Second update: a more thorough test of the 62gr PPU fmjs at 600yards showed that they don't stabilise reliably in the 1 in 14 twist .222 barrel. In most of the typical five shot groups, approx. three shots cloverleafed nicely but then a couple were huge fliers. Some even missed the paper. So I have given up on those in my .222. But the good news is I got reliable sub MOA groups using some 55gr Sierra Gameking fmjs with 22gr of N130 and 15 thou of bullet jump. The best group was 0.5 moa (see photo). Considering this is a 1954 BSA with a severely pitted bore and no glass bedding, using twice fired PPU brass neck sized only, I think that is about as much as one could hope for so I will settle on that as the standard load for long rangish target work in this rifle.
Absolute max 222 rem range
- Thread starter User00013
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So, what is the actual (not effective) range of a .222? I really don't know, maybe around 2 miles or 3,520 yards? Instead of slowly cranking up the range, why not go for a maximum? This is, of course totally theoretical. I doubt there's many places you could endeavour to shoot at a target 2 miles away safely anyway with a .222. You would also, of course have to have the stillest of days and I expect that the atmospheric pressure would have to be consistent. And then again, how would you attempt to zero a scope?
Not something I'd contemplate. But I bet somewhere (I hesitate to say, but probably in the USA) somebody has tried it. Just being Devil's advocate here.
Not something I'd contemplate. But I bet somewhere (I hesitate to say, but probably in the USA) somebody has tried it. Just being Devil's advocate here.
Nice, I might give it a go myself when I get some time
Great - the beauty of the .222 is that it gives higher velocity per grain of powder than .223, presumably because the slow twist barrel .222 robs less velocity than the faster twist of .223 barrels. For example, according to the Vihtavuori load data for 55gr FMJ bullets, 21 grains of N130 produces 3091 fps in .222, which = 147 fps per grain of powder, which is more efficient than the .223 for the same bullet, which produces 3232 fps from 23.1gr N130 (140fps per grain of powder). Therefore to achieve comparable velocity to the .223 load, the .222 only needs 22 grains of powder, which theoretically produces 3,234 fps.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
The 22 Centrefires at around 50gr bullets are not particularly slippery with Ballistic Coifficient of c0.22, and certainly not like a long 6.5 140gn bullet which has a BC of around 0.5. But they tend be launch at well above 3,000 fps.
But there is no reason why a .222 or .223 cannot be accurate out to 600 plus metres. But wind can and will be an issue, but doping the wind just grows the skill level. In the militart the 5.56 is reckoned to be accurate to c600 metres, but really effective to 400. But again can provide harassing fire out to well over 1,000 metres.
But there is no reason why a .222 or .223 cannot be accurate out to 600 plus metres. But wind can and will be an issue, but doping the wind just grows the skill level. In the militart the 5.56 is reckoned to be accurate to c600 metres, but really effective to 400. But again can provide harassing fire out to well over 1,000 metres.
Great shooting! I'm really impressed. What scope did you use for this 600 yards test?
Schmidt & Bender 10x42 Klassik
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Incredible! You deserve a mention in the Guinness World Record.
P.S. Beautiful rifle! I wish they still made guns like this.
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