Modern 222 bolt action/varmint barrel?

IMG_0089.jpegI I started out my .222 journey with a new model Steyr Mannlicher Classic full stock.
Alas, they don't make them in .222 these days.
It is a lovely, classy rifle with a 90gm single set trigger.
Managed to get .4moa out of it despite its 20".

I have since bought an new Anschutz 1771 which I put in a GRS stock.
23", medium bbl that is routinely sub .5moa with a personal best of .209moa.
Decent, adjustable two-stage trigger (300gm if memory serves me correctly)
I would not hesitate buying another one.
 
guntech said:
The bottom line is accuracy.... out to 200 yards (short range benchrest) with all other things being equal a .222 Remington is far superior in accuracy... and easy to load for. Until the short range benchrest cartridges based on the PPC case fully developed the .222 Rem was king of the hill and world records stood for years.
Today it is a great little cartridge very easy to load with exceptional accuracy... 52 grain match bullet usually the heaviest used.
Click to expand...
You beat me to it. I guess the answer to the question of "why a .222 over a .223" requires a certain amount of grey hair (and I've got plenty of it! :)

But yes, the .222 is inherently a considerably more accurate cartridge than the .223. I've shot both for many, many years and if I had to explain the difference, I'd say that when I develop a load for a .223 I'm looking for 1/2 MOA in a good rifle (though for sure, some do even better). But when I'm loading for a .222, I'm looking for a single ragged hole on the paper.
 
Dreaded Platypus said:
View attachment 926163I I started out my .222 journey with a new model Steyr Mannlicher Classic full stock.
Alas, they don't make them in .222 these days.
It is a lovely, classy rifle with a 90gm single set trigger.
Managed to get .4moa out of it despite its 20".

I have since bought an new Anschutz 1771 which I put in a GRS stock.
23", medium bbl that is routinely sub .5moa with a personal best of .209moa.
Decent, adjustable two-stage trigger (300gm if memory serves me correctly)
I would not hesitate buying another one.
Click to expand...
That is a sweet looking rifle. - dan
 
I’m not sure why, but most discussions about the 222 Rem seems to devolve into “which is better” the .222 or .223? And someone says “why do you need one, when you have the other”?

It’s probably a valid point considering both cartridges do very much the same thing…both so very well.

Here’s how I sum it up…

The .222Rem is a great cartridge!
The .223Rem is a great cartridge!

…for very slightly different reasons.

I believe the discuss was about the .222Rem and a gentleman’s search for a rifle in that caliber.

The Anchutz 1771 GRS stock is a sweet rifle!
 
Last edited:
Arguing .223 is "better" than the .222 reminds me of so many people saying the .30-06 is "superior" to the .308. I prefer the .308 for accuracy, efficiency, and no-fuss shoot ability. That's why we have choices. Shoot what you like!
 
TJCote said:
I’m not sure why, but most discussions about the 222 Rem seems to devolve into “which is better” the .222 or .223? And someone says “why do you need one, when you have the other”?

It’s probably a valid point considering both cartridges do very much the same thing…both so very well.

Here’s how I sum it up…

The .222Rem is a great cartridge!
The .223Rem is a great cartridge!

…for very slightly different reasons.

I believe the discuss was about the .222Rem and a gentleman’s search for a rifle in that caliber.

The Anchutz 1771 GRS stock is a sweet rifle!
Click to expand...
This right here! That's why I have both. Both in Rem 660's. Nice to have options
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2448.JPG
    IMG_2448.JPG
    141 KB · Views: 12
.22LRGUY said:
Good morning guys-I think I might be about to put the 222 idea to bed, other than Anschutz I'm not seeing any modern, 222 rifles for sale, especially anything with a varmint-weight barrel. Seeing lots of Remington old 788s, Savage 340s (know basically nothing about either) the odd European gun with lots of triggers. lol I would have been pretty content with a nice 527, but either they didn't make many or not many are in Canada. I've mostly been a Tikka guy in recent years and that would probably be my top pick on a new gun, but special order/14+ months.. A Google search brings-up the Savage 110 Varmint, but 222 isn't listed. (?) Saw a re-barreled Kimber single shot on GP, always assume people that keen have put a lot of miles on their guns...so not a candidate unless I knew everything about the condition of the chamber/bore.

To get ahead of the "why 222?" question-I don't actually have any need for another varmint rifle, I either have or have had every caliber I've wanted to try except 222. I do remember putting a ton of effort into loading 223 lighter/faster (within spec) without really knowing I could have achieved a really light, 22 CF option had I just started with 222.

Reluctant to re-barrel or build anything, my reading on that topic over the decades suggests that unless I had some specific barrel twist/barrel length or weight in mind I couldn't get in a factory configuration, I might as well buy the best factory rifle out of the gate. Anschutz in this case, or maybe STEYR. (poking around Nordic Marksman)

Any ideas/direction would be great. I'd be more likely to order a Tikka through Stoeger than an expensive SAKO Vixen in good condition, but more for familiarity reasons than questioning the quality of a SAKO.

TIA
Click to expand...

Get yourself a cheapo 223 Tikka - real cheap - cheapest you can find. Get a good stock for it, then call JC Customs and order a 222 barrel in the taper and twist you want. That's the way I'd go.
 
Canuck65 said:
Get yourself a cheapo 223 Tikka - real cheap - cheapest you can find. Get a good stock for it, then call JC Customs and order a 222 barrel in the taper and twist you want. That's the way I'd go.
Click to expand...
a tikka action is just plain wrong when it comes to a 222 or a223 the point is to build a rifle that the action size fits the case building a tiny case on a magnum action is just wrong in many ways
 
222Rem secret to its accuracy is the long neck, that's all. 300m target cartridge it's still hard to beat, jump up to the small 6mm and that's a different game.
Faster twist in the 223 gets you into the 68/75/80 gr that do much better past 300m then the 50/52/55 222Rem target bullets for sure, but man, those old 222's are cheap and shoot like you don't see often from production rifles.
 
there are 2 nice rem 700 adl 's on EE one carbine nice gun and one rifle 900& 850 have been for sale for a while do that makes them 750 $ guns or actions or great shooters as is these are 60's guns so they have the best 700 triggers ever
 
A Remington 788 is 222 is a nail driver.
I have one. As do many other folks who know about them.
Cheap furniture, heavy duty action, laser accuracy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom