.222 Rem copycat load

[Grayrock]

I recently acquired dies for my .222 Rem. The load that has been my Savage's favorite fodder is the Hornady 40 grain V-Max ammo. Muzzle velocity is listed at 3600 fps. I can not find a load recipe that comes close to that. I have cases, primers and bullets. What powder would emulate the Hornady loads? The powders I have available are Unique, Universal, Titegroup, IMR4895 and 700-X. Looks like I will probably need to purchase some different powder.

 

[BBarn]

Hornady's data says that's within reach with H335 or Accurate 2015.

 

[AJC1]

I sure like 2015 and would recommend you try a pound. H322 might also be a good fit....

 

[Blue68f100]

Just because it says on the box it reaches 3600 fps does not mean it actually does. Have you run the ammo over a crony to confirm? I've run a lot of factory ammo over my crony and very few come close to what is printed on the box. Your gun is not what they used to test with so your results will be different.

 

[Walkalong]

IMR 4895 will do what you want, whether it matches the mythical speed on the box or not.

 

[JmacD]

I wonder if exterminator would also be a good option?

 

[Anchorite]

Not to nitpick here, but the box says 3600, right? You don’t actually know if that load hits 3600 in your rifle, do you?

My point is your rifle may shoot that bullet into tiny clusters that may be traveling at a lower velocity. And the 222 is so easy shooting and non-temperamental it’s almost like cheating.

With the powders you have, I’d pick a near-book max load and go shoot. Your rifle might surprise you. Disclaimer: I never trust what the box says for MV. Every rifle is an enigma unto itself.

 

[JmacD]

I personally don’t load 222 but I do shoot with a buddy that does. The V-max and the “new” bullet from Sierra (sorry, don’t remember what it’s called) are his favorites. He runs H335 and CFE blk. Of course, we both shoot for group and then find out what the velocity is.
Fwiw, Lyman 51 has 2230 getting in that ballpark.

 

[AJC1]

I personally don’t load 222 but I do shoot with a buddy that does. The V-max and the “new” bullet from Sierra (sorry, don’t remember what it’s called) are his favorites. He runs H335 and CFE blk. Of course, we both shoot for group and then find out what the velocity is.
Fwiw, Lyman 51 has 2230 getting in that ballpark.

Last

All the powders being discussed are exactly the same as 6x45. I'm working my way through them, but dam It's hard to find most. I prefer extruded.....

 

[Grayrock]

This is my first foray into tapered cartridges. Up to now I have only loaded straight wall ammo and shotgun shells. Walkalong- I only see 4895 data for 2500-3100 fps with (not my) 40 gr bullets. I just bought a box of the V-Max bullets. Perhaps my Father's Day request should be a chrony.

 

[Anchorite]

This is my first foray into tapered cartridges. Up to now I have only loaded straight wall ammo and shotgun shells. Walkalong- I only see 4895 data for 2500-3100 fps with (not my) 40 gr bullets. I just bought a box of the V-Max bullets. Perhaps my Father's Day request should be a chrony.

Don’t get hung up on chronographs and velocity. Save that money and shoot more. Find what the rifle likes. A load does not have to be fast to be accurate. And accuracy kills things and wins matches, not velocity.

 

[AJC1]

Don’t get hung up on chronographs and velocity. Save that money and shoot more. Find what the rifle likes. A load does not have to be fast to be accurate. And accuracy kills things and wins matches, not velocity.

Totally agree!!!
A 40 grain varmit bullet blows up itself and the target. No sure either cares about 100fps over 3k. As long as accuracy holds "impact" I don't think the squirl or chuck will raise much of a debate after.... if we're killing paper then small holes at any speed is gooder. Hitting the fly than is bugging the varmit at 200 is just pure happiness

 

[Walkalong]

A quick look at my Speer #11 shows two powders giving 3600 FPS, RL-7 & 2015. That speed is asking a lot of the small .222 case. Most give 3400/3500ish'

So it can be done, but a varmint won't care if it's going 3600 or 3500. Accuracy trumps speed.

 

[JmacD]

Accuracy trumps speed

Always! This should be motto on every reloaders/shooters wall IMHO!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Always! This should be motto on every reloaders/shooters wall IMHO!

Well, in this circumstance, yes but that’s not universally true. For close range with an iron-sighted carbine in .35Rem I’ll sacrifice an inch or so at 100yds for an extra 200fps behind a 180gr JSFN.

It’s a balancing act: too much velocity and the bullet vaporizes before it can get to the vitals - accuracy isn’t part of the equation anymore - but not enough velocity to penetrate to the vitals and do significant damage is just as bad. We have to weigh ALL of the factors and make some tough choices.

FWIW I used to load for .222Rem but stopped when my hands started balking at working with tiny projectiles. I used 20gr of IMR 4198 and Remington 55gr PSP for most of my loads and ran nearly all through an old Remington 788. I still have the rifle and enough loaded ammo to burn the barrel out so I really don’t need to keep making more. That load is only good for about 2800fps on a good day but it’s plenty for turkey, rabbit, raccoon, or any other type of varmint that needs a quick end inside the 100yd line - if I do my part.

I really never needed 3600fps from a .22 so I can’t help the OP. Sorry.

 

[tmd16556]

I’ve found X-Terminator has given better accuracy than H335 with 50 gr Hornady soft points. It’s also usually marginally less expensive. At least 222 doesn’t consume too much powder