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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 88
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 88 |
Just picked up this old Vixen and with reloading supplies being precious and factory ammo nill. I was looking for advice. Have some 50 grain TNT plus a mix of other 50 gainers and 40s but don't want to waste what little there is. The barrell is being recrowned so I plan to shot some coyotes soon. Open to any suggestions from someone who has loaded for a 222 Vixen with success and something other than IMR 4198, since I don't have any. Thanks
A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,213
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,213 |
Congratulations on a beautiful rifle. You probably already know but there’s a Sako collector’s site ( https://sakocollectors.com/forum/) that is a great source. I’ve loaded for 222 quite a bit but never a Vixen.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,981
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,981 |
I've had a Vixen .222 for a long time and a very accurate varmint bullet has been the 50 grain Sierra Blitz or the regular high velocity version of the same bullet, especially with Reloder 7. This bullet is a good one in all the slow twist .22s including the .220 Swift. I realize components are hard to find and the 50 TNT is certainly worth trying. My notes show good accuracy with this bullet using Reloder 7; it didn't do so well with H4895 and IMR4198.
Look at some manuals. Lots of good .222 loads and you'll find this cartridge among the easiest to work with when it come to accuracy. I've never had much interest in bullets under 50 grains, but one of the few I've work with was the Sierra 45 grain. It will shoot about as well as the 50 grain.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,788
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,788 |
I use Benchmark powder, 25.0 grains and 40 ballistic tips. It will tip over coyotes quite effectively.
NRA Patron
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Campfire Regular
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My favorite powder for 40, 50 and 52 grain bullets is H4198. I mostly shoot 40 Vmax or Ballistic Tips these days. As has been said many times, the 3 deuce is a very forgiving cartridge. Any of the loads suggested here will probably give good results.
Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
A lie doesn't become truth; wrong doesn't become right; evil doesn't become good, just because it's accepted by the majority...Rick Warren
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 88
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 88 |
Appreciate the feed backs. Will take a look at the Sako site. Have some H322, RL10 & Xterminator to try. Anyone have a load recomendation or experience good or bad with one of these?
A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,659
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,659 |
Appreciate the feed backs. Will take a look at the Sako site. Have some H322, RL10 & Xterminator to try. Anyone have a load recomendation or experience good or bad with one of these? To me the best powder for the 222 is VVN130........of the powder and bullets you have look no further than H322 with the 50gr TNT (that will be a tough combo to beat)
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,659
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
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As has been said many times, the 3 deuce is a very forgiving cartridge.
I have NEVER heard that said !!!!!!!!!!!!!!, most refer to it as the "Triple Deuce"
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,202 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,202 Likes: 1 |
H335 is the fastest and super accurate in the vixen. If the leade is long, then go to the sierra site, they have the 50g semi point on a close out, they shoot like berger bullets. I use Rem 7 1/2 with H335. Walt Berger shot a lot of tiny groups in his 222's before he went to a 6 PPC.
Lots of great bullet in the Vixen. Some were throated long and this is where the 50g Sierra semi point will shine, and they sure dump coyotes hard!
AA2230 is another great powder that will get some serious speed with tiny groups.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,081 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,081 Likes: 1 |
Speer 52gr FB HP with Benchmark
After the first shot the rest are just noise.
Make mine a Minaska
Heaven has walls and rules, H-ll has open borders
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 88
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 88 |
Nice rife and yote! I'm excited to hunt with the 222 & the Vixen. Have just enough variety of 50 gainers that if I hit a load I could load a few extras for an occasional hunt. If we get it dialed in quick I'll be happy. Thanks
A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,049 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,049 Likes: 6 |
Bowlseye: My heavy barrel Sako L-46 shoots the wonderful Berger 52 grain Varmint bullets so well (and so lethally) I have never tried anything else in it! I use Norma brass, Federal 205 M (Match) primers and H 322 powder to attain excellent accuracy in my Sako 222. Best of luck finding a "good" load and if you run across any Berger 52's give them a try. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
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Joined: May 2002
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I've owned a number of 222's over the years and it seems harder to find a load that doesn't work.
After the first shot the rest are just noise.
Make mine a Minaska
Heaven has walls and rules, H-ll has open borders
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,981
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
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I've owned a number of 222's over the years and it seems harder to find a load that doesn't work. Very true.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,426
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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My Sako A1 222 Rem Varmint loves the Sierra 50 grain Blitzking over 22 grains Accurate 2015. Chews out 5-shot one-hole groups at 100 yards. Have taken taken chucks at well over 300 yards with that rig (8x Leupold).
"Behavior accepted is behavior repeated."
"Strive to be underestimated."
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,205
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
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Mine loves 55 Nosler bt. 24.2 gr 748. One holer. Also loves 40 gr XLC’s but can’t find them , tried various 50 gr but never better than 5/8”
Keep your head on the stock,wood on wood
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 88
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 88 |
I checked out the Sako site and it looks like the rifle was made in 1965. I was also able to print off the trigger schematic so I can adjust it. Looks like you all are using what I can try so I am anxious to get to work on it soon. Thanks again for any suggestions.
