222 vs 223

[Link]

I guess the 222 was the short range bench rest gun in it's day.
Would the 223 hold a candle to the 222 in the same rig everything being equal.?

later Link

 

[mac86951]

It's a difficult measurement. All else being equal is what we've tried to do, but seldom achieved.

Same bullet, the longer neck on 222 may give better options to seating depth, but I've seen some excellent 223s as well.

I would expect a custom 223 reamer to match a good 222 reamer.

200y, the extra velocity of 223 will be an aiding factor.

Just my guesses, let's see what others say.

-Mac

 

[Lapua40X]

The .223 has a shorter neck and, correspondingly, a longer body; greater case capacity. The .222 is a pin hole shooter which pleases bench rest fans but the .223 is no slouch in that area either. I think the increased velocity of the .223 makes it slightly better in bucking the wind at those 600 yard shots which makes it a highly rated varmint rifle.
I have a .223 intended exclusively for varmint shooting so I have no need for its little brother.i

 

[JamesnTN]

I guess the 222 was the short range bench rest gun in it's day.
Would the 223 hold a candle to the 222 in the same rig everything being equal.?

later Link

I have both and the 222 edges out the 223 at 100-200 yards easily. The 223 is no slouch with the right guy tuning the loads but equally the 222 is really that much better for short range accuracy in my experience and opinion.

 

[LHSmith]

IME, the .222 will agg consistently better.

 

[snert]

I have both and the 222 edges out the 223 at 100-200 yards easily. The 223 is no slouch with the right guy tuning the loads but equally the 222 is really that much better for short range accuracy in my experience and opinion.

agree....besides everyone has a 223 and that alone makes me a 222 guy

 

[gotcha]

Would the 223 hold a candle to the 222 in the same rig everything being equal.?

Given todays standards of bbl. making you'd be hard pressed to see a dramatic difference. Though I still believe the 222 would hold an ever so slight edge. But, why not consider a fast twist .223AI for its wider range of possibilities and uses? Just my 2 pennies

 

[Brians356]

Yes, the 223 would hold a candle to the 223. But the 222 is by all accounts easier to develop accurate loads for. (I shoot both, FWIW, and they both often shoot into one ragged hole when I'm on my game - not often these days.)

However, proving one is more inherently accurate than the other is impossible, so it will forever be campfire and whiskey fodder, with the 222 holding an ace.
-

 

[K22]

I have own both, albeit not bench rest quality rifles. Both shot equally well with tailored reloads. I prefer the 223 for extra case capacity and velocity since I'm a varmint / predator hunter. Both are excellent medium range varmint cartridges. It's like the age old argument about the 270 vs. the 30-06. The deer will never know the difference.

 

[JamesnTN]

Yes, the 223 would hold a candle to the 223. But the 222 is by all accounts easier to develop accurate loads for. (I shoot both, FWIW, and they both often shoot into one ragged hole when I'm on my game - not often these days.)

However, proving one is more inherently accurate than the other is impossible, so it will forever be campfire and whiskey fodder, with the 222 holding an ace.
-

It was proven many years ago before the PPC was introduced into benchrest. The 222 was then the king of accuracy, if the 223 had been more accurate do you really think that the best shooters in the country would had used the 222 over the 223?

No campfire or whiskey needed it's already been proven!

 

[K22]

I read somewhere that Sierra uses the 223 for accuracy testing of their 224 bullets.

 

[swd]

If you don't have a full blown bench rest rig you'll never know the difference. But then the 222 has the edge.

 

[Laurie]

I read somewhere that Sierra uses the 223 for accuracy testing of their 224 bullets.

I don't know what the company uses now, but that role went to the now obsolescent .222 Magnum for many years, Sierra saying it was the outstanding performer with regard to precision of the '222 family', better than either of the other pair.

 

[LHSmith]

I read somewhere that Sierra uses the 223 for accuracy testing of their 224 bullets.

Now that you brought that up, this is from Nosler manual #3 in which Bob Nosler states that he personally shot thousands of .222 mag rounds using their 52 gr. Solid Base Match bullets because the round "could make almost any flaw in the bullet produce a flyer" due to it's higher MV stating "It would shoot circles around any .223 that I've ever seen....." This is testimony from a man who makes his livelihood developing and maintaining accuracy standards for his products.

 

[K22]

Now that you brought that up, this is from Nosler manual #3 in which Bob Nosler states that he personally shot thousands of .222 mag rounds using their 52 gr. Solid Base Match bullets because the round "could make almost any flaw in the bullet produce a flyer" due to it's higher MV stating "It would shoot circles around any .223 that I've ever seen....." This is testimony from a man who makes his livelihood developing and maintaining accuracy standards for his products.

Sierra Rifle Reloading Manual, 4th Edition, Page 205, "Sierra now uses the 223 for accuracy testing in several of our .22 caliber Match Kings."