.222 Powders

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

On Saturday night I finished a box of Remington factory loads in .222. I want to reload these. This is my first time reloading. I have access to a simplex press set up, but I'm choosing to start on the old Lee Loader. I've currently decapped, neck sized and cleaned my cases. Ready to go. Now for my question. I want to load a 40gr V-Max, and the ADI guide only give me two loads with; 2206, and BM1. I notice the 40gr Sierra loads have more powders. If the LGS is out of BM1 and 2206, is there any danger in using the 40gr Sierra powders and load data with the V-Max. Starting with minimum loads and working up whilst checking the cases of course. The V-Max loads seem to be running at higher pressures than the Sierra loads.

[bigfellascott]

2206 isn't available anymore, however 2206H is, I use 2206H in my Howa and it shoots fine with the 50gn Sierra Bk and 52gn Sierra MK.

You shouldn't have any issues mate, just do as you said and start from the min and work up in .2gn increments keeping an eye out for any pressure signs.

Other powders that might be of interest for the 222 are:-

8208
2207
2208

among many others.

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

Thank you very much. Appreciated Scotty!

[bigfellascott]

Thank you very much. Appreciated Scotty!

Your welcome mate

I take it you've had a look at the ADI site?

http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloade ... +Remington

[Apollo]

If you want to use 40gr Bullets in a .222R then look at Benchmark 2 or even AR2219, don't go a slower powder like AR2206H which is more suited for heavier bullets.

BM2 is probably the best choice. It's very close to AR2206 (not 2206H) which I have many kg available from old stock. Sorry, but AR2206 was THE powder for the .222R and no longer available.

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

That's bloody handy. Thanks for sharing that link, mate. Cheers on the tip, Apollo!

[Westy]

No BM1 available bugger we use it in or 223's and it shoots bloody deadly!!!Have to admit haven't used the BM2 but ADI recommends it for the heaver pills in 223

[Apollo]

"Heavier Pills in .223R" Hmm, if you mean up to 60gr then yes, but heavier pills as you call them are a lot more than 60gr. Like up around 80gr and powders of the likes of AR2208.

BM2 is a very versatile powder, also BM8208 and burns nice an clean if you get the load right.

The problem I see is that most .222R Calibre Rifles are slow twist so when you get into the 50gr plus bullet weight you are really asking a lot of the barrel and it's twist rate.

Pick a powder to suit the twist rate of your firearm and bullet weight required somewhere in the middle of the suggested range for best accuracy.

[deye243]

you will find the best ADI powder for 40g pills in a 222R is AR2207 start at 22g should get you around 3500fps and up to 23.5g if it's not to hot for 3750fps

this was in my CZ527 i fed this rifle the top load for 1000+ loads a year for 8 years .

[Apollo]

^^^^^^ Please do not listen to this advice.....!!!!!!

The powder loads are too hot for a .222R, check the ADI Data.

[bigfellascott]

40 GR. SIE HP AR2207 0.224" 2.125" 19.5gn 3201fps 35200 cup 21.4gn 3480fps 45700 cup

[Westy]

"Heavier Pills in .223R" Hmm, if you mean up to 60gr then yes, but heavier pills as you call them are a lot more than 60gr. Like up around 80gr and powders of the likes of AR2208.

BM2 is a very versatile powder, also BM8208 and burns nice an clean if you get the load right.

The problem I see is that most .222R Calibre Rifles are slow twist so when you get into the 50gr plus bullet weight you are really asking a lot of the barrel and it's twist rate.

Pick a powder to suit the twist rate of your firearm and bullet weight required somewhere in the middle of the suggested range for best accuracy.

Hey
Wanker what's your deal busting everyone's chops around here?????f***ing Smartass I'd reckon!!!!!Adi recommend using it on 70 grn Speers as I emailed them and there reply was in fact it is good for heaver Grn pills in a 223,although IO guess you'd know better than the guys at the Labs in ADI I'd suppose!!!As for your comments to Jenna about her back you truly are a arrogant Wanker!!!Wake up sunshine your as convincing as a wet fart!!!

Cheers Westy

[deye243]

^^^^^^ Please do not listen to this advice.....!!!!!!

