Who Knows the 222 Remington?

[RGRobinett]

I’ve got about 100 of these to try this summer in my two 222’s.
Genuine Bench Rest

View attachment 1425126
They might be the Magic Bullet

Cool! I once had 8,000 of those . . . . until they, "got used-up" . . . via the .222 & .222&1/2 Bbls. They were/are a very good bullet. Then, I acquired a nice set of B&A .224 dies & began makin' my own . . . RG

 

[Charles Weiker]

14 twist is not "too slow" for any 53 grain bullet. In fact 14 twist is fine for 55 grain bullets right on out to this cartridges effective range. Don't fall into that old American trap of "if some is good, then more must be better". That works with some things, like racing engines or tires on a mud truck, but it might not be a good idea with twist in a rifle barrel.
There are no free lunches, a rifle is generally most accurate shooting the slowest twist that will stabilize the bullet you are using. This is an old and well established fact. If at some point you intend to use heavier bullets then get the faster twist, but know that it is a compromise. I don't know why you would do that, as 55 grain bullets are about the limit for good general performance given the case capacity of the 222.
I put together a lot of rifles for folks and I always tell them the same thing...decide what you are going to do with the rifle and then pick the bullet you intend to use. This will dictate the rest of the gun {pretty much} except for details that have nothing to do with performance. As soon as someone starts talking about bullets too heavy for the cartridge I start talking about going to the proper cartridge to get the job done.
But, but ....but what about all those folks shooting 100 grain bullets and a 1-in-6 twist with a 223.....well, you can drive your car with your feet if you want to, but that don't make it a good idea.
Sorry for the galactic shock, but shooting benchrest competition does not automatically command respect. Not here or anywhere else....giving good, solid, factual advice when asked for it does.

"...Wow, I am really disappointed with the way this rifle shoots, but it's okay and I am happy because the guy who told me what to do has a benchrest trophy...", said no one ever!!!!

Very well put I get alot of. But I read it on the internet. Good Shooting

 

[Bill K]

I can tell from your response that you never have shot a 222 Rem much, if at all, and especially working with one beyond 100 yrds.

OK Guys, now show me your groups at 200 yards. The 222 rem is very accurate at 100 yards, but not competitive at 200 and 300 yards.

 

[Brians356]

P.S. A really good 222 combination is with the Nosler 40 gr. BTip and H4198. 3,700 fps with sub .250 groups is routine. The .221 B.C. of that bullet @ 3,700 brings the 222 Rem to a whole new level.

I run this recipe in my Sako Vixen, except 40 V-max rather than 40 BT. The 222 and H4198 were made for each other.
-

 

[Ackman]

For the vintage .222 twisted 1:14, continue to enjoy the great performance with bullets that work with the twist.

Good shootin'. -Al

P.S. A really good 222 combination is with the Nosler 40 gr. BTip and H4198. 3,700 fps with sub .250 groups is routine. The .221 B.C. of that bullet @ 3,700 brings the 222 Rem to a whole new level.

A .222 can be surprisingly potent. Many years ago my used 788 came with a box of Rem. factory 50psp that were very nicely accurate. Wore out that barrel on countless groundsquirrels and pd's with 40Blitz /T32 powder at 3700. That rifle is now a 20" .223, just as accurate with 40 Vmax @3895 and I like it better.

 

[drcarr]

Not sure of the best place to post my question so forgive if wrong forum. Recently a friends father passed away. Left his mom in need of money. I was offered to buy his guns as I had ready money available. Good timing on my part. Only problem was I had to buy all even though I only wanted 3 of them. She needed money immediately. SO--- in the group there was a Winchester 1885 Shuetzen set up 38 55 cal. Amazing shape. Another is a 222 Rem. This thing weighs a TON. It looks like a McMillan stock, Rem 40x action, heavy Hart stainless barrel, Leupold 36x scope. I know nothing about this caliber or bench rest shooting or the components that make up this gun. Not sure at my age I want to get involved in another hobby either. lol. Question is, is this a good set up? Quality? Desireable? I tied up more money in the group of guns than I really wanted in order to get the 3 I wanted. What would the 222 be worth if Decide to sell? I can post pics.

 

[mudduck]

Not sure of the best place to post my question so forgive if wrong forum. Recently a friends father passed away. Left his mom in need of money. I was offered to buy his guns as I had ready money available. Good timing on my part. Only problem was I had to buy all even though I only wanted 3 of them. She needed money immediately. SO--- in the group there was a Winchester 1885 Shuetzen set up 38 55 cal. Amazing shape. Another is a 222 Rem. This thing weighs a TON. It looks like a McMillan stock, Rem 40x action, heavy Hart stainless barrel, Leupold 36x scope. I know nothing about this caliber or bench rest shooting or the components that make up this gun. Not sure at my age I want to get involved in another hobby either. lol. Question is, is this a good set up? Quality? Desireable? I tied up more money in the group of guns than I really wanted in order to get the 3 I wanted. What would the 222 be worth if Decide to sell? I can post pics.

