20-222 inbound

[nakneker]

After following a dozen threads and commenting over the years on wanting a 20-222 it‘s finally happening. New build is inbound from Zack at Old Dominion Custom rifles. It’s built on a Tikka T3 action, McMillan Game hunter stock, Lilja 11 twist. I sent JGS 3 dummy rounds loaded with 40 grain ballistic tips, received the reamer and then sent it to Zack where it will stay for awhile in case I build another one, which I deem highly probable. Purpose of this blurb is load data, I’ve searched a bunch and have quite a bit of info to start but I’m not above asking for more. I intend to start with H4198 and VV133 but I’m not set on either one either. I’ll try a variety of bullet weights and choose that as I go. I’m pretty excited about this one, I’ve always had a few 222s and have wanted to build a 20-222 for a very long time. Please share if you have load data or any tips. I have a good stash of Lapua 222 brass, Redding 222 S die with a 204 decapping rod. I’ll probably get a set of Whidden dies made, maybe not, I’ll just have to see how it goes I guess.

We’re spoiled here on the forum, several of the best gunsmiths in the nation frequent here and we all benefit from what they share and their services. Zack is cut from the same cloth, absolute pleasure to deal with, detail oriented, professional and patient. Last year he built a 6x45 (6-223) and a 22GT for me both of which shoot itty bitty groups. I can’t recommend him enough, my only regret is that I didn’t meet him sooner - 5 stars in every regard.

 

[B23]

My 20-222 with JGS reamer .235NK .030FB and I am shooting Berger 40gr using 22.5gr H322 with 205M's. Trued Rem 700 Hart #4 11tw finished at 26in and I'm getting 3660 with 10 ES and that combination shoots extremely well in my gun.

 

[X Count]

Cool calibre! Looking forward to hearing how you go with it.

 

[Mark M.]

After following a dozen threads and commenting over the years on wanting a 20-222 it‘s finally happening. New build is inbound from Zack at Old Dominion Custom rifles. It’s built on a Tikka T3 action, McMillan Game hunter stock, Lilja 11 twist. I sent JGS 3 dummy rounds loaded with 40 grain ballistic tips, received the reamer and then sent it to Zack where it will stay for awhile in case I build another one, which I deem highly probable. Purpose of this blurb is load data, I’ve searched a bunch and have quite a bit of info to start but I’m not above asking for more. I intend to start with H4198 and VV133 but I’m not set on either one either. I’ll try a variety of bullet weights and choose that as I go. I’m pretty excited about this one, I’ve always had a few 222s and have wanted to build a 20-222 for a very long time. Please share if you have load data or any tips. I have a good stash of Lapua 222 brass, Redding 222 S die with a 204 decapping rod. I’ll probably get a set of Whidden dies made, maybe not, I’ll just have to see how it goes I guess.

We’re spoiled here on the forum, several of the best gunsmiths in the nation frequent here and we all benefit from what they share and their services. Zack is cut from the same cloth, absolute pleasure to deal with, detail oriented, professional and patient. Last year he built a 6x45 (6-223) and a 22GT for me both of which shoot itty bitty groups. I can’t recommend him enough, my only regret is that I didn’t meet him sooner - 5 stars in every regard.

Love it!

 

[20 TAC]

I have 2 rifles in 20-222–one is a custom Stiller Predator/Pacnor and the other a Tikka 595 with a Lilja. Both are zero freebore and .232” no turn neck with most brass. Both shoot the same load of H4198 extremely well with 32 grain V-Max. Start at 21.0 grains and work your way up. You’ll love this chambering. Seems to have all the accuracy virtues of its big brother 222.

 

[mule]

My 20-222 with JGS reamer .235NK .030FB and I am shooting Berger 40gr using 22.5gr H322 with 205M's. Trued Rem 700 Hart #4 11tw finished at 26in and I'm getting 3660 with 10 ES and that combination shoots extremely well in my gun.

