Best load for 222 full bench gun

[smoke-um]

I have a full bench gun for shooting groups 100 200 52 grain fouler bullets been using h335 with not much success any old timers out there that shot 222 in the day ????

 

[BoydAllen]

The issue may not be your load. Have you checked bedding and scope mounting? What was your load development method? I have a tight neck .222 that has shot many very small groups. It seems to like 748 and H322. For the latter I have used light neck tension with the bullets seated at jam. For the 748 quite a bit of neck tension, with the bullets seated about .006 into the lands. I shoot federal 205 primer or 205M. You need to make sure your barrel is clean, and your bedding right and then do a full charge weight test over a broad range.

 

[1911nut]

I’ve been shooting a couple 222’s for groups the last several years. Barts 52g Original or Ultras over N133 in Lapua brass.

My Savage with Shilen barrel, 5 shot groups at 100 yds:



My 40XBR likes the Ultras, 5 shot groups at 100 yds:



It’s the bullets!

 

[mac86951]

I hate to say try another powder in this market; so let's make it easier... Try another primer! <Ouch>

Check your mounts +1; and otherwise I've not really had a ton of luck with 335 and super accurate loads. Check your dies and seating depth too? Bullets seated straight?

-Mac

 

[littlebuddybr]

133
H322
H4198

Have always worked better for me the 335.

 

[357Mag]

I have a full bench gun for shooting groups 100 200 52 grain fouler bullets been using h335 with not much success any old timers out there that shot 222 in the day ????

Smoke-em -

Howdy !

Not much help, but will say that NBRSA Hall of Fame'r Fred Sinclair recommended me & my best friend shoot H4895 + 52gr HP .224" cal bullets in our . 222 Savage 112V's. It was my beliefe Fred was shooting H4895 in his .222, also. Figured he oughta know what worked.

We first used Remington 52gr HPs, then Sierra 52HPS; before going w/ custom 52gr HP bullets from Ron Fifer of Decatur,IN ( for all .224" cal cartridges we happened to use for target work, when shooting from a
1-14 barrel ).

I appologize that I no longer have charge wt info to share, as my .222 is long gone.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Richard Jones]

n133, aa2015, h322

If you mean Fowler bullets, those are good to go. If you really meant fouler, save those for something else and get some good ones!

Just my $.02...

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Isn't 20.0 gr of 4198 kinda like 38.0gr of h380 in a 22-250...just a go to powder and charge? It's been a while since I shot deuce but I'd try in that area of powder type and charge, then play with seating depth. Most that I recall tuned up very easily with 4198. Worth a try. I don't think that's a really hot load but as always, work up to it. I'm certain there are multiple good loads for a deuce. IME, they are easy to get to shoot very well.

 

[LHSmith]

I have a full bench gun for shooting groups 100 200 52 grain fouler bullets been using h335 with not much success any old timers out there that shot 222 in the day ????

Have a IBS legal HV .222 built on a trued R700 action in 2000. Shilen 14 tw, .250 nk., jewel, Mcmillan Edge, 40 x LCS, bolt bushed front and rear, FP bushed. Shoots 52 gr. Barts behind 24.0 gr. N133 very well using Lapua brass. Best score in competition was 250/15 x @ 100 yds.
Windflag use as well as a rock solid bench and a good mechanical rest are mandatory to get good results.

 

[pintopete]

Remington used IMR4895 as an accuracy test load, 23.5gr with 52 or 53gr bullet. As far as back in the day of the .222, it is most likely that the common powder was IMR4198 with 52 or 53gr bullets. But, there was an enormous amount of experimentation, as you would expect.

IMR4198 is generally available now. Another excellent choice is H322. If you don’t already have it, get some Lapua brass, some Barts 52gr bullets and one of these powders. If the rifle doesn’t shoot extremely well with that combo, starting at .010 off, something is wrong.

 

[smoke-um]

I misspelled they are fowler bullets 30 year old bullets

 

[M-61]

Still shoot my 1975 222 bench rifle. Sleeved action, SHBF, Hart barrel.
Never was able to get better load than 20.2 of 4198
52 gr bullets. 100 yard. Groups. Still a fine shooter and that load isn’t worth changing and in the beginning I searched around. No more.

 

[smoke-um]

I have h4198 what's the load for 52 grain bullets federal 205m primers im 10 thousands off of jam my brass is winchester brass I cant find Lapua brass all sold out they story of my life

 

[smoke-um]

ok good info just came in thanks I will try tomorrow

 

[pintopete]

I have h4198 what's the load for 52 grain bullets federal 205m primers im 10 thousands off of jam my brass is winchester brass I cant find Lapua brass all sold out they story of my life

Not the end of the world. You can do well with prepped Win brass. Hodgdon H4198 range is 17.5 - 19.5 with 53’s. You’ll probably find that you will end up on the high side of that range. Right from the Hodgdon Data Center. Do you have a Redding bushing type die? Helps a lot. So does a micrometer seater.

 

[M-61]

When after 25-30 years I got some Lapua brass it didn’t shoot really any smaller groups. And I do spend time on brass prep.
What hurt me was the appearance of a couple of 30BR’s and some tricky winds.

 

[smoke-um]

I hear ya I have a 30br but that 222 is just a blast to shoot like shooting a BB gun cheap to reload just plain fun to shoot

 

[Ray123]

I have a full bench gun for shooting groups 100 200 52 grain fouler bullets been using h335 with not much success any old timers out there that shot 222 in the day ????

Many years ago...Walt Berger, won state and national titles with the .222....and H335, & Berger 52 gr flat base target bullets...a 26" 14 twist barrel velocity 3225 fps.... I have shot thousands of rds of .222, it was actually kinda hard to find a powder that didn't shoot small groups compared to other calibers of the time....must have tried 12 powders yrs ago, but like h335, and w 748, with 52 to 53 gr match bullets. Or moly coated 40 gr Nosler BT at 3750 fps for varmints, H335...the factory 222 pressures on on the low side the brass and bolt gun will handle the same pressure as the 223...I still have several thousand pieces of new 222 brass...but the last old 222 has sentimental value, because of years of success and few impossible lucky shots, and a competition off hand win against the Navy ROTC sniper team in a club turkey shoot...only because they were so cocky in their uniforms, and unloading a van full of equipment, trying to intimidate the civilian shooters...when the varing targets were collected and scored the little .222 won.

 

[Carl S]

N133,lapua brass,205 gold medal primers with your fowler bullets should tighten your groups nicely if everything is correct with your rifle.

 

[lotech]

The .222 was a very popular benchrest cartridge when Warren Page wrote "The Accurate Rifle" in the early '70s. He liked 20.5 grs. IMR-4198 with any popular bullet of 51-53 grs. Page mentions other powders and other cartridges as well. This book is a paperback and shouldn't be hard to find. Some information is obviously dated, but there's still much useful material that remains applicable today.