New to 222, some initial questions, suggestions

[TheCZKid]

Thanks for the heads-up on the IMR 4198, it's in stock. I think for now I'll stick with what powders I have on hand, as it's so expensive to "try" a new powder, with hazmat and shipping, Grafs $362.44 for 8 pounds shipped is the lowest I found.
I do have 900 Hornady 50 grain V-max on hand, so I think those bullets and my N133, or H335, or 8208 might be the hot ticket. I do have almost 5 pounds of LT-32 which I have heard is a possible, do you know of anyone who has tried it in 222?

 

[nakneker]

Thanks for the heads-up on the IMR 4198, it's in stock. I think for now I'll stick with what powders I have on hand, as it's so expensive to "try" a new powder, with hazmat and shipping, Grafs $362.44 for 8 pounds shipped is the lowest I found.
I do have 900 Hornady 50 grain V-max on hand, so I think those bullets and my N133, or H335, or 8208 might be the hot ticket. I do have almost 5 pounds of LT-32 which I have heard is a possible, do you know of anyone who has tried it in 222?

I’ll very surprised if those 50 grain Vmaxes and any one of those powders don’t shoot small or all three for that matter. That’s such a great package to get to know the cartridge with, enjoy!

 

[Andy Work]

It’s a 14 twist.
That gun shot Berger 52g and Bart’s 52g Originals in the 2’s, when I got some Bart’s Ultras it started grouping in the 1’s.
My first 222 is a Savage target action with a Shilen 14 twist. It didn’t like the Ultras too well but the Bart’s Originals did this:
5 shot groups @100.

View attachment 1438224
You gotta try different bullets

Please tell me that you're not in the Dust Off Your Deuce contest.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I would work up to the previous owners load. If it repeats, go with it. Would save you components/money. I see imr4198(35-36$ /#) in local stores, watch for it as it would be my first powder to try.

 

[bulaman]

I have had good luck with RL7 with all of the 52/53 gr bullets I have tried it in. The better the bullet, the better the accuracy on paper. I mostly use it for PDs though. Love the 222

 

[TheCZKid]

I've got a 5 pound jug of RL7 for testing in my 20 VarTarg, but also a new 8 pounder of N120 for the 20VT, which is probably going to be it's happy place. The previous owner of the VarTarg had N120 as his best reported load.

 

[nakneker]

I've got a 5 pound jug of RL7 for testing in my 20 VarTarg, but also a new 8 pounder of N120 for the 20VT, which is probably going to be it's happy place. The previous owner of the VarTarg had N120 as his best reported load.

I wanted to try N120 in my 20-222 if H4198 didn’t pan out. H4198 works great but I’d still like to try N120.

 

[Carl S]

Lapua brass.N133.federal 205 match primer.any custom match grade bullet should do the job..dont rule out sierra match kings.ive shot some great groups with them..Good luck.

 

[Webster]

It’s a 14 twist.
That gun shot Berger 52g and Bart’s 52g Originals in the 2’s, when I got some Bart’s Ultras it started grouping in the 1’s.
My first 222 is a Savage target action with a Shilen 14 twist. It didn’t like the Ultras too well but the Bart’s Originals did this:
5 shot groups @100.

View attachment 1438224
You gotta try different bullets

Very nice. I like that it's many repetitive small groups

 

[Steve Blair]

Question: is there a 'standard' reamer drawing someone might share which shows chamber dimensions with a .250" neck?

SAAMI print attached.

 

[Lone Hunter]

19.5 of IMR4198 is all I have used in mine since 1965

I’m with Iowa Fox, IMR 4198 with Nosler 50 grain BT. Remington 7 1/2 primer. Killed a lot of crows and groundhogs with those combinations. I’ve had 2-222’s and am considering getting another one. Got into them in 1973 and used them until I hit the bigger is better craze. That’s over thank goodness. Now all I shoot is 22, 24, & 30 cal. You will learn how to dope the wind that is for sure. Those little bullets blow everywhere in a good wind. Nice looking setup you have there too. Enjoy

 

[ggshoots]

Ive had a love for the 222 for about 35 years now. My go to load is 20gr IMR4198 pushing 52 and 53gr Sierra bullets. They are running about 3175fps. I could never get the 40gr Noslers to shoot as well but that may have been a powder issue. I tried the Heavier Vmax bullets but there again nothing has done as well as my old stand by.
222 is awesome, so is the 222mag! My 788 222 and 722 222mag both shoot in the .2"s so consistently and in hunting configuration. I have only had 1 Model 600 that didn't shoot well and one 722 I currently own that is just a bit behind the others so I'm looking for an excuse to rebarrel it to a Wildcat I designed. I do like the 40gr Vmax in this wildcat so may have to try it in the 222.
You are going to love that setup!

