222 vs 223

[GlennGTR1]

I was thinking of purchasing a nice Cooper light weight walking varminter, something purdy in blued steel and with a nice wood stock. I am going to use this rifle for smaller varmints like ground squirells, rabbits, rock chucks, bob cat and lynx with the ocasional head shot turkey where legal. Accuracy will be an absolute must and I have heard that the 222 Rem has an advantage over the 223 in the accuracy category. What are your thoughts.

 

[bozo699]

I was thinking of purchasing a nice Cooper light weight walking varminter, something purdy in blued steel and with a nice wood stock. I am going to use this rifle for smaller varmints like ground squirells, rabbits, rock chucks, bob cat and lynx with the ocasional head shot turkey where legal. Accuracy will be an absolute must and I have heard that the 222 Rem has an advantage over the 223 in the accuracy category. What are your thoughts.

I own two .222's and several .223's I have always had a soft spot for the .222 and believe them to be more accurate, not as readily available and you can find cheaper ammo in the .223 but given a choice between the two rifles and in a beautiful Cooper to boot the choice would be easy for me,...222
Wayne.

 

[areaone]

222 classic and perfect for what you want it for, good for 250 yds without a doubt. Easy and cheap to load for and very accurate. For fun get a AR 15 223 also.

 

[bheadboy]

bozo, the 223 has about 200fps more than the 222 but give up a little in accurcy, not much. for 50gr pills the 222 would do basicly all you want, out to 200-300, the 223 will give a little mor range if you want to streach it out.

the classic rifle you describe just screams for 222

Bob

 

[bozo699]

bozo, the 223 has about 200fps more than the 222 but give up a little in accurcy, not much. for 50gr pills the 222 would do basicly all you want, out to 200-300, the 223 will give a little mor range if you want to streach it out.

the classic rifle you describe just screams for 222

Bob

Bob,
I agree with your statement, been my findings exactly
Wayne.

 

[moorepower]

Sierra now uses the .223 for accuracy testing. I don't think you will ever be able to them apart, unless both are top notch BR guns, on a cement bench, and then you may not. That being said I have 2 L-46's and 1 L-461 HB in .222 and love them. They will not out shoot either .223 that I have.

 

[SS427]

If you don't already have a .223, that would be my recommendation. Everyone should have at least one.

I want a .222 and will probably end up with one at some point. What is holding me back is the cost of dies, and the possibility I might have to store one more bottle/keg of powder....I'm running out of money and room. So that might be a consideration as well.

 

[K22]

I have both and both are outstanding in the accuracy department so I wouldn't let accuracy be the deciding factor in my decision; both are capbable of sub 1/2 moa accuracy from a quality rifle with quality ammunition.

I'd choose the 223 for two reasons: First the 222 is becoming an obsolete cartridge; Second, the 223 is flatter shooting due to it's larger powder capacity.

In addition, if you don't reload, you will find it easier and cheaper to obtain 223 ammo.

 

[jghoghunter]

I own both and the 222 was the first gun that I bought with my own money at the ripe old age of 13 back in 1983. With that said the 223 does everthing the 222 will do and it will do it just a bit better except for MAYBE the accuracy. BUT in one of those beautiful little coopers I would go with the 222 because everyone has a 223 and its just plain cool to have a cooper in a classic cartridge like the 222 rem.. By the way I still own that 722 in 222 and for the last 8 years it has made its way to South Dakota to hunt pd and I run out of shells for it long before I run out of shell for my 2, 223 that I take along. I figured last summer it has close to 10000 rounds thru it and it stuggles big time to shoot .75" at 100yds but I sure do love that gun.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I've gotta agree with K22 and for the same reasons.

If you varmint hunt, you'll want the flattest trajectory, and the nod goes to the 223. I own both, but if I was starting out fresh, the 223 would be my first choice. Quality brass cost and availability would also be a concern.

Here's a target shot in the field with my Cooper M21 VR in 223 using the 40gr Nosler BT...not a match bullet. Maybe a 222 could and would do better, but for varminting, I just can't see needing any more accuracy than what this rifle delivers:

Just 'cuz, here's the little Cooper 223 on the bench:

I also subscribe to the notion that every American gun owner should own at least one rifle chambered for the current U.S. Military cartridge, but that's just me.

 

[GlennGTR1]

OK....So I already have a 223 and a 204....

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Okay Glenn.....but do you have a Cooper 223 or 204? Nuthin' wrong with owning multiple rifles in the same caliber.....I do it all the time.

 

[GlennGTR1]

No I dont Rick, I like the sporter weight rifles and I know Cooper makes them and does them beautifuly. Im not too crazy about the one in fourteen twist rate on their 223 prefering a one in twelve or nine instead. I wish Cooper would let you order 223s with the twist rate of your choice. If I got another 20 cal in a Cooper it would be a 20 VarTarg. I love the Fireball and have one in a CZ 527, The Cooper 20 cal would just HAVE to be a VarTarg.

 

[Tozguy]

Glenn, I wonder if any theoretical inherent accuracy difference between the 222Rem and the 223 will show up in the type of rifle and shooting that you are considering. However, it sounds to me like you are ready for a 222Rem.

 

[8SNAKE]

I wish Cooper would let you order 223s with the twist rate of your choice.

Cooper does give you the option of custom twist rate and barrel make, but it comes at a pretty stiff premium.

 

[hedditch]

I have a Cooper Mod 21 Varminter in 222 Mag, 222 and 223. They all shoot pretty much the same with the mag having an edge on both the 222 and 223 on speed but without a loss in accuracy. Just something else to think about. I also have the 20 Vartarg in a Cooper Extreme and it is really sweet! I am still working on a load for it but so far AA2200 is working the best with a 32 gr Sierra BK. I have tried Lil "Gun but my average for those loads is in the .4's. Not good enough. I shoot five shot groups. AA2200 averages in the .3's.

 

[th82457]

I also have a .20 VT in a CZ 527 that is pure fun to shoot. I have had a .222, currently have a .222 Mag. and (2) .223's. Accuracy wise it is hard to tell a difference in my guns, all are accurate enough for prairie dog towns. All else being equal the .222 Mag. should have a slight velocity and accuracy advantage due to neck length and case volume. Still for varmint shooting all will work. The .223 is by far cheaper for brass, but once you have brass and dies - then it is no issue. I would go to the .222 Mag. in a gun that you want as different from the herd, but agree that a 1:12 twist or faster would allow more stabilization for anything over 50 grain bullets. My .222 Mag. has a 1:14 twist and 50 grain bullets are about the limit for best accuracy.

 

[dennisinaz]

I have both and the .222 is easier to find great loads for. It is a classic. Everyone has a .223. This is a no-brainer.

 

[wapiti25]

I own both caliber's and the neck on the 222 gives you a lot to play with. A lot about the accuracy is in the barrel and the way the chamber is cut. You can have a custom barrel put in at a later date. I don't like the way a lot of rifles have the nato chamber cut in the 223's. the nato chamber has a longer throat and is sloppy compared to a 223 bench rest chamber. The 222 was king of the bench rest game for a lot of years. I have a 100 rounds of Winchester 222 brass that is about 2 yrs old now and it is very good in the neck and weight. You can buy Laupa for both.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I think everyone here has a .222 and a 223. Me included.. I like both.. But I find it is easier to find good loads for the triple duece.. It is no near as picky as my 223.. I love both.. There's a lot to like about a .222