222 Rem with 52 FB Berger Varmint

[Drop Port]

Getting ready to try Berger 52 FB Varmint # 22309 in my Vixen 222. Any advice on starting point for seating? they appear to be full tangent ogive and I was going to start at 10 thou off. Any experience with this bullet appreciated

 

[MrMajestic]

I run them .010" off in front of VhitaVuori N-133. Very accurate and explosive! My go-to load for all my .222's! Try VhitaVuori's accurate load. With seating long I had to increase the powder charge to match their velocity.

 

[Drop Port]

Thanks, I'm going to get out next weekend and start working on it, no N-133 but I have both H and IMR 4198, 4895 and H-322, something should work.

The gun shoots great with H-4198 and 40 grain V-Max, but I ran out of the 40's and they are barely held in the neck. The 52 FB puts some bullet in the neck, hoping they work.

 

[Gene66]

I use IMR 4895 with 52gr rem bench rest bullets very accurate in my rifle with .015 jump
Gene

 

[Chappy]

I use Benchmark and 0.005" in.

 

[mshelton]

I shoot them in my Sako Vixen and I barely jump mine, sorry don't have an exact measurement, I just kept changing the depth a thou at a time till I didn't see a mark.

I use the age old 21g IMR 4198, runs them at 3300, it may seem hot but I don't have any pressure signs. Lighter loads shot ok but it really came alive when I went to 21g.

 

[Drop Port]

Been a while but got a great load with IMR 4895 and 005 in the lands. Can't ask for any more from a nearly 50 year old rifle!

 

[22BRGUY]

I've shot them with good success mostly at 200 yards in my Anschutz but the 55's seem to do a tad better for me. Also was looking at the Vihtavouri web page and the N135 looks very interesting if I can find a 1 pound to try instead of going with an 8 pound right off the bat.
As far as seating depth just start somewhere like 10 thou off and then test back and forth to find what it wants.
.222's are very accurate, cheap to reload, and you'll never wear that barrel out so have fun.
Best Wishes.

 

[Brians356]

Hard to go wrong w/ 4198 in 222 Rem. Since you have some, I wouldn't be running out buying powder until you've tried it w/ the 52-gr. And I'd start at .010" jump, that's a not unreasonable choice.

 

[22BRGUY]

My rifle likes them at .003 off but that doesn't necessarily mean yours does.

 

[Drop Port]

Thanks guys, the IMR-4895 shoots great but I couldn't resist giving H-4198 a try also. I finally got out today and shot three groups to see if it showed any potential. Kept everything the same just switched powder.
52 Berger FB Varmint .05 in.
Lapua Brass
Br-4's

20.0 shot high .2's for 3 shots

20.5 shot high 1's for 3 shots

21.0 shot high 3's for 5 shots

Looks like I will be tinkering with this combo a little more.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

That's a favorite combination of mine. Glad it's working for you too. Thanks for the report.