 

[TheCZKid]

Well, if you decide to rebarrel, I'd consider either 20 Vartarg for fast and accurate 32 grain bullets, or a 20 Practical, for a fast and accurate 40 grain load!

 

[dgeesaman]

Definitely try LT-32 in your 222. It worked pretty well for me.

 

[TheCZKid]

Definitely try LT-32 in your 222. It worked pretty well for me.

In my research I've found this so for with 50 grain and LT-32 charge & speed, what load did you like?

LT-32	18.9			2786
	21.0			3051

 

[lawman29]

I recently picked up a cherry Sako A1 sporter in 222, it's going to my youngest grandson.
I am only testing H4198 and IMR 4198. I have a 218 mashburn bee and two 221 Fireballs. I can make those powders work in all three cartridges.
I'm using the 50 gr Nosler Ballistic tips as previously mentioned and have found that for IMR 4198 the Rem 7 1/2 primer works best and a charge somewhere 19.4 - 19.8 (20+ it sort of blows up). For H4198 F205M and a charge in the same range but you can go a little higher.
Good luck.

 

[451whitworth]

A great .222 powder I don't see mentioned is Accurate 2015. It's readily available and affordable. I tried some about 10 years ago because the (at the time) Western Powders manual used the exact components I use: WW brass, Rem 7 1/2, 50gr. Hornady SPSX. I started with the max load (48,500 PSI) and velocity was 3250 fps out of my Rem 722 w/ 26" barrel. Groups were small and velocity high. I had been using H322 which I prefer of either of the 4198's.

 

[HappyShooting]

I have been shooting a Remington 788 in .222 since 1970. Great rifle and cartridge! Used it mainly for coyotes and jack rabbits. I have shot bullets weighing 40 grns up to 55 grn all with good results and accurate. For coyotes I normally used 55 grn Hornady SX or Sierra Blitzking. One hole in and nothing comes out, dead coyote. Usually 50 grn SX or Blitzking for jack rabbits. One hole in and nothing left of the rabbit on the back side. Favorite powders have been IMR-4198, 20.2 grn, IMR 3031, 22.0 grn and Ball-C2, 23.6 grn. Other powders I have used are H-4895, R-7, CFE-223 and AA-2200. All have performed well with groups in the sub 1/2 inch to .75 inches.

Something of note, in 1973, M.P. “Mac” McMillan shooting in the "Light Varmint" class fired five shots into .009 inch at 100 yards using a rifle chambered in .222 Remington and charged with 50 grn bullets and 23.5 grn of Ball-C2 powder. This record was unbroken for 4 decades and finally broken in 2013.

 

[TheCZKid]

I was able to pick it up today, and it's nicer than I thought! I'll try to post photos soon. It's in great shape, the wood on the left side is very nice, condition of the metal is clean. Now, need make up some loads to get familiar with this rifle.

I don't know if the action was bedded, and I would like to take the action out of the stock to just look it over before I shoot it, but I don't know how tight to do the action screws once I put it back together. For same reason, I've not taken my other Sako L46 20 Vartarg out of the stock, as I've developed loads where it is right now, but don't know what that represents on either rifle...

I have a question: what would be the right inch/pounds torque for the action screws on a Sako L46?
I know I can experiment a bit to see what it likes, while testing, but a starting idea would be nice.

Another question: What kind of bullets would shoot best in this 1:14 twist, mainly thinking of buying some options of 50 or 52 grain, and wonder flat base or boat-tail? Hollow point or plastic tip?

I have a lot of Hornady 50 Vmax, and that's a boat tail, but I'd like to try some bullets, see what it likes, suggestions?

I see Midway has this Speer 4708, 52 gr hollow-point, and reviews say it's good in 222, accurate for targets and also super effective on small game, any experience out there? It's at a good price for .11 per bullet too.

Speer 22 Cal (224 Diameter) Bullets 52 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box

Speer offers a variety of reloading bullets ideal for hunters, plinkers and varminters. Speer Varmint Hollow Point bullets feature a hollow cavity at...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Homerange]

Of course try what you have first and with luck you'll be on the money right from the start.
Like I mentioned before I've had great success with 50gr Hornady SX #2240, flat base soft point.