Thread: .22TCM Micro Varmint rifle build

Very cool little round & rifle set up, I was going to do something on the KW465 action to as I like them a lot, 22 Spitfire (5.7mm Johnson) 221 Fireball might fit I thought, what about the 5.7×28mm FN, how does that compare or has that already been talked about ?

Originally Posted by Scout

Very cool little round & rifle set up, I was going to do something on the KW465 action to as I like them a lot, 22 Spitfire (5.7mm Johnson) 221 Fireball might fit I thought, what about the 5.7×28mm FN, how does that compare or has that already been talked about ?

The mag is the limiting factor on a Brno ZK465 build, it is made for the hornet diameter case so fireball and spitfire are out. both of these need to be built on a .222 or .223 action.

like I said at the start of this thread, I was wanting to build a .22 with a bit more performance than the .22 Magnum and it needed to be a centre fire so I could reload for it as .22 magnum ammo is crazy over priced for what it is.
5.57 X 28 was actually the cal I chose to begin with but after trialling the ammo is a lot of different bolt action mags and rifles I found it wasn't going to be an easy build. The 5.7x28 case has a tiny .25cal acp case head diameter so a bolt face bushing would be needed on even a .22 hornet bolt and it would mean making a custom extractor of some description.
Savage actually announced they were making a 5.7 bolt action varmint rifle on their model 25 series frame back in 2011 but it flopped and they pulled the pin on the project for reasons they wouldn't share.

I very nearly ordered all the dies and chamber reamer to build one on a Brno 465 as the cartridge fits the mag and would only require the bolt face and extractor mod with the new cambering.
A 1-14" to 1-16" twist rate would be the best for a varmint rifle build, sticking with the 32gr to 40gr varmint bullets.

5.57x28 is objectively nothing to get excited about, it does a little bit more than a rimfire .22 magnum by pushing a 40gr v-max to 2350fps in a long barrel using a max charge of about 7.8gr of the powders Ive tested in this thread so sits somewhere between a .22 magnum and a .22 hornet.
The 5.7 brass is also much thinner and plagued with split necks and other loading issues of small bottle neck cases.
Subjectively, I think its a kinda cool round but it will never set the world on fire.
That said, believe it or not not everybody needs to be able to shoot past 300 yards or wants the noise of the bigger cartridges. Some of us even use rimfires to that range.. imagine that!

.22 TCM, 5.57X28, .223 Rem

Originally Posted by Wingman

That said, believe it or not not everybody needs to be able to shoot past 300 yards or wants the noise of the bigger cartridges.

I must admit using a .222 in the last few days has been a pleasant surprise, easy to shoot and no louder than my suppressed 6XC.
not that I'm looking at building somethuing like a 22TCM any time in the future! that just looks too much like hard work.

Originally Posted by Wingman

The mag is the limiting factor on a Brno ZK465 build, it is made for the hornet diameter case so fireball and spitfire are out. both of these need to be built on a .222 or .223 action.

like I said at the start of this thread, I was wanting to build a .22 with a bit more performance than the .22 Magnum and it needed to be a centre fire so I could reload for it as .22 magnum ammo is crazy over priced for what it is.
5.57 X 28 was actually the cal I chose to begin with but after trialling the ammo is a lot of different bolt action mags and rifles I found it wasn't going to be an easy build. The 5.7x28 case has a tiny .25cal acp case head diameter so a bolt face bushing would be needed on even a .22 hornet bolt and it would mean making a custom extractor of some description.
Savage actually announced they were making a 5.7 bolt action varmint rifle on their model 25 series frame back in 2011 but it flopped and they pulled the pin on the project for reasons they wouldn't share.

I very nearly ordered all the dies and chamber reamer to build one on a Brno 465 as the cartridge fits the mag and would only require the bolt face and extractor mod with the new cambering.
A 1-14" to 1-16" twist rate would be the best for a varmint rifle build, sticking with the 32gr to 40gr varmint bullets.

5.57x28 is objectively nothing to get excited about, it does a little bit more than a rimfire .22 magnum by pushing a 40gr v-max to 2350fps in a long barrel using a max charge of about 7.8gr of the powders Ive tested in this thread so sits somewhere between a .22 magnum and a .22 hornet.
The 5.7 brass is also much thinner and plagued with split necks and other loading issues of small bottle neck cases.
Subjectively, I think its a kinda cool round but it will never set the world on fire.
That said, believe it or not not everybody needs to be able to shoot past 300 yards or wants the noise of the bigger cartridges. Some of us even use rimfires to that range.. imagine that!

