222 Remington...What On Earth is This?

Well, I ended up selling my .222 ammo to an awesome fellow CGNer last week. Glad to know it went to a good home.

I really tried looking around my LGS for .222 rifles. There aren't any for sale - like, they are not even in the catalog.

Add to that the the other LGS did not even carry this caliber in ammo, so in the end, I just listed it and sold it on the EE
 
I'm a deuce fan. I have two CIL 900's (Anschutz 1531AD with the Match 54 action). They are far more accurate than I am.

A little history on the accuracy from "The American Rifleman"...
"That accomplishment was shot by Mac McMillan on Sept. 23, 1973, during a NBSRA-sanctioned match at the Skunk Creek rifle range near Phoenix, Ariz. Chambered in .222 Rem., the 10½-lb. Light Varmint class rifle had an action built by Mac, a barrel made by brother Pat and a fiberglass stock made by another brother, Gale. Wally Siebert had bumped the magnification of its 12X scope to 24X. Custom dies were used to swage 50-gr. bullets using J4 jackets. McMillan’s load consisted of the Remington case, 23.5 grs. of Hodgdon BL-C (Lot No. 1) and an experimental primer made by CCI that would become the BR4.

McMillan’s five-shot, 100-yd. group was measured by match officials with a dial caliper modified by the addition of a clear plexiglass plate containing a .22-cal. reticle. All bullet holes in the paper target fit inside the reticle for an incredible group-size measurement of 0.0000". For the first time in recorded history, the perfect “one-hole” group had been shot in registered competition. The group was next measured with a special 60X microscope capable of accuracy to 0.0001", and it still came out at 0.0000". As required for official recognition, the target was then mailed around to seven members of the NBRSA records committee and they unanimously agreed on 0.009" as the size of the group. The group stood for 40 years until Mike Stinnett beat it by 0.002" with a 30 PPC in 2013.
 
That's quite remarkable. My firearms nerd boner is substantial just now. :)

My model 70 has been with me for 45 years and it's going in the box with me when I'm done. A wonderful thing, capable of far more accuracy than I am. And one of the best tools I have for teaching new shooters.
 
Man, it looks like the consensus for accuracy is overwhelming. Makes me wish I looked harder or waited longer on the EE before selling my ammo...
 
I'm down to only three .222 rifles at the moment. Anschutz, Sako, and Brno. Sold the Heym combination gun a few months ago and I miss it. I prefer the .222 to all other .22 centerfires because of its accuracy, mild report, perfect balance of case capacity and bore size, and performance in the field on game as various as coyotes and jackrabbits to varmints like beavers and gophers. The .222 is not a fussy cartridge at all. I never had an inaccurate .222 with any factory ammunition. I have purchased ammunition in my local gun stores that is loaded by Remington, Winchester, Federal, Hornady, Igman, PPU, Norma, S&B, and a few other makers. My rifles shoot best with 40 or 50 gr. ammo, but even some 55 gr. stuff shoots OK. The Hornady Vmax and Nosler Ballistic tip 40 gr. are stellar performers in this cartridge. The only reason the .223 is more popular is that it is a military cartridge. That popularity comparison is not about to change, but the .222 is superior for my purposes. I will never be without at least one .222 rifle.
 
Triple deuce is basically the parent cartridge for the 223/5.56 NATO. The .223 is a lengthened 222 essentially made to spec for military wants.

The triple deuce was known for its accuracy. It’s been completely supplanted by the 223 these days. It was extremely popular before 223.

You’re correct in your assumptions. If you chamber those cartridges in a push feed 223 rifle they will fall harmlessly into the chamber and away from the bolt face, which will make it impossible to fire. If you chamber them in a 223 controlled round feed action, the cartridge will be held against the bolt face and may fire. If that happens, you’re in REAL TROUBLE. If your lucky, the case could just split and you will end up with a face full of off-gas. If you’re unlucky and it’s poorly aligned and a short enough load, the bullet could strike the barrel face. BOOM.

It’s not worth buying a rifle just for some ammo. I’d sell the ammo. We have a section for that here.
 
Potashminer said:
I have an acquaintance who thought he got a really good deal on a 7mm Weatherby Mark V rifle. So try to find ammo for that in Western Canada. I was able to get 2 x 20 round boxes from a vendor in B.C. - shipped to here in Manitoba - so well over $C 8.00 per "bang". I am pretty sure he is having second thoughts about how good of a deal he got on that rifle.
From personal experience, you would certainly not be the first person to buy a "new" rifle, to fire ammo that you had on hand. There are apparently a few of us that have done so... Tends to be an "old guy" thing.
Click to expand...

Yep; bought a 2 gallon pail of .45 acp brass, got it home, and under the top 2" of brass was .40 S & W. Bought a pistol that did not like most bullet shapes; sold it and bought another; I like the calibre. When the AR I built got prohibed, I tried to sell the stock of ammo, but "lowball" was the rule of the day... so, I bought a Handi Rifle in .223 (It shoots OK, but I will likely sell the rifle once I burn through the ammo).

thegazelle said:
Thanks for making me feel better, my friend. Glad to hear the brotherhood of old guys is strong...

I just wish it was some cheapo ammo, not the good stuff...

But hey, down the line if anyone ever asks me if I heard of 222 Remington before, I can confidently answer, "darn tootin' I have! Care to buy a box of ammo for your troubles?" LOL
Click to expand...

Great calibre; you need a rifle. There are some nice Tika, Remington, Sako, Brno and Winchester rifles when you can find them.

Potashminer said:
I have read in various USA gun magazines, it used to be referred to as the "Triple Deuce". In it's day was "hell on wheels" in a gopher patch, and did very well in target matches!!!!
Click to expand...
In Southern Ontario, it was "the" fox and Ground-hog rifle from the 1950s until the .223 became popular.
 
222 was a very popular deer hunting calibre for coastal blacktails where I come from.
 
ALBERTA BOY said:
You’re correct in your assumptions. If you chamber those cartridges in a push feed 223 rifle they will fall harmlessly into the chamber and away from the bolt face, which will make it impossible to fire.
Click to expand...

ha! i have a split and blown out case i keep on my workbench as a reminder that they will in fact fire in a push feed. couple leassons learned there, one being different color MTM boxes for 222 & 223AI
 
I have 2 rifles in 222 Rem. A Savage and a Remington. Its the only cartridge I use for coyotes, very little pelt damage and anything inside 300 yds is dead. Bought 10 boxes of PP Serbian ammo from TradeEx and they are as accurate as I can shoot. Great calibre. I load for it too.
 
I also own two 222 Remington rifles.
The old standby a 788 & six power Leupold.
The slightly newer BLR with a 1-8 variable will be christened alongside it in late 2021.
46 grain hollow point handload as well as some factory purchased quite some time ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom