Should I get a .222

[Ade8mm]

I have had a hankering for a .222 for a while for smaller deer and fox.. I even tried to scratch the itch by loading some 58grn Vmax for my .243 (with excellent results)

I have been watching a lovely .222 Mannlicher Model L with double set triggers (just my sort of thing) come down in price over the last 6 months I am now sorely tempted.

Having looked through the SD threads on non-toxic bullets for .222, will I be getting something that is set to become obsolete and worthless?

Help required.

 

[J.kerslake]

Yes, mines so much fun I think I want another one...

 

[Ade8mm]

Yes, mines so much fun I think I want another one...

Is that "Yes" it will become obsolete and worthless or Yes, go for it?

 

[J.kerslake]

Go for it, there was a thread some where not too long ago on here about non lead bullets in .222 so it’ll be fine!!

 

[jb7x57]

Sold my 222 a while ago didn’t think I would miss it so much one of the smoothest rounds to shoot
Used mine on roe and vermin foxes don’t stand a chance. I use 52 grn on everything
Variation is with firearms and a heavy barrel sako waiting in the gun shop

 

[Ade8mm]

Go for it, there was a thread some where not too long ago on here about non lead bullets in .222 so it’ll be fine!!

Cheers Kerslake I most probably will (go for it)

 

[scrumbag]

Find a nice looking rifle in .222 with a shot out barrel.

Rebarrel it still in .222 with a sensible twist like 1:9 and crack on with lead and non-lead as you please.

(.222 Rem has problems with twist rate of the barrel rather than the chambering for powder volume - only ~2mm shorter case than .223 rem. Twist is your problem, not powder volume)

That would be my thought, anyway.

Scrummy

 

[Ade8mm]

Here is the temptress....

 

[Alex L]

Thats easy... Yes.

 

[Alex L]

As for lead free... will keep you posted if the wind drops a bit.

 

[User00040]

Find a nice looking rifle in .222 with a shot out barrel.

Rebarrel it still in .222 with a sensible twist like 1:9 and crack on with lead and non-lead as you please.

(.222 Rem has problems with twist rate of the barrel rather than the chambering for powder volume - only ~2mm shorter case than .223 rem. Twist is your problem, not powder volume)

That would be my thought, anyway.

Scrummy

Why?

When Mike Walker (of Remington 700 design fame) put the .222 together he chose a slow twist for accuracy with flat base bullets at high speed.

1:14 and 1:12 work fine for the flat base 40-55 grain (Sierra even make a 62 grain flat base semi-pointed for these twist rates).

Problems mostly come when people load the .224 pills designed for 1:7 twist AR's...

Loading the longer pills will also eat your magazine length and you will quickly lose ground when comparing it to the 243.

Waits for @takbok to hit me over the head with his 1:8 6X45 Sako 75

 

[Heym SR20]

Yup

 

[scrumbag]

Why?

When Mike Walker (of Remington 700 design fame) put the .222 together he chose a slow twist for accuracy with flat base bullets at high speed.

1:14 and 1:12 work fine for the flat base 40-55 grain (Sierra even make a 62 grain flat base semi-pointed for these twist rates).

Problems mostly come when people load the .224 pills designed for 1:7 twist AR's...

Loading the longer pills will also eat your magazine length and you will quickly lose ground when comparing it to the 243.

Waits for @takbok to hit me over the head with his 1:8 6X45 Sako 75

You're not wrong, but non-lead in a .222 is tough largely due to the length the bullets

 

[User00040]

You're not wrong, but non-lead in a .222 is tough largely due to the length the bullets

I think @Edinburgh Rifles managed it with 50 grain fox bullets and Lapua have the confidence to offer a loading with their Naturalis bullets (although reports are mixed on this).

 

[Ade8mm]

For those that are interested here is the result of the 58grn vmax in the aforementioned other butter-knife bolt handled babe..( I wont show the other side of the fox !)

 

[Rake Aboot]

.222 gods caliber (If he existed and had guns lol)

I miss mine.

 

[scrumbag]

I think @Edinburgh Rifles managed it with 50 grain fox bullets and Lapua have the confidence to offer a loading with their Naturalis bullets (although reports are mixed on this).

I believe he did but it isn't so easy is my point and changing the twist fixes often goes a long way to fixing the problem

 

[User00040]

I believe he did but it isn't so easy is my point and changing the twist fixes often goes a long way to fixing the problem

OK, but velocity is another part of the equation.

My 222 to 223 rechamber still has the original 1:14 twist barrel, but its near 24" long so that should even the odds.

Maybe an 18 or even 20" tube would need a faster twist, but we will see.

I'll do some comprehensive tests at my own expense with the 223 and 243 once the indoor tube range is accessible again.

I'll title the thread 'Mythbusting Non-Lead', should be a cracker

 

[Ade8mm]

Find a nice looking rifle in .222 with a shot out barrel.

Rebarrel it still in .222 with a sensible twist like 1:9 and crack on with lead and non-lead as you please.

(.222 Rem has problems with twist rate of the barrel rather than the chambering for powder volume - only ~2mm shorter case than .223 rem. Twist is your problem, not powder volume)

That would be my thought, anyway.

Scrummy

Not so sure the steyrs are rebarrelable ( is that a word?) ?

 

[takbok]

I've got the 50gr Barnes shooting ok out of my 1:14" 220 Swift - I've just removed the plastic tips to make the bullets shorter.