F-Class with the Triple Deuce (.222 Rem)

[lb-ft]

Real world experience, Hart 1:14 in .222, the 53 Vmax was not even close to stable. Went back to my Speer TNT and the the bullets Dusty recommended above, in the vein of 52 HP, and stellar results returned.

Now, every 55 PSP I've ever tried has shot fantastic. Even quality FMJs shot well. But the 53 Vmax was a no-go.

 

[sandwarrior]

For short range F-Class a .222 would work alright, not necessarily great. That's a standard 1-14" twist. It can only stabilize short bullets (read light bullets) and those will drift more than heavies.

If you put a tight twisted barrel on your rifle it could stabilize heavies, but they would be slower to comparable rounds.

Where it really shines is at the 100 yd. mark. Only one rifle has ever beaten the best .222 group out there. And, the .222 held that record for 41 years.

Yes, it's doable, but not a great choice. At distance you will always have more drift. It's not so much a question of accuracy, it's a question of how well you can call wind.

 

[wbm]

I don't think anyone would regard the Triple Deuce as an ideal choice for F-Class

Always one.

 

[Laurie]

222 was widely used with fast-twist barrels in some European countries in mid-range F/TR some years back. This was because of restrictions on owning 'military calibres' making a higher level of license needed in some countries, and civilian ownership of a 223 Rem rifle near impossible in one or two, notably Spain. I don't know if this still applies though. With 7 twist barrels and throated for 80gn or longer match bullets, the 222 does very well up to 600 yards.

 

[rafale]

222 was widely used with fast-twist barrels in some European countries in mid-range F/TR some years back. This was because of restrictions on owning 'military calibres' making a higher level of license needed in some countries, and civilian ownership of a 223 Rem rifle near impossible in one or two, notably Spain. I don't know if this still applies though. With 7 twist barrels and throated for 80gn or longer match bullets, the 222 does very well up to 600 yards.

Laurie ,

We have this problem in France !

 

[davidjoe]

In these days (now months) of no primers and limited availability or the popular Fclass powders, I’d definitely see shooting club Fclass matches with the “B” team, as a better alternative to skipping them all.

We probably all have months or a couple years of monthly match supplies on hand if we go that route.

My first Fclass match was with a .22-250 Kimber Longmaster at 600 and Hornady factory loads, probably 50 or maybe 55 grains, molly coated era. 2nd place, but that’s a lot more powder. Only other .22’s I’ve shot were heavy .223’s.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Something to consider, I’ve shot 55 vmax and 50 vmax at 600 yards. My electronic target regularly fails to pinpoint the impact because the speed is so close to the speed of sound.

I would suggest ensuring that the velocity at the muzzle is at least 3000 FPS to ensure the target reads them at 600. In this case, faster is better.

At shorter ranges, all is well.

Welcome to the fun!

 

[sdean]

There is something special about 4198 in the Triple Deuce. Those old school varmint rifles can be very special also.

Sounds like the 300 yard match in Alabama is what would fit 222 best.

 

[JSH]

I betcha after five years he got it figured out.