222 Rem Loads

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Hello, I picked up a 222, and I am looking to start reloading for it. Any loads or powder and bullet combos, that you have found works well? I have brass, primers, but the only .22 cal bullets I have in the cabinet are some Barnes Varmint Gernades (they were on sale at LeBarons)... Not sure how they will perform though.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
I love the Hornady SPSX bullets in my .222. My load is 26.5 grs of BLC2 over a CCI 450 primer. I've heard that the Varmint Grenades have somewhat inconsistent performance, and I'm assuming that they wouldn't be that great in a modest velocity cartridge like the .222.
 
My pet 222 load is 20.5/IMR4198 pushing a 50 grain Sierra Blitz. I spark the whole thing up with CCI 400's as my supply of Remmie small rifle dryed up years ago. I have shot many thousands of this loading through my Sako varmint 222 in the past 20 years or so. Half inch MOA can be expected IMO. 21 grains of the same powder is about max but these start to show mild pressure signs with my rifle.

Initially I used Sierra 50 grain spitzers but about 10 years ago I switched to the more frangible Blitz which is essentially the same thing but with a pure lead core and thinner jacket. Hits on small stuff like gophers, crows and prairie dogs are extremely destructive.

You can try the "varmint grenade" expensive stuff with all it's hype if you want but my advice would be to scare up some Blitz fodder. These are under 20 bucks/100... and if you plan to do any high volume shooting this would be a factor.

All of the early bench shooters back in the 1950's shattered records with this very same aforementioned combination. Good luck and congratulations on choosing a "The Deuce" as it's one fine varmint cartridge!
 
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Like I said, the barnes were on sale for 12 bucks I believe for 100. But I will be trying some others that have been mentioned above.

Is the 222 picky when it comes to powder? I notice there are a few mentioned above?
 
Brutus said:
Very good : IMR 4198
Also ran: WW748, Reloader #7, if you had to IMR 3031 too.
If you can get them, Calhoon 46 grain double hollow points are dramatic too.

M12shooter my friend, I think you meant IMR 4198 vs 4195 correct??
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Ooops....Hit the edit button and made the change. Good catch Brutus! Goes to show... a good lesson... never use any reloading data gleaned from an internet discussion forum without backing up with a reliable published loading data.
 
I had a chance to go to the range toady and test a load with 36 gr. varmint grenades in .222, I used 23.4 grs of H335 powder, CCI400 primers, Winchester cases. They got tight groups, sub moa at 100 yards
 
djs0110 said:
I had a chance to go to the range toady and test a load with 36 gr. varmint grenades in .222, I used 23.4 grs of H335 powder, CCI400 primers, Winchester cases. They got tight groups, sub moa at 100 yards
Click to expand...

Well, I think I have all of these components in stock. Gonna give this a whirl, and try some others next time I get supplies. Great stuff everyone, thanks for the info!
 
M12shooter said:
My pet 222 load is 20.5/IMR4198 pushing a 50 grain Sierra Blitz. I spark the whole thing up with CCI 400's as my supply of Remmie small rifle dryed up years ago.
Click to expand...

exactly my load, only with the Remington 7-1/2 primer. I also like H4198, can't really see a difference between it and IMR. Nolser's 40 grain ballistic tip is also worth trying.
 
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