I was just wondering why you went with such a large neck diameter at a 0.235

 

[mule]

I have 2 rifles in 20-222–one is a custom Stiller Predator/Pacnor and the other a Tikka 595 with a Lilja. Both are zero freebore and .232” no turn neck with most brass. Both shoot the same load of H4198 extremely well with 32 grain V-Max. Start at 21.0 grains and work your way up. You’ll love this chambering. Seems to have all the accuracy virtues of its big brother 222.

When you say a .232 is a no turn what brass did you have to shave to work with this reamer

 

[20 TAC]

When you say a .232 is a no turn what brass did you have to shave to work with this reamer

No shaving required. Winchester or Remington brass. I have the “Richard Nelson” design reamer from PTG. Final size with .226” bushing. Loaded diameter of .228”.

 

[B23]

I was just wondering why you went with such a large neck diameter at a 0.235

Because I use Lapua brass and a loaded round measures .232 and I don't want to turn necks.

 

[L.Sherm]

I was just wondering why you went with such a large neck diameter at a 0.235

Anything in a 20 cal and using Lapua brass you will need a .235 neck for no turn.

 

[nakneker]

I was just wondering why you went with such a large neck diameter at a 0.235

When I had a reamer made for this project I sent three dummy rounds off to JGS, I necked Lapua 222 brass down and seated 40 grain ballistic tips in three rounds. The neck diameter they came up with was .235, I was vocal about not wanting to turn necks. I can’t remember what the OD was on the loaded rounds but I want to say it was .232.

 

[cclfn]

Mine is just about ready to shoot. So I will watch and see how you progress with yours. Mine is a T3 action also with a Muller 11T barrel. I have about 8lbs of IMR 4198 that worked great in 222 Rem so I am starting with it also.

 

[nakneker]

I finally got the 20-222 on the bench and shot it. A few things delayed sitting down with the rifle and shooting it but it finally came together. Had to order a set of new rings because the mediums I had allowed the objective lens to just touch the barrel, ordered highs. I used a 21st century universal neck die to reduce the necks and ordered a bushing for it. Ordered a set of .20 caliber mandrels from them too, a mighty armor decapping die just for .17 and .20 calibers also, the one I had wouldn’t work. It just took a little while to get things to come together.

Once I had everything the loading process was enjoyable. I used the 21st neck die to reduce the necks, .226 bushing, then I followed that with a .202 mandrel to set the neck tension, roughly .002 worth. Chamfered the necks, primed the Lapua brass with a 205m and then loaded for two bullets. 32 grain Vmax and 40 grain Ballistic tips. I have the ability to load and walk out back and shoot into a dirt bank, which I did in .5 increments finding max for both loads. Once I found that I backed the load off a grain and loaded a few for each bullet type. I went with H4198, I have a couple 8 pound jugs of it and wanted to use that if the accuracy was there.

Tonight there was no wind. That’s pretty rare in March at my house, March and April can be very windy. I mounted the scope I wanted to use because the rings showed up today, Leupold back country ring mounts, one of my favorite types for a hunting set up. After mounting the scope I had about 30 minutes before dark and I noticed the wind was down, zero wind. I grab the bags and got on the bench. I have a target stand set up at 102 yards according to the sig range finder. First I bore sighted it, took me three shots to get it close. Once I was close I shot two 5 shots groups before it got dark. First group was with the 40 grain ballistic tips, all five were touching with the last one falling out of the group a bit, second group was the 32 grain Vmax. The first three shots looked like one hole that kept getting bigger, pulled the last two low again but it was small. I was delighted. No more shooting until my .20 caliber cleaning rod shows up which should be on Monday, ordered a Montana extreme for this rifle. Mike Lucas bore guide is inbound too. I attached group pics below and a couple pics of the dies I used. I seated the bullets with my 222 Redding seating die, easy peasey.

