222m vs 223AI question

[bheadboy]

got a yen to alter a 40x small bolt face for pd's using 50gr most likely - possibly 55gr, i have a 14 twist 22 inch heavy hart bbl with low round count, 221 chamber, i dont want to shorten the bbl as 22" in minimum i think for either case so -

the 223 will not clean up the 221 shoulder dia, but the 222m or 223AI will clean up the shoulder

the 223AI has about 32.2 gr water capacity, and the 222m has 32.2 each depending on the brass and chamber reamer.

Thus the quesion, other than availability of cheep 223 brass,vs 222m (new is available) why bother with the AI fire forming etc when you can go strait to the load development - both have proven records of accurcy -any thoughts

Bob

 

[CatShooter]

I have a 40XB-BR in .222 Mag and I love it.

The new Remington brass, while not Lapua, is very good.

Just load it and be done with it.

 

[bheadboy]

thanks what bullets, powder and vel are you working with and bbl length

Bob

 

[CatShooter]

26" original barrel - 8208 XBR, and 50gr BK bullet - ~3550fps

 

[bheadboy]

Thanks

Bob

 

[alf]

I'd probably leave it alone.

I wore out a Fireball barrel running 40 grain Ballistic Tips at 3500. It was my favorite, and the first one out of the truck in the dog towns. Kills to 500+ on good days. Miserly on powder and easier on barrels.

I also have wore out a 223 Ackley, and a 6x47x45 (222RM case), so I have a good comparison to relate to. Now, to simplify things, I have narrowed the line- up to either plain 223's or 6 Dashers.

 

[bheadboy]

my concern on the 221 is it is great on good days, however where i go in wy it blows all the time and the drift is a real problem at 250+ using 40-50s

Bob

 

[2dogs]

I love my 223 AIs. I have 2 1/14s that I run the 40 gr NBT out of. Its not hard to reach 4000 fps and they are extremely accurate even with fireform loads. I set my rifles up with CDI detachable bottom metal and use the AI 10 shot magazines. Both rifles feed slick. One is a Savage and the other is a Rem 700. Im waiting on a 1/8 barrel from Hart so I can set up my 3rd rifle for the heavier bullets.

 

[acloco]

222 Magnum brass is expensive. You can neck up 204 Ruger brass to 224 caliber...and afford good brass that is plentiful.

I own and shoot several 223 AI's. Love them....period. Cheap brass. Fireform loads shoot 1/2 MOA. 50 gr bullets are great, but I prefer the 55's. Accurate to 800 yards with cheap bullets (varmint nightmare).

With Benchmark or H4895 and 55's, 3600 fps in a 26" barrel is the norm.