Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints .222 too hot??

I recently had a friend who loads centerfire cartridges use some load data to put together a .222 load for me.. I got the data from the June 2011 issue of "Guns and Ammo", page 28, the tenth load on the chart which clearly states " 50 gr. Nosler BT, COL 2.130", primer CCI-BR4, W-748 powder, 26.6 grains".

Using this data, my friend loaded 50 of these cartridges. I haven't fired these yet because what concerns me is that when I check other load data (ie from Nosler itself for example) that data states the max load is 24.5 grains of 748 with the Nosler 50 gr. BT. This is of course nowhere near the 26.6 grains stated in the G&A article. Which source is correct? To you folks out there who do load .222 using the 50 gr. Nosler BT and W-748 powder--can you shed any light on this question? I do want to stay safe....Thanks for any data or for sources of support data....

Sounds too hot to me...The Hodgdon site tops out at 24.0 grains for a 50 grainer...

I imagine id be working up to that load....

I've seen 50 gr. loads in .223 that didn't go that high, I think I'd re-think that one.

Those loads are too hot for a .222 in my opinion. That would be a pretty good load in a .223.

Depends on the gun and the cases used. I have a hornady book that says that you can go up to 27.4 grains of powder with a 50 grainer. That load is supposed to go to 3300 fps from a 20 inch barrel. I tried that load and couldn't get past 27 grains safely.

Winchester and federal cases don't seem to take as much powder as the remington cases will.

You'll go nuts comparing loads from different manuals and trying to figure what's what, and what'll shoot in your gun. They all use different components in different combinations in different test guns and none of those guns are the same as yours. And what's published in gun magazines is also not gospel. If your friend loaded up some load he saw in an article, don't count on it being the load for your gun. Personally I wouldn't even use the stuff. And use the manuals only as a guide for starting point to work up a load.

My only .222 was bought in about '82, it's been long since been rebarrelled to .223. Best load was a 40 @ about 3700, same powder and charge that was used at that time in a 223 with 50's. Finally wore the barrel out.

I don't think this load would harm your rifle, but to be on the safe side you need to work up loads that are over the book maximum. The load was probably safe in the rifle in the article.
My guess is they printed 222 Rem Mag data in the article instead of 222 Rem

26.6grs of 748 is in the neck of my Lapua brass and I have no itentions of compressing 748....so I'd say it was a misprint or possibly 222rem mag data too.

rule #1..never,never make up a load without "working" it up in YOUR rifle!!....When they print "start" at 10% below,there is a reason!
It might be good,but what it it's NOT....

Winchester warns not to decrease or increase the load data. Load as stated only.

what cases and primers is he using?

Most ball powders just aren't as forgiving as extruded powders when you're trying to work up a hot load. Two or three shots might be fine, then later in the day you're piercing primers and destroying primer pockets. I've found accurate loads with 748 or 335, but almost always had one gas a primer without much warning.

With a deuce I've had the most luck with powders in the AA2015 or N133 range when I'm trying to heat 'em up.

Rule #1, never run somebody elses handloads through your gun.

Rule #2, always work up a handload.

Rule #3, be very suspicious of data published in magazines, especially if there is a load that seems magically fast for a given chambering.

I wouldn't make up a load straight out of a magazine. Most if not all articles carry a "yourresultsmayvary" disclaimer anyway.
And guns are feline if not female.
As for other people's handloads, I don't trust them unless I know the loader and his data. Won't even shoot a known handloaded cartridge or reload unless it's a pro, or in the gun it was handloaded FOR -- AFTER I see the owner shoot it first and have a case to look at.
That said, I work up stuff for friends all the time. Gives me a chance to play with their toys, learn more, and then I usually load up a batch of 50 for them. But the process is pretty tightly controlled, with good record-keeping and careful control of components.

I am going to state here that there is a big fat mistake in this jive.

26.5 is all my 223's can take.

This load has to be for a 222, all right. A 222 MAGNUM.

That's just a skosh bigger than a 223.

If it's your mistake, just be happy you didn't shoot them.

If it's their mistake send them a complaint.

Buyer beware, after all.

HM

Hodgdon:

50 GR. HDY SP Winchester 748 .224" 2.130" 24.0 2980 38,000 CUP

That's low on the pressure but it's the max per Hodgdon/Winchester

FYI a pierced primer is a PITA

HM

As stated work up loads always. Find out what your rifle likes it will show you by groups. Just me I use H-335 in my 222...later

I never loaded over 22 grains of any powder I kept on the bench! This load for me with a 50 grn. bullet was almost a one hole issue most of the time at 100 yards.