The 222 Remington Magnum - 02/13/09
Remember in the 1980s when there seemed to be a concerted effort by some in the gun writing community to drum up support for the 280 Remington? I am not saying that there was a meeting somewhere in a dark, smoke-filled room where writers hatched a plan to resurrect the 280. But certainly more than just a few writers picked up its banner and ran with it. And you know what, I believe it helped the 280 tremendously.
I would like to see some writers do for the 222 Rem. Mag. what they did for the 280 Rem. Look, I realize that the 222 Mag. is never going to outshine the 223 Rem. But the similarities between the 280's resurgence and the possible resurgence of the 222 Mag. are striking.
First of all, the main competition for the 280 was/is the vastly more popular 270 Win. The 270 was loaded to higher pressures than the 280. I could be wrong, but even though the 222 Rem. Mag. holds more powder, the 223 Rem. is loaded to higher pressures. Even so, there was a niche carved out for the 280 and the same could happen for the 222 Mag.
Secondly, it's only been in the last couple of years that the many shooters have gone to fast twist, heavy bullets in .224 and the 222 Mag's case looks like a natural for such applications when compared to the 223.
With everything that is going on today with ammo being scarce, having another .224 caliber rifle on the market would be a good thing. Those who adore the 223 would have their cartridge and others might gravitate towards the 222 Mag. Also consider that, at least it seems this way, varmint/predator hunting is at an all time high right now. If ever there was a time to reintroduce the 222 Mag it is now.
Maybe it's pure futility on my part but I would love to see the 222 Rem. Mag. make its way back into the lineup of several major manufacturers. Even if it were only for a couple of years, it would get some more brass into circulation and loaded cartridges as well. Hell, I would be happy with a limited run by Remington. Again, if ever there was a time to do it that time is now or at least when there is a perception of a better economy on the horizon.
Anyway....
Landrum
I would like to see some writers do for the 222 Rem. Mag. what they did for the 280 Rem. Look, I realize that the 222 Mag. is never going to outshine the 223 Rem. But the similarities between the 280's resurgence and the possible resurgence of the 222 Mag. are striking.
First of all, the main competition for the 280 was/is the vastly more popular 270 Win. The 270 was loaded to higher pressures than the 280. I could be wrong, but even though the 222 Rem. Mag. holds more powder, the 223 Rem. is loaded to higher pressures. Even so, there was a niche carved out for the 280 and the same could happen for the 222 Mag.
Secondly, it's only been in the last couple of years that the many shooters have gone to fast twist, heavy bullets in .224 and the 222 Mag's case looks like a natural for such applications when compared to the 223.
With everything that is going on today with ammo being scarce, having another .224 caliber rifle on the market would be a good thing. Those who adore the 223 would have their cartridge and others might gravitate towards the 222 Mag. Also consider that, at least it seems this way, varmint/predator hunting is at an all time high right now. If ever there was a time to reintroduce the 222 Mag it is now.
Maybe it's pure futility on my part but I would love to see the 222 Rem. Mag. make its way back into the lineup of several major manufacturers. Even if it were only for a couple of years, it would get some more brass into circulation and loaded cartridges as well. Hell, I would be happy with a limited run by Remington. Again, if ever there was a time to do it that time is now or at least when there is a perception of a better economy on the horizon.
Anyway....
Landrum