Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 222 twist

I should have posted this here, instead of the predator forum...……...222 rifle for coyotes......factory ammo.....50 grain......going to have gun built.....any recommendations on twist …...and barrel length.....bob

Bob, the 222 is one of my most favorite calibers. If I were going to build one, I would probably use a 1-10'' twist but I have no reason as to why other than I like a little faster twist than is normally found on 222's.

anything from 12 to 9 should do fine. The lead free 50s say that they need a 12 twist so I think that is what I would recommend.

what is the optimum barrel length in your guys opinion ……walking coyote rig......bob

Will you shoot suppressed?

no...….I am leaning toward 24...….bob

FYI, I just spoke with Mark over at Bartlein Barrels last week about the same thing. He is a bench rest guy and a big fan of the .222 Remington. Mark's recommendation was a 1-13" twist for the .222 I'm having built on a Bat SV action Stocked by Leroy of Canyon Creek custom stocks. It is a Rem varmint contour 27" and can be finished at 26", both the barrel and action are on order and need about a 4-6 month lead time.

even the 53 grain v max needs a 12 inch twist to work well according to Hornady. I'd go 12

First off if you are going to shoot factory ammo I would suggest going to a 223, there are way more options and none of my 222's shoot that great with factory ammo.
If you are set on a 222 with factory ammo and 50grain bullets then there is no good reason not to go 1-14" twist with a 22" barrel.

This is my thinking too! As a walking around rifle I would go short too. 18" to maybe 22". I love taking my Remington M-600 in 222 to the woods.

You cant go wrong with a Bartlein barrel and a BAT action, have a couple of both. excellent choices !!!
You gain nothing with a 222 having a 26" barrel except that you can set your barrel back a couple times, I love the long barrel too I have a 6BR with a 28" barrel, it is a single shot also.

My last 22 inch barrel was as fast as my current 24 inch barrel. I’d go 22-24 inch with a 12 twist.

Thanks boatanchor, what you said makes sense and will most likely finish a bit shorter ( also the blank i picked out CLARO EXFC 16A
Claro Exhibition Feather Crotch) is a beautiful blank for this build.

I have a Zastava 222 on their mini Mauser action and 20inch . It shoots 50gn Vmax well and 40gn VMax even better. I've used it on Kangaroo's, wild dogs, foxes and for taking the heads off rabbits. But I can't tell you what the twist is. I'm getting 3,200fps with those 50gn VMax bullets.

I bought a zastava in 223 off a member here...….this is the action I am thinking of using for my build...….can you or anyone give me a reason not to use it?...…….bob

Bob, I have a question regarding your build. If you have a 223, have you considered loading it down to 222 speeds or are you like me and just looney enough to want to have a 222 in spite of it?

always wanted one...….right hand, but left eye dominant …...can never find one, so will have one built......besides the one I just got, I have 2 more 223.


bob

should add …...I shoot left handed, rifles and shotguns...…..bows and handguns left hand

I understand completely.

I couldn't live with getting a rifle built only to use factory ammo in it. I vote sell the mini and buy a tikka in 222. Should be way cheaper than doing a build, the trigger is way better. Probably alot more accurate as well.

grovey......i hear you...but i couldn't have a rifle i would have to reload for.....i used to reload along time ago, finally had to admit ....i hate reloading...........i have tried to find a left hand 222, no luck.....bob

Have you called the boys at eurooptic.com? A really big Tikka dealer and although they don't have any 222's right now, I know they have ordered rifles from the importer before and got them for customers. If you don't know them, I can call them on your behalf to see what it would take for them to get one in. If possible, I'll give you a contact there for you to speak with.

OSU...…..I have had 2 different gun shops try to locate one for me......they come up empty...…..I will take you up on your generous offer ….. I really appreciate it.

thank you...…..bob

Bob, if you are interested, I have an as new Tikka 222 that I am going to sell. It's had exactly 20 rounds through it; just enough to sight it in and shoot a couple of groups with it. Using the box of Hornady Superformance ammo I had; it shot 5/8" groups. It's been restocked with a Boyd's prairie stock since I prefer a stock with a cheekpiece. It's a sharp looking rifle, but I have two others that always seem to get the nod when I take a 222 afield. I rarely get onto this site, but you can check my feedback out on accurateshooter.com. I have the same screen name over there. PM me if you're interested. It's a RH version tho.

also if anyone has a left hand 222 they are thinking of selling...…..let me know...……..bob

Bob, I'll call them today.

