Loading down a 222/223/ 222 rem mag to say 22 magnum rimfire velocity/noise levels ??

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Pete G

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Am wondering whether this is possible , and if so, where to see some load recipies/data ?
Perhaps someone here has done this.
I have .224 Speer 52 grain HP now and was planning to get in some Nosler 50 grain ballistic tip ,also .224.
Usually, downloaded centerfires use cast bullets, but I would not search out .224 cast bullets for this project.
 
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Certainly you can do it.
If you load down to 22 magnum velocities the noise will likely be quite similar to a 22 mag. I'll guess that Unique would work for powder, but I haven't done anything in downloading 22 centre fire. There is probably little to be found in the printed word on it, but likely some reloaders on here will have experience and can help you out.
A chronograph would be a great help, especially if you are starting from scratch.
The 22 magnum is well above the speed of sound, which actually has very little bearing on it, anyway. The less powder you put in, the less will be the noise from it.
 
No reason why not. The rifling twist rate works with the bullet weight and doesn't seem to care too much about the muzzle velocity.

Just keep in mind it won't project out to long distances with the same flat trajectory and you'll be fine. If you do most of your shooting at 100 yards or so your ears will thank you for this consideration... :D
 
trailboss or reuced loads using the 60 percent rule of H4895, you may have better luck with the heaviest bullets your barrel will stabilize
 
All the hype abut Trailboss hinges on it being so light that it is not supposed to be possible to double charge a case. Beyond that it doesn't seem to have anything else going for it. I have read of it being low on the totem pole for accuracy and also I've read it is hard to adjust velocity. Personally, I know nothing about it, because I have never used it.
Getting a load like the OP is calling for requires that it be readily and easily adjusted. Too low of velocity, put in a bit more powder. Too high, take some out.
I looked in the original Lyman book of cast bullets.
Looking at the 222 Remington, a 55 grain gas check bullet goes 1950 fps with 9 grains of 2400.
------------------------------------------------------------- or 2005 fps with 10 grains of 4227.

If that is too fast for you, I would just drop a grain or so of the 4227.
They don't show Unique for that cartridge, but IF I WAS DOING IT, not saying you should, I would try about 5.5 or 6 grains of Unique and adjust from there.
 
I use trail boss to get 40gr bullets down to the high 1600 fps area and then a full load of trail boss to get 2200fps also with 40gr bullets. In a 223. Accuracy and speed consistency were both very good.
 
I use Lyman cast bullet load data. Example: 222 with 52 gr jacked or plated bullet (using cast bullet load data) 6.0 gr Unique, about 1820 fps. Had the kids shooting these loads when quite young.
 
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I use 4.0 grains of TB under 50 VM's in .223 for 1200 fps... good grouse and hare load... I colour the headstamp with a permanent blue mark to differentiate between the full loads and the small game loads.

The old 45 grain SP Hornet bullets are very good to download also.

P.S - they are accurate.
 
Thanks to all for their suggestions,recipies and reminders to mark head stamps / colour code the light loads.
The Calhoon article was very interesting.
 
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