Rimfire Delights

In Britain, we all grew up with BSA Model fives and then the BRNO mod 2 and CZ range of .22 rimfires that really became the mainstay of the vermin shooter’s arsenal. In America, there was more choice, Winchester, Browning and Remington being the mainstay, with Savage and Mossberg all doing well too.

Enduring charm

Their enduring charm and mechanical reliability, if not functional looks, may not have won many awards or hearts, but the classic or retro rimfire world of shooting and collecting is gaining pace. You can pick up a good example for next to no money and it’s actually really fun shooting, plinking or, in my case, hunting rabbits with a piece of history. Auction houses are good places to source kit, such as Holts and Gavin Gardiners, as well as gunsmiths, as they usually get trade-ins of older rifles that can be hard to sell to the mainstream public.

Wee remy

I like Remingtons; they are one of the better rifle makers in the USA and they still do a range of pump-action and semi auto, sadly their Mini 700 look-a-like, the Model 504 is no longer with us. At the time, as now, they offered both box and tube mag feed systems. One of their best was the Model 580 series that incorporated the 580 single shot, 581 box magazine types and the 582 (on test) which had a tubular magazine. I know, detachable box mags are preferred by most, but the tube has plenty of merits too, as we shall see! Produced from 1967 to 1983, this was a good production run and, at its inception, cost only $49.95 and in total Remington sold over 96,000 582s. That’s a lot of vermin and tin cans shot over the years.

Fast lock time

The 580 series shared many common features and was designed to have the feel, look and handling of a full bore, bolt-action rifle. Well over-engineered, the 582 tubular action is all-steel and houses its oversized bolt. This has twin, opposed extractor claws to ensure reliable ejection. It locks up in the middle, which Remington used to like and uses 6-lugs, not your usually two! This design later became the model 788 centrefire; so, it was strong. It weighs 5lbs 8oz and is 42.25” long. Also, it had a super-fast lock time: dwell between pulling the trigger and striking the primer. This is an advantage in any rifle for improved accuracy. It was in fact half that of its nearest rivals, which is one reason it sold so well.

The trigger was not that bad for an American rifle. Fully adjustable to suit travel and weight settings, the slim blade sat in an oversized guard. The safety was just a simple rolling lever forward FIRE, back SAFE, but it works fine and is quiet in use, so handy for hunting.

Open sights are rudimentary, with a brass-tipped blade up front in a transvers dovetail and leaf type, with height adjustable U-notch and drifted for windage, on the classic Remy short rib, but that’s how it was back then! The action shows shallow grooves, so no problem fitting a scope. However, choose the bases wisely, older style steel-types with thin chisel faced jaws work well and suit the overall blued finish and look of this old timer.

Tube time

The 582 had a tubular, under barrel magazine, you can never lose it in a field and it allows the use of all non-magnum 22 ammo; Long Rifle, Long and Short. This really enhances the diversity in choice for short to medium and longer range vermin work. Also, capacity is enhanced, as most box mags hold a max of 10, the 582 holds 14-rounds. This increases to 15 in .22 Long and a staggering 20 in .22 Short, although this type is getting scarcer. Filling consists of unlocking the mag tube/follower and pulling it forward until the loading port is exposed, then dropping the rounds in base first and return the inner tube.

Mr average

Finally, the stock is simple as on most American rimfires, designed to appeal, to the masses and Mr Average. It shows no chequering and is plain but finished with a walnut stain to pep up the light-coloured Birch beneath. Again, it’s actually nice and slim, suits the weight and style and is ambidextrous to use and you are not afraid of scratching it either. In the field, I fed the Remy a diet of age-appropriate ammo, which was a bit hit and miss to be honest, so best to stick to the modern fodder.

As it’s not threaded for a sound moderator, I still used sub-sonics, as that’s the best for this hunting arm anyway. Eley Subs, with the newer 38-grain bullet, shot 1045 fps and 0.5” 30 yard groups, as did Winchester’s 42-grain Max sub-sonics turning in 1056 fps with fractionally smaller groups with a Weaver T16 period scope on board.

RWS subs are nice and mild at 986 fps and a guaranteed sub-1/2”, with a period Nikko German post reticule scope fitted. Some CB Longs functioned well and shot 688 fps and 1” groups, whilst the CCI Shorts shot superbly at 0.45” and gave a cracking 943 fps velocity.

Conclusions and salient points

Originally, barrels would be 24” with a precision, undamaged muzzle crown for accuracy. However, in the UK it’s likely to have been cut down as we like them shorter. In truth, 24” is far too long and offers no real advantage. Check the bolt locks securely and is not stiff in operation; equally, the twin extractors and ejector all function.

The iron sights are simple but will do the business out to 30-yards, maybe more. As the action is grooved for scope fitment, check the dovetails are not damaged. The stock is plain Birch wood with a Monte Carlo cheek piece stained to look like walnut, just check the plastic butt plate is not cracked, or the pistol grip too battered from rough handling. There’s not a lot to go wrong but check if the muzzle is screw cut and not rusted and the tubular magazine systems outer tube is not deformed or dented and has its correct inner spring tube. Other than that, a cracking little practical bunny getter. And, as a blast from the past, a piece of shooting history.

Contacts

Holts Auctioneers s/h www.holtsauctionneers.com
Gavin Gardiners s/h www.gavingardiner.com
F A Andersons s/h rifles 01342 325604
N Clark s/h and gunsmithing 01788 579651