I have been given a .222

[Bill K]

4895 has always been a good powder in the 222 Rem. As for a non-lead bullet, check out Nosler or Hornady's non-lead NTX's . Work great in .224 or .204 calibers.

 

[Doubs43]

In 1977 I bought a brand new Remington 788 in .222 from a Gibson's store in Alamagordo, NM. It was one of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned. I found an article in, IIRC, "RIFLE" magazine on how to D&T the trigger housing, install set screws and improve the trigger. I did and it worked nicely.

The 788 rifle was inexpensive and many were purchased by benchrest shooters who bought them solely for the actions, disposing of the rest of the rifle. The action has a very fast lock time.

IMO, Remington dropped the 788 because it took sales away from the 700. A shame really. If they made it again, it would sell.

I used commercial cases as well as military 5.56mm cases that I formed into .222 cases. My load, as I recall, was 18.0 grains of H-4198 and the Hornady 55 grain SX bullet. In my rifle, it was a tack driver.

 

[Slowshot]

You gotta try H322 with berger 52gr HP. . That's one nice caliber. Love to shoot the Triple deuce the most of any caliber.

I have heard H322 is getting hard to find. I hope not. After two years of not shooting, I am just getting back to reloading. I have only a half pound of H322 left. H322 has been my go to powder for many years in 222 Rem. The last time I was out loading at the range, shooting my BAT action bench gun (222) Russ Haydon talked me into trying Winchester 748. That went well. I have lost my notes from that day but I am sure I can find a load with Winchester 748 in my Ruger No. 1V in 222.

 

[wildcatter]

Hard to find a powder in the LT30 to H4895 burning rate that won't shoot good. But! I've found LT32 (22.8grn) and H322 extreme (23.1grn), to both give excellent results with 52grn Bib bullets. But consistent with 45 to 55 grain bullets. I like them because they have proven to perform the same from over 90 degree to as cool as 56 degree, dri or humid.

I think the LT30 is my next try with those 47 grn bullets. I can only get 25.0grn of LT32 in the case. With no sign whatsoever of pressure, and it is giving me 3645 fps average. I think the LT30 being a little faster burning might give better velocity before seeing high pressure and as good or better accuracy, maybe better than the 52's. But if it shoots like this, for varmints I'll be elated! I think I might have pulled that oneshot.

 

[MQ1]

A bonus is if you know of a good unleaded bullet to use for small game and varmint hunting, here in PRK we have to hunt with unleaded ammo only.

I’m going for the bonus.

I’ve had minimal success with the 36 Barnes Varmint Grenade on anything bigger than a groundsquirrel. However the 32 gr Lehigh Controlled Chaos seems to handle coyotes very well.

MQ1