Is the 222 remington cartridge obsolete?

I have a soft spot for "obsolete" guns and rounds. I cannot comment on the 222 round.

I can and will comment on the Rem 722. I chose it as the platform for my long range Varmint rifle In 1975.

I Still shoot my 257 Roberts after some 40 years.

Enjoy your rifle and ignore the gun scribes and those who are addicted to the latest and greatest.

Sometimes low tech is better than no tech.
 
itc444 wrote:
I have a soft spot for "obsolete" guns and rounds. I cannot comment on the 222 round

I must too. bought a 222 Rem and 257 Roberts the last couple weeks.
 
All the major ammunition companies still make ammo for it, Hornady even have 222 Remington superperformance (or whatever it's called) ammo I saw it in my LGS last weekl.
 
I heard that someone is even offering rifles in .222 again. Maybe it will be rediscovered and regain popularity like the .45-70 and .22 Hornet did.

There are some ammo companies that still sell .32-40 ammo so I guess it isn't technically obsolete either.
 
Ammunition obsolescence is a squirrley concept when it comes to firearms.

I look at it as being a two stage process...

1. Makers quite making guns chambered in the round.

2. The big ammo makers stop providing loaded ammunition.

Many rounds are going into and out of obsolescence all the time as interests and tastes change.

Cowboy Action Shooting and the other "old west style" games like blackpowder cartridge rifle silhouette are probably responsible for the resurrection of more obsolete rounds than any other activity.

A couple good examples of rounds that fit in category 1 above are the .250 Savage and the .300 Savage.

Both were exceptionally popular in their day, and remain so, but have been overtaken by other rounds such as the .257 Roberts and the .308 Winchester. Every once in awhile someone will make a run of rifles for one or the other, and both still sell a lot of ammo, but they are slowly churning to a stop.

I figure in another 15 to 20 years, though, someone is going to "rediscover" just what an incredibly well balanced round the .250 is and it will stage a nice comeback.

I love my .300 Savages, but if I were choosing a single cartridge for eastern hunting, varmints all the way to black bear, I'd seriously consider the .250 in a bolt action.
 
Probably won't go much more obsolete than it already has. Right now you pretty much need to reload in order to shoot it much at all.
I bought one and then sold it b/c of ammo issues and having a 223 anyways.

Are you buying a bench gun? If you are I think there are better rounds for bench guns now.

Only has nostalgic value.
 
Well, most real gun shops have a supply of 222. I see 32 special on the shelf and they have been relegated longer.
 
Are you buying a bench gun? If you are I think there are better rounds for bench guns now.
Click to expand...

I bought the gun for hunting. If I wanted a bench gun I would probably get a single shot 22, or 6mm PPC. I will still take it to the range and punch paper.
 
Had 222 in Sako vixen,had 3 different hand loads that all shot under 1'' at 100yds.Wish I never sold it.They are a lighter gun to carry for a all day hunt.As for ammo my local gun shop has all the ammo you would need
 
.222 brass

I just happened to run across this old thread and wonder if anyone needs any of the following that I got from an uncle (now deceased) 20+ years ago.
... 360 pcs .222Rem brass (Remington headstamp).
... 40 rounds old .222Rem factory loads Remington R222R3 50gr PowerLoct HP.
... 11 pcs. .22-250Rem mixed brass.
... 16 rounds .22-250Rem old reloads marked, by my uncle, "55 gr Rem HP, 35.5 gr 4064".

If you might be interested email me sat: VA.Bowhunter@Verizon.net

Thanks for your time,
Mike
 
.222 Remington is still popular in Europe. You can buy new rifles in .222 from several European manufacturers.
 
But the 222 is at a premium of about 20%, correct? From my perspective paying a premium for a cartridge with inferior ballistics would be a no-go.
Midway carries 19 types of 222, which isn't bad, but they carry over 200 in 223.

My local shop carried something very cheap and Hornady V-max. Maybe just bad selection on their part.
 
AND -- you can convert 223 brass to 222. Here's a link to the youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzPnJljG3nw

I've not done it, but I do have a bunch of these conversion brass that I got at a gunshow, and they shoot fine and just as accurate as my standard .222.

I've had my .222 in Rem 700 since 1979, and have shot probably ten plus thousand rounds through it. The barrel is badly eroded for about 12" past the chamber, and it still shoots sub MOA. The little 36 and 40 gr. V-Max seem to have breathed new life into my groups. I spose this fine little rifle will be with me till the end, and I don't spose It will ever be obsolete. jd
 
I guess it's my turn to be a critic. As I said in an earlier post on this thread, you can make .222 rem from .223 rem if nothing else is available. Or, as an alternative reason, you just enjoy the reforming process, and want to do it (which is a valid reason). The economics don't justify it otherwise.

To do it easily and properly you will need a .223 to .222 forming die, a .222 trim die, and either an outside neck turner or inside neck reamer. Midway sells the forming die set for 168$. A .224 neck reamer for my forster trimmer costs 22$. Therefore the equipment cost to reform .223 brass is about 190$ plus shipping.

Midway has winchester .222 rem in stock for 33 cents apiece, and my local gun store has a big jar of new remington .222 rem cases for 31 cents apiece. I can buy a lifetime supply of 500 cases for less than the reforming equipment cost, and no work.
 
I would have a "triple deuce" before any 223 or 22-250. The differences are so minute that I would never even think of comparing any of them. It was a boss in its day and still is to me. More accurate than its competition just doesn't quite have the energy. It was built exclusively for accuracy on the bench and not too many can beat it there. Like a few have said its won many many matches. Records that are still waiting to be broken. Such a rich unique history. Its in my top 3 favorite cartridges. Reloading will blow its brethren out of the water and components are pretty easy to get. Most munition giants still load it. (When the world isn't panicking that is) I happen to be one of the lucky fellas to own a sako L46 PRE Vixen in the deuce. By far my most cherished rifle. Hence my handle. The combination is boringly accurate. Still a very large and loyal group of followers. Buy the rifle you won't be disappointed!:D
 
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