Thanks for the feedback. What I'm looking for is a relatively 'mild' cartridge (as opposed to my 22/250
) with some reach for use on smaller land holdings ... hence the 20/222. I like its longer neck compared to the 20Practical. Being in Australia, 222Rem brass is still easily available from multiple sources, where as 221Fireball is more complicated, likewise locating a gunsmith with 20VarTag reamer. A 20/222 reamer is relatively easy to find, using a FL bushing die to size 222Rem necks down is also 'low maintenance' enough to keep me interested in it as a wildcat. I hate turning necks etc and heavy case forming.
The 20/222 also suits well our local ADI powders, particularly AR2207 (H4198) and AR2219 (H322). We also have one the US I believe doesn't see called Benchmark 1 which slots between these two in burn rate, and has the small kernel size of AR2219. So powders are freely available that 'maximise' the velocity without having to source harder to find powders like the Winchester or Reloder series.
My intention is to use it on rabbits, hares and foxes, on dairy farms where the 'shock and awe' of the 22/250 with a 40gr at 4000fps isn't appreciated. However also as a fun gun on a property where rabbits can be 'sniped' at all ranges from at your feet, out to as far as you can see them ... and I want to see the hits!!!
I just have to decide whether to pull a tiring Rem700 in 17Rem apart, or whether to use a Stevens200 action... whichever gets turned into a 20/222, I can see the other later becoming a 20Practical.
Does the 20/222 sound as if it fits the bill?
Seafire, yes, still alive and kicking ... kids are approaching their teens so between shuttling them to sports, pony club and school ... life's gotten a bit busier and less time to play on the forums. I was set to give up on the wildcats and just build a 204Ruger or a 17Rem ... but old habits die hard.
Cheers...
Con