.22 TCM, 5.57X28, .223 Rem

Ha thanks for that, I can cross that off my list, just I really like the ZK465 & I have had like 10 or more 22 Hornets (2 right now) over the years & keep selling them as they don't work hard enough but like some of the small actions, hence I have 6 Vixens L461/A1 to right now, going to do a 357Max rimless on one of them soon !

Originally Posted by Scout

Ha thanks for that, I can cross that off my list, just I really like the ZK465 & I have had like 10 or more 22 Hornets (2 right now) over the years & keep selling them as they don't work hard enough but like some of the small actions, hence I have 6 Vixens L461/A1 to right now, going to do a 357Max rimless on one of them soon !

when you say about the Hornets @Scout ' they dont work hard enough ' do you mean they dont hit hard enough or have enough range ?

like yourself i am a big fan of the Sako Vixens . . .. sadly only have the one in 222R

That last photo puts it into perspective, the .223 looks like a giant.

Yes its a midget compared to its parent case .223rem. Its not till you have a few in your hand when you realize just how small but potent they are. 3400fps with 40gr is not to be underestimated.
Its been the most fun Ive had with a centerfire in ages.. from long range hares to starlings and mynahs exploding at 120y in the paddocks its is just crazy fun.

I keep coming back to this build thread day after day, I am still liking this little build. Great stuff.

After a boxing day gong shoot with a mate, the last of my 40gr blitzking and Vmax loads were spent so I spent the morning loading up 50 more 40gr Hornady Z-max for the TCM and finally got around to mounting a larger optic on it.





I fitted a 10X44 Tac Vector Optics Marksman and bore sighted it.
Fired 1 round at 100y and it was spot on for elevation but 1" right. I dialed the left windage correction and fired 3 shots.. got to love those single shot sight in moments!

The .22 TCM finally got its deserving make over..

I re-head spaced the Shilen barrel onto a new 527 Varmint action with a laminated stock and a 5-25x56 TVO scope.
This is now my switch barrel rig with a .223 24" heavy varmint barrel as well.

And just for fun, a 16" compact lightweight carry rifle version

I didnt weigh it but probably about 5.5 to 6lbs.
This combo will be for sale in a very lightweight carbon/kevlar stock as soon as its finished.

A thought regarding Alliant 300mp, it has a tendency to statically-stick to all-things-plastic (through some powder-throwers & funnels). I had some scares years-ago, with the same problem (different powder). Graphite is your friend ! anyway, Great Stuff, I envy your skills and lathe--The Ultimate Toy ! Very engaging thread..

Quick update on the lightweight version.

I have enough CZ527 bits around to put together another rifle for someone who may be keen to try this cal.
I am using the Shilen .22 TCM barrel on my 527 laminate varmint rifle now do the older test action has been made redundant.
I also have a feather weight composite stock from High tech specialities in the US Legendary Arms Works
just sitting under the bench doing nothing. It is super light was a bit rough so decided to get creative with it.

Ive always wanted to give the reptilian camo job a go so what better test subject?



Normally done in FDE and desert tan but I wanted to give it more of a grey muti-cam snow look so mixed a bunch of greys with flat white and matt black.

Its a pretty complex multi layered camo but it was a fun exercise. I threw down three base colours with some highlights then some reptile scales by using the oil cooler stone guard off the Ducati as a stencil








Using A4 blank sticker sheets I cut out some stencils and laid them up..
Another darker grey and some black shadows..









Added a few more highlights and softened some of the hard shadows with another grey tone and its all done.
Not every ones cup of tea Im sure but at least I can say Ive done that one now






I dropped the TCM test action into it with a compact light scope and the 16" .223 rem barrel and it is one light little carry rifle. handles like a .22LR. It weighs a tiny 5 lbs-12 oz.














To keep this .22TCM thread on track Ive made it a switch barrel.. Rather than let the old TCM test barrel go to waste I threw it back into the lathe and profiled it down a bit lighter with a bit more taper and cut it back to 16".











While its a little heavier than the carbon barrel it is still a light handy rig and still shoots over 3000fps with the 40gr V-Max's.



I have duracoated the TCM barrel matt black and baked it so 99% done.



I should have some more TCM dies arriving from the US this week so Ill put this one together as a package with some dies and brass once I modify another mag to feed the TCM rounds.

Thats a cool rig! Stock turned out great.. might give that a go myself