Pristine .22 ARC Bolt Action Rifle Build

.22 ARC in a bolt-gun is great fun. In this video, I’ll craft a .22 ARC around a Pristine Short Action – the same gun I recently highlighted in my Element Optics Helix Gen 2 story!

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Bill of Materials

I decided to make my .22 ARC the exact opposite of my recent lightweight 6GT Pristine build, heavy and light-recoiling.

This build features a 6-lug Pristine short action with 0.445” bolt face, Ballistic Advantage 1:7 .22 caliber heavy contour barrel blank, and Bix’n Andy TacSport Pro-X Trigger from Bullet Central.

All sits in a Foundation Centurion stock with Hawkins M5 DBM and full-length ARCA rail.

This rifle does take a special magazine. I used one with Primal Rights components I had used in my .224 Valkyrie.

I have a roughing and finishing reamer from Manson Precision as well as 6.5 Grendel go and no-go gauges that are compatible with .22 ARC.

About the Pristine Bolt Action Receiver – Short Action

From Pristine Actions:

A Pristine action is designed to be a direct Remington 700 replacement upgrade.

CNC machined from one solid piece of pre-hardened 416 Stainless Steel
Ultra-smooth bolt cycling – less than 4 pounds to lift the bolt
6-lug design, with light and quick 90° bolt lift
Dual ejectors*
Bolt face diameters available for a variety of calibers
Floating bolt head allows for an exchangeable bolt head
*single ejector for .223 cartridge sized bolt head

Product Specifications:

Pinned precision recoil lug included
6 Lug floating bolt head for unmatched security and strength
Interchangeable bolt heads for caliber selection
Includes Pristine’s Frictionless Throw Technology – a roller cocking piece engineered for super light bolt lift that creates consistent and smooth bolt closing. No ‘cock-on-close’
Cylindrical action designed to remove material stress
Double ejection pins for more consistent and powerful ejection
Isotropic surface finish for enhanced smoothness
Replaceable bolt knob – standard 5/16-24 thread
90 degree bolt lift

Product Design:

Thicker rear tang to avoid action distortion/bending
Thicker rear action screw threads for increased strength
Anti-bind design makes bolt cycling smoother

About the PM-1440HVT-2

The Precision Matthews PM-1440HVT-2 is a great gunsmithing lathe, with the following stand-out features:

All Taiwanese built with Japanese spindle bearings
2.055″ thru-spindle capacity
Available cast iron ultra-rigid base
Variable Speed drive
14” Swing, 40” Between Centers
D1-5 Chuck Mount
MT3 Tailstock Taper

If you’d like to know more about the PM-1440HVT-2, check out our full overview HERE.

Machining

I started with the simplified Pristine tenon print I had created for my 6GT build as well as the SAAMI specifications for the .22 ARC.

I then followed my chambering checklist to ensure I did not miss any steps.

Pristine’s short action doesn’t require counterbore, which saves a step! I installed the barrel in the PM-1440HVT-2 and dialed it in within 0.0005”. Next I pre-drilled the chamber area and indicated the barrel to 0.0001”. Step five was single-point boring the chamber area true before turning the tenon and thread reliefs.

After threading the tenon, it was time to cut the chamber.

I deliberately approach the chambering process, taking each part step by step, regularly checking for run out after incremental cuts. I’m also using a rigid reamer holder.

There isn’t much chamber to cut with a .22 ARC compared to other calibers, so it goes very quickly compared to a long action like the .280 AI.

When the breech end was finished, I verified headspace before flipping the barrel to tackle the muzzle end, adding my traditional ⅝” x 24 threading.

Cerakote and Putting It Together

With the barrel fully chambered, it was time for Cerakote.

I masked and sandblasted with 100 grit aluminum oxide before mixing and spraying Graphite Black Cerakote in the Built American DSBE-1500 spray booth.

Three coats and two hours at 250 degrees Fahrenheit in the BAE-0300 later, it was time to torque the barrel on to the action.

I used the SAC Bravo Barrel Vise to put the barreled action together, checked headspace, then took it over to the laser engraver to engrave the barrel details.

Checking Headspace after Installing the Pristine Action

As always, the versatility of the Arrow Products Rock Vise made it easy to install the trigger, optic, and stock.

Installing the Bix ‘N Andy TacSport Pro X Trigger on the 22 ARC Barreled Action

Installing the Element Optics Helix Gen II 6-24×50

Range Results

Keeping with my traditional mode of operations, I zeroed the rifle at 100 yards. The first three-shot group measured 0.479”. with Hornady .22 ARC 88 Grain ELD-M factory ammunition.

5-Shot Group with Hornady Factory Ammunition

I followed this with five-shot groups using the Hornady 88 Grain and 75 Grain ELD-M factory ammunition, but wasn’t impressed with the group sizes.

To remedy this, I loaded some Sierra .22 Caliber 77 Grain MatchKing bullets over Varget in once-fired cases and was very happy with the results.

I tested three different powder charges, but forgot to correct my elevation for the first charge, so only ended up with two comparable groups.

The 26.7 grain charge went into just under 0.2” and 26.9 went into about 0.3”. My five-shot groups opened up.

After some investigation, I realized that my Omega 300 suppressor had come loose. I really need to remember to check that before each range session!

Confident in this load, I engaged D-M Targets’ steel targets at 335 yards, 660 yards, and 1,390 yards.

The greatest challenge at 1,390 yards was navigating varying conditions with a small caliber bullet.

I watched the mirage and adjusted my holds based on the wind and my trace, keeping a close eye on my misses.

Dirt Impact from Near Miss at 1,390 Yards

In addition to shooting prone on the ridgeline, I also shot 400-yard steel off of a bipod on a picnic table.

Conclusion

I am very happy with how this rifle performed, particularly with the Sierra 77 Grain MatchKing bullets. It was very low-recoiling and ideal for varmints at long distances.