What happened to the .222?

[cdbeaver]

Is the .222 no longer a viable cartridge? Once the sweetheart of benchrest shooters, it seems to have fallen into disuse today.

Remington and Ruger no longer build rifles in that caliber. I realize that the .223 has pretty much shelved the .222 magnum, but the .222 has been (and still is ) an extremely accurate cartridge.

The Remington 722 that I owned many years ago was absolutely the most accurate rifle I knew of. My .22-250 couldn't touch it for ease of shooting and accuracy out to 250 yards.

I still own a triple deuce, on a Savage 340 frame. That combination was not the very best, not at all in the same league as the Remington 722. I'd love to have a 722 or an equally accurate rifle in .222 today.

Am I dreaming, smoking the wrong stuff, drinking bad scotch, or is the .222 still a varmniter's dream?

 

[Brian Williams]

I want one also, or a 221 fireball

 

[tc300mag1]

the 223 happened

 

[Jim Watson]

The 6mm PPC pretty much replaced the .222 for benchrest shooting.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Also Gale McMillan and others (Warren Page?) aren't around to remind people how great it can be only how great it has been.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've still got a Remington 788 in 222.
It's the most accurate rifle I've got.

 

[artherd]

I think Armalite made some AR-15s in .222

 

[Sharpshooter223]

The .222 round was very good I dunno why anyone would want a 22-250 or a .223 over a .222 Mine will shoot a .17"- .21" group consistantly at 100 yards. It's built on a remington 722 action with a fagen stock and a hart barrel just have a 6-18 redfield on it. Would'nt trade it for anything.

 

[Byron]

My 222 is a 700 Classic.It seems no matter what bullet I load,55 grain fmj to a 50 Nosler BT, all go to the same POI and almost one hole at 100 yards.Maybe it is because the case was not based on anything else.A Tasco 3X9 World Class is on it. It is overlooked and why I do not know. Byron

 

[Benton]

I've had a .222 in mind for a long time because of the accuracy of the cartridge. There's never been an opportunity for me to try one out, however. Does it have a noticably lower report & muzzle blast than the .223? That cartridge is just too loud for me many times, and I've thought a .22 Hornet would be a better alternative .22 centerfire. The reports of its finickiness in loading to achieve consistent accuracy worry me, though. The .222 seems to have fewer problems in this regard, but as I say, loudness is a concern of mine.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Since you ask I'd say .221 another forgotten one

Since you ask I'd say .221 another forgotten one -once touted as the New Hornet - though I'd be inclined to go K-Hornet or some such just for the nostalgia myself.

 

[Byron]

Benton, I doubt there is much difference between the loudness of the 222 vs the 223.I use Olin 748 for my loads and the difference is about 2 1/2 grains between the two. Byron