Another .222 thread.

[Acm]

The last couple of days on the forum has seen some really interesting comments and some beautiful rifles in .222 on show.
I’ve long had the slot and the itch but never really acted upon it. I already shoot a 6.5x55 and a .30-06 and feel well armed for the U.K. and abroad. That being said I do a fair bit of foxing with the 6.5 and somthing smaller would fit the bill nicely so I’ve more or less decided to act upon it.
I really fancy a sako vixen in .222 and have been offered one by a friend in Sweden, I’ve also been offered a tikka 595 stainless synthetic for reasonable money that is a real sleeper. I owned a .308 595 and killed a lot with it, I always regretted selling it.
I’ll be reloading for it and my questions are these.

which would you choose?

is anyone shooting lead free in .222, does it work okay?
Thanks everyone, and sorry for going over old ground.

 

[User00025]

Have a look at the one on Gerry White firearms, Northants. Sako vixen .222.

 

[pendle]

For me it would be the sleeper 595 as it's in the UK. Vixen great if it was in the UK

 

[Acm]

Have a look at the one on Gerry White firearms, Northants. Sako vixen .222.

I have but I can’t bear that stainless barre on such a lovely bit of wood. I know you could coat it but it would always really want blueing.

 

[HandB]

I have one of these and it is beautiful: BSA Hunter .222 Rifle | Second Hand Guns for Sale | guntrader

 

[HandB]

I have one of these and it is beautiful: BSA Hunter .222 Rifle | Second Hand Guns for Sale | guntrader

This is mine:

 

[Acm]

This is mine:

That is a beauty. Do you shoot it on ironsights?

 

[HandB]

That is a beauty. Do you shoot it on ironsights?

Yes it's from 1954, has a great trigger and is a mini-Mauser in which the action is scaled to the cartridge. I shoot it with a S&B Klassik 10x42. Shoots just under an MOA at 600 yards despite having lost most of its rifling in the middle third of the barrel due to extreme pitting.

 

[bfltd0]

The .222 Rem has a reputation for accuracy and there are a number of different rifles that chamber it. Plus you can use it on the smaller deer, properly loaded.

I defer to the handloaders for the view on lead free potential.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

I have a CZ527 in 222 and it was my go to vermin rifle for many years.
I have a Sako 75 (20 Tac) that is a very nice rifle to use my go to now.
I am unlikely to change the CZ as it is a semi custom job with a heavy ish barrel and makes very small holes. However I would consider a 222 Sako they are a very nice rifle. I can’t really comment on the Tikka, other than ask is it a scaled action like the Sako? If it is I would seriously consider it too.

 

[User00040]

I really fancy a sako vixen in .222 and have been offered one by a friend in Sweden, I’ve also been offered a tikka 595 stainless synthetic for reasonable money that is a real sleeper.

If it's still got the original un-threaded barrel with iron sights (some came without) then jump on it!

Unfortunately most UK examples have been to a 'chopper'

is anyone shooting lead free in .222, does it work okay?

Lapua loads their Naturalis bullet for it: .222 Remington - Lapua

Pricey, and good luck trying to find any UK stock (I doubt anyone has bought in the loaded rounds) LAPUA .222 Rem - Rifle ammunition - AKAH

 

[Cottis]

Cracking little cartridge. Here is mine. Versatile little thing with a 1 in 10 twist barrel which is a good thing for a .222rem, especially if you might shoot copper mono's in it. I personally don't but it would probably handle up to 60grains no issue with this twist. The odd muntjac gets taken but it is my walk about "shoot anything" rifle and its awesome. Used in daytime for pigeons, crows, magpies, squirrels and at night for foxes. Dead easy to reload for and you can really eek out stellar precision with this cartridge without much issue.

Never shot it at 600yds but this is 5 shots @ 100yds from a bipod. They all went pretty much on top of each other apart from one which was probably me. It is insanely accurate. I shoot it out to 350yds. Real fun gun.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Either or both in God’s own calibre. Go for it/them!!

 

[User00040]

Cracking little cartridge. Here is mine. Versatile little thing with a 1 in 10 twist barrel which is a good thing for a .222rem, especially if you might shoot copper mono's in it. I personally don't but it would probably handle up to 60grains no issue with this twist. The odd muntjac gets taken but it is my walk about "shoot anything" rifle and its awesome. Used in daytime for pigeons, crows, magpies, squirrels and at night for foxes. Dead easy to reload for and you can really eek out stellar precision with this cartridge without much issue.

Never shot it at 600yds but this is 5 shots @ 100yds from a bipod. They all went pretty much on top of each other apart from one which was probably me. It is insanely accurate. I shoot it out to 350yds. Real fun gun.

@Cottis what make of rifle is that? Switch barrel presumably?

 

[Cottis]

@Cottis what make of rifle is that? Switch barrel presumably?

Yep, switch barrel Schultz and Larsen Legacy. Makes for easy cleaning. You can get barrels for it in .222rem, .223rem and .300AAC

 

[Acm]

thanks for all the replies guys. that schultz and larsen is bloody nice

 

[andrew stibbs]

Have a look on bush wear Perth and Stirling sites I think they have a few 222 in just now I shoot a 222 and can’t fault it I am going to try lead free bullets next time I buy

 

[Acm]

Have a look on bush wear Perth and Stirling sites I think they have a few 222 in just now I shoot a 222 and can’t fault it I am going to try lead free bullets next time I buy

Which are you planning on trying?

 

[Ade8mm]

I have but I can’t bear that stainless barre on such a lovely bit of wood. I know you could coat it but it would always really want blueing.

The reason I got my Steyr Model SL for such a steal was simply because, in the words of the RFD who I bought it from was, "buyers thesedays don't buy classic rifles, they want stainless steel and composite etc."
The scope and mounts on my Steyr would be £800 ish in today's money. A hell of a lot less than I paid for the whole thing rifle scope and mounts

Someone said "Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun"

 

[Acm]

The reason I got my Steyr Model SL for such a steal was simply because, in the words of the RFD who I bought it from was, "buyers thesedays don't buy classic rifles, they want stainless steel and composite etc."
The scope and mounts on my Steyr would be £800 ish in today's money. A hell of a lot less than I paid for the whole thing rifle scope and mounts

Someone said "Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun"

i hope you enjoy it and take some satisfaction that you've ended up costing me a few hundred quid too!