I can’t clarify my love for the .222 Remington Magnum besides to say that I’ve at all times preferred some issues which might be a bit bit off the overwhelmed path. Perhaps my first considered the cartridge was in hunters’ schooling, round 1980. Pouring over the shiny Remington product catalogs of the day, full with ballistics charts and attractive photographs of the Remington cartridge lineup may have slipped the sear. Perhaps it was later, after I began handloading and my erudite uncle who has loaded for almost each cartridge out there, talked about it. I actually don’t know. What I do know is that after a few years of deliberating I lastly transformed a Remington 700 ADL right into a .222 Rem. Magazine. about 20 years in the past. That started my relationship with a cartridge that I feel deserves way more consideration than it presently will get—or in all probability will ever get—however one which actually deserves a greater destiny than to be swept into the dustbin of cartridges that “didn’t fairly make it.”
.222 Rem. Magazine. Origin
As most avid readers of handloading manuals doubtless know, the .222 Remington Magnum sprang from the identical authorities program within the late Fifties that sought to exchange the .30-caliber service cartridges American GIs had relied on for years with a lighter, larger velocity spherical that allowed for the carry of considerably extra ammunition with no important discount in lethality at typical fight distances anticipated to be encountered on the time. In the end, this research gave start to the 5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington, however the cartridge chosen was primarily based on the .222 Remington and produced one submission that in the end morphed into the .222 Remington Magnum in 1958.
.222 Rem. Magazine. vs .223 Rem.
The cartridge itself is a little bit of an enigma. At first look, it resembles a .223 Rem., however on nearer examination one rapidly realizes it’s a longer case with a considerably longer neck. Certainly, the .222 Rem. Magazine. is sort of a full .100 inches longer than its stubbier navy cousin, and the added size leads to a barely elevated case capability. To some extent, this added capability is offset by a barely decrease SAAMI max stress within the .222 Rem magazine (the identical stress restrict that in some methods limits its mum or dad, the .222 Remington). A great rule of thumb, nonetheless, is that with fashionable propellants, a .222 Remington Magnum can drive the identical weight bullet as a .223 Remington on the similar velocity at decrease stress, or it will possibly drive the identical weight bullet a bit bit quicker on the similar stress. Whereas there isn’t a ton of distinction in sensible phrases, it’s a distinction price noting.
As envisioned by Remington at inception, cartridges on this household would not often make the most of bullets heavier than 55 grains. Sure, 60-grain projectiles have been out there and could possibly be used, however they have been reserved for area of interest functions for essentially the most half. The odd man who hunted deer with a .22 caliber, shooters who needed a bit extra thump for barely greater animals (assume European Roe Deer hunters), and maybe different restricted makes use of that might come up. As such, the cartridge was initially wheeled onto the showroom flooring with a 1:14 twist—which in some ways would show to be its undoing over time.
Juicing Up the Twist Fee
Recognizing this limitation, I had my rifle constructed with a barely quicker (albeit not quick sufficient by the requirements of at present) 1:12 twist Shilen Choose Match Grade barrel. This helped permit the rifle change into what I had initially imagined—particularly be a first-class long-range floor squirrel rig and a succesful predator rifle—taking pictures primarily 50- to 55-grain, plastic tipped bullets.
Reloading the .222 Rem. Magazine.
Handloading the .222 Remington Magnum has additionally been fascinating. Despite the fact that it loved a while on the benchrest circuit, it developed a popularity for being a bit finicky. Different handloading fans I do know who personal .222 Remington Magnums typically second this opinion. In my expertise, it’s a cartridge that lives on the extremes. Gentle bullets, such because the 40-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip or 40-grain Sierra Blitzking have shot fairly properly for me with powders comparable to AA LT-32, or H-322—at muzzle velocities of 3600 to 3800 FPS. On the heavier finish of the bullet spectrum, varied 52- to 55-grain bullets have thrived with the likes of Hodgdon’s Varget—a heavy cost of which can reliably drive 52- and 53-grain bullets at nearly 3400 fps and break 3300 fps with 55s. One other sleeper of a powder for this spherical is VV N-135—and definitely don’t overlook the tried-and-true H-4895. Hotter primers appear to assist this cartridge—CCI 450s, Remington 7.5s, and Federal 205s have all turned in wonderful teams with the right combination of parts.
Consulting the Elders
Pat Mundy
Years in the past, I spoke to Jim Carmichel—the previous taking pictures editor of this publication and requested him some very pointed questions on powder fees on this cartridge, as I knew he had expertise with it on the competitors circuit a number of a long time in the past. In his sluggish Tennessee drawl, Jim advised me in no unsure phrases “4198, Pat. Strive 4198 with a great 52-grain bullet and I feel you’ll be completely satisfied.”
Apparently, just a few years in the past I sat in Bob Nosler’s workplace one afternoon and requested him the identical query (Bob can be a .222 Rem. Magazine. aficionado and is aware of a factor or two about handloading—as one would anticipate). “4198, Pat. Give it a attempt.”
Lo and behold, final winter I assembled a battery of check hundreds with a number of main 52-grain bullets and H-4198 (temperature insensitive, in any case) and was rewarded with group after group within the low .5s to low .6s. It reveals a few issues: First, the fellows who labored with this cartridge 50 years in the past discovered plenty of issues which might be nonetheless fairly related at present; second, the .222 Rem. Magazine. may be finicky, however finicky on the planet of gilt-edged accuracy continues to be a lot good for nearly something most of us do with a rifle.
.222 Rem. Magazine. Is Nonetheless Kicking
For these of you who may be on this cartridge, take be aware that it’s not lifeless—on life assist, sure, however not lifeless. Nosler nonetheless manufactures ammunition using a 50-grain Ballistic Tip. I’ve shot this ammunition and it’s good—fairly good in reality. Nosler additionally manufactures cartridge circumstances—additionally of superb high quality. The opposite supply I do know of for brass is Sako. A few years in the past I used to be in Germany and paid a princely sum for 100 of their circumstances. They’re additionally very constant and sturdy however are considerably heavier (and thus require a lighter cost weight to succeed in stress) than any of the American circumstances I’ve used.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out subject efficiency of this spherical. From a velocity and accuracy standpoint, the .222 Remington Magnum will do something that the .223 will do with the identical weight of bullet. It cracks the magical 3500 fps barrier with 50-grain bullets and a number of other totally different propellants (in a 24-inch barrel) and will certainly anchor any prairie canine, jackrabbit, coyote, or woodchuck unlucky sufficient to step into its bullet’s path. With the precise bullets, it’s additionally a wonderful cartridge for fur hunters, although I might think about it to be a bit heavy for thin-skinned animals like fox or bobcat.
Whereas the .222 Remington Magnum has loved its heyday, studies of its demise are untimely. When you have a hankering to attempt a cartridge that’s totally different, that’s positive to be a dialog starter, and received’t allow you to down on the vary or within the subject—look no additional than this succesful traditional.
