.222 or not?

[PopCharlie]

I have a custom bolt rifle in .223. It's a Stiller Predator V action, 26 in 8 twist Hart barrel. I don't compete with it. I shoot 100 yard groups, just for fun, but I love shooting small groups. The barrel has 3200 rounds on it. I have ordered an 8 twist Krieger barrel. I'm considering chambering the new barrel in .222. I primarily shoot 75 and 80 gr bullets. The longer neck of .222 intrigues me. My question is, should I do it? If I do, how much freebore do I need to shoot these heavy bullets? The new barrel lead time is at least a year, so I have time to decide. The rifle as it is, shoots quarter MOA. It used to shoot in the high 1s to low 2s.

PopCharlie

 

[JSH]

At 100, even 200 are the heavies any advantage?
I am no BR shooter but enjoy reading others progress and results. Seems they shoot as slow of a twist that will stabilize intended projectile.

 

[Dub]

I would think 50-52gr bullets are the sweet spot in 222.

 

[AWS]

If you want to shoot tiny groups at 100 get the right equipment and an 8 twist 222 Rem shooting heavies isn't the answer, a 1-12/1-14 shooting 52 gr match bullets is the answer. If you want to lob heavies chamber that 1-8 barrel in 223AI, 22-204 or even if you want to get exotic a 5.6x50 Mag, all will fit your boltface

 

[drover]

I would think 50-52gr bullets are the sweet spot in 222.

For shooting 100 yard groups don't get caught up in the fast twist / heavy for caliber bullet thing. The 222 with 50-52 gr bullets and 1-12 twist is where it earned its reputation as a tack-driver, stay with what works.

drover

 

[BoydAllen]

I doubt that many have actually shot the loads that you have at 100 yards as much as you have, so if you were/are getting the results that you report on a consistent basis, then I would not change a thing. In my experience. the thing most shooters who do not compete do is to focus on what I call wallet groups which really should not be compared with aggregates. With your current barrel, when its round count was lower, what would the average of five five shot groups, shot one after the other on the same morning, be? If that average is in the very low twos or high ones, IMO you have nothing to gain by the change you are contemplating.

 

[PopCharlie]

Thanks for the input guys

I doubt that many have actually shot the loads that you have at 100 yards as much as you have, so if you were/are getting the results that you report on a consistent basis, then I would not change a thing. In my experience. the thing most shooters who do not compete do is to focus on what I call wallet groups which really should not be compared with aggregates. With your current barrel, when its round count was lower, what would the average of five five shot groups, shot one after the other on the same morning, be? If that average is in the very low twos or high ones, IMO you have nothing to gain by the change you are contemplating.

The best my current rifle shot consistently was with Berger 80.5 gr full bores, 22.5 gr Re-15. I could shoot 5 5-shot groups that would average just under .25. I was happy with that. So, since I've already ordered a new 8 twist barrel, I'll stick with. 223. I'll save the .222 for a new build down the road. Thanks for the response, makes total sense.

PopCharlie

 

[wbm]

.222 or not?

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Not.

 

[Evan]

With all due respect, has anyone recommending against your idea tried it, or are they parroting what they’ve been told?

I was told every way that a fast twist 20 Vartarg shooting the heavy 55gn Berger was not going to work. 2” groups at 600 yards says they were very wrong.

If you have an itch to scratch, go for it. This is a hobby and it should be in pursuit of curiosity and personal enrichment. You know what a 223 does. A 222 could be that much sweeter. It could hit a great accuracy node and really shine. I bet Benchmark will give you great results with that case capacity. If you can source the components and dies, you don’t mind the cost of switching, and you’re intrigued about the possibility, then you should go for it and post what you find here. I would be very excited to see your results because the thought crossed my mind a couple times for when my 20 Vartarg barrel is burned out ! I’m considering a fast twist 22 Walldog (with a boltface change) or a 222.

Edit: Based on my 22BR, I think you want a freebore in the 0.080-0.100 range for 80gn class bullets.

Edit 2: @linebaugh built and competed in PRS with a 221AI shooting 75gn ELD that shot really well. That’s right in the powder range of a 222. He may chime in; I can’t remember how fast he was shooting them.

 

[AWS]

The question was about100yrd shooting groups. Yes, heavies might be advantages at much longer distances, but so would and increased capacity cartridge to move them.. Light bullets(50-53gr) have proven to be better in bench rest shooting at 100-200 yards for decades.

I've owned a number of hunting and target 222's over the years and can see no advantage in shooting heavies in it. Hunting coyotes my 222's kill superbly out to 200+ yards if the ranges are longer out comes the 22-250.

 

[S Miller]

Good luck on your deuce build. Hard to not enjoy the deuce, great little round.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Thanks for the input guys

The best my current rifle shot consistently was with Berger 80.5 gr full bores, 22.5 gr Re-15. I could shoot 5 5-shot groups that would average just under .25. I was happy with that. So, since I've already ordered a new 8 twist barrel, I'll stick with. 223. I'll save the .222 for a new build down the road. Thanks for the response, makes total sense.

PopCharlie

I would be pretty darn happy getting those results.

 

[Bill K]

If you want to shoot the heavy bullets stay with the 223. If you want to have great groups and shoot the 222, then use the 50-55 grain ones, which work the best in a 222 Rem.

 

[redrockranger]

You should have asked the question before you bought the barrel. Already had your mind made up.

 

[stacy]

Go back with the 223 if your going for heavy’s

 

[JEFFPPC]

Sounds like you need a 6x45.

 

[PopCharlie]

You should have asked the question before you bought the barrel. Already had your mind made up.

I can always order a slow twist .22cf barrel too.

 

[1911nut]

I can always order a slow twist .22cf barrel too.

222, 24-26” barrel, 14 twist, 52g Bergers and Barts ,
Lapua brass, N133, 7 1/2 or 205’s will shoot teeny weeny groups @100

 

[wildcatter]

Those with experience with BOTH have spoken. Long range of the two with a fast twist goes to the 223, short range has been documented very well for 100 and 200 extreme accuracy, 222 with 50-52 grain bullets and 1-14 twist, proven for years to be the way to go.

 

[K22]

For shooting 100 yard groups don't get caught up in the fast twist / heavy for caliber bullet thing. The 222 with 50-52 gr bullets and 1-12 twist is where it earned its reputation as a tack-driver, stay with what works.

drover

I believe it was 14" twist, but your point is spot on.

Having shot the grand old 222 for many years, those 50 grain bullets behind IMR 4198 and Rem 7 1/2 primers left nothing to be desired at 100 and 200 yards - a true tack driver.