About six months ago I picked up a Sauer Model 100 chambered for the .222 Rem, a cartridge I've admired since I was outta diapers. I had expected a twist ration of 1:14, which is or used to be the industry standard. Hence, I've loaded 50 grain Hornady V-Max using 21 grains of IMR-4198, Norma Brass, and Fed 205M primers. My intention was to go with 40 grainers, but with a tighter twist ratio, I thought heavier bullets would perform better.

Does anyone have experience with 50 grain and heavier bullets in the Triple Deuce? What powder would be suitable. From 'net surfing, I've picked up on positive results using VV N-135 powder.

I'll be testing my Triple Deuce on Rocky Mountain coyotes between trout bites. I might bring a .270 Win along. Since I didn't draw Shinola this year, I figure that using my big game rifle on scavengers and fawn killers oughta keep me in big game rifle practice.

I like BL-C(2) in the .222. It has worked well with bullets from 45 to 63 grains. I also use the Rem 7-1/2 primer. Good luck with your new rifle.

I use to shoot 55gr bullets in the 222 with out trouble.

In mine I use 50s or 52s. Been using Accurate 2200 for a long time, same load for both weights. As mentioned, BLC2 also works well.

I shoot 55 grain bullets and it almost seems finding a powder that wont work would be more challenging than finding a powder that does work. This seems true with cast bullets as well. Now my .223 and cast bullets is a different story.

Hi Guys,

I had gone 50 grain V-Max route based upon 'net articles. They will shoot very tiny groups. But now I'm thinking that 55 grain bullets might be better.

Above all else (within reason), I strive for accuracy. A speeding bullet that can't hit jack is worth squat.

What have you guys found to be the most accurate 55 grain .224 bullet?

I've had phenomenal results using GameKings and BallisticTips. They'll shoot <.25" @ a hundred out of my Sako AV 7MM Rem Mag, my Sako AV .270 Win, and my 46 year-old Model 700 .270 Win. Will they shoot as well outta the Triple Deuce?

Based upon what I've read as opposed to actually experienced, it's hard to find a powder that won't work in the Triple Deuce.. Some work better than others. IMR 4198, the only power with which I have experience, has produced tiny groups.

I'm giving serious consideration to Vihtavuori powder, specially VV-N133 & N135. Internet reviews indicate excellent accuracy, but at less than max loads. I seriously doubt that a coyote will be able to figure out he was killed by a more accurate albeit lower velocity bullet.

So far, no complaints with IMR-4198.

I use Vihtavuori powders exclusively and load 22.0 grs of N133 behind a Sako 50 grain bullet. This gives 3065 fps and is accurate to 200 yards at least.

HB

Mine has a twist around 1:13-14 (L46 Sako) and it shoots really well up to about 60 gr. The 60 gr Partition grouped a little larger (about 1") than the lighter bullets, but would do well for yotes and deer if you don't get carried away with distance. 50s, 52s and 55s hover around 1/2 to 3/4 MOA most days. Curiously, the 53 gr TSX grouped well while the 55 gr version didn't. I guess those 3 extra grains in the monolithic bullet crossed a line of some sort....

My go-to powder is WC846 surplus which is basically BLC2. It has shot so well in 222s and 223s that I seldom use anything else.

I've had really good groups with the 50 & 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips in my .223 with 1:8 twist. I'd suggest the 50 grain version for the .222.

Many years ago, my favorite bullet in the .222 with 1:14 twist was the Hornady 50 grain SX. I used BLC2, 4198, and 4895 at various times, and they all were very accurate.

Don't be afraid of a twist a bit tighter than you believe optimum. In the same vein, don't be afraid to use the 50 grain bullets-they are slightly faster, and the difference in wind drift is negligible out to the max range for the .222.

I just got back from a WY prairie dog shoot, used both 50 & 55 grain bullets, and could tell very little difference...

Clarence

Disregard the twist of your rifle barrel. It is well within the range that is suitable for anything from 40 grains to the mid-60's in a .222. Pick the bullet that works best, regardless of its weight. If you like the 55 grain polymer-tipped bullets then I'm sure you can find a load which gives you suitable accuracy. As Carpetman suggests, a whole slew of powders will do well. I've used H4198, H335 (and surplus equivalent WC 844), H4895, and a few others in the .222. Many -- make that most -- in this buring range do well with it.

One note: If you are going to Colorado during one of the regular rifle seasons you may not hunt small game (coyotes) with larger than a centerfire .224" rifle unless you possess a big game license.

EMP3---When shooting deer with a .222 or .223 etc gets discussed, two things that invariably gets mentioned are premium bullets and heavy bullets. I'm sure those two things are required when shooting them on a keyboard, must be, it gets mentioned all time. In actual hunting, 55 grain cup and core in the right place does the trick.

quote:

In actual hunting, 55 grain cup and core in the right place does the trick.

Now, however would you know that? You haven't been actually (gasp!) shooting deer with such bullets, have you? Just because 55 grain bullets from .223's have killed hundreds of thousands of 175-lb humans doesn't mean they can actually kill a 135-lb whitetail.

here we go ; off to the races roger

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:

quote:

In actual hunting, 55 grain cup and core in the right place does the trick.

Now, however would you know that? You haven't been actually (gasp!) shooting deer with such bullets, have you? Just because 55 grain bullets from .223's have killed hundreds of thousands of 175-lb humans doesn't mean they can actually kill a 135-lb whitetail.

They kill blacktails, also.

Black Tails matter.

Stonecreek--I know that as an absolute as I have read it on the internet.

My standard 222 load for coyotes is the 50gr Nosler BT over 24 grains of Benchmark. I seat the bullet out to just kiss the lands. This load is a little compressed. BTW, I use Federal brass and Federal match