New to me 222 Rem

[1948CJ2A]

Good afternoon. Recently, I purchased a used Remington 722 (circa 1952) chambered in 222 Rem. My intentions with this rifle are to use it for small critters here in Texas. I also will likely let my son use it when he gets a little older; perhaps his first center-fire rifle experience. I already have a 22-250 Sako with a 1-14 twist barrel and I'm pretty certain this model 722 is the same twist, though I will confirm that when the rifle arrives at my FFL. Because of that, I think the sweet spot on the 222 would be 40-50 grain projectiles based on my already stated intentions. I did order a couple of boxes of factory loads tipped with Hornady V-Max 50 gr bullets. I'm not looking for maximum velocities, just accuracy. Obviously, the rifle will play a central part to the accuracy equation.

I've thumbed through half a dozen of my reloading manuals (and some light internet research) trying to figure out the following:

• The right powder(s) to try. H322 has come up repeatedly in some of my research, as has H-4198.
• The difference between small rifle primers (ie: Rem 6 1/2 vs 7 1/2; or from what I understand to be small rifle vs small magnum rifle)? Everything I've read says best accuracy was obtained with small mag rifle via Rem 7 1/2.
  • I have reloaded 223 Rem for use in AR platform rifles; I'm pretty sure I used the standard small rifle primers and not the magnums but I'd have to double check and see what I even have in my inventory.

So for you guys with experience reloading the 222 Rem, what are your thoughts? I look forward to hand-loading this cartridge especially with the long neck characteristics, light recoil, and light muzzle blast. Who knows... maybe one day I'll carry it on a prairie dog hunt.

 

[Jim Watson]

It has been a long time since I shot a .222 but recall that it was accurate with the 52 gr SMK.
IMR 4198 was the early default powder but I just filled the case up with IMR 4895.
I probably used CCI primers but if Remington, use 7 1/2. 6 1/2 is more for low pressure rounds like Hornet.

 

[AJC1]

Benchmark and a 53 smk would be on my to do list. If that's to heavy I'd try

.22 CALIBER 40 GR. HP - Sierra Bullets

For rifles, this high-velocity bullet is designed to give precision accuracy with the explosive expansion of Sierra's Varminter-style construction. Although the bullet may prove to be somewhat

www.sierrabullets.com

 

[Flatland_mike]

IMR4198 and a 50, 52 or 53 gr projectile would be a good start IMO, you'll have to work through and figure out what works best for your rifle, that's the fun of it!

 

[Walkalong]

The right powder(s) to try. H322 has come up repeatedly in some of my research, as has H-4198.

That’s correct, although there may be newer powders that work great, but those were the two most used when .222 ruled Benchrest

 

[BBarn]

My 1 in 14" 222 seems to do well with 50 to 55gr bullets. But even some of those, if they have boat tails and/or sharp poly tips (making for a longer length bullet), often don't shoot as well (and stability calculators suggest as much). Any of the 52 or 53gr HP match bullets are worth a try. Speer 50gr TNTs also shoot well in many rifles. The 50gr Hornady Vmax and Sierra 55gr Blitz (#1345) are worth trying as well.

I've used RL7, H322, IMR4198, and LT32 and they worked well. But I've currently settled on single base Accurate 2015 (or LT32). They flow better than those others through my powder measure and seem to shoot about the same. A more accurate gun or better shooter may yield different results.

I generally use Remington 7 1/2 primers, which are often recommended.

Enjoy your new-to-you rifle!

 

[1948CJ2A]

IMR4198 and a 50, 52 or 53 gr projectile would be a good start IMO, you'll have to work through and figure out what works best for your rifle, that's the fun of it!

Yep I get that; was just looking for 222 Rem hand-loaders opinions on good starting points. Thanks!

 

[PapaG]

Hard to make bad choices for the 222. I have had a half dozen, two of which I sorely wish I still had. Stick to 50-55 grain bullets and enjoy. I found it to be a forgiving little beauty.
Right now I only have a Savage 24V (please let my barrel cool between shots) and an original TC Contender 10" octagon. Both will do 1-1.5MOA if I play fair.
Someday, if I live long enough, A widder will call me with her hubby's old Remington or a Ruger #1 in 222. I will appraise it and offer her fair market value.
I have a couple 223s and have had ac225, a 22-250 and a 243 but where I live the 222 is perfect.

 

[1948CJ2A]

My 1 in 14" 222 seems to do well with 50 to 55gr bullets. But even some of those, if they have boat tails and/or sharp poly tips (making for a longer length bullet), often don't shoot as well (and stability calculators suggest as much). Any of the 52 or 53gr HP match bullets are worth a try. Speer 50gr TNTs also shoot well in many rifles. The 50gr Hornady Vmax and Sierra 55gr Blitz (#1345) are worth trying as well.

I've used RL7, H322, IMR4198, and LT32 and they worked well. But I've currently settled on single base Accurate 2015 (or LT32). They flow better than those others through my powder measure and seem to shoot about the same. A more accurate gun or better shooter may yield different results.

