I have been given a .222

[Fast14riot]

My mother has decided to give me her Rem 788 in .222rem. This rifle is in basic stock configuration and I plan on making it just a fun, low recoil accurate range toy. I may eventually rebarrel it, but will keep it in triple deuce.

It's a new cartridge to me, my Dad has a .222 as well, so I can get some of the old load data he has for my moms gun, but it was back from before he was into match shooting and likely not thoroughly tested. She hasn't shot it in years.

So, school me. Good dies, current favored powders (is 3031 and H322 still popular?), which brass, etc. I have plenty of true match rifles and not necessarily wanting to go full-tilt-boogie trying to get a 788 up to SR/BR level.

A bonus is if you know of a good unleaded bullet to use for small game and varmint hunting, here in PRK we have to hunt with unleaded ammo only.

Haven't taken delivery of it yet, my safe is currently overflowing and am waiting for the upcoming holiday sales to get another one before I bring this one home.

 

[Dan Calhoun]

I have some RCBS 222 dies that I bought to reload for my F n L I did 20 rounds for him and he has since past. $25 shipped to you, they are all but new.

 

[Holson]

I am currently loading 20.3 grains of IMR-4198 and Remington 7.5 primer behind a 50 grain Z-Max moly coated. Very accurate and, I believe, around 3,450 fps with a .025” jump.

 

[Fast14riot]

I have some RCBS 222 dies that I bought to reload for my F n L I did 20 rounds for him and he has since past. $25 shipped to you, they are all but new.

I may be in touch, I'm currently finishing one build and in the middle of another, plus the wife's B-day, so I'll need to replenish the fun money account.

 

[Fast14riot]

I am currently loading 20.3 grains of IMR-4198 and Remington 7.5 primer behind a 50 grain Z-Max moly coated. Very accurate and, I believe, around 3,450 fps with a .025” jump.

I liked IMR4198 in my 20P, makes sense it would work well in the .222.

What rifle are you shooting out of and what twist?

 

[Tommie]

Buddy,
You have been given a treasure. A 788 in .222 is a shooting machine. Float the barrel, bed the action and (maybe) tweak the trigger. You’ll be shooting .5 MOA in no time and .25 MOA with just a little more load work. Congrats!

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Yes great shooters. My buddy got his dad's after he passed, asked me what I thought,it looked new( been shot had is dad's reloading info). I told him it is nice shoot it, take care of it. We put a new scope on it, factory rounds 5 all touching at 100. Took my buddy out for a pd shoot, he had never pd'd before. I told him being it with 1 box of shells, just for dad. He went 20-20 with it, was very happy. End of the day we thanked his dad with a beer.

 

[lb-ft]

Speer 50 TNT
H322
Lapua brass

 

[riflewoman]

In my 222s I found that 4198 wasn’t the best powder. I eventually settled on H322 but I’m gonna give N133 and 8208 a real workout. If you can find some LT30 is supposed to be perfect for the Deuce.

 

[gambleone]

You gotta try H322 with berger 52gr HP. . That's one nice caliber. Love to shoot the Triple deuce the most of any caliber.

 

[stacy]

You gotta try H322 with berger 52gr HP. . That's one nice caliber. Love to shoot the Triple deuce the most of any caliber.

THAT A GOOD COMBO FOR ME 22.5 GRS H-322 AND 52GR BERGER FIRED BY FED 205M IS MEAN OUT OF MY REM 40XB 222

 

[Jeffrey Tooker]

Buddy,
You have been given a shooting treasure. A 788 in .222 is a shooting machine. Float the barrel, bed the action and (maybe) tweak the trigger. You’ll be shooting .5 MOA in no time and .25 MOA with just a little more load work. Congrats!

I agree with the above quote. IMR 4198 was the original go to powder for the deuce. I have one in a 722 Remington. It shoots under 1/4" at 100 yds. I use 53 gr. A Max's. It was made about 1958. I still shoot IMR 4198. There are newer powders, however I can not out shoot IMR 4198. I would believe your 788 could do the same.

Jeffrey

 

[Steve morgan]

In my 222s I found that 4198 wasn’t the best powder. I eventually settled on H322 but I’m gonna give N133 and 8208 a real workout. If you can find some LT30 is supposed to be perfect for the Deuce.

 

[Steve morgan]

N133& 52 gr. Berger or Fowler shoots 1 hole groups in my 222

 

[charlesasmith]

My 222 does well with either a 50 gr TNT or a 50 gr Nosler BT and Rel 7 with a Rem 7 1/2 primer. H322 also worked well.

 

[jds holler]

Unless you just love trickling and weighing charges, I highly recommend trying the ball types of powder. Blc, H335, -- I love em.

This group was a surprise with my old wore out barrel. V-max's are both economical and accurate in this round. jd

 

[AckleymanII]

H335 with Rem 7 1/2 is awesome with 52 & 53g Sierra match. LT32 is also fantastic to say the least.

I shot a lot of 4198, but I would not wish it on anyone.

When I was a kid, Ball C2 was the norm with local benchrest shooters with the 222.

For cheap bullets that will work in the 788 magazine, the 50g sierra lead tip blitz is amazingly accurate. I don't know if you will be able to touch the lands with a 50g Speer tnt where they like to be.

If the leade has some growth on it, try some 55g Sierra semi points with H335 with 7 1/2 primers, you will not be sorry.

Replace the spring in the trigger housing with a .068 dia ink pen spring.

 

[biggun2869]

In my 222s I found that 4198 wasn’t the best powder. I eventually settled on H322 but I’m gonna give N133 and 8208 a real workout. If you can find some LT30 is supposed to be perfect for the Deuce.

I've been using T-32 which as you know is very close to 322. I have had a few of them over the years and I seem to always do my best with 50 grain hornady SX. Kind of crazy because they're cheap. I have'nt used T-30 but maybe it is the hot setup.
I have read a lot of what you have said and you do know your stuff, way above my knowledge. Gary

 

[biggun2869]

My buddy and I over the years have shot a whole lot of IMR 4198 and shot well with it, but I went to H322 then to T-32. He's still stuck on 4198,ha, it was OK in its day but we have learned better. The internet has kind of opened doors for me. The gunshop I went to a lot had mostly IMR powders. Hornady was an upstart and I don't think accurate had been heard of. I know either 322 or T-32 will do you very well and if Riflewoman says to try T-30, there is wisdom in it. Gary

 

[biggun2869]

When I said they were an upstart I meant Hodgedon