Powder Choices for the .222 Rem.

[South Pender]

I have a new .222 Rem. and am planning to make up some handloads for it. Everything I've read suggests that it is an easy cartridge to load for and get accurate results. Still, with newer powders coming on line all the time, I'm wondering what you guys who load for it use. The older typically-suggested powders seem to be 4198 (either H or IMR), H322, and H4895. What else have you guys found to work well in the deuce?

 

[250 sav]

W 748

 

[Scott_N]

It's been a while since I've loaded ammo for my 222, but I always used BL-C(2) or W748. I liked the ball powder for metering. (I almost always shot 50gr bullets.)

 

[reb]

I like H322 the best for 50-52 gr.

 

[vmax204]

H322 with 50 gr. bullets

 

[Sydney1942]

Can t go wrong with
4198-H322-BLC 2-W748
Sydney

 

[Janeau]

H335

 

[fiddler]

N133 if you can find it for 50gr loads.

 

[sharp shooter]

My best luck has come with IMR 4198 in three 222’s

 

[sharp shooter]

Haven’t tried 133 yet though but I hear it’s the cats meow. I’d have to bet that 8208 would work well also.

 

[fiddler]

Haven’t tried 133 yet though but I hear it’s the cats meow. I’d have to bet that 8208 would work well also.

I liked it the best but it was unreliable to get. A friend gave me 3/4 pound because he sold his 222 and was surplus to his needs. It was magic powder on every load I made but it was too hard to find.

Some shops only had it once a year, and you were SOL if your name wasn't on the list. Half of it came from gun shows and private sales.

 

[South Pender]

Haven’t tried 133 yet though but I hear it’s the cats meow. I’d have to bet that 8208 would work well also.

Yeah, I wondered about IMR 8208 XBR. Also wonder about Accurate LT-32. Anyone have experience with either of these two?

 

[Southcountryguy]

21gr of IMR 4198 is still king in all my trip’s with 50 gr TNT’s at about 3350…I have tried the others, like h322, yet keep going back to 4198. Great caliber, have fun.

 

[remington jim]

Imr4198 always shot well in any -ALL of my 222 remmys. RJ

 

[lpel]

South Pender I’ve had great success with LT32 and 50 gr VMax in my Sako 222. Haven’t tried 8208 in it yet but it shoots lights out in several 223s and my 22-250. It’s quickly becoming on of my favourite powders.

 

[B-78]

I use 23grs of 8208 in my loads with 50gr bullets. For 40gr bullets I load 25grs. These combos have been minute of gopher out to 200 yds in 3 222s I have had. Currently only have 1, a sweet little Sako A1. Mostly shoot a reduced load of 4895 with 40gr Vmax out of it right now instead of taking the rim fires out of the safe.

 

[Bad Bob]

Shot a LOT of .222 over the years, IMR 4198 & 50s is great. H322 meters better and is just as accurate. H4895 will give the accuracy but gives up velocity. All 3 easily give 1/4 inch 5 shot groups out of a Sako A1 Varmint with a Leupold 6.5-20x40.

 

[todbartell]

IMR 8208xbr works great in my father in law's Krico 222 with 50gr Berger & 52gr ELDm

 

[Bad Bob]

I`ve found that it is harder to find a load that won`t shoot well than one that will in a .222. I believe it is one of, if not the easiest cartridge to load accurate loads for. Long live the Deuce.

 

[deadeyes40]

My best results came with IMR 4198. Tried IMR4895. Didn't get the accuracy I was hoping for. was using more powder than with IMR 4198 and barrel seemed to heat up a lot faster.