New member .222 rem, .223 rem questions

[LHSmith]

Most short range Benchrest rifles use slow twist barrels to minimize bag upset -i.e. less torque. Don't know how much time you have to shoot, but it is usually best to get all shots downrange in the same condition. Poor tracking due to bag upset results in having to find the target in the scope after each shot and perhaps missing a favorable condition.

 

[JSH]

I will also mention the 6-223 and variations there of.
I pieced together a 6TCU a while back and could not be happier. It has not shot over MOA yet with 65-70 grain bullets. Fire forming loads are also very accurate and I do t look at them as any barrel wear.
I would put it up close to a 6PPC.

 

[biggun2869]

I will also mention the 6-223 and variations there of.
I pieced together a 6TCU a while back and could not be happier. It has not shot over MOA yet with 65-70 grain bullets. Fire forming loads are also very accurate and I do t look at them as any barrel wear.
I would put it up close to a 6PPC.

I have and really like 6 TCU. It just doesn't seem to be used much anymore

 

[JSH]

I have and really like 6 TCU. It just doesn't seem to be used much anymore

Highly over looked by many.
I am working on some 55-58 grain loads, 3600 and change.
65’s are on the todo list when I get more brass fire formed.
I honestly don’t shoot it near as much as I thought I would, just because it is boringly accurate.
Seems I always have a problem child to contend with.

To the OP. If you stay inside of 150, the 222 will make you smile. I was late owning a 222 and it is a fine cartridge that shoots a variety of powders well.
223 and heavy bullets, I would look at the AI version just to eliminate much case growth.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Hi guys, new guy here. I am a recently retired guy from Canada with a strong interest in shooting. I have been lurking and searching the forum for about 2 months and need some help. I shoot in a fun bench rest league, about 12 to 16 guys per night. I am shooting a Tikka varmint with an aftermarket Jard trigger set at about 8 oz and have a Boydes Varminter stock on it. The twist is an 8 and I shooting 69gr Sierra MK. My scope is a Sightron S3 6X24. I reload and my groups average around .5 moa with about 25% dropping into that .25 moa range. The barrel will have about 2200 rounds through it after this summer and I want to re-barrel this coming winter. Because of the bolt face I cannot go to the 6mm cartridges so will stick with the small rounds. I hope this is the correct forum for my questions, if not maybe a mod could move it. Anyway I will just ask.

1. Should I go to the .222 rem which I understand is an inherently accurate round or stick to the .223 rem.

2. What twist should I go after, I have a line on a 13.5 Bartlein here in Canada which would be good for the 52, 53, 55grain bullets I would use in the .222?

3. Will one of these cartridges be competitive in a 100, 200, 300 yard shoot for score league? It is quit informal, no divisions or anything like that. There are some real bench-rest guns in the league, but only about 5. So I am mostly shooting for myself satisfaction, but tinny bug holes are satisfying.

Q: Can a ppc case be rebated enough to work in a 222, 223 bolt face?

 

[jdh47]

If the .223 has been working for you why not just keep it. You're already set up for loading it and it would be the cheapest and easiest to do. The Tikka is a decent action but there's not a lot of stock options for it. Boyd's probably makes a stock that would work but you'll have to put some work into it. You can work on that and other things like rest top and bags to refine your setup. If you're going to 300 yds. I'd keep the faster twist and keep loading the heavier bullets.

 

[cdgaydos]

Sticking with 223 won’t hold you back - and if money is a problem, you’ll be saving by sticking with what you have reloading “stuff” for already.

Regarding twist rate… I have shot bullets from 53 - 77 grain very well with a 1:7.7 twist. Others have done very well with 1:7 twist. I get nervous with some of the longer heavies with my 7.7 twist so, I stick with H75ELDMs for long range… so, I don’t have personal experience with anything heavier/longer.

If you want to shoot 77s, I I’d do 1:8 or faster…you will still be able to shoot 53s.

If you will stick with lighter bullets, a slower twist may be better (torque? As others have mentioned ???). But, longer bullets might not be as stable…

Consider Sierra’s recommendations regarding twist rates for SMKs.
77 or 80s 1x7 to 1x8
90 1x6.5 to 1x7
95 1x6.5