A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 290
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 290 |
I have a Sako L461 Vixen with a Canjar trigger in 222. Mine loves 26gr of 748, Fed 205M primer in Rem brass with 50gr Nosler SHOTS. My real accuracy load is the same with Nosler 50gr BT’s. I have also used Benchmark with 53gr SMK’s for wild dogs and this rifle shoots so well it really is remarkable. I prefer my 22-250/22-250AI for dogs, but the Sako gets her done in a pinch.
Cheers.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,167 Likes: 16
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,167 Likes: 16 |
Have owned a few .222s, but only one Vixen. It was the most accurate of all, and after trying the usual powders, the most accurate loads I found used Accurate LT-30 and LT-32.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,553
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I have a 1950s Vixen with a stainless Hart barrel. It is very accurate. When I got it in the late 1980s, I tried many powders to find the most accurate one with 50 grain bullets. The most accurate powder was H-322. However, I used IMR 4198 or RL-7 as they were only slightly less accurate and produced more muzzle velocity, which I wanted for woodchuck hunting. In the early 2000s I used AA-2200 with 40 grain bullets. These days I use Vhitavuori N-130 and 50 grain plastic point bullets. My rifle also has a Canjar single-set trigger.
NRA Endowment Life Member, G.O.A supporter
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1,078
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I’d look at H322 or IMR8208 and whatever 50grainers you have on hand. I like Sierra 50gr and nosler 50 BT.
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 125
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 125 |
Good score on a great shooter. H322 and 52gr shoot ragged holes in mine.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,843 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,843 Likes: 6 |
I had a doctor friend who was sadly deceased in Mar 2003.... when he was a young man, he bought a Sako Vixen in 222....and went to Australia when he was 20 to work on a Sheep Station in West Australia for two years. When he got there, he was befriended by an old Australian WW 1 Veteran, who had the same gun and taught Damon how to hand load...
That was with an old Lee Loader.. after sizing and prepping the cases and seating the primer, the old Aussie, would pour a big pile of 4895 on the table and scoop the 222 Case full of powder, and level it out at the brim.... flush with the case mouth opening... Then seat a 50 grain bullet...
they used the rounds for pest control, on the huge ranch....
Damon said no one was a better shot on the old sheep station, than the Aussie WW 1 Vet....
Told me that was how he learned to handload.
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,461
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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ii have 3 - .222 sako vixen. i have only loaded I4198 in lapua brass. if i was going to try another. it would N-130 or N-133. i would think factory .222 would be easy to find
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,461
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,461 |
i went to ammo seek and a bunch of factory ammo popped up.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,664
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,664 |
I load Sierra 53gr HPs with 22.0gr of H322 and a BR-4 primer for my BIL. It shoots good in his Anschutz, Sako, and Rem 660.
The Karma bus always has an empty seat when it comes around.- High Brass
There's battle lines being drawn Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,553
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I like 20 grains of IMR 4198 with a 50 grain bullet, or 21 grains of RL-7 with a 50 grain bullet. H322 is perhaps a bit more accurate, but I want speed for woodchuck hunting. I get 3,250-3,300 fps with those loads.
I also like N130 - 21.5 grains if memory serves - with a 50 grain bullet. I also used 24 grains of AA2200 with a 40 grain bullet for about 3,500 fps when I had that powder.
My Vixen is a 1958 model with safety on the bolt. It has a Hart stainless sporter barrel. I have had it for over 30 years.
Last edited by Jerseyboy; 04/22/21.
NRA Endowment Life Member, G.O.A supporter
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Mine is on its 3 rd barrel so it’s now got a benchmark Chambered in 222 Seems I can load cornflakes in that thing and it will shoot My go to is surplus data 68 and 40 gr v max wasn’t a hard load to find 222 is probbly the easiest one I have ever loaded
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,732 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,732 Likes: 3 |
I have several 222’s (722’s, 722 B’s and a Model 7 Mannlicher) and with one exception 40 gr Ballistic Tips, 40 gr Tipped Varmageddons and 40 gr Sierra Blitzkings are the preferred bullets. The other likes the 50 gr Sierra Blitz soft point. I’ve tried several powders but I have gravitated to H-322 in all of them with the published max loads or very close to max.
NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 212 Likes: 1
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 212 Likes: 1 |
A local gun shop has a 1980’s Sako Vixen in 223 for sale NIB for an eye watering $2250. Although it’s probably the only one available in the country outside of private collections.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 586
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 586 |
Mine is chambered in 222RemMag, and it was made in 1963.
I have to say, it will shoot the majority of loads sub-MOA. It has been a very easy rifle to get very good accuracy from.
Enjoy that rifle!
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,794 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,794 Likes: 2 |
I have used H4895 with a 50 gr. bullet..
Molon Labe
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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With mine it really is harder to find a load that doesn’t shoot well Matter of fact I never have Mine is just for prairie dogs so don’t have a 222 coyote load but I load some 50 gr speers for the ocational badger But only real load for it is 40 gr v max with data 68surplus powder I worked up some loads the other days for an ADL With old h 4895. All shot under an inch with 52 gr speer hp
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Joined: May 2017
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Campfire Tracker
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It's nice that you can read an article and think it is instantly the bible, Vandenburg used several powders that are less than ideal for the 222.........CFE223 is not even ideal for a 223 and I have had much better results with LT-30. to finish off my rant I don't know anybody that uses 55 grainers in a normal 1-14" barrel, that leads me to believe that neither you or vandenburg really own a 222
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