.222 powder charge question

[Steave]

I was browsing through The Benchrest Shooting Primer and saw several references to the "classic" accuracy load for the .222 as 21 grains of IMR-4198 behind a 50 or 55 grain bullet. However, looking though several current reloading manuals indicate that this is over their max load for both 50 and 55 grain pills.

So what gives? I am guessing the manuals have just grown more conservative over the years, but I haven't dug through any of my old manuals yet. I've only been loading for the .222 for several years, so I'm not extremely familiar with the caliber.

Any of you folks out there that have been loading the .222 for years care to comment on this "classic" load?

Thanks much!

 

[bheadboy]

my first experience was nbrsa in 1966 with 40x 222 - all the shooters then loaded 53hp sierra or custom bullets with 4198 at 20.5-21gr.

4198 then and now are very different, today the canadian 4198 is faster than the Austrian, both are slower than the Dupont of 1970 the Classic years.

lawyers are in the halls looking for something to do.

Bob

 

[40X Guy]

Steave, I just acquired a .222 this past summer, went straight to new Sierra manual, and proceeded to dump 24.6 grains of IMR-4895 to be used under a 52MK, and powder was at top of neck , I ended up using 23.5 and that filled up to bottom of neck. Same manual lists 20.4 of IMR 4198 as max load. Checked my #3 Nosler manual, they list 20.0 as max, and that book is 1989. Grew up shooting chucks with a .222 Sako with my uncles reloads and I definately know he used 4198 with 50 grainers but don't know how much. I am going to try charging some cases with 4198 this week and take a looksee. I have some 30 year old Remington cases laying around.

Frank

 

[GerryM]

I have loaded that round for many years,
True that the newer 4198 and 4895 are different.
The loads are still valid though.
The new H 4198 is short cut and you can get a lot more in the case. Same usually goes for the new H4895.
The reloading manuals are written with a particular formula
Case brand primer and bullet makers. Most of the loads were held at around 49,000 pounds of pressure also.
If you neck size your going to increase powder volume and it's going to effect breach pressures, and velocity.
If you have a strong rifle like a winchester or remington turn bolt you can play with the loads , Just be careful I bet after some experimenting your going to see some higher velocitys Your probably going to hit more then one accuracy load also, JUST BE CAREFUL""

 

[fdshuster]

20.5 grs. of H4198 with any quality 50 gr. bullet continues to prove itself consistantly accurate in a factory Remington 700BDL, and a Sako L46 with a Hart 1-14.

 

[Steave]

Thanks guys.

I have two .222's, a Winchester M70 Heavy Varmint and a sleeved Remington 700 built by Hart, so no problem on the strength issue. Looks like I have some playing to do!

 

[pwdrbrn]

mid 60's load in our neck of the woods; 19.5 imr 4198, 50 gr blitz, cci or rem srp. if that didn't make cloverleaf or better, throw the gun away. of course we always went the extra mile. today i pretty well match 223 vel. with new components. never did figure why they kept pressures so low, probably to lawyer-proof it. tom.

 

[22/250]

im using reloader 7 and 40 grain blizkings a superbly accurate load

 

[Predator1]

I agree that the powder has probably changed some over the years but if you were careful you may be able to work up to "the accuracy load". I too have winchester Heavy Varmint in 222 but I had no luck with 4198. Walt Berger gave me his recipe of H335 and 52gr bullets and it shot well but the hummer load for my deuce is VV N133 and 52gr bergers. My load is 24grs and they are running 3450fps. The beautiful thing about this powder is its forgiveness. I can load 23gr, 23.5, 24grs and it don't matter. All 3 charges produce accuracy that is outstanding and very good vel.

Get that Win HV shootin and let me know what you come up with.


P.S. I'm new here, Glad to mmet ya!