Reloading the .222

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Milt1

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Guys, it's been over 50 years since I handloaded .222's for my model 722. I had to sell that rifle because the family was growing and I needed the money. Always regretted it and so I just picked up a Winchester Model 70 XTR in .222 and I'm starting all over again with rifle reloading of any type. I think that a full length resizing die set would cover the situation. I've read a lot about neck sizing but I don't remember doing that my many years ago. I'm going to order new cases and will they need to be resized? I know the inside neck will need to be chamfered and deburred on the outside. I'm going to order a case gauge and trim die and shell holder. I can't think of much else that I'll need other than primers, powder and bullets. So, my inquiry to my fellow THRoaders is please let me know if I need anything other than what I've listed. Any advice is considered helpful.
 
I would full length size myself, just move the shoulder .002ish.

Back when the .222 was the darling of the Benchrest crowd H-322 was widely used.
 
If new brass you should at a min is run a expander die through the necks to remove any dings from shipping. Depending on mfg FL size. Then on once fired brass I would move the shoulder back 0.001" to 0.002" so not to over work the brass.
 
Blue68f100 said it right. My standard load is 19.0 grains of IMR 4198 with a Hornaday 55 gr SX bullet. In 3 guns that i have owned in .222, this load always was very accurate.
 
Joyce Hornady used to check the accuracy of production lot#’s of 50gr bullets in a .222 using 25.0gr of BLC2.

works for me too.
IMO, the .222 is a better cartridge than the .223.
But the 1/8” twist .223 Wilde is more versatile....
The .222 will never be “obsolete”.
 
I think the longer neck on the triple duece case makes it easier to reload, and I also believe it is a more accurate round than the .223. Just my opinion.
 
The 222 is pretty straight forward to reload. No different than any other rimless bottleneck case. I would buy a 2 die set with a full length sizing die in what ever brand that you favor. Its a small case so pay strict attention to your powder charges. Any of the 22 caliber varmint bullets in the 50-55 grain weight class should shoot well.
 
I have a soft spot in my heart for the .222 because it was the 2nd centerfire I ever owned. Which I bought when I was 14 and it was one of the first calibers I reloaded. It was a Savage 340 with a Weaver 6X scope, which was about right for crows and groundhogs at that time. I wish I still had that rifle to see if it was as accurate as I thought it was. My load was IMR4198 with the old Hornady 50gr spirepoint. Since then I've added several .222's to my collection, a few of which shown here. I got in on benchrest competition just as the .222 was fading, shooting the rifle at top of pic. Then as now, benchrest shooters were always experimenting with powders and one of their favorites was BLC(1) when it was available, but, eventually, the dominate choice became ReLoader 7. Which is also my current preference for the .222..As Mr. Walkalong suggests, 322 is also a great choice for the .222. DSC_0146.JPG
 
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offhand, is that bottom one a vixen? the vixen was my first groundhog gun. dad cut the stock down so my brother and I could shoot it right. we killed a lot of chucks with that gun.

murf
 
I have a Remington 700 in 222. I havent shot in in nearly three decades. I bought a set of RCBS dies and loaded up some ammo for it earlier this year. What a pleasure to shoot.
I bought a few hundred rounds of used brass and had fun prepping it. Next spring I'll play with it and get more enjoyment out of it.

I did pick up a older Remington 700 in 223 with a bull barrel tp play with and a Winchestrr 70 in 22-250 with a bull barrel, and a Ruger 77 stainless with synthetic shock in 223 and i bought a Ruger 77 - 22 Hornet about thirty-five years ago. Next year will be a fun .224 shooting year.
 
Thanks guys for all of your responses! I've copied down the loads that you've suggested and will try those. I liked the idea of using a neck expander on the new brass prior to loading. All in all very good responses from everyone that loves the .222 round!
 
I’ve been loading 19gn of 4198 in my 722 triple deuce with 50gn V Max and she loves it.
 
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offhand, is that bottom one a vixen? the vixen was my first groundhog gun. dad cut the stock down so my brother and I could shoot it right. we killed a lot of chucks with that gun.

murf

I recognize the rifle in question. It is a Sako L46, the model before the Vixen. It appears, because of the barrel band, that it is the Mannlicher stocked version.

I have had quite good redults with Reloder 7 under 50 grain Blitz Kings.

Jake in TX
 
For any that might be interested, Hyatt Coin and Gun in Charlotte, N.C. has a Remington ADL in .222 caliber for sale for $500.00 and it looks like it is in great shape!
 
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