222 Remington time warp

[Bill]

So with the recent arrival of O'Micron to our water logged shores my 5G reception has been a bit off this week and I seem to have bought an old 222.

I had a short barreled Anschutz many moons ago and I swore I'd never gone down the 222 path again, any 1966 build with an after market barrel who's accuracy will determine its longevity in my safe.

Im assuming I have a 1:12 twist ( it could be a 1:14) but I wont get the rifle for atleast 10 days, whats the best powder to go to, I dont have BM2 or 8208 or 2207 on hand ? will probably buy some 50gr BT or Vmaxs to get the job done. 24 inch tube

[deye243]

I don't know if they have changed the burning rate over the years but my two go to loads were 45 grain Sierra soft point 22 1/2 grains of 2207 or the 50 grain Hornady part number 2045 with 21.5 grains of 07 both superbly accurate loads

[bladeracer]

So with the recent arrival of O'Micron to our water logged shores my 5G reception has been a bit off this week and I seem to have bought an old 222.

I had a short barreled Anschutz many moons ago and I swore I'd never gone down the 222 path again, any 1966 build with an after market barrel who's accuracy will determine its longevity in my safe.

Im assuming I have a 1:12 twist ( it could be a 1:14) but I wont get the rifle for atleast 10 days, whats the best powder to go to, I dont have BM2 or 8208 or 2207 on hand ? will probably buy some 50gr BT or Vmaxs to get the job done. 24 inch tube

50gn poly-tipped might be too long to stabilise if it's a 14"-twist.
I used to use IMR4198 in mine. Don't own one any more to try modern powders. BM8208 or AR2206H would be my first choices, and 52gn BTHP bullets.

[Blr243]

I borrowed a grazier s 222 once to cull some Roos. Very comfortable to shoot tons of it all night bugger all recoil

[Bill]

I don't know if they have changed the burning rate over the years but my two go to loads were 45 grain Sierra soft point 22 1/2 grains of 2207 or the 50 grain Hornady part number 2045 with 21.5 grains of 07 both superbly accurate loads

Yeah I reckon Ill grab some 2207, I found my old 222 brass in a container and I had 20.0grs 2207 written on the lid for a 50gr SP, was a rear locker so light loads from memory.

New 222 is a Brno ZKK with a W Marden barrel ( been told its a douglas premium) so should shoot OK .

[bladeracer]

I don't know if they have changed the burning rate over the years but my two go to loads were 45 grain Sierra soft point 22 1/2 grains of 2207 or the 50 grain Hornady part number 2045 with 21.5 grains of 07 both superbly accurate loads

Yeah I reckon Ill grab some 2207, I found my old 222 brass in a container and I had 20.0grs 2207 written on the lid for a 50gr SP, was a rear locker so light loads from memory.

New 222 is a Brno ZKK with a W Marden barrel ( been told its a douglas premium) so should shoot OK .

My 788 was rear-lugs as well, but I rarely ran it hot enough to stretch the brass, so I mainly neck-sized with the occasional shoulder bump when required. The longest bullet I got to work in it was 55gn FMJBT, which seems to be around .735". The most accurate I used were the Sierra 52gn HPBT and 53gn HP, which are just over .710". The 50gn VMax is .772" so you'd have to try it to see if it'll stabilise in your barrel. If they don't, you can pull the tips and shoot them as simple hollow-points. The 50gn Noslers are even longer.

[Bill]

Thanks Bladeracer looks like I will be enjoying a few range sessions leading up to Xmas

[duncan61]

I run a Ruger .222.It is the lightweight stainless steel with a 22 inch barrel.As I went through a lot of ammo culling in the gascoyne I bought 50gn PSP Remingtons in a plastic bag for $17.95/100 and load 22.2 gn 2208 for about 2700fps.Cheap as and does the job.On big grey roos down here it blows a hole the size of an orange in the brain box and does not go out the other side.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

8208 and a 50g hornady sp for the win in my 222 remington. Mine has a swan 1-12 twist barrel on it a little faster tan the 1-14 that it had before.

