Why isn't the 222 Rem Dead?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Dr T

Dr T

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2010
Messages
1,621
Location
Colorado and West Texas
I will start by admitting that I like the 222 Rem. Among other things, it was the first centerfire that I ever shot. While I have never owned one, when I finally decided to pick one up I couldn't find one--or the cartridges to use in it. (I "settled" for a Ruger Model 77 Lightweight in 223).

I figured that the 223 Rem had finally killed it off and the 222 had gone the way of a number of other fine, useful cartridges like the 6 mm Rem, 257 Roberts, and 250 Savage.

I was a bit surprised to find that one of the main online retailers had 222 Rem in stock from three manufacturers (CZ, Howa, and Savage).

So, who can tell me why the 223 Remington did not make the 222 Remington completely obsolete?
 
Because thousands of rounds exist, there are just enough countries which prohibit use of military cartridges, there are just enough people who refuse to buy anything common... a guy can keep going...

The better question:

Why do green popsicles still exist? Or green skittles?
 
It didn't hurt that it was a favorite benchrest cartridge before the 6PPC came along. A few years ago I scored a Remington 600 in 222. They are pretty rare as many of them have been rechambered to 223.
 
1) as an antidote to 223 ubiquity
2) because for shooting rodents and small dogs, 52 grs is plenty and for anything bigger, there is 6mm and beyond
3) because there are loads of cool older rifles chambered in it, from the Savage 340, the Miller of mid-century rifles, to the refinement of the Sako Vixen
4) because 222...
 
For the same reasons some have stated, plus:

1- It is easy to load for
2- Case life is excellent
3- It can be extremely accurate, be sure to know your barrels twist rate
4- Recoil is non existent, great for beginning shooters
5- It’s fun to shoot

The only thing I can say that would be negative is, IMHO, I think it's marginal for deer.
 
I have read it’s more popular in Europe than 223 because many countries ban rifles chambered in military calibers. And we thought our gun laws are stupid!
 
I have a couple 12ga/-.222's and a 788 Rem. .222...

I shot a bunch of snowshoes with one of the combo guns, loaded with bullets I swaged using 22LR cases for the jackets. I'd light load them and seat the bullet in backwards to make it a solid.

I REALLY like the .222 Remington...

DM

I need to edit this!

I did NOT seat the "bullet" in backwards, I swaged the bullet, with the JACKET in backwards, to make it a solid.

Sorry, I missed that, until I just read this again.

DM
 
Last edited:
I see 600 and 660 in triple deuce now and then.
Think the more rare rig up for sale used is the Varmint Special in .222 (24").
Think the widows dump em.

As for rechambered 600s to .223.................never seen one, and I get around.
Maybe regional?
Eh, the .223 fans seemed to go for the 788's.
 
BTW, my first centerfire was a 660 in .222 rem.
5th grade.
Got a Weaver V9 w AO from Service Merchandise.
And quite possibly the gal that got me the package................I ended up marrying 15 yrs later (she older than me).
Eh, I was interested in rifles and handguns, not girls............so wasn't paying attention.
 
Hookeye said:
BTW, my first centerfire was a 660 in .222 rem.
5th grade.
Got a Weaver V9 w AO from Service Merchandise.
And quite possibly the gal that got me the package................I ended up marrying 15 yrs later (she older than me).
Eh, I was interested in rifles and handguns, not girls............so wasn't paying attention.
Click to expand...
So women flock to men who own a 222....
 
someguy2800 said:
I have read it’s more popular in Europe than 223 because many countries ban rifles chambered in military calibers. And we thought our gun laws are stupid!
Click to expand...

That is to prevent citizens in an uprising against the government from seizing existing military stocks of ammunition to feed the fire so to speak. Nations before NATO and the Warsaw Pact used to use different cartridges to prevent enemy armies from doing the same thing. Nations that did not such as Czechoslovakia or Poland promptly had their arms industries and arms turned into German service.
 
I had a 222 Remington back in the 1970's and used it to shoot wild turkeys. It was a Sako, pretty as a picture, but the accuracy was over 2 MOA at 100 yards. I missed a shot at a big tom standing broadside at 200 yards so I sold the rifle. The shot looked good but the bullet didn't go to the point of aim. That rifle spoiled me from ever buying a Sako rifle again. A friend had a 700 Remington in 222 and it was a tack driver. I loaded the 222 and I liked the cartridge.
 
I guess it's about been covered lol. The 222 is far from dead, due to it using .224 bullets and lots of chamberings. The 22 Savage HP is the one on life support because of the lack of .227/8 bullets.