I generally use Remington 7 1/2 primers, which are often recommended.

Enjoy your new-to-you rifle!

Thanks for the feedback and information shared!

 

[1948CJ2A]

It has been a long time since I shot a .222 but recall that it was accurate with the 52 gr SMK.
IMR 4198 was the early default powder but I just filled the case up with IMR 4895.
I probably used CCI primers but if Remington, use 7 1/2. 6 1/2 is more for low pressure rounds like Hornet.

Thanks for the info!

 

[mkmoy]

I have a Rem 722 (circa June '56) in 222 cal. Just a pleasant mild shooter for sure. For a basic varmint rifle from back in the day, accuracy seems to come easy to this rifle, is the best way I can put it. As the others mentioned, this caliber I've read, performs well with many powders. I am currently using IMR3031 under 50 grain Speer SP. Tried IMR 4198 but groups are a little larger. Always wanted to try 322 but can't complain with .6MOA from the 3031. You'll enjoy the 222.

 

[horsemen61]

Ahhh the Triple Duce what a wonderful Cartridge and chambered in an amazing rifle!

 

[FLIGHT762]

O/P if you haven't purchased 222 dies yet. I have and old 2 piece, 1970's vintage set of RCBS 222 dies. They had a little rust on them which has been cleaned up, but they are serviceable. You can have them for free if you want them. I had a friend who passed years ago that I used them for. I'm never going to use them.

 

[TEXASJD]

52-53g Sierra Match Kings almost all Med burn rate powders, the nod for me goes to 8208 and 4895. Duces are hard to figure what they like best because most powders work well like salt and pepper lol. 748 Varget 335 332 benchmark 4198 and the list goes on.

 

[Walkalong]

I foolishly sold my Sako heavy barrel .222, but I still have my dies and plenty of cases, figuring I'll get a .222 again some day.

 

[Anchorite]

I shot a 222 in a 40x for years. H4198 is your friend.

 

[Pivot Dr]

If you load 223 whatever power you’re using now is a good place to start. Any good 53gr and shorter bullet is a good bullet. My Sako likes my old stash of bulk 2200 and Hornady or Sierra 50 and 52 gr. bullets. Don’t overlook the Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tips either.

 

[Anchorite]

If you load 223 whatever power you’re using now is a good place to start. Any good 53gr and shorter bullet is a good bullet. My Sako likes my old stash of bulk 2200 and Hornady or Sierra 50 and 52 gr. bullets. Don’t overlook the Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tips either.

2200 is another great powder for the 222.

 

[1948CJ2A]

O/P if you haven't purchased 222 dies yet. I have and old 2 piece, 1970's vintage set of RCBS 222 dies. They had a little rust on them which has been cleaned up, but they are serviceable. You can have them for free if you want them. I had a friend who passed years ago that I used them for. I'm never going to use them.

That is very thoughtful and I appreciate the offer. I have some dies on order from Midway which are supposed to arrive at my door today.

 

[1948CJ2A]

Really appreciate all the comments and suggestions so far. If I have the time, I'll try and keep this thread updated with my progress. By the time I get the rifle, get some glass on it, get all the reloading components and then make it to the range, it could easily be a couple of months or so.

 

[1948CJ2A]

On the primer topic; is there a good alternative to Rem 7 1/2? Someone earlier in the thread mentioned CCI... do y'all know the model or variant of CCI primer? Perhaps another brand as well?
I don't have anything against using Remington primers, just looking for other options in case I have supply chain troubles (clown world).

 

[AJC1]

Benchmark and a 53 smk would be on my to do list.

On the primer topic; is there a good alternative to Rem 7 1/2? Someone earlier in the thread mentioned CCI... do y'all know the model or variant of CCI primer? Perhaps another brand as well?
I don't have anything against using Remington primers, just looking for other options in case I have supply chain troubles (clown world).

Any srp is good, just have enough you don't have to change immediately and retest all over again.

 

[TEXASJD]

On the primer topic; is there a good alternative to Rem 7 1/2? Someone earlier in the thread mentioned CCI... do y'all know the model or variant of CCI primer? Perhaps another brand as well?
I don't have anything against using Remington primers, just looking for other options in case I have supply chain troubles (clown world).

205m br4

 

[GooseGestapo]

Bruce Hodgdon Sr. Used 25.0gr of BLC2 with a 50-53 gr bullet to test production bullets. My circa 1980 manual had photos of 1/2” or less groups. These were shot from a Remington 40XB benchrest rifle. Likely custom barreled.
Flat base bullets for under 250yds.
Possibly even the Sierra 63gr SemiPointed flat base ProHunter will shoot well.
My Remington M700 ADL in .22-250 with a 1-14” twist shoots them well. Got three for three deer last season with them…

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

 

[1948CJ2A]

Finally received my rifle and put a cheap Cabelas 4x12-40 scope on it for now. I'm pleased with the rifle itself. I cleaned it up and it looks to be in good shape.