It’s definitely desirable. Price could vary depending on condition of course

 

[snert]

Not sure of the best place to post my question so forgive if wrong forum. Recently a friends father passed away. Left his mom in need of money. I was offered to buy his guns as I had ready money available. Good timing on my part. Only problem was I had to buy all even though I only wanted 3 of them. She needed money immediately. SO--- in the group there was a Winchester 1885 Shuetzen set up 38 55 cal. Amazing shape. Another is a 222 Rem. This thing weighs a TON. It looks like a McMillan stock, Rem 40x action, heavy Hart stainless barrel, Leupold 36x scope. I know nothing about this caliber or bench rest shooting or the components that make up this gun. Not sure at my age I want to get involved in another hobby either. lol. Question is, is this a good set up? Quality? Desireable? I tied up more money in the group of guns than I really wanted in order to get the 3 I wanted. What would the 222 be worth if Decide to sell? I can post pics.

Is the stock green and how do you know its a Hart? Does it say HArt or are you going by the little heart like stamping by the barrel? Just wondering if it is a stock 40XBR

 

[drcarr]

It says Hart barrel

 

[snert]

Ok, thanks. Yes, that is a 40XB action, rebarreled by Hart in Apulia (likely about 15 years ago given the stamp and font) in a MCM stock. A 250 neck might require some neck turning, all depending n the brass used.

Any idea of number of rounds fired?

It would make a fine live varmint rifle.

The sum of the parts may be higher than the package together.

The 36x Leupold usually sells at @$500. The action for @ $650, or more. The barrel...???? depends. The stock $450-$500.

If I were selling, I would seperate the scope from the gun, selling the gun as is and the scope alone. You should get $1000-1400 for the gun if the barrel isn't wupped, and 400-500 for the scope. maybe $550...

I am willing to be corrected, since prices are changing daily. But that's what I would think. The 222 is a niche cartridge and while the gun would be fun in club matches, it wouldn't be competative in serious money matches. Again, I would think of it as a live varmint (PD or GH gun).

If I didn't already have a couple I would be interested.

 

[drcarr]

I appreciate the info/feedback. I was afraid I paid to much. Figure I am in it $2000. She claimed her husband did goofy stuff and had it built for over $5000. She doesnt remember him ever shooting a lot. She is old also and cant remember everything. It is hard to break out what I actually have in it since I bought a package deal.lol. I would hate to pack this darn thing around to varmint hunt. I am to old. Would need to take a grandkid along.

 

[tangocharlie]

My groups shrunk dramatically when I put the flame stickers on.. ...



View attachment 1144351

Now I know what I need!

 

[sandwarrior]

A 52 @ 3000 is magic.....

My favorite, and most successful with, were the 50 gr. Lightning HP's (Old Sierra Varmint brand). They are no longer in the lineup. However, as mentioned above 52 and 53 gr. Varminters and SMK's are outstanding for accuracy. 55 FMJ's will stabilize (1-14") and give decent accuracy, but not great accuracy. 55 Nos BT's will not stabilize from my barrel.

 

[Steel Mover]

I have two 222 rifles, one is a 16 twist, the other is a 14. The 14 is more accurate, however the 16 was shot with 53 SMKs which is a bit slow for that bullet.

 

[areaone]

Truly want all to understand that there are better, more accurate rounds for the BR shooter available in today’s competition…but there is a nostalgia for the 222 for the low recoil easy to load and available brass..long neck..cartridge that is exceptional for varmints in many areas with under 300 yd shots being it’s forte, IF you can shoot, I have shot many Fox, Coyote, and PD..over the years since my first 222 in 1965. A few crows thrown in. Still my favorite with a .250 neck and 50 gr. Anything. Barrel life. Thousands of rounds…IMR 3031 and move on 23.5 gr last a long time on a pound of powder. Get a Shilen 14 twist ratchet in a 4 contour or greater select match and u have the PD machine

 

[222roo shooter]

