Sporting
A number of currently available rifles are also adaptable for use with our cartridges. We selected rifles whose barrels could be rechambered to one of our calibers without having to be replaced. For example, the diameter of the rim of .30 Carbine cases is .360” (SAMMI specification). Since the rim diameter of the .22 Hornet rim is .350” (SAMMI specification), normal factory tolerances should allow any bolt gun with a bolt face that will accept the Hornet, to accept the Carbine rim with little or no modification. The bore diameter of modern Hornets is .224”, and the standard factory rifling is 1 in 16”, which should work well for a wide variety of lighter .22 bullets. Because the diameters of the .22 Garin case are larger than those of the Hornet, its reamer will open the chamber with minimal problems. The length of the Hornet case is 1.403” vs. 1.290” for the Carbine, that is, .113” longer. (Since the case length of the Hornet is longer, the barrel should be set back to prevent creating a long pseudo-throat.)
We’ve had excellent results with CZ products, so their diminutive Mod. 527 mini-Mauser, chambered for the Hornet, seemed an excellent first choice. At approximately 6.3 lbs., the CZ is the lightest rifle available. It is light, handy, and the standard single set trigger is an added bonus. The basic rifle is a clip- fed repeater, but the clip can be replaced with slip in block making it single-shot. Another advantage of the CZ is that its action can be purchased separately for building .17, .20, 6mm, and .25 caliber Garin. Once again, the chambering was accomplished by Gary at Go Precision with excellent results.
The Savage Model 40 Varmint Hunter is also easily adaptable. This rifle is a single-shot in .22 Hornet caliber. It comes standard with Savage’s excellent AccuTrigger system. With a 1 in 14” twist, it will also handle slightly heavier bullets.
Though no longer in production, the next two rifles can be found in the secondary markets. These are the elegantly traditional Ruger #3 and Remington’s Model 799 bolt action repeater. While any modifications done to the Ruger #3 can also be done to the Ruger #1, the #3 has a more traditional l American outline. Both the #1and #3 can be converted into very compact, quick handling rifle. The Remington Model 799 is the latest iteration of the mini-Mauser action produced by Zastava in Serbia. Over the years this rifle has been imported and distributed by a number of different companies. This small, attractive rifle is ideal for conversion to the SureStrike System.
