Match loads needed for 222 Remington

[k80skeet]

I haven't had a 222 Reminton in 30 years. I built one this fall and was wondering is anybody had any luck with new loads with new powders that have proved to be better than the old trusted H322 and IMR 4198 and any luck with the 52gr SMK vs 53gr SMK flatbase off the bench at 100 yards. Has anyone had any luck with Winchester 748 powder??

 

[BoydAllen]

Re: Match loads for 222 Remington

Yes

 

[hedditch]

Re: Match loads for 222 Remington

I just looked at the Hodgen web site and they are saying IMR 4198 is a new powder. Hodgen has a H 4198 in their extreme series that is less sensitive to temp changes.

My favorite load is 28.1 grs of BLC-2 with a 40 gr bullet but that BLC-2 seems to be very temp sensitive.

 

[fdshuster]

k80skeet: With both my 222 chamberings, ( rem 700BDL factory & Sako L46, Hart barrel), over the years I've tried different load combinations and I always return to the tried over time and proven standard's: 20.5 H4198 any quality 50 gr. bullet seated .020" off the lands, and the Hodgdon recommended 22.2 H322, same bullet combination as the H4198 load. Comparing results, side-by-side, the "old" loads always come out the winner, even if only by a little.

 

[k80skeet]

Frank, Thank you for your in put. As I always respect your opinion. That is the load I use 40 years ago. When I had a heavy barreled Sako with the mini 461 action and a 20" heavy barreled Remington 40-X. I was hoping somebody had found some loads with all the new powders and better bullets. That were better than the old school. Of course the 222 Remington is old school. That is why I built it instead of a 6mmPPC or a 6mmBR. I won quite a few bench rest matches in the 60's with the 222 Remington and really loved that little caliber. The only thing I changed was I had a 1 in 13 twist instead of the old stand by 1 in 14 twist. Hoping that might improve it a little.

 

[bheadboy]

K80 , we may have shot against each other,

my 40x hart 222 still loves 4198 and the IMR is not the same as we had in the 60-70 but still the best for 52-52 flat base, i use B&A and Sierra 53's,

i have tried 2015, 322 748 and 748 is the closest, the H4198 is ok but for some reason not as good

Bob

 

[Gizmo575]

Hey K80

When I picked up my first Rem700V in 222, a shooter friend was using 20.5 of IMR4198 behind the very good old production Nosler 52gr HPBT. I started with that and was content with .5moa until another club member mentioned H322 and Hornady bullets. After a little fiddling, I settled on 21.6grs H322 behind the Hornady 52gr HPBTM, seated .025 off the lands. That load still shoots .3-.4moa in my rifles, and in a couple of my prairie dog hunting friends 222's.

Gizmo

 

[HawkI]

I like 23 grains of RL-10X and a 50 gr. MATCH Berger or Meyer. RL-7 has been another good powder.

The 53 SMK also does well with 10x.

I've burned pounds of H322 is six 222 Remingtons and have never had one favor it over I4895, 10x, 7, the 4198's and even AA2520.

 

[snert]

I have had great succes with H322 and Hornady Vmax...beleive it or not. 722 Rem with #7 Hart, 20 Inches. It also shoots the Nosler BT and AMX well. Wish I had some old Sierra 52MK.

Snert

 

[fdshuster]

Snert: If you mean the 52 gr. Sierra #1410 with the boatail, I've tried them against the 53 gr. #1400 flatbase and the #1400's always come out the winner in both my 222 chamberings. It also is the one to beat in my 1-14 22-250, and 1-12 22BR. For me, just an excellent, all around accurate bullet. For the shorter distance's of the 222's I prefer the flatbase anyway. JMO. p.s.: Just re-read your post & realized you must be referring to the really old 53 gr. benchrest, came in a white plastic box w/ green and orange label, flatbase. Yes, still have a supply of those, tried them in the 222 and 22BR, and found them to be equal to the #1400, no better, no worse.

 

[k80skeet]

Has anybody tried the new IMR 8208XBR??

 

[SmokinJoe]

8208 XBR is probably a bit slow for 222, especially with the 40-50 gr bullets. Burn rate is similar to N-135 or Varget.

 

[Ole]

I think VV N-130, N-133 and N-530 are the 3 best powders with match bullets like 52gr Barts, 52 Zia's etc. These are match bullets, not 52 Sierras etc.

Tom

 

[snert]

Snert: If you mean the 52 gr. Sierra #1410 with the boatail, I've tried them against the 53 gr. #1400 flatbase and the #1400's always come out the winner in both my 222 chamberings. It also is the one to beat in my 1-14 22-250, and 1-12 22BR. For me, just an excellent, all around accurate bullet. For the shorter distance's of the 222's I prefer the flatbase anyway. JMO. p.s.: Just re-read your post & realized you must be referring to the really old 53 gr. benchrest, came in a white plastic box w/ green and orange label, flatbase. Yes, still have a supply of those, tried them in the 222 and 22BR, and found them to be equal to the #1400, no better, no worse.

Actually I was referring to the 52gr Sierra with the boat tail. In my old 700VS it shot very well. Never used the 53...so I have no knowledge of it. I do know that the 52 did not open up well on chucks, so I went to a Blitz (years ago). Now I use the NBT and it shoots fine in a 50 grainer. I have noticed that the FB Hornady 55 SP shoots great from my 1-12 22-250 40X, but I manage better long range ballistics witht eh 55gr VMAx and NBT. Have not tried the 40gr Vaxa in the 222.

 

[40X Guy]

I acquired a .222 Remington on a 40X chassis with factory barrel this past summer, screwed on a DNZ one piece base with a Leo 8.5-25 dot scope. Looked in Sierra book and my powder locker, and tried some IMR-4895 at 23.5 grains under a 52 grain HPBT MK Sierra touching the lands with Federal 205 GMM primers and some NOS Remington brass that came with it also, and loaded with the Lee die set that came with rifle. Proceeded to shoot a group that would make Tony Boyer and Mike Walker proud.

I bought this rifle to be a donor for a build that I had planned, and don't have the heart to rip her down, so it sits in my safe. My smith warned me to never shoot a donor rifle your plans will change. He was right! ;D, I can see where the .222 still has the record for smallest group ever.


Frank

 

[Dimwit Flathead]

Try Reloader 7 and a 52 gr. bullet.

 

[JLDavid]

Hi Russ. Just shot you a PM. Hope it helps.

David

 

[WildPete]

I might be one the few that has found W748 to work well. Mine was a 600 Remington with a light weight barrel that fit the 600 stock. I know it was over the recommended max load but 25gr behind a Sierra 52gr match bullet would shoot 1/2" or less depending on me. The barrel was throated long so I didn't have any pressure or temp issues. Several of us still use that load and only have found one rifle that it showed excess pressure in and he switched to 4198.

We did notice that accuracy improved dramatically the closer that you got to max.

Have fun.

Wild Pete