Question for the OP: Is this rifle going to be used for varmints or will it be a target project? I have two .222s that I have owned for many years. One is a bench gun with a tight neck chamber in a Hart barrel, with a benchrest stock, trigger and scope. The other is a varmint rig, a push feed model 70 with a sporter weight barrel and medium power variable scope. I enjoy both of them. The thing that completely changed the caliber, at least for varmint work, was the advent of 40 grain plastic tipped bullets. When I made that transition, it was a whole new world. To the original question, both of mine have 14" twists. The best accuracy that I have gotten with the bench gun is with 52 grain FBHP custom match bullets. The ones that I am currently using are Barts. The latest powder that I have used in the bench rifle is H322 (light to med neck tension, bullets seated at jam) Another thing that you need to know is that the manuals top out at relatively low pressures because the caliber has been used with rifles that are not as strong as a modern bolt action. The case is as strong as the .223 (IMO only) so unless you are loading for some old break open combination gun, you might want to determine your own upper limits.

Out of curiosity, what sort of charge weight you find good with h322? Also velocity and barrel length?

 

[wildcatter]

Out of curiosity, what sort of charge weight you find good with h322? Also velocity and barrel length?

I've found that 23.1 grains with 52 grain Bib bullet igniter by a 205m primer works pretty consistent with this little Duce, as well as with rem 7 1/2 primers. 25.2 was as good but not as consistent, it seemed to throw a bullet out of the one ragged whole more than the lighter load in the same conditions? But I have a bushed bolt and not sure you would keep from blowing primers in a standard bolt above 23.5 or so?

For bench rest use, I'll go with the 23.1 grains @ around 3070 with a 22.5" barrel, for Varmint use I'd go with the 25.2 grains and would maybe lean more towards 24" barrel, my 22.5" barrel gets 3400+ with that load. I'd also probably go to a 40 grain ballistic tip or VMax for Varmint instead of the 52 gain if I were to build one for that.

 

[wildcatter]

OK Guys, now show me your groups at 200 yards. The 222 rem is very accurate at 100 yards, but not competitive at 200 and 300 yards.

That might have more to do with the monkey behind the gun, than the caliber!

I'll agree its harder to steer, but that's on the shooter, the caliber is just as capable at 200 as any other cartridge capable of the same accuracy at 100 yards.

Matter of fact, my story of its first local match was proof of that! 20 mph wind gusting to 40+ mph wind, although not switching still a beech, you shoot when the flag stands quit shaking!

Then rain hitting you at those speeds, coming at 8 o'clock to your left back side, hats blowing off, and only a roof over your head, don't do much good when the light rain is running verticle!!!!

But 2 score targets at 100 yards for a 100 10x possible, and the same at 200, scored for the match as on agg. But even though I totally blew the 100 yard target, shooting against full blown 30br and 6ppc bench guns, most HV, and I'm 3oz under LV weight. I had the top score at 200 yards with the little Duesch! Here were the results, and don't ask how I could destroy my 100 yard targets so badly. I'd just tell you the 222 is a much better gun for 200 and 300 yards, not so good for 100 yards,,,,,???


That was against 4-30BR's, and 10 6ppc's all in the unlimited class with one 222 Rem, and the little 222 out scored all of them at 200 yards! And in conditions that caused 3 shooters to leave with a DNF. In a good shooters hands that 222 should have one the whole match. But then I don't claim to be a great shooter, but I do claim to have FUN, and out shooting BR's and PPC's is fun with a 222! At any yardage!

 

[sandwarrior]

Over the years of me owning a few .222's, I've managed to shoot great at times at 100. Including my best three groups ever (un-official) of .013", .018" and .019". The problem is when you get out a ways (200-300 yds. or more) all it takes is a puff of wind and that bullet moves a long way. On a breezy day up here in da UP one day, I'm shooting nearly same hole groups as usual with my standard barrel .222 @ 100. I move to 200 and the groups open up quite a bit. @ 300, they are still on paper. Maybe it was breezier than I thought, but those light little bullets move a bit. On windless days, they are as relatively accurate as at 100.
Personally, I think if you found a 1-12" barrel, or tighter even, you'd have the opportunity to use heavier bullets and not have as much issue with the wind. Bullet tolerances of today are much better than yesteryear, so you don't need the looser 1-14" twist. Unless this is going to be your "World Beater Accuracy gun" And you might be able to shave those thousandths of an inch on a given target.

 

[snert]

I appreciate the info/feedback. I was afraid I paid to much. Figure I am in it $2000. She claimed her husband did goofy stuff and had it built for over $5000. She doesnt remember him ever shooting a lot. She is old also and cant remember everything. It is hard to break out what I actually have in it since I bought a package deal.lol. I would hate to pack this darn thing around to varmint hunt. I am to old. Would need to take a grandkid along.

When he built it new it might have cost him $2000. Depreciation on a rifle is real as it is in cars.