Reloading for T/C 222

[BigN]

Recently picked up a nice little T/C Contender in 222, 14" barrel. So recent in fact, it hasn't arrived yet. According to several of my reloading manuals, the rifle data is good for the 14" barrel in the TC. They do say that accuracy falls off. Instead of horsing around/experimenting with crappy loads, anyone out there reload for their own TC in 222? Accurate reloading info for a 14" barrel or at least a close place to start?

 

[rg1]

Hornady's 8th manual has data for the TC with a 14" barrel. Hornady says that Viht N-130 and IMR 4198 performed best of all powders tested in the TC throughout the range of bullets tested. Hornady said with their bullets for varmints that the 50 grain SX proved best for prairie dogs and recommended the SX and V-max bullets in .222 Rem in the Contender. Hornady data for IMR 4198 and the 50 grain V-max says that 19.2 grains was maximum in the TC while with the same bullet in a bolt rifle that 21 grains was max. So at least Hornady uses less powder for the TC pistol than for rifles. Most powders in Hornady 8th shows from as little as .2 to nearly as much as 2 grains difference in rifle and pistol data. This site has a bunch of info on TC pistols especially on headspace and case sizing for the break action TC. Good reading. http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/

 

[Grumulkin]

Reloading for a T/C handgun isn't hard. Use the same load that's good in a rifle and it will probably be good in the handgun version. There is also no need to download for a handgun. Also, you can just full length size if you want; too much is made over agonizing about headspace in T/C Encores and Contenders.

My T/C carbine 222 load uses Speer 70 gr. Semi Spitzers over a compressed load of Winchester 760/H414.