223ai or 222

[pintopete]

.222 is my favorite, but as others have said, intended range, etc all matter when making your decision.

If you go .222 look at PT&G reamer prints 30248 & 30248 Rev B. Even if you don’t buy it from them, they are good potential choices IMO. Both are .251 tight factory neck.

Best of luck, Peter.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

.222. But don't get fooled into 14" twist. Go 12 or better and have some bullet options. I shoot an 8 twist.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

ive had a few....i like 223ai for more hoserpower, but honestly.....if you want hp then a 223ai ain't cutting it anyways.

if i was doing one, itd be a 222 ALL DAY long. Lapua brass, 4198, 205m, custom 52gr, 1:14 barrel at 24" and just enjoy it

 

[urbanrifleman]

223A is incredible. I senyt you a pm.

 

[Uncle Grinch]

You obviously know the differences between the two choices. It all comes down to what you want. I’ve been down this road several times and always have come back to the 222 in each case. Matter of fact my gunsmith has my 223AI right now. He is putting a new Douglas 222 barrel on it. It’s been a 222, then a bench rest 222, then a 223AI and now it’s going back to a 222. Think it will stay that way for some time.

 

[457ciSBC]

if i was doing one, itd be a 222 ALL DAY long. Lapua brass, 4198, 205m, custom 52gr, 1:14 barrel at 24" and just enjoy it

Doesn’t even have to be a custom bullet, the Speer #1035 and somewhere between 18.5-20 grains of 4198 will put a smile on your face.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

.222. But don't get fooled into 14" twist. Go 12 or better and have some bullet options. I shoot an 8 twist.

Would a 12 twist be your choice then if you were to use 50-55 grain bullets? Thanks!

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Would a 12 twist be your choice then if you were to use 50-55 grain bullets? Thanks!

Probably. I use a 8, as I bought a factory barrel (Tikka) to replace the original, and then rechamsbered, as it was 223, and it did not fit the magazine! 12 would be good with 60g flat base too, which works really well on goats etc., as do 55g.

 

[Evan]

222AI. There I fixed your problem by combining the two into one so now you have the best of both worlds.
That long neck on a litttle AI round would look so sexy.

With an 8 twist to shoot the 80gn bullets! You'll probably end up with H4895/Varget speed powder to go fast with that combo.

 

[Longtrain]

I shot a Tikka 595 in 223 for many years, new barrel is a 223AI, 30” 1:8, I shoot 52’s to 80.5 Berger’s. The heavies out to 600 easily. It’s not a 22/250, but not too far off either. I can hit a couple accuracy nodes depending on which bullet and how much powder I want to burn. It’s stupid accurate, however, if you’re staying in a little closer you can’t beat a 222 for accuracy.
There...I didn’t help you make up your mind. The truth is they will both work for the right job, just depends which job your working on...

 

[stacy]

WELL I HAVE SEVERAL OF EACH AND THEY BOTH HAVE THERE PURPOSE I ENJOY THEM BOTH FROM PAPER TO THE FEILD CANT GO WRONG WITH EITHER ONE

 

[charlesasmith]

I really like my .222, but when shooting prairie dogs it is limited. After a few shots the dogs go down out to the practical limit of the 222. Most of my shots wind up around 275-325 yds with ever present wind. So after a few shots out come the 223 and 222 mag. In the future longer shots will be with my 20 practical and 20 PPC.

Chuck