Zack at Old Dominion built the rifle. This is the third rifle he’s built for me, all three have shot like this. He’s a lot of fun to work with, can’t say enough good things about him. I had the reamer built at JGS, sent in three dummy rounds. If you want a print just ask me, Zack still has the reamer because I may build another one, my wife is eyeing this one which usually leads to me building another rifle.

I’ll post a pic of the rifle tomorrow. Built on a Tikka T3, Lilja 1-10 twist, McMillan Game hunter stock. Rifle feels great! Wouldn’t change a thing. I’ll get the LabRadar out and see what these bullets are doing, I’m curious to know. I’ll take some pics of the rifle tomorrow too, get them posted here also.

Thanks again Zack!!

 

[boltfluter]

I finally got the 20-222 on the bench and shot it. A few things delayed sitting down with the rifle and shooting it but it finally came together. Had to order a set of new rings because the mediums I had allowed the objective lens to just touch the barrel, ordered highs. I used a 21st century universal neck die to reduce the necks and ordered a bushing for it. Ordered a set of .20 caliber mandrels from them too, a mighty armor decapping die just for .17 and .20 calibers also, the one I had wouldn’t work. It just took a little while to get things to come together.

Once I had everything the loading process was enjoyable. I used the 21st neck die to reduce the necks, .226 bushing, then I followed that with a .202 mandrel to set the neck tension, roughly .002 worth. Chamfered the necks, primed the Lapua brass with a 205m and then loaded for two bullets. 32 grain Vmax and 40 grain Ballistic tips. I have the ability to load and walk out back and shoot into a dirt bank, which I did in .5 increments finding max for both loads. Once I found that I backed the load off a grain and loaded a few for each bullet type. I went with H4198, I have a couple 8 pound jugs of it and wanted to use that if the accuracy was there.

Tonight there was no wind. That’s pretty rare in March at my house, March and April can be very windy. I mounted the scope I wanted to use because the rings showed up today, Leupold back country ring mounts, one of my favorite types for a hunting set up. After mounting the scope I had about 30 minutes before dark and I noticed the wind was down, zero wind. I grab the bags and got on the bench. I have a target stand set up at 102 yards according to the sig range finder. First I bore sighted it, took me three shots to get it close. Once I was close I shot two 5 shots groups before it got dark. First group was with the 40 grain ballistic tips, all five were touching with the last one falling out of the group a bit, second group was the 32 grain Vmax. The first three shots looked like one hole that kept getting bigger, pulled the last two low again but it was small. I was delighted. No more shooting until my .20 caliber cleaning rod shows up which should be on Monday, ordered a Montana extreme for this rifle. Mike Lucas bore guide is inbound too. I attached group pics below and a couple pics of the dies I used. I seated the bullets with my 222 Redding seating die, easy peasey.

Zack at Old Dominion built the rifle. This is the third rifle he’s built for me, all three have shot like this. He’s a lot of fun to work with, can’t say enough good things about him. I had the reamer built at JGS, sent in three dummy rounds. If you want a print just ask me, Zack still has the reamer because I may build another one, my wife is eyeing this one which usually leads to me building another rifle.

I’ll post a pic of the rifle tomorrow. Built on a Tikka T3, Lilja 1-10 twist, McMillan Game hunter stock. Rifle feels great! Wouldn’t change a thing. I’ll get the LabRadar out and see what these bullets are doing, I’m curious to know. I’ll take some pics of the rifle tomorrow too, get them posted here also.

Thanks again Zack!!

That's a shooter! Nicely done. I get asked quite frequently who does good chambering work. I will start pointing them Zack's way.
Paul

 

[nakneker]

That's a shooter! Nicely done. I get asked quite frequently who does good chambering work. I will start pointing them Zack's way.
Paul

You would be giving them good advice! Such a nice guy and very competent.

 

[jepp2]

I’ll get the LabRadar out and see what these bullets are doing,

Let me know if you can pick them up. They are "supposed" to be below the detection limit of the LabRadar unit.