I own 2 223 rifles and i don't take either of them when i head out the 222 is the go to in my safe. After getting the 222 singing i find it hard to look away from the old girl.

My honest opinion I believe that the 222 is a extremely well mannered cartridge shoots exceptionally well doesn't have the same crack as the 223. The gun shop that I frequent was saying that 222 brass is also being bought up a little more than usual for the last 18 months perhaps there is still interest in this little round.

My 222 wont be going anywhere soon i can tell you that much enjoy.

[Cooper]

My 222 has a 14 twist. But the barrel 25.6 inches long. I use AR2207 with a Winchester 45gr JHP (jacketed hollow point).

I’ve tried the 50gr Zmax and the 55gr Sierra super Roos and they shoot fine. Didn’t bother trying anything other than the 2207. I probably try Benchmark 8208 if I did.

The factory PPU 50gr Soft point load goes pretty good and I think the brass is ok. I reload the ppu brass and use Lapua brass.

[bladeracer]

My 222 has a 14 twist. But the barrel 25.6 inches long. I use AR2207 with a Winchester 45gr JHP (jacketed hollow point).

I’ve tried the 50gr Zmax and the 55gr Sierra super Roos and they shoot fine. Didn’t bother trying anything other than the 2207. I probably try Benchmark 8208 if I did.

The factory PPU 50gr Soft point load goes pretty good and I think the brass is ok. I reload the ppu brass and use Lapua brass.

Good to know that the 50gn VMax shoots fine in the 14"-twist.
The 55gn SuperRoo is a great bullet, and being quite short (similar length to the 52gn HPBT's) should shoot very well in the 14"-twist barrels.

[northdude]

What brred is your one. I had a rem 788 a while ago and could that old thing shoot.pitted barrel and all. I was using 2206h in mine and those bulk 55gr cheap hornady pills

[Bill]

What brred is your one. I had a rem 788 a while ago and could that old thing shoot.pitted barrel and all. I was using 2206h in mine and those bulk 55gr cheap hornady pills

Brno ZKK 601 not too many in 222 rem ever made, produced only in 66 & 67. Barrel is mint, moving back to guns with a bit character...

[deye243]

What brred is your one. I had a rem 788 a while ago and could that old thing shoot.pitted barrel and all. I was using 2206h in mine and those bulk 55gr cheap hornady pills

Brno ZKK 601 not too many in 222 rem ever made, produced only in 66 & 67. Barrel is mint, moving back to guns with a bit character...

Very nice I had a Brno zkk 601 in 243 1967 manufacturer and boy did that thing shoot very nice piece of timber for the stock as well had one of the 4 power Zeiss scopes on it.

[deanp100]

What brred is your one. I had a rem 788 a while ago and could that old thing shoot.pitted barrel and all. I was using 2206h in mine and those bulk 55gr cheap hornady pills

Brno ZKK 601 not too many in 222 rem ever made, produced only in 66 & 67. Barrel is mint, moving back to guns with a bit character...

I’ve got a 66 222. It shoots just about anything to an inch or better. 2207 is its favourite. Fabulous old rifles. Better than the Brno foxes.

[Bill]

What brred is your one. I had a rem 788 a while ago and could that old thing shoot.pitted barrel and all. I was using 2206h in mine and those bulk 55gr cheap hornady pills

Brno ZKK 601 not too many in 222 rem ever made, produced only in 66 & 67. Barrel is mint, moving back to guns with a bit character...

I’ve got a 66 222. It shoots just about anything to an inch or better. 2207 is its favourite. Fabulous old rifles. Better than the Brno foxes.

Hey Dean how many rounds does it hold, a mate reckons they hold 6?

Any issues with case length on these when reloading?

[deanp100]

What brred is your one. I had a rem 788 a while ago and could that old thing shoot.pitted barrel and all. I was using 2206h in mine and those bulk 55gr cheap hornady pills

Brno ZKK 601 not too many in 222 rem ever made, produced only in 66 & 67. Barrel is mint, moving back to guns with a bit character...

