.222 vs .223 Wassup?

G

gkdir

New member
Hope I,m in the right area for this, but here goes anyway. Shoot alot of .223--know absolutely nothing about the .222 rem. I see the ammo for each of these listed as "5.56 (M193). Somebody clue me in. I have a chance to purchase a Rem. mod. 788 in .222, for a really stupid below market price, and would at least like a hint of what I,m getting. As always, have a blessed day, trust in the Lord, but keep your rifle handy in case he's busy at the moment. Thanks
 
purchase a Rem. mod. 788 in .222, for a really stupid below market price, and would at least like a hint of what I,m getting.
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You're getting one of the most accurate factory chamberings ever made in an often underated great little rifle . Enjoy :cool:
 
Thanks for the reply. I guess maybe my question was configured wrong. What I,m confused about is the ammunition. Both the .222 and the .223 are stated as taking the 5.56 (M193) round. Is this a mis-print, or what? I,m confused. Thanks.:confused:
 
Incorrect . 222 Rem is a shorter case with a longer neck .

It was very popular as a bench rest round "back in the day" . Wonderfully accurate :cool:
 
WHOA! .222 Rem is NOT the same cartridge as .223 and they are NOT interchangeable.

The only thing common between .222 and .223 is that they can shoot the same BULLETS but not the same cases/cartridges. The .223 Rem and 5.56 military are different versions of the same cartridge and can be interchanged in some rifles. My understanding is that .223 cartridges can be fired in 5.56 military rifles but that 5.56 cartridges should not be fired in .223 rifles because they are loaded hotter.
 
Both the .222 and the .223 are stated as taking the 5.56 (M193) round.
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This is not so. They are different cartridges not at all interchangeable.

The .222 Remington is a target and varmint round introduced about 1951.

The .223 Remington was developed in the 1957 for military trials and was adopted as the 5.56x45 in 1964. (With a few changes that worry some people.)

There is also a .222 Remington Magnum, different from both the others.

The .222 and .222 Magnum have their good points but the .223 being a military round got it widely accepted and the .222 twins are about obsolete. (There was also a .224 Winchester very similar to the .223 Remington in those 1950s military trials but you will not likely see any of the few rifles or little bit of ammo.)
 
and you don't sound like a re-loader, so be prepared for a new hobby, finding a source of .222 ammo.
 
I inherited a Remmy M720 in .222 Rem. (Was my dads first new rifle & prized as such) When I do my job, it will shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yds all day long. Virtually no recoil, cheap to reload for. It definitely likes the lighter .22 bullets, ~ 50 grains and less. Most have fairly slow twist barrels, thus the preference for light bullets.
Get the .222 and learn to reload, then enjoy a unique rifle that none of the locals have.

Roger


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From everything I have read, if your rifle is marked, ".223 and 5.56" you can shoot either or both. If one is marked, it may be able to handle only those rounds for which it was marked. I used to believe that .223 and 5.56 were interchangeable.
 
i have a winchester mod 70 heavy barrel varmint rifle in .222. it is a wonderful cartridge. it is a different cartridge than a .222 mag, .223/5.56 so pay attention when you buy ammo. it is also easy to reload if you have a mind to. congrats you are going to enjoy shooting the .222 :)
 
I may be off base here, but I think you are confused by the 5.56. this is a military definition. just like the 3030 win. Designation is 7.62 x 51 and the 3006 is 7.62 x 63
 
The 7.62x51 or 7.62 NATO civilian equivalent is the .308 Winchester, not the "3030 Winchester". The metric designation "7.62x51R" is the .30-30. (Note the "R" for "rimmed.")

The "differences" between the .223 Remington and the military 5.56 have been talked to death and vastly over emphasized. For the most part they are interchangeable.

Jim
 
As another note, the M193 is the 55gr FMJ bullet so maybe the 222 that your looking at is using the M193 bullet?

Personally if I had a 223 already I wouldn't buy a 222 as they are ballistically close enough for me.

Unless I could get that 788 super cheap then I'd pick it up and rebarrel it as in my opinion the 788's were the best 700's that Remington put out.
 
I could have used a better example. What I was trying to say was. Just because a round is designated 5.56 0r 7.62 they are not interchangeable.. the 3030, 308, and 3006 all use a .308 bullet. How ever the 7.62x 39 Russian uses a .311 bullet. But also has the designation 7.62
 
Look into rechambering to 223

Just a thought --
You could also run a 223 finish reamer into your 222 chamber and open it up to 223. I believe you'll find the slight extra length would make this work. If you do, just make absolutely certain you stamp a "3" over the last "2" on the barrel so nobody loads and shoots a 222 in your 223. Ask your local gunsmith his opinion.

I own a couple of 222s, and they are terrific- deadly accurate, quiet, cheap to reload. Brass is readily available, but you could also reform and trim 223s into 222s, but I like accurate headstamps when differences are minor. You have a nice dilemma -- a true win-win.
 
The .222 is a great round and 788 is a great gun. Jump on it and just stock up on ammo (.222) when you come across it, or learn to reload (although you will come to regret reloading, the hours of solitude, sitting at your bench, reading manuals, preparing brass, throwing powder shots... I have a sign on my door that says "We interrupt this marriage for reloading").
I shot enough .223 when I was in the military I do not want my own. I got the .222 from my dad, so along with sentimental value, I have a fun, cheap shooting gun.
 
788 is Great

I've got a 788 in .223 and love it. It's a 24" heavy sporter and shoots "mahvelous". You'll love the 222 with 50gr bullets.
 
and you don't sound like a re-loader, so be prepared for a new hobby, finding a source of .222 ammo
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222 ammo in short supply? What next, Midway was practically giving Rem 222 brass away a few years back if purchased in bulk. Glad I bought few now.

Getting back to the topic, the 788 is kind of unique offering that Remington brought out in the late 70s early 80s as best I can recall. Had a rather unusual bolt with all of the lugs on the rear. Strong action, light weight with I believe an 18 1/2" barrel. It should shoot sub 1 MOA groups right out of the box chambered in the very accurate 222 cartridge. Used mostly for varmints, but will drop a deer in it's tracks with a well placed shoot.

If you can buy it worth the money, grab it. Remington only discontinued the 788 because it was hurting the sales of their flagship more expensive Model 700.

F. Prefect
 
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