Short Actions .222 Stamped over .223

[Wilk24]

I recently purchased a very nice AI classic and on closer inspection it appears to be a .222 that has been stamped over to .223, I doubt this is a factory thing and that it was done at a later time.
Any thoughts?

 

[paulsonconstruction]

A previous owner had it rechambered to 223. Fairly easy & became common when the 223 won favor in the market place. I'm guessing the cheaper more readily available ammo was the motivation.

 

[bigcountry4me]

I recently purchased a very nice AI classic and on closer inspection it appears to be a .222 that has been stamped over to .223, I doubt this is a factory thing and that it was done at a later time.
Any thoughts?

Well I hope you weren’t miss lead. The chamber being re-cut is simply going to have an affect related to value. That’s just the facts. However, in its present condition it’s a shooter class rifle and always will be. I only hope you didn’t overpay based on the .223 caliber as they typically are scarcer. If you believe you were treated fairly regarding price and there were no other shenanigans then simply learn from this experience. It should be cheap (in normal times) and fun to shoot. Thanks

 

[Wilk24]

Thanks guys, ya thats exactly what I thought. I think I did pretty good on the price, fair enough for a shooter.

 

[cat9]

There is probably all kinds of variance, but it seems that the 3 usually used by Sako has a rounded top, not squared off.

But at least the quality of the restamping looks very good ... here is the other extreme (just a pic from the net)

 

[cat9]

And while I have never used it, I guess this website's factory records service could say for certain the original caliber for this serial number?

 

[Wilk24]

Hey thanks for the info, it had such awesome wood that I could not turn it down. I will maybe try the S/N thing.

 

[barreltwister]

That's a nice one. Looks like a "Classic" stock. If it is a Classic I don't think they were common in the small action.

Years ago I bought a 700 in 223 that had been rechambered from 222. It left a faint line around the brass where the 222 shoulder had been. Might have been a max or slightly oversize factory 222 chamber. Taking it back a thread would have likely cleaned it up.

Have you fired this one?

 

[paulsonconstruction]

And while I have never used it, I guess this website's factory records service could say for certain the original caliber for this serial number?

The Factory Records we have don't go into the years your rifle was made. The rifle was factory chambered for 222 Rem, as the "3" is obviously stamped over the "2".

 

[Wilk24]

Yes I agree, it was always intended to be a shooter so I hope it shoots as good as it looks

Thanks