I have an older Sako L469 sporter in 222 Remington Magnum. Got a bunch of Herters brass. what I would like is is accurate loads using 50-55gr bullets. I may use 50gr NBT's but will probably use 50-55gr SPT's from Hornady or Sierra.

What powders are you guys recommending for this.

Coyotejunkie: I have a Sako L-46 heavy barrel Rifle in 222 Magnum that LOVES the wonderful little Sierra 50 grain Blitz (not BlitzKings) bullets.
These bullets have proven accurate and lethal on all manner of Varmints for decades for me in many different calibers/guns.
I use H 4895 powder, Remington brass and Federal 205M Match primers with these.
IF... you are interested in just paper punching (accuracy) then I recommend the Sierra 52 grain HP/BT bullets and BLC-2 powder.
I don't use these 52 grain Sierras for any kind of Varminting as they are so hard and ricochet prone.
Best of luck to you with the 222 Magnum.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Coyotejunki,

Have you handloaded the .223 Remington much? The same powder charges and bullets work for the .222 Magnum, because there's hardly any difference between the two cases. You might have to add a half-grain of powder to charges when loading the .222 Magnum, but depending on brass weight maybe not.

I kind of figured it would be about the same as the 223 or the 223 Imp.

I bought this little Sako several years back, and honestly forgot I even had it. Back of the safe, hiding.

Its not finicky for powder and data used can be from the 223, 5.56 NATO and 223 AI (be careful with any AI data) and worked up.

I like using slower fuel and hitting a velocity benchmark.

My favorite powder for 50-55's is Benchmark and 27 grs. will get 3,450 from most 24" tubes with the 50gr. bullet WITH Herter's cases (they are heavier than R-P's of every vintage).

R-P cases usually will take 1/2gr more to get the same speeds.

Generally, its capable of 223AI or 5.56 velocities without issue.

You mean people still actually shoot 222 mags?


Who knew?

Foolishly. I mean, they're mostly museum pieces, and an original Sako must be worth millions. Why risk shooting such valuable rifles?

I had heard they were rendered completely obsolete by Stainless Synthetic semi-custom .223AIs...

People actually have found them, sold them, and shipped them too

From Montana of all places!!!

That's just the internet for ya!

Not true. The Herter cases however......

Yeah, especially if they come with a genuine Model Perfect Herter's catalog....

The Best in the World!

Don't waste potential velocity on 50 grain or heavier bullets. Get 40 grain V-Max, load 28 grains of H-335 and then go with a bunch of slow twist shooters and kick their asses...

Guess I found gold then,

Wow! A 469 Deluxe...

Nice donor action!

That action...a McSwirly, purple/red and as stainless Hart Barrel in 223AI!!!!


What could possibly be better?

An enema...

H335 is my powder of choice in my 222 Mag . I use the Nosler 50 gr BT.

I have found 222mag loads are a good place to get started on loading the 223AI....

That's because most published .222 Magnum loads are either identical to .223 Remington loads or, at most, a 1/2 grain different.

As I hinted at earlier, the difference between the .223 and .222 Magnum powder capacity is so small that brass thickness, throat length and other factors can essentially reduce it to nothing.

Sooooo...basically the 222mag is an anachronism. We'd better tell Shrap.......

I've tried, believe me! But since he's an anachronism, like many of the rest of us, it doesn't have much effect.

Damn, I thought it would be better, more go power than a regular ole 223. I guess I should just sell it.

Retube it to .22-204.. That's the cartridge that has made the .222 mag obsolete.

Let me know how much you want...

That is why there are so many posers out there that think the same of the 300 Win mag and the 300 WBY.

Reloading manuals aren't always done with the most experience where it needs to be. Most are reference guides governed by liability issues rather than what a serious shooter needs to know...

He's saying the same about the 223AI....hint.

The 222 Mag was also registered at about 5,000psi less pressure than the .

As far as capacity, with bulky powder such as IMR 4064, IMR shows a grain more charge for similar pressure.