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.222 or not?

Just remember that the .222 was designed with a lower psi than a .223. That does not mean that the .222 can not be loaded to .223 psi. I don't see any reason it won't work, but it is not ideal with less powder. For 100 yds, velocity is not a big deal. The 80 grain bullets might not go to sleep in 100 yards, so you won't get as small as groups.
 
52 grain might not shoot well at 100 yards if you use to slow a twist barrel!

But the faster powders needed to get max pressure in the 222 would certainly make the 223 a better choice for 80 grainers and heavier and the use of slower powders to drive them!
 
I have an 8tw .222 Tikka. The barrel needed replacement and a new Tikka take off was available for cheap money. Yes it will shoot 69/75 g, but not as well as my 223. (H322 works quite well BTW). I have has no issues shooting 52 -55g bullets, with N120 and Federal match primers.

On the downside - decent 222 brass is getting had to find and costs considerably more than 223. Last year I was only able to get some Winchester 222, which needed a lot of processing, including neck turning and sorting to get any decent accuaracy. On the upside - I can get many more firrings from 222.
 
It all has to do with having enough spin to stabilize a bullet, the longer the bullet, the faster the twist required, 1-16 wont stabilize a 52 or 55 grain bullet. But even a Hornet will with a 1-10!

But even a 222 will stabilize an 80 grain bullet with a 1-8 twist even as low as 2250 fps the 80's will stabilize great with a 1-7 twist.

But to say a 222 wont stabilize any of the 22 bullets is far from the truth, but none will if you don't use a fast enough barrel twist for the bullets you choose.

Remember, the 222 load data in manuals is very very weak for most rifles! I will not be loading mine below 50,000 cup, quite the contrary!
 
I inferred from your post that you didn't think a 52 gr bullet would shoot out of a 12 or 14 twist.....You're saying it needs faster for a 52?
 
That Beautiful, long Neck and a 35 Degree shoulder, on a Tripple Deuce,.. could/ would, get Me,.. interested !
And maybe with, a 1-9 Twist to shoot all, the 50 to 69 grain, Boolitz !
OOP's,. I'm Dreamin' ,.. again !
 
And maybe a 6 twist for 95g Sierra MatchKings. I bet we could get it going 2400 fps, maybe a bit more.

But why? Admittedly I’m not on the heavy for caliber bandwagon and the heavy for caliber with limited case capacity is even harder for me to understand.
 
Actually some custom bullet makers recommend a 13 twist for their 52-53 grain match bullets. I am shooting a 12 twist Brux now but have a Krieger 13 twist on order.
 
I had a .222 built this summer using a barrel obtained off the shelf “in this market”. I think it’s 12 twist where 14 was ideal but as extreme as 8 twist. To order a 13 or 14 will take longer of course.

An 8 twist barrel blank could also shake loose some opportunities as a trade item.
 
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Thanks. I’m surprised how good it always shoots being that I put it together.
Most of the credit goes to Shilen and Mr. Sauter.
Then I am poking around and see older groups posted by you, of 222 in other thread. excellent. what is the rifle that produced these small groups if you don't mind.
 

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