would be under 7 lbs. about as light as it's going to get without going to extreme measures such as a pencil barrel, composite stock, etc.

I've thought about getting another set of Talley rings and a 6X Leup with an AO and a 1/2" or 1" dot for mine. It would make my gun enough lighter to be worthwhile. When I shot it in a match, I would simple switch to and sight-in the bigger scope.

CZ's are so popular that there's a lot of aftermarket goodies available to class them up.

If you will mostly be target shooting, a heavier rifle would be nice. A 54 Anschutz or a Model 52 Win. would probably shoot just a little better.

If I were as wealthy as I'd like to be the second thing I would do is give Martin Hagn a call and get him going on a rimfire on one of his small actions. The guns he turns out are wonderful. (The first thing I would do involves an exotic car dealer.)

Have fun,

Well, any luck at Wanenmacher's?

No sir...but I did manage to get a hold of a 1955 Winchester model 52 for my future project and got a good source on a model 1922 I'd like to have as well. Will have to save for the 1922, but I'd like to have one of them too. I looked at the CZ...wasnt that impressed with it for being a high end 22lr build.

Steve, this is my 1922M2.


Bought it on this forum.

The Win. 52 is a fine action to base a custom rimfire on. Keep us posted on your progress. At Wanenmacher's, I passed on a CZ-452 and bought an Anschutz instead. It was a good show.

Remington 541S or T
Kimber of OREGON target .22lr also model military trainer used to be sold at Civilian Marksmanship Program. The C.M.P. also had other rifles.
Cooper

Steve, The 52 will work great for a custom. There are some nice, certain model Mausers that look very nice.

I stopped at Dave Wesbrooks table and he had two Steve Heilmann: 1903 30/06 and a matching 1922 22 lr there. All I can say is WOW. Got to see some of Dave's fine stock work there and had a nice long visit. I enjoyed it and I'm glad I stopped and introduced myself to him. There were others I stopped and visited with that I make a point of seeing at every show Wannamaker puts on. I poured over every table and made the whole show...and if it had a 22 clip in it I looked at it, seen damn near everything made. Got an education in rim fires that's for sure.

I always make it a point to stop by the Champlin Arms table at Wanenmacher's. An Al Beisen stocked Mauser with metal work by Tom Burgess, another by Maurice Ottmar, another stocked by Monte Kennedy, several Griffin and Howe rifles--always a treat to spend time at their table looking at various works of gun making art. I also drooled over several original 52 sporters, all of them, unfortunately, way out of my price range. There was a custom 52 sporter there for the two previous Wanenmacher shows that I was really looking forward to finally taking a good, close look at, but it had been sold since the last show. I consoled myself by purchasing an Anschutz 1710 D HB Classic. Such is life....

This very afternoon going to pick up, new to me, Rem.40X that came from the CMP batch of barreled actions they sold some years ago. There were no bolts, triggers, or stocks but all of that is not difficult to correct. Barrel has been cut to 22" in length, turned slightly to muzzle being .725", 2oz. trigger, new bolt, and red, white, and blue laminated thumb hole stock. For sights will have a combination of my Unertl 16x for optics and also micometer rear and Anshutz globe front.
Participated in 200yd. prone/sling/irons only matches for few years and great sport and would add that if you want to improve on your wind reading ability for your High Power matches, can' think of a better way to do so at much reduced cost. Can't recall their names but there are some mfg.'s out there that offer newly produced improved 40X actions for those wanting custom 40X rim fire rifles. Friend I am getting my 40X from has a couple of these and prices range from some $700 to more than a $1000.00, a bit pricey but they sure appear to be of highest quality. On Saturday evenings, not far from our homes, a bench match for 22's takes place in a heated barn and well lighted is used and has cable system for sending targets out to 33yds and retrieved for scoring. See everything there from junior level rifles to those approaching price of good used car. The so called bulls eye is .250" and there will be some that put all five in that spot. Would add that there is a pool of money floating around just to make it more interesting. I look forward to shooting this rifle just for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Jerry Stiller makes an excellent 22 rimfire custom receiver.
My current 40X is being stocked by Evan Koch, a member of this forum. Should be done soon. Step by step stocking build is at http://www.rimfirecentral.com/...wthread.php?t=580905
Below is the receiver. It was a CMP receiver and has a PT&G bolt.

This is what can be done with the Springfield. A Jerry Fisher .22. I got the pic from D'Arcy Echols.

I'd trade my wife's car for this gun.

Dick,
I agree that it is beautiful, but wouldn't mess mine up. Have to find another.

If I were to modify a Springfield 22 it would have to be to the level of the photograph for it is a true jewel of a rifle. Should only be used to take record book red squirrels, nothing common as gray ones or such.

Dick, I remember that Springfield from another thread. It is a stunning rifle, easily in the top two or three .22 sporters I've seen. I'd happily trade my girlfriend's car for that rifle--she could always ride my bicycle to work.

You noticed that I said my wife's car.