I just picked up an older remington in 222 rem. and was curious if any of you would mind sharing some of your favorite 222 loads. This'll be my first real "tack driver" and I plan on doing some target shooting and some varmint hunting (prarie dogs @ < 300yds) with it. There are a few loads on loadswap that I intend to try, but if anyone could post a load they've seen some consistent accuracy from (I'm aware accuracy of the load also depends on the firearm its shot from) it wold be appreciated.

IMR 4198 is the standard powder for the .222, although accuracy goes off as I reach max loads in my old Remington 700. It likes Hodgdon H322 at max levels, but I've found that batch to batch consistancy is poor, so approach max loads carefully. The various loading manuals vary quite a bit with this powder.

As for bullets, start with the 50 grainers. It's pretty hard to beat the old Hornady SX in this calibre.

http://www.imrpowder.com/data/rifle/222rem.php

I can't connect to Hodgdon's site right now. It's www.hodgdon.com

Bye
Jack

Thanks! Quick question about dies. I've never loaded anything smaller than .270, and with smaller-weight 30 caliber bullets and the like, without a lyman m-die, seating can be a pain in the butt. Would you recommend the rcbs competition dies for this caliber for the more advanced seating procedure?

50gr Hornady and a Hornady manual load of IMR4198 has given the most consistent accuracy in the 3 rifles I've tried it in. Hard to go wrong with that load! I've tried other powders, and none worked quite as well as 4198.

I no longer have a 222 :(, but if I did I might try Varget just for fun.

I haven't tried the RCBS Competition dies, but the professional reloader who got me started used a Vickerman seater, which I believe works on the same principle. The RCBS is a sideloader, right?

A .22 M-Die plug is on the list the next time I order from Lyman, but it's not here yet. I started out with conventional RCBS dies. Years later I was reading up on benchrest techniques and rigged up a case runout gage. The RCBS sizer was causing a lot of runout, so I tried some new style Hornady dies. The sliding seater makes getting the bullet into the right place easy. The sizer was overdoing it, undersizing the cases, so I picked up a set of CH-4D dies. They're of conventional design and make good ammo, but I just might stick with the Hornady seater.

The Vickerman seater is back in production.
http://www.castingstuff.com/gmw_products.htm

I have long skinny fingers, so I have less trouble with small bullets than some people do.

Bye
Jack

I've had good luck with this load: Remington .222 cases, Federal 205M primers, 23.0 grains of Hodgdon H4895 powder, and Hornady 50 grain V-Max bullets. These loads chronograph right around 3,000 fps from my Sako .222 rifle. Accuracy at 100 yds. is 1/2" groups. I might be able to do a little better on a good day. This load was developed for my rifle. Start lower and work up to suit your rifle. Good luck.

My pet load for 50 grain Hornady SX's is Rem. case (neck sized only), Rem. benchrest primer and 19.5 grains of IMR4198. This is not a max load but it is qyite accurate in my 788 Rem. I've got another good load with 40 grain Vmax's and Benchmark but I'd have to go look it up. The benchmark load is a compressed load to boot. That means a trip all the way downstairs to the gun room and I'm to lazy right now. :rolleyes:

My .222 dies are the Bonanza Benchrest dies. IMO the Lee collet die and their bullet seater are probably just as good for 1/3 the money.

RJ

I haven't tried the RCBS Competition dies, but the professional reloader who got me started used a Vickerman seater, which I believe works on the same principle. The RCBS is a sideloader, right?

A .22 M-Die plug is on the list the next time I order from Lyman, but it's not here yet. I started out with conventional RCBS dies. Years later I was reading up on benchrest techniques and rigged up a case runout gage. The RCBS sizer was causing a lot of runout, so I tried some new style Hornady dies. The sliding seater makes getting the bullet into the right place easy. The sizer was overdoing it, undersizing the cases, so I picked up a set of CH-4D dies. They're of conventional design and make good ammo, but I just might stick with the Hornady seater.

The Vickerman seater is back in production.
http://www.castingstuff.com/gmw_products.htm

I have long skinny fingers, so I have less trouble with small bullets than some people do.

Bye
Jack

Yea, the rcbs comp die is a side-loader. looks just like that vickerman. You can pickup the two-die rcbs set for like $80.

I've been meaning to figure out the whole "runout" thing. Is that just how "out of square" the bullet is to the case mouth (is it also called concentricity?)? What sort of tools are used to guage that?

300 yards is really pushing it for a .222Rem. I have two of them and find 225/250 yards about maximum. I shoot mostly 52gr. HPs and get my best results with IMR4198 (19.8grs.) and also IMR4895 (24.6grs.) Both produce 3000fps. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Well, I've shot a lot of dogs, and so have my partners. I'm now using H322 exclusively under 40 gr. Vmax's. The 40's, contrary to what we've been told, fly just fine and dandy in wind and over hill and vale and long distance and explode them doggies marvelously. NO difference in hold with the 50's and the 40's. Just noticeably less recoil. Enjoy.