222 Rem (triple deuce)... why is this cartridge slipping into obscurity?? Or, is it?

.222 used to hold some benchrest records I believe.

Nice accurate round. Think .223 became popular because Nato picked it up.

A couple of good mates use .222 and really rate it. I I'd not lived near a place that sold army surplus .223 I may well have owned one.
 
The first brand-new centerfire I bought was a .222 BSA heavy-barrel varminter, back in the early 70's. I think it was something like 10 years, and lots more guns sold and bought, before I found another rifle as accurate as that one. I also had a Sako AI Hunter .222 that was insanely accurate as well, and both guns accounted for many Ontario groundhogs over the years.

Don't own one now, but if I lived close to a supply of Ground Squirrels I would; in fact, I'd still have that Sako.
 
I shoot my 223 more and experiment with it more. But I do love my Sako made Browning Safari with the heavy barrel in 222, it shoots wonderfully with 40gr bullets and they run around the same velocity as 55gr in 223. It’s a fun little cartridge and I enjoy it very much.

Patrick
 
When the .222's first came on the market they were sold by the thousands. I can't remember the last time I went into a gun shop and saw a used .222 for sale. Seems obvious to me that the majority of owners hang onto them and don't put them out into the market.

Personally I own one .222 a Tikka H.B. I also own one .223 a Browning White Gold Medallion. The latter was bought to try out a 1 in 8" twist barrel. As expected the Tikka outshoots the Browning (with light bullets). With 70 grain Speer bullets the Browning is better. So in my opinion it kind of depends on a persons intended use as to what may be better.

Jim
 
Purchased 500 222 Rem brass made by Lapua. Should keep me going for a long time. Meddled a bit with forming 222 from 223 brass. Lots of messing around and hardly worth it because 222 brass is readily available.
 
I have 400 new Lapua brass , a new set of forester dies and a Savage dual port target action with a br stock now all I need is a barrel to finish my project.
 
Best shot I ever made on varmint with the fine 222 was a running coyote about 3/4s running away.
I knew the nearby ridge exactly 200 yards away by the callers rangefinder.
Held for lead back of his head but trigger broke he looked over his shoulder.
Struck through right eyeball. DRT.
Impossible shot to replicate.
The same year I popped a running adult jackrabbit at 150 yards. Cleanly taken for the table, same as before, just one shot.
Remington 788, 6x42 M8 A.O. Leupold, 50 grain SPSX hand load.

South Saskatchewan, a rifleman's paradise!
 
ratherbefishin said:
I believe the Innuit used the 222 for seal hunting, long range shots and very accurate ,they had to make head shots and kill the seal before it slid back in its hole and losing it .Not sure what they use now
Click to expand...

22 Magnum, often times. I know a guy that killed a seal bare handed on the ice. Just punched it in the head. Trickier from a boat though.
 
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