222 Questions

CalCoyote

CalCoyote

Member
I am fixing to cinch a deal on a 222. I wanted an ultra lite coyote calling rifle and this one has a 20" bbl and only 5lbs 10oz. I realize that it will have lower velocity than a 223 but I already own a 22-250 for when I feel the need for speed. Here are my questions:

It has a 1/14 twist so does that that I will most likely not be able to stabilize at 55g bullet? If not, then I will try a Nosler 50g BT.
What are the favorite powders? I would imagine that most of the powders that I own would be too slow burning so I am expecting to buy some.
What would be the effective range on coyote sized game? The book shows velocity as about 150fps less than a 223 so I am guessing 200 yards.
Please tell me your stories using the 222 if you have any.


No. My wife does not know about this yet. I am working on that.
 
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I use Benchmark and 52gr Speer Flat Base Hp's for coyote hunting and 40gr NBT's for varmints and paper.

52gr Speers Win M-70 in 222 Rem --------------------52gr 222 Rem Speers Sako Vixen
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40gr NBT's in Sav 10 222 Rem

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Bagged this one

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Originally Posted By: derbyacresbobWhen your wife finds out about your plans she will probable tell you to get a 223 with a 1-10" OR 1-12" twist barrel.
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...because she wants the .222

The .222 is fine don't let anyone talk you out of it
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You made a really good caliber choice. I have had a 222 in the stable since right after high school. Currently own a Remington 722 Deluxe in pristine condition. The caliber is extremely accurate. As far as effective range, I have always set my outer distance at 300 yards. I have killed coyotes beyond that with it but feel really comfortable inside than range you will get good bullet performance.

I have reloaded a number of bullets for it over the years and for a long time shot the Nosler 40gr Ballistic Tip. They are very accurate in my rifle but I was experiencing splashes on coyotes so I stopped using that bullet (still probably have 300-350 of them loaded for it however). I worked up a load using the Barnes 36 gr Varmint Grenade and while I have not yet shot a coyote with it, I am confident in that bullet as I have shot them with my 220 Swift with excellent results. Another bullet I used a lot early on was the Hornady 50 gr SX. I may at some point down the road go to that bullet again as it worked very well for me at the time.
 
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I had a Win model 70 cut down to 18.5 in and was shooting 50gr hornady spsx a little under 3100fps I believe. Benchmark powder, cci br4 primers. I really loved the feel of this small rifle with a 2-7 Leupold it’s just the bore was pitted bad from poor storage before me. The hornady bullet worked very well on coyotes and about half the time I got an exit. Never any splashes.
 
Already having a 22-250 in the OP’s arsenal, a 222 is a no brained as it is a bit more accurate than the 223 and the additional power of the military round is not as important in the face of also owning the heavier varmint chambered rifle.

Best regards

Three44s
 
4198 and a 52gr bullet. I started shooting a Marlin Varmint King (Sako action) about 40 years ago. Dad redid the stock and we burned the micro-groove barrel out when I was in high school. Replaced the barrel with a Douglas Premium and it shoots better than I can now, but I still feed it 19.5gr 4198 and a 52 gr Sierra HPBT. Killed more woodchucks with that gun than I care to count, anything within 200 yd was DRT. Will be a great coyote rifle!
 
The 222 is a pretty forgiving cartridge, it almost seems hard to find a powder that doesn't shoot accurately. I've loaded with Benchmark, 2230, 748 and 4320, all have shot little groups.
 
I have a Savage .222 that has done well with 45 grain Sierra Varminters and 50 grain Midway Dogtowns. I've only ever used IMR 4198 in it.
 
Originally Posted By: JLJ223BLC-2 was a good powder for me with 40-50gr bullets, back then I was mainly using the Hornady SX bullets.

I would agree with you. Years ago my favorite load for my 222 I had at the time was BLC-2 and the Hornady 50 gr SX. At that time I was shooting a lot of prairie dogs.
I may just have to go back to it and load some of them again as it was a very accurate combination.
 
X2 on the speer TNT. I bought 700 50 grain at a garage sale years ago. Excellent bullet for prairie dog. Also used 322. I've tried all the different bullets, but 322 is my first choice for the 222
 
Has been many years since I loaded for the .222 but IMR 4198 and a Nosler 50 BT with Rem 7 1/2 primer was very accurate and explosive. Can't remember the brass head stamp but was probably Remington or Federal. Killed many crows and ghogs with it.
 
For over 30 years, I have been using BL-C2 and 50 grain Hornady bullets in my Remington 722. Tried other powers such as 4198 and H322, but it seems to love BL-C2 and 50 - 52 grain bullets.
 
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