I have a 222 contender barrel and a Remington 722 chambered in 222. The Remington is a tack driver.
 
.222 is a classic and held a lot of accuracy records. Plus the longer neck gives better bullet tension. I always wanted one but got the .223 in my 788 in the early 70s. Now the .222 and .222 Mag are pushing daisies.
 
The green apple Skittle is an atrocity. Bring back the lime! It was a nice palette cleanser from the red, purple and orange sweetness


Varminterror said:
Because thousands of rounds exist, there are just enough countries which prohibit use of military cartridges, there are just enough people who refuse to buy anything common... a guy can keep going...

The better question:

Why do green popsicles still exist? Or green skittles?
Click to expand...
 
My basic varmint rifle when actively hunting was a Remington 700VS with a 10x Unertl scope. This 700 was the third 222 I had. The others were a SAKO and Remington 660. The rifles came and went except the 700. There is a thread going on another forum about this round being rediscovered. The overwhelming response was that it never was undiscovered. I could give a care less about .223. Generally, unless there is something drastically wrong with the .222 rifle, good accuracy can come from variety of components easily. My favorite load was a top load of IMR4198 and fifty grain Hornady bullet. The performance of this bullet in 222 was extremely good. I have three of the four caliber rifles OP has declared dead. Poor thing has been hanging out in the wrong cemetery. Also got an elderly 40X BBR in .222 Magnum. I encourage those with 223's consider rechambering to 222 Magnum. Doing so will allow you to know which chamber you have.:)
 
Last edited:
Mowgli Terry said:
My basic varmint rifle when actively hunting was a Remington 700VS with a 10x Unertl scope. This 700 was the third 222 I had. The others were a SAKO and Remington 600. The rifles came and went except the 700. There is a thread going on another forum about this round being rediscovered. The overwhelming response was that it never was undiscovered. I could give a care less about .223. Generally, unless there is something drastically wrong with the .222 rifle, good accuracy can come from variety of components easily. My favorite load was a top load of IMR4198 and fifty grain Hornady bullet. The performance of this bullet in 222 was extremely good. I have three of the four caliber rifles OP has declared dead. Poor thing has been hanging out in the wrong cemetery. Also got an elderly 40X BBR in .222 Magnum. I encourage those with 223's consider rechambering to 222 Magnum. Doing so will allow you to know which chamber you have.:)
Click to expand...

Ditto on the "dead" calibers. I have a 6mm rem, 257rbts, 222 (x2), 22 sav HP, 22 hornet, 300 sav, 220 swift, 32wcf, 38wcf, and 32NAA.

The only thing keeping the WCFs alive is cowboy action. Swift and hornet are fairly obscure now, though not that rare. The 32NAA is chambered in one pistol, and only hornady makes a load for it. And just one.

I enjoy having obscure calibers though, just to be different. That's why I bought the grendel 10 years ago and a Beowulf a few years ago. Also why I sold my G17 for a G20. And a bolt action savage 22-250 pistol.
 
adcoch1 said:
So women flock to men who own a 222....
Click to expand...

Musta been a delayed reaction. Got the scope when I was 12 and she worked there when 18.
We didn't meet after that until I was 25.
And I had a #1 B in .243 win.
Haven't owned a .222 since '78.
 
Used to have chucks around these parts.
Not anymore.
Even so, too many old farts still love the .222
A used rifle in that still holds its value (no deals).
 
I'd like a 700 VS just for the heck of it.
My kid could shoot pop cans at 200 with it.
Looks like her other shoulder needs surgery.
A heavy .222 might be all she can ever run off the bench.
 
Part of the reason I think the triple deuce hasn't gone extinct is that it held the smallest group size ever recorded in competition for 4 decades. Sure it was a custom target rifle with custom reloads coupled with an outstanding competition shooter, but maybe that history adds to the allure of the .222 Remington cartridge.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/7/27/the-222-remington-story/
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
17 Rem vs. 222 Rem
Replies
12
Views
4K
Skyshot
S
Litetrigger
PRE-64 WINCHESTER M-70 IN .222 REM ?
Replies
6
Views
418
PapaG
P
IWAC
  • Locked
.223 or .222 Remington...which?
2 3
Replies
66
Views
6K
jmorris
jmorris
RPRNY
  • Locked
Ahhhhh...222 Remington?
Replies
4
Views
505
RPRNY
RPRNY
Mr_Flintstone
  • Locked
Is the .222 Remington still relevant?
2
Replies
40
Views
3K
Mr_Flintstone
Mr_Flintstone
Back
Top