I’ve got a 66 222. It shoots just about anything to an inch or better. 2207 is its favourite. Fabulous old rifles. Better than the Brno foxes.

Hey Dean how many rounds does it hold, a mate reckons they hold 6?

Any issues with case length on these when reloading?

It’s either 6 or 7. I have a sako vixen that either held one less or one more. I’ll see it on Monday and test it out again. I remember when I got it I just kept jamming in and it took them all.

[deanp100]

Everyone says the vixen is 6 so thr Brno is probably 7. I’ll check.

[deanp100]

What brred is your one. I had a rem 788 a while ago and could that old thing shoot.pitted barrel and all. I was using 2206h in mine and those bulk 55gr cheap hornady pills

Brno ZKK 601 not too many in 222 rem ever made, produced only in 66 & 67. Barrel is mint, moving back to guns with a bit character...

I’ve got a 66 222. It shoots just about anything to an inch or better. 2207 is its favourite. Fabulous old rifles. Better than the Brno foxes.

Hey Dean how many rounds does it hold, a mate reckons they hold 6?

Any issues with case length on these when reloading?

Thr Brno definitely holds 6. The sako took 7. I have not had any issues with loading any projectiles. I’ve been using Sierra roo loads and 52 gr hp’s with normal seating depth. I have t pushed the envelope with length but had no need to. It shoots everything well so far. Just a good gun designed for hunting.

[animalpest]

I use my old Sako .222 Vixen and it is one of my most favourite rifles. Loaded with 2207 and 50gr Speer TNT or 52gr Berger it's still a great roo rifle.

[deanp100]

I use my old Sako .222 Vixen and it is one of my most favourite rifles. Loaded with 2207 and 50gr Speer TNT or 52gr Berger it's still a great roo rifle.

Can you squeeze 7 in the mag on your vixen.?

[animalpest]

Yep, 7 rounds can be squeezed into the Sako. But I never do as I like flawless smooth functioning when in the heat of the moment.

[Bill]

So in between work jobs yesterday I snuck over to my local gun shop with my fresh PTA in my hand and grabbed the Brno. After work I gave the 222 a quick strip down which revealed the rifle has done little to no work. Barrel is a 1:14 twist and trigger would be around 2lbs, a very professional bedding job and a set of 26mm Ausinel rings pharrrkkkk.

Luckily I had set of Talley rings left over from a previous Brno and they fitted the Meopta perfectly with just the right amount of clearance. Sako 50gr Gamehead ammo was sighted in and then the rifle showed what I was hoping for...... outside Temp was 37C and inside ST Marys would have been 35 so cool down took forever. This was the first group

[northdude]

not a bad 8 shot group

[Bill]

Sighting in a 25m then 50m. Group on the left is 5 shots

[animalpest]

Good group!

In my Sako 222 with a 22" barrel, 20.5 grains of 2207 shoots at a neat 3000fps with 50 gr Speer bullets. It appears to be a fairly mild load in my rifle.

[Bill]

Yeah pretty happy I can get factory Sako ammo shooting less than 0.5moa for 5 shots animalpest, old Billy Marden sure can build a rifle.

Sako specs says the 50gr are doing 3180fps which seems pretty flat, almost seems silly to reload.....

[animalpest]

Yeah well ADI says I should be much more than 3000 fps so don't rely on what they say. Every barrel is different.

[Rathie]

Sorry to dig this up.

I have a tikka m55 in 222 that I'm about to reload for. Its got the standard 1:14 barrel.

Looking for a tougher bullet that will handle pigs, but will mainly see goat duties.

Any suggestions from the brains trust?

Cheers, rathie

[bladeracer]

Sorry to dig this up.

I have a tikka m55 in 222 that I'm about to reload for. Its got the standard 1:14 barrel.

Looking for a tougher bullet that will handle pigs, but will mainly see goat duties.

Any suggestions from the brains trust?

Cheers, rathie

Hornady 60gn SP is about the heaviest bullet I know of designed to work in a 14"-twist, worth a try. Right on .750" from memory.