Is the 222 remington cartridge obsolete?

222 may be obsolete, but it isn't dead yet.

My neighbor came over a while back and needed 222 ammo. I had one once so I still had dies and some brass lying around.

In spite of it's reputation, I had a Ihica LSA55 (Tikka) in 222 that I could not get too shoot, except with cast. It was a 50 yard varminter. That experience left me with a very poor opinion of the 222.

Fast forward 30 years and after having similar problems with a couple of 223Rems, I finally figured out what I had been doing wrong. I figured it out and my 223's rock, great shooters. I'd like that 222 back now.

Firstly, the 222 family does not reload like a 30-06, lots of differences. The "zone" is a lot smaller, and leaving the "zone" gets silly fast.

If you are new to reloading these (222, 223 or 222 Mag) I'll offer the following hints.

Start with CCI 450 primers, switch later if you want, but start with them, especially with ball powders.

When using ball powders, don't load below starting loads, and some starting loads may be erratic and display "funny" pressure signs.

Don't try and load to max. Max loads can go to very max, very quickly, if you want fast, buy a 22-250.

Try 40 gr bullets, (especially with 1-12 or 1-14 twist) they are not a long range bullet but they sure beat a 22RF. They shoot flat, work well to 150 yards and disintegrate when they hit dirt. Move up to 50 gr, then to 55 after you gain experience.

Use CFE 223 powder, as it is very stable and gives consistent loads. I use Hodgdon data and usually end up in the middle, half way between min and max. (I'm a bit of a renegade, I just start there, but I can't tell you to do that. What you load is your decision, not mine.)

These hints will fast track your success, and you'll feel like an expert in no time.

If you already are an experienced 222 etc. reloader, you probably stopped reading long ago, and that's ok.

Have fun.
 
Now you can get a brand-new Winchester 1885 in .222 Remington.

Sure would go good with the old 10x 1" Unertl scope I've had mothballed for a while, now.
 
Well since I started this thread, I've been shooting my 722 this summer and fall. I believe this rifle needed breaking in. My groups are tighter than ever no. I shot 3 half inch groups at the 200 yrd target. I bet the previous owner didn't even put 10 rounds through it. I like breaking in a 57 year old rifle. BTW, I saw 222 stocked at gander mountain yesterday.
 
The CZ .222 Rem I shoot does its best with 40 gr. Nosler BT over 21 gr of IMR4198 with Rem 7 1/2 primers to light them up. Velocity over the chrony is 3350 fps give or take, and it is a good shooter. Recoil is really light, and the round is good past 200 yards for prairie poodles. It is so consistent and reliable kinda makes me wonder why there are other guns in the truck sometimes.

.222 Remmy is a great round in my opinion. A coworker told me he thought it was the best light varmint round made. It took a while to get the rifle broke in and settled down, but now I agree with him. Plan to wear it out if I live long enough, so resale value is the last thing I worry about.

Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine, Coyota1
 
The best .222 I've owned is a Sako Vixen , miniture action , 16 groove 23 1/2'' barrel , magazine capacity 8. This .222 was the choice of New Zealand professional Deer Cullers in the late 60s & 70s, 100s of 1,000s of rds of Sako Hammer Head ammo was imported. This was a 50gr heavier jacketed bullet, doing 3150fps. I still use MarkX mini Mauser today for Deer, Pig . Goat & long-range Rabbits.
 
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine, Coyota1
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Colorado Redneck, I am enjoying mine probably as much as you do yours. I have left the 4x scope on it, and have been taking out crow at somewhere out between 150, and 200 yards with it, and I don't feel the need for more magnification.
 
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