Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles What's the heaviest bullet I can shoot out of a 222?

Any powder recommendations for the 222 ? I've tried H322 and I just loaded 50 Nosler 50grBT with H335. Favorite powder and load ?

Ken

It doesn't get much better than RL7 close to 20 Gr should do it.

I just happen to have 2 lbs of RL7 on the shelf. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

Ken

"standard twist" for the .223 is 1-12. I shot 63grn Sierra's and 70grn Speer's out of a M788 - I wish I still had!

Accuracy was better than my ability to shoot at the time.

Twas me with a 'Duece,' I'd follow the advice already given and start working up loads with 50's, 52's, 53's and 55's. Depending on results would determine if I tried 60's.

I like him already!
Those 60gr Hornady SP's work for me. They kill better than do 55gr bullets.

303..,

I'm a big Hornady fan but, I've never had the long, pointy 60 grainers work in anything. The 63gr Speer is purposly built short and heavy for slow twist guns. Now that one has worked in most applications including a slow twist .222 and a 1/7 twist .223.

Nowdays if I want near that weight I go to 55gr VMAX in a .243 or 6mm.



O

OUTCAST, I have not tried the 63gr semi-point because in the hornet I would lose the flat shooting edge and the hornet is a small game cartridge anyway. I have found that the 60gr Hornady Spire Point does not penetrate the length of a possum but rips it on side on chest shots. (By that I mean the bullet does not reach the chest cavity from the rear). Which Hornady bullet did you try? I use the Spire Point and find it stabilizes fine in my 1 in 16 twist barrel at about 2500 - 2580 fps. But then for some strange reason, my hornet is also stabilizing a 55gr Boat Tail! That one is still to be tested at longer ranges but at 100m I got 4 out of five into 1/2 inch. Those were some old Nosler BT's. What knd of range do you get with the light weight 6mm V-Max's?

63 grain sierra semi point holds together well in the 223 and is wind resistant/flat enough to be of little issue out to 200 yards pretty easy. 222 isn't that different.

Jeff

rost..,

That's my experience,too. I've taken a big doe and a middlin buck with the 63grainer in my AR15. Both inside 100yds but it looked like a .270 in the chest cavity.

O

303..,

My dad tried the 60SP in his Hornet. Dismal failure as it had a 1-16 twist. He tried many differant heavy (longer) bullets and the thing just didn't shoot a decent shotgun pattern. When Hornady came out with the 35gr VMAX I loaded them with H110 and used small pistol primers - wallah - it became a one holer. Changed the nature of the gun completly. It now shoots more like a .222 inside 150yds (haven't tried it further).

I've tried the 60gr Hornady in .222, .223 (1-7 twist) and 22/250.
Accuracy just wasn't there. All the rifles shot just fine with other bullets. Not knocking Hornady at all. That particular bullet just hasn't worked for me using a variety of differant guns, calibers and load combos.

The 55gr VMAX has proven very accurate in both a 722 in .244 and a Ruger#I in 6mm. When the 55s are sited dead on at 100yds, 85gr Sierras hit about 2 1/2" high. Great deal that, allowing the same site in that's ideal for both varmints and deer without changing the scope.

I've actually got more experience with the 75 VMAX in .25/06. That thing is like shooting a lazer. Point- Pull- Poof. I've vaporized stuff out to 200yds, but have just not had a shot at a further target. I have confidence in that rig as far as I can SEE. I doubt the 6mms will be much differant - just can't quit pickin' up that 25/06 long enuff to find out.

O

That's interesting. I found the 60gr Hornady SP to be poor in my mini-14 with its 1 in 10 twist. But in the 1 in 16 twist hornet it shoots just fine. My first test with with the 60gr used 11.6gr Lil'Gun. That produced vertical stringing (but still a good group). I have worked my load up to 13.1gr Li'Gun with that bullet seated to fit the magazine. That means right down to the base of the neck. I speculate that the compression of the powder is what keeps the pressure down. That and the fact that I do not size the neck. I have not tried the 35gr V-max. Maybe its time I did.

I like the idea of your 55gr and 85gr loads being interchangeable. I have found that often the point of impact goes down with increase in powder charge. Do yours do that without shifting left or right? One day when I have my No.4 rebarrelled to 257R I will attempt to achieve the same for the same reason as you. (It might take a few different bullets worth of testing).

P.S. On Saturday I popped off a feral goat using a 55gr Hornady SP from the hornet. This is plenty gun and bullet for goat sized animals. The liver was blown apart and full penetration was achieved. The goat was still kicking so I gave it another shot that went too far to the rear. That one angled through the gut and exited through the rear leg. That would be close to 18 inches of penetration (maybe as little as 12?) It expired at that point. Range was about 90yds.

303..,

As I wrote earlier I usually stick with one load-one gun. But I bumped into the 55gr/85gr thing by accident.

I discovered a box of 85HPBT (game) and a box of 85SPT (vermin) left over on dad's reloading bench. The same load put both bullets right down the pipe with less than a quarter inch elevation difference. Both about 2 1/2" high at 100yds and grouping under an inch. Finished with that.

A friend showed up and wanted me to load some 55VMAX for
his .243. So, I loaded up some for my 6mm. Wonder of wonders, without changing the scope, the 55's were dead on at 100 at around 1/2". Never would'a tried them if it weren't for him.

I now had a 6mm that put 55's dead on (ideal for vermin) and 85s 2 1/2 high (ideal for deer)at 100yds without lateral dispersion. Pure dumb, unintended luck. To beat all, the gun is a Ruger #I which is not noted for accuracy.

Better lucky than good any day!

O