The powder loads are too hot for a .222R, check the ADI Data.

and you better learn how to hand load instead or reload before caning someones advice ...

now go and do some research and find out why the SAAMI pressure for the 222R is at 46000cup

[harris]

Yer, ADI provide heaps of data for the .222R and AR2207?

http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloade ... +Remington

Maybe somebody has the old version...

[headspace]

Westy's not happy. Anyway as Corporal Harris has said check the ADI book or go the website. I use it all the time, and having just bought a 222, not a 223, I already have one, the powder I'll be starting off with is 2207. ADI loads are considered conservative, but as all rifles are different, start low and work up. It's a great little round and really useful.
JD

[bigfellascott]

I'm taking my 222 Howa out for a run tomorrow, hopefully I find a few ferals to blow the cobwebs out on.

[headspace]

Happy days Scotty

[bigfellascott]

Happy days Scotty

Hoping so mate, time will tell!

[Norty_Country_Bloke]

Thanks for all the help you blokes! Loaded up a few and headed out to the farm on Sunday to shoot some 100m groups. Shot groups ranging from 21.0grn to 23.4gr of Benchmark 1 with Remington brass, primers and 40gr V-Max's. Interestingly enough the starting loads grouped the best. It's a great feeling getting results from something you've done yourself. The price difference doesn't hurt either
Anyways, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I appreciate it!

[Lorgar]

Interestingly enough the starting loads grouped the best.

That can happen.

My Rugers preferred the lighter end of the scale. My Tikka prefers near max.

[COLLECTOR 1]

Try Winchester 748 if you can source it.....great metering, and burning rate....

COLLECTOR 1

[headspace]

I've been working up some loads for my 222 and today I got up to 22.5gn 2207 with 40gn Vmax and 40gn Nosler BT's. Have bumped it up to 23gn with the same bullets and will shot just 6 rounds tomorrow. I'm using Winchester cases which seem to have a bit more room in them. The powder comes to the base of the neck.
JD

[jubble]

I'm using Winchester cases which seem to have a bit more room in them.

I've got similar feedback.

Well the opposite actually... Guys going with Remington brass instead because they get a bit more velocity with it due to capacity being tighter.

Thicker walls I think is the cause.

[headspace]

I fired those 23 gn loads with no drama's. No difficult bolt lift. All shots in a 3 shot group under half inch. Every rifle is different though, I worked up from 20gn.
JD

[deye243]

yep there's a reason there is a low-pressure limit on this cal and it has nothing to do with the case or a MODERN rifle.

people would be very surprised if they knew how to hand load properly (as opposed to just reload there's a big difference) and seen what the .222R was capable of.....

[bigfellascott]

yep there's a reason there is a low-pressure limit on this cal and it has nothing to do with the case or a MODERN rifle.

people would be very surprised if they knew how to hand load properly (as opposed to just reload there's a big difference) and seen what the .222R was capable of.....

Tell me a bit more about it if you would D. It's a terrific little cal and very capable for it's size.
.

[south]

people would be very surprised if they knew how to hand load properly (as opposed to just reload there's a big difference) and seen what the .222R was capable of.....

Well don't keep it to yourself

Tell us how it's done.

[headspace]

I ran a couple of loads over the chronograph this morning. It was a bit windy so I wasn't fussing about groups. The 40gn Vmax with 23 gn 2207 averaged 3.529.2fps. The 50gn Vmax with 21.5gn 2207 averaged 3,219.2, both loads were averaged over 5 rounds. Point of impact was interesting. The 40gn Vmax printed 1.492inches high at 100m and was still .562inches high at 200m.
The 50gn load was 1.862inches high at 100m and 1.492inches high at 200m. That's only a drop of .37". I'm thinking of dropping the 40gn load to 22.5gn
JD

[Chronos]

That can happen.

My Rugers preferred the lighter end of the scale. My Tikka prefers near max.

hmmm, mine prefers about 1gr above min

Strange eh.

Chronos

[headspace]

Don't forget, it's a 20inch barrel, those velocities were not bad considering, but I still think I'll drop back half a grain.