Any .222 rem mag reloaders?

[bluekouki86]

I've got a .222 rem mag Remington 700 that I've never shot. I've been putting together components to load for this rifle. On hand I have IMR 4198, starline brass, and Hornady 50gr "z-max" mega zombie killer bullets (cheaper than v-max haha). Any advise on bullet weights or powder charges? Any other good powders for this round? I can't find any more 4198. Thanks!

 

[flashhole]

A few years back I ran posts on many different forums/sites to gain knowledge from people who shoot the 222 Rem Mag. I was considering buying one at the time. What I discovered was there were darn few 222 RM shooters. Can't remember all the arguments against buying one but I ended up with a 223 bolt gun.

Good luck with your adventure.

 

[Offfhand]

I was delighted to see your post about the .222 Rem Mag because it reminded me of a vintage SAKO rifle in that caliber I added to my SAKO collection several years ago. Getting out the rifle's records I find that I shot only a couple test groups with it when I got it back in 1993. The two 5-shot 100 yard groups measure .466" and .459" and were fired with Remington 55 gr. HP loads, which is better than good for a lightweight sporter and FACTORY ammo, and nearly as good as my 40-X .222 Mag. Now I'm encouraged to try some handloads with 52 grain benchrest bullets, but those factory loads will be hard to beat. Attached is a quick photo of the rifle, targets and box the ammo was in. The scope is a 10X Lyman all-American that likewise dates back to that vintage era when times were good.

 

[NCsmitty]

You'll find good current data at www.hodgdon.com, and other online manufacturers/distributors. There are a bunch of powders that work well in that excellent caliber, if you can find some available.

Powders that work in the 223 are also ideal for the 222 Remag. The case for the 222 RM is the basis for the 204 Ruger. IMO, IMR4198 is a bit fast burning, but will work. Several new powders on the market push the potential of it even higher, but some powders continue in short supply.


NCsmitty

 

[Moreno]

I have not loaded for the 222 Mag, but have reloaded for the 222 Rem for many years. It is a fine caliber, and I suspect the 222 Mag will prove likewise. I have settled on the 55 gr bullets, and there are several powders that work well. I like 3031. Enjoy that nice piece.

 

[flashhole]

Nice looking rig.

 

[6.5swede]

A few years ago, an avid 222 Mag shooter turned me onto Benchmark. He's had good success with that powder for a variety of bullet weights in his 222 Mags. My custom 222 Mag built on a Sako AI action shoots the 52gr SMK fueled by Benchmark into tiny little bugholes.

 

[flashhole]

Nice looking rig.

 

[Walkalong]

My Sako in .222 Mag has shot some great groups with H335, H322, & IMR 4895, but really shines with 2015. It loves the Hornady 50 & 55 Gr Spire Points. I bought some LT-32 to try in it, since it is a close cousin to 2015.

 

[bluekouki86]

Those are some beautiful rifles.

I do have imr 4895 I use for my 7.62 calibers. What is the barrel twist in the sako? Most of my .224 bullets are 68 grain or better for my Sig m400 with a 1:7 barrel, which are way to heavy for the r700 I've got.

I'll check the local store for any of those powders tomorrow. 4198 and 4895 have been gone for quite some time and I'm on my last pound of each.

 

[Walkalong]

My Sako is 1 in 14 and a 60 Gr bullet has to be run hard and then it might do well. I learned to stick with 55 gr or lighter. At the time of manufacture it's intent was to be a varmint gun, not a target rifle, and the lighter bullets were in favor for varmint shooting then.

 

[bluekouki86]

My Remington 700 is also a 1/14 twist, so I will stick to 55 grain or less. I don't plan on loading anything too hot mostly because of how hard it is to get powder currently. Once I get a batch off the press, I'll stop back and post my results. Thanks!

 

[Elcemento]

IMR 3031 and 50 grain Sierra made one ragged hole in my .222 Rem mag.Other powders worked pretty good but 3031 was the best.

 

[oneholers]

222 rem mag.

For my 222 rem mag, 26 grs. of IMR3031 was used for many years (and I still use it) with a 55 gr Sierra spitzer #1360. Sometimes I load a little less to see if I can improve accuracy, but it's about the same. Recently I started testing various seating depths trying to improve accuracy. At the same time I tried Hodgdon Benchmark and found a more acurate load. 23.7 grs of benchmark, 55 gr Sierra spitzer SP #1360, Remington Benchrest primers with COL approx. 2.38" with OGIVE at 2.007" putting it at 0.038" off lands. This gave 1/2" groups at 100yards. Four shots in on hole, one pull making it 1/2" group. I tried BM since I use in my 223 and it meters great... 1 in 12 twist rate.

 

[spitballer]

Definitely would recommend mag primers, as opposed to the smallish small rifle primers.