My new (old Sako heavy barrel) .222 Remington is up and running. Have not been able to shoot a 100 yard group larger than .5" with either handloads or factory ammunition. I must be doing something wrong - nothing can be this easy?

Thanks again for your help.

sure there are things that easy....

like 8 inch groups at 50 yds with an SKS...

or finding a politican that is a crook...

Buliwyf: You are the man!
Good for you and the Sako!
I am smiling a big smile for you!
I just went through my loading log and I checked out all my 222's and their "typical" or average groupings. It seems "I" can fire a group (5 shots) that exceeds .500" at 100 yards!
In fact my last group with my Sako L-46 Rifle (with a vintage Leupold 8x "Westerner" scope on it!) measured .581"! To be fair I was shooting that day in conditions that I noted as "poor" in my loading log (i.e. "wind at 6 MPH").
You see I "often" have an excuse for everything!
I am sure if I had more scope power on my Sako L-46 I would have broke the .500" mark that day as well.
Take care with your Sako 222 - they are HARD to replace!
Wishing you continued happiness with the 222 Remington!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
P.S.: By the way which scope do you have on your Sako 222?

The 222 Remmington is an extremely accurate round. Have you tried loading:
19.0 grains of 4198
22.5 grains of Ball 2

yep its that easy! I love my 222 CZ varmint to bits! in fact i have just ordered a H&S kevlar stock from CZ USA for mine. I can shoot a 1" group at 300m with my home loads (50gr Vmax with 23.5gr ot Vit N133) Myshoot'in buddy has a Tikka T3 varmint in 223 and does'nt shoot as well as my wee cheap CZ!!

Thanks for your nice comments. I have an old Leupold fixed 36x on the Sako 222 but not sure if I'll leave it on or change it out. Love the 36x but considering a varible. What do you think?

I don't understand why Remington and Ruger do not offer an over-the-counter .222 Remington heavy barrel? I suppose a business decision? The .222 appears to be a handloader's dream. I'm worried that I'm missing something?

Holding Into The Wind - Yes Sir No Doubt!

The 222 is as good a 22 centrefire round as there is. The gun makers however thrive on convincing us that newer is better ( hence the short magnum hype). This thread is evidence that newer is NOT necessarily better.

Buliwyf: I have some Norma, Federal and Lapua brass in 222 Remington that lasts for ever - it seems!
Yes the 222 is easy on brass and as you found out easy to find accurate loadings for! Inherently accurate in other words.
I use a couple of straight 36X Leupolds on some long range Colony Varmint Guns I own. I also have 2 straight 24X on Varminters. These fixed high powers DO limit things on the one hand but are first rate for the longer distance Colony Varminting situations.
I would advise a variable high top end power scope like a 6.5x20 or 6x24 so you can make the most out of your accurate Sako! Minimum power variable being a 4x16 or 4.5x14.
In my mind more scope power equals more hits at long range and thus more fun!
I agree with you 100% on the lack of heavy barrel offerings by most of todays manufacturers!
Its a puzzlement.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Hold into the wind and thanks for your and everyone else's input.

Now I'm in hot pursuit of my Big/Medium Bore varmint rifle. No final decision but would like to take a smack at the 25 WSSM, however, I've found little to no loading data for the 25. We'll see.