CZ makes a 527 American in a left hand that is a sweet rifle, only comes in 223 but you could shoot it for a while before you re-barrel to 222

Bob, I wasn't able to reach them today but will try again tomorrow.

thanks...……..bob

Bob, I spoke to a contact today who was out of the office but said he would check to see what could be done when he returns. I presume that will be Monday. I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

I am going to owe you......thanks...….bob

Nope. Just happy to help and hoping I can be of some help.

Bob, I'm afraid I don't have any good news to share with you regarding a LH 222 Rem. Apparently when Tikka changed out to the T3X either they did not make it in 222 OR Beretta has chosen not to import that model. Eurooptic.com had some of the older models but have sold out of them. Looks like your choices are one fewer. If I were in your situation, I would find a LH 223 and have it rebarreled to what I want in the twist I want. You can get it threaded for suppressed shooting and you will love the smooth Tikka action. Sorry I couldn't be of any assistance. Good luck in your search.

why don`t you buy a used 222rem. Ruger no.1 off guns international.com at least a Ruger no.1 has good resale for you ? I just built a Ruger no.1 for coyote hunting I wanted a 220 swift for my truck rifle. guns international.com its on page 3

osu……..thanks for trying to help out...……….pete…...just want a bolt action...….going to post a wtb in classified...….bob

some sources for LH bolt action rifles.

www.gunsinternational.com

www.gunsamerica.com

www.gunbroker.com

These, among others often have LH 223 sized rifles.

Bob you can get one of the LH 223's offered that pleases or use one you own. Probably do not need a re-barrel just have a smith set the barrel back and re-chamber. If you find the 222 is not for you it would be even easier to turn it back into a 223. Savage, Ruger Remington (and others) offer LH 223's , several ways to go. I have used both varieties of the triple deuce for years and love them Good Luck!!!

As for twist choose your bullet first then go from there. The old standard was 14 but 12 would work nicely. A lead free (longer) might need a bit more spin.

I had not given this any thought. That's a good idea and one I can employ as well.

Would it be any different than just loading the 223 with 222 load data...

I've done it often the velocity results were pretty much the same as the 222...

is the 222 that much more accurate than the 223?

especially in the real world varmint fields?

not quite the same ..........

but a 20-222 with 9 twist..........like a laser............

ya know Tikka, I've always kinda thought that the 20/222 would be a more efficient round than the 20 Practical for high volume shooting.. and that longer neck would be kinda handy.

have em both.............

Duece 20 is where its at !

Probably just a wee bit more accurate due to longer neck but in the real world varmint fields? Probably not.... Otherwise in the spirit of loony- ism
Bob doesn't have a hair on his ass if he doesn't do this !!!!

I am betting it would be the bomb!

seafire please quit making sense...…..all joking aside, I have always wanted a 222.....now I am going to get one.

I have contacted a rifle builder in mt.…...and we are going thru the process of what I need and want.....am going bird hunting for the last few days of the season, and then get the processes started.

thanks everyone for the help.....bob

hey...okie.....I resemble that...being an ass anyway


osu….thanks for the help...……...I am going have a walking calling rifle built.....am open to any ideas ….if anyone wants to give their opinion on the build.....am all ears.

thanks bob

Who's making sense? YOUR post makes perfect logical sense to me.....

I'm more practical... but that never gets in the way of " because I just wanted one... so I convinced myself I needed one"

only thing I would add in my normal "practical" train of thought... do it on a Savage action or a Ruger 77.. that way the barrel would be easy to change.. from a 222 to a 223 or 20/222 etc...

Two rounds I have never used or needed have been the 17 Rem and the 17 Fireball... that is why I am ordering one of each from E.R. Shaw at the moment.

Tikka, what did you have to do to the brass? Anything other that blowing it out?

Redding 222 bushing neck die.......

bushing is .227" IIRC......23/H322 & moly 40 V max = dead p/dogs

Use a lot of Lapua 222 brass for longevity......but Win/Rem works too

I like them there 20's......

the original chamber on this was a 20 BR.......set up for 55 Bergers........

thus the 9 twist.........got bored with it and re chambered for 20-222

my fav 20 cal dog gun !