I went a slightly different route with the 20 Bobcats. The powder that works best for me in those is LT 32. I have .233" necks in all my 20 Practicals and Bobcats and can use Lapua brass no turn. Clearance is slightly closer than I prefer, but no issues.

 

[nakneker]

Let me know if you can pick them up. They are "supposed" to be below the detection limit of the LabRadar unit.

I went a slightly different route with the 20 Bobcats. The powder that works best for me in those is LT 32. I have .233" necks in all my 20 Practicals and Bobcats and can use Lapua brass no turn. Clearance is slightly closer than I prefer, but no issues.

Didn’t know that was the case, if it doesn’t pick them up I’ll try the magneto.

I’ve always been intrigued with the 20 Bobcat, Kevin built me a 20PPC years ago, if I would have had a different action at the time I would have built a bobcat, basically a 222 improved. I know guys love them.

My rifle has a .235 neck, shooting Lapua brass.

 

[B23]

Did you end up using a 10 or 11 twist Lilja and how long?

Mine wears a #4 Hart 11tw finished at 26 and with 22.5gr H322 and Berger 40's I'm getting 3660 with barely double digit ES. My 20-222 has a bit of FB (.030) but not a lot.

Curious to see what you're getting with 32 & 40's using H4198. Guessing you're using somewhere around 22gr w/32's and 21gr w'40's. Depending on barrel length, FB, how close you're seating to the lands and how hard you're running it I imagine you'd be in the 3800+/- neighborhood with those 32's and 3500+/- w/40's but that's just a guess.

That Tikka even using factory mags it probably feeds slicker than snot as everything 222 feeds like butter through any action.

 

[nakneker]

Did you end up using a 10 or 11 twist Lilja and how long?

Mine wears a #4 Hart 11tw finished at 26 and with 22.5gr H322 and Berger 40's I'm getting 3660 with barely double digit ES. My 20-222 has a bit of FB (.030) but not a lot.

Curious to see what you're getting with 32 & 40's using H4198. Guessing you're using somewhere around 22gr w/32's and 21gr w'40's. Depending on barrel length, FB, how close you're seating to the lands and how hard you're running it I imagine you'd be in the 3800+/- neighborhood with those 32's and 3500+/- w/40's but that's just a guess.

That Tikka even using factory mags it probably feeds slicker than snot as everything 222 feeds like butter through any action.

The barrel length is kind of cool detail, Zack’s idea and a nice touch, it’s 22.2 inches, 1-10 twist. zero freebore. Your guessing on the load data is close, within a half grain on both bullets. H322 and N133 were next on the list to try but if the SD and ES are decent I’ll stick with the H4198, it’s my first choice for this one. I think your estimation on the velocity will be very close too. I need the cleaning rod. I can use a universal bore guide until I get the one made for it. Not gonna shoot it anymore until I can give it a proper clean and break the barrel in, I’ve already shot it more than I wanted to but I couldn’t help it. The rifle feeds perfectly

 

[B23]

Let me know if you can pick them up. They are "supposed" to be below the detection limit of the LabRadar unit.

I went a slightly different route with the 20 Bobcats. I have .233" necks in all my 20 Practicals and Bobcats and can use Lapua brass no turn. Clearance is slightly closer than I prefer, but no issues.

I'm surprised you can get away with a .233 nk dia. using Lapua brass. I think my loaded rounds, using necked down Lapua brass for my 20-222, is right around .233

Kevin's 20 Bobcat with that squared off 40° shoulder sure makes for one hot looking little 20 cal.

The LabRadar chronographs seem to have a love/hate relationship with their users. People either swear by them and love em or the friggen hate the damn things with a passion. There's been some pretty funny stories about guys getting fed up with them and doing some crazy things to em. One guy got so fed up and frustrated with his he blew it up with tannerite, Posted pics along with his story of frustration. Felt bad for him but his pics and story were pretty funny.