222 rem. target bullet

[jghoghunter]

This is for some of you older and more wiser ;D short range shooters. When you fellows were using the 222 rem for short range out to 300yds what was your bullet of choice and powder that you used. I've shot the 222 for around 30 years now but in a hunting configuration and now that the bbl. finally died after roughly 10k rnds I put a new one on it, put it into a br style stock, and I would like to know what some of you fellows used for accuracy rnds.
Thanks in advanced.
Jesse

 

[jobhopper66]

I just had a Hart action rebarreled with a 25" Shilen HV barrel and the load I went out with last time was 21.5grs H322 and a 52gr FB Berger. 5 shot groups at 100 yards ran in the high 2's. The twist is 1-12 and that seems to be working out just fine. There probably is a better load waiting to be discovered but I am very satisfied at this point. Bob Green in PA did the work on this rifle and his turnaround time was excellent. Also, this gun has a McMillan Edge benchrest stock and a Hart 2oz trigger which really helps to shoot small groups. Really a great combo, no recoil, small groups, and low powder consumption. Good luck with your new gun.
Ray

 

[bheadboy]

how bout 48 years back? Shooting with Mike Walker,Bob Hart, Bobby Hart, Jerry and Clyde, Homer Culver Warren Page, Bob White Ralph Stolle to name a few.

I started with 222 and 222m on 40x's br shooting in the late 60's so I guess what was around then is what you are looking for.

60% of the shooters used Sierra 52/53 match hp and imr 4198
the rest shot bullets they made themselves or that were custom made by other shoots using B&A dies or Dietsch dies, I had both. Sierra jackets were tops.

The powders were IMR 4895 (Mike Walkers favorite), Ball C, and some imr 3031 and imr 4198.
7 1/2primers and R/P brass were king

no one had a crono that I know of, few turned necks that I am aware of, most used hand held sizing dies and bullet seaters, custom made by Hart and others.

powder was mostly thrown and Homer's conversion of the Lyman measure was king
there were a few who used bullet spinners to check Dia and runout. mine is homemade by Ted Boughton for me - he taught me how to make 53 grainers with B& A Dies.

Bob

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

52gr Bruno FB, 24.0gr H322. This is a hot load in my rifle -- don't start there.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

As bheadboy stated and I was going to post that I thought IMR4198 was a favorite of many. Of the 10K+ 222's I have loaded and shot for pdogs since the late 70's when I started shooting 222's I used H335 and BL-C because they were the cheapest then. Then went through probably 10#'s of H322 cause I got a deal on 5# kegs for $25 plus shipping of course! Oh, the 8 pounders of 335/BL-C were $40 at that time from Black Hills or Weidners in full case lots. Then of course probably another UPS gouge of $15ish for shipping. That was also before Hazmat.lol Then I bought 4 8 pounders of 2015BR in the mid 90's and started with it. I never did a lot of paper punching for accuracy but the 2015BR shot really really well in several Sako's, a couple of Varmint Specials and sporter barreled 700's and a Shilen barreled custom I had done on an XP receiver. I really cannot recall ever using a powder in the 222 that wouldn't shoot, however, as stated I wasn't into a lot of groups shooting and never have shot BR.

 

[Greyfox]

I've had good results using Larry Moore's Hillbilly Bullets 53gr FB with both I4895 and RL 7.

Rick

 

[jghoghunter]

Thanks for all the info. I believe I'm going to start with the 52 gr. mk with blc2. That's what I mostly shot up till the mid 90's and then changed to a hornady bullet because of all the houses being built and occasionally with the mk I would hear one ricochet. Thanks bheadboy I was wondering if the 52-53 mk were what was used back then I didn't realize so many people made there own bullets. I know my pap did I just thought it was because it was cheaper and he didn't have much money. Thanks guys for all the good info.

 

[22BRGUY]

I've had good success with 52gr bergers and VVN133. Sub 1 inch groups at 200 yds are common.

 

[kolar55]

+1 on 22BRGUY. 52 Bergers and N133 will make 1 holers at 100. 8208Xbr works well too. I have had mixed results with LT-32. My last .222 shot it well. My new one doesn't seem to like it.

 

[dennisinaz]

i like the 52 grain Amax and TAC.

 

[A_Gamehog]

I missed the part where you told us your twist? that dictates the bullet.