222 Remington powders

[T 700]

What VV powders work well in 222 Rem these days? 130,133?? Or something else i need to be looking at??? I'm starting to work up a load and would like some help and advice to save on components. I been using 7 1/2 Rem primers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

T700

 

[TheCZKid]

I'm just starting to load for 222 also, and from what I understand people like N120 and N133 from 40 grain to about 53 grain bullets. I'm sure you'll get some experienced loaders with input, looking forward to what they say.

 

[DiffEQ]

I have remaining about two hundred rounds of 50 grainers atop H4198, but I haven't seen that powder on the shelf since ~2020. Four pounds of N120 are waiting for the next development load cycle. After that I have four pounds of H322.
I've seen Accurate 2015 and 2200 on the shelf lately, though I've never tried them.

 

[robert8904]

I have had great results with Benchmark and 40-52 grain bullets. In my case, CCI 400's work better than Rem 7 1/2.

 

[jepp2]

My 20 Bobcat loves LT 32. This might be helpful to you.

 

[JSH]

I have found the 222 to not be picky. I have relegated mine to using up odds and ends of powder, some discontinued stuff. About the same with bullets, partial boxes are less and less now.

 

[K22]

I shot and hunted with the 222 Rem for many years. I used 50 grain Sierra Blitz and Speer Spire Point bullets, Remington 7 1/2 primers and IMR 4198 which routinely shot in the area 1/2 moa out of a Remington 700 Sporter.

While 4198 was the best and most consistent powder I ever used in the 222, I understand it is near impossible to find. Other powders that I tried that work reasonably well were H322, and while I am not a big fan of ball powders, BLC 2 shot very well also.

While I cannot attest to it personally, my smith is a huge 222 fan and swears by IMR 3031 with 50 grain bullets.

 

[LHSmith]

N133 has been the best powder in my .222 HV bench rifle pushing Barts 52 gr. Back in my G-hog hunting days ( '70's thru '80's) IMR 4198 and 50 gr. Hornady SX offered the best accuracy from a R700 varmint special.

 

[nakneker]

One of the great attributes to the 222 is how easy they are to tune and with a variety of powders. I have a few, part of the fun for me is trying new powder bullet combos, while my go to powders are H4198 and H322 I also have used many other powder/bullet combos with good results. VV133, VV130, IMR 4198, CFE 222, Benchmark and quite a few others. The bullet weight I use more than any in 222 is 50 grains, they perform well in the old Remingtons, Sako’s, Krico, Anshutz, Styer, Tikkas that I’ve tried them plus a couple customs. It can be fun to try some 40 grain for a little extra speed if that’s your mood. If your after VV load data I‘d consult their load data and a few manuals, there’s a lot of info out there, VV load data is pretty conservative in my experience but the standard rule of start low and work your way up applies, as always. Your rifle will tell you what it likes but I doubt it’ll take much effort to find a load that meets your goals of accuracy, SD and ES whatever that benchmark may be.

 

[JSH]

I've not tried the VV series in my 788 having an ample supply of the old standby's. No reason they shouldn't be excellent in the .222. Snowing here today so I will be in my room loading some test ammo with Barnes 36gr. HP's. That rifle has been fed only 50gr. bullets all its life. The Hodgdon website has loads published for 35gr. using IMR4227...so why not give it a try.

Had a partial box from another project myself. I know I used some 2200 and a couple of others. The 36’s shot very good along with speed. I shot quite a few SXSP Hornady’s. Some say the Barnes would not give dramatic results and just needle through, it launched several prairie poodles.

I need to dig through some of my old load books. I know I have a big can of 4227. Hoping I could get it to work in a 20VT as well.

 

[strut64]

I have had good results with H322 and 53 gr SMK or 52 gr berger FB. However H322 Has become impossible to obtain. Watching this thread as well.

 

[topclass2017]

+1 on H322 with 52 berger FB. Seems to do better than shooting 40 v-max, but as others have said, it's easy to tune with a variety of bullet/powder combos.

 

[Juppe12]

I have used N130, N133 and N135.
N133 has been best for me. With some loads N135 has been also quite good.

 

[wildcatter]

I have had great results with H322, with 47 to 52 grain bullets, but switching to LT-32 has been even better! I thought my load was my sweet spot with 23.1 grains of 332 and won some wood and paper with it behind 52 grain Bib bullets.

Switching to Benchmark proved my H322 loads were solid. But then I traded a jug of Varget for a jug of LT-32 and instantly equaled my h322 load. I then tried the lighter bullets and things got even better.

I've tried N133 a couple times and it seems to be less than ideal in my barrels with bullets under 55 grains, seems a little to slow to get enough pressure for consisten accuracy.

The one biggest thing I have noticed with all 3 powders is how my groups open up with any primer other than 7.5 Remingtons. It is obviously better with the 7.5's in my barrels over Federal 205M's, or CCI 400's.

I have not tried it yet, but with the price increase Accurate powders are now making me want to try to better the LT-32. Trust me that is going to be tough, but I would like to see if N130 could equal it.

All these powders give me good accuracy, but as of now LT-32 is giving me my best absolute accuracy, hands down Remington 7.5 primers are hands down the best with the powders I have tried.

 

[Zebragun]

When I ran out of H322, I was able to find some LT-32. Like it so much, not even looking for H322 anymore. Shooting 50-52 grain bullets.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Nobody's wrong. The 222 has to be the most versatile 22 ever. Any powder between 4198 and Varget and bullets from 40-52g all work. I have even made some whizzy loads with 296 and CFE-BLK for fun- don't try this at home... But N120 is my go-to with 55g (I have a fast twist)

 

[dgeesaman]

I’ve had good luck with 7-1/2s in 222 generally. Powders have been LT-32, XBR-8208, N-133, and H-322.

David

 

[Mark W]

I’ve had good luck with 7-1/2s in 222 generally. Powders have been LT-32, XBR-8208, N-133, and H-322.

David

I was waiting for someone to say 8208 XBR. I’ve had decent success with it in my 222. Of course, H322, N133, and Benchmark all worked for me as well. I haven’t tried LT-32 yet, but I will first chance I get.

 

[17cal Fan]

I was hoping no one would say 8208. That's my 17 Fireball reserve. H322 has been amazing and I have plenty right now. Haven't tried 8208 in the 222 but just cracked open and 8# so maybe I will. I don't believe the 222 is to picky at all from what I have played with. Haven't tried VV in it. Think all I have is 160 in that. Snagged another bottle of BL-C2 the other day, don't think the seller realizes how much it's gone up. Haven't tried it either

 

[skeeljc]

N133 works well in the .222 Remington. I have not tried it at low temps yet.