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Old November 4, 2012, 11:40 AM   #51
coyota1
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Are you buying a bench gun? If you are I think there are better rounds for bench guns now.
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.
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Old November 4, 2012, 08:06 PM   #52
elroy
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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
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Old April 16, 2013, 07:24 AM   #53
GrampsInVA
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.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: [email protected]

Thanks for your time,
Mike
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Old April 16, 2013, 07:33 AM   #54
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sending an e-mail... interested in the 222 brass & or the older cartridges...
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Old April 16, 2013, 10:54 AM   #55
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.222 Remington is still popular in Europe. You can buy new rifles in .222 from several European manufacturers.
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Old April 16, 2013, 10:56 AM   #56
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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.
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Old April 16, 2013, 03:16 PM   #57
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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
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Old April 16, 2013, 05:09 PM   #58
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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.
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Old April 16, 2013, 05:37 PM   #59
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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!
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Old April 16, 2013, 05:41 PM   #60
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I feel kinda dumb didn't realize this was an old thread. Oh well don't mind showing my love for the deuce!!
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Old April 16, 2013, 05:52 PM   #61
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@MattL46: I also had a sako L461 with a douglas ultra-rifled barrel, chambered for the .222. As you said, boringly accurate. It went to my son about 15 years ago, and I still miss it. I am now .222 -less, but hope to remedy that. Ruger is supposed to chamber their No 1A in .222 rem this year, and I have been watching for one.
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Old April 16, 2013, 07:01 PM   #62
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A #1 in 222? Sweeeeettt! Yeah I'm a huge ruger fan. My dad has a #3 in the deuce magnum he built up before I was ever thought of its nicer than most #1's you can buy. Its a real beaut. Love it to say the least. I'd like to get ahold of an abused low wall winchester and build a deuce on that. How do you like that idea. One that was far from original that is.
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Old April 16, 2013, 07:02 PM   #63
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Hey Matt. Here's one you will like. An L-46 Deluxe in .222
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Sako L-46 Deluxe.JPG (79.3 KB, 30 views)
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Old April 16, 2013, 07:07 PM   #64
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CVC gorgeous rifle. Sure like those deluxe models. I have a very low number 7xxx are you part of the sako collectors club?
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Old April 16, 2013, 08:20 PM   #65
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I didn't take the time to read this whole thread. I read the first page and given the volume of 222 fans here I thought I may offer to help some of you. At my local hardware store there are a couple boxes of hornady 222 ammo. He doesn't mark up his prices so no worries about getting gouged. If someone needs ammo I'd be happy to pick it up and mail it for you. Pm me here if you need some.
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Old April 16, 2013, 08:58 PM   #66
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@mdd: Thanks for being so thoughtful to the forum members. The .222 remington still seems to be available here.

@MattL46: Thanks for the picture. Except at the rear of the action, it looks like the one I had. The "promised" ruger 1A is supposed to have a 1 in 9 inch twist, which means it should be able to handle the heavier bullets.
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Old April 16, 2013, 10:04 PM   #67
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Around here .222 is easier to find than .223 LOL!

My grandpa has an old Savage bolt action in .222, it's a nice accurate little shooter for something with just rifle sights!
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Old April 16, 2013, 11:37 PM   #68
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Hammie if I understood correctly that round safety lever wasn't on too many of the sakos. As you can see mine was already moved to the right side which happened about serial 5xxx somewhere in there. I love my little sako.
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Old April 17, 2013, 12:13 AM   #69
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coyota1
Yes, from what I have heard the 222 is inherently more accurate than 223. I hand load the 223, I just need the dies for 222. I just don't want a white elephant that won't sell due to unpopularity. I plan on keeping the rifle (722 Remington), but I look at a gun purchase as an investment. Not many people know anything about the 722 either.
I know this is an old thread, but when it re-surfaced on the .222 I started reading. I am surprised that people find a gun they like & worry about buying a "white elephant". I have found that if you buy a decent gun at a fair price (notice I didn't say bargain) you will pretty much be able to break-even if not make a buck or two if later you find the need to sell. Put a Rem 722/.222 up for sale or take it to a gun show & you'll be making a deal pretty quick.

FWIW...

..bug

BTW: anyone have any 7x61 S&H or .41 Mag white elephants they need to dump?
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Old April 17, 2013, 08:03 AM   #70
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Someone up above referred to 'inferior ballistics'. Oh, really? Then I suppose the .22 short is inferior, too? Each cartridge is what is, that's all. It can be applied to an appropriate use. I happen to be in the camp that thinks the .222 Rem is one of the finest cartridges ever developed. Gonna go elephant hunting with it? Naw, prolly not. But crows, squirrels, p-dawgs, whistle pigs, pop cans, and a host of other targets succumb to it just fine. And, it is economical, fun, and a cartridge that the kids can easily master reloading and shooting. Obsolete? Not hardly!
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Old April 17, 2013, 08:43 AM   #71
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I actually like cases with long necks, when it comes to chambering longer heavier bullets, though a "normal 222" wouldn't have the twist rate, it is as conductive to a fast twist alteration, as my fast twist Hornet conversions were...
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Old April 17, 2013, 10:38 AM   #72
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It will truly live forever.
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Old April 17, 2013, 11:12 AM   #73
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There's two phases for cartridges on the way out:

Obsolescent means that nobody produces rifles for it anymore.

Obsolete means that nobody produces ammunition for it anymore.

The 222 is neither. Savage has two models of the 25 in it, Ruger has the No.1 Light Sporter. Midway carries 19 different loads by 9 different manufacturers.

Now it's definitely a legacy cartridge. The 223 pretty much took over its niche. But it's a long way from obsolete.
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Old April 17, 2013, 11:45 AM   #74
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@Mattl46: I didn't know that about the sako safeties on the earlier actions. Interesting.

@sundog: Yes I had to laugh at the "inferior ballistics", too. I guess I should go sell my .221, and two hornets because they're inferior and it's unmanly to own them.

Also, I hadn't heard the 7 x 61 Sharpe and Hart mentioned for a long time. I wonder if it's still in the current loading manuals? Although I would bet you could find data on it in back issues of Handloader magazine.

And I like bumblebug's characterization of "legacy cartridge". I'm going to borrow that term.
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Old April 17, 2013, 01:21 PM   #75
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Yeah hammie very very interesting. Hardly any two were alike. The earliest ones had a left side safety and it was styled a little differently. Then they moved to the right side. Then my understanding don't quote me there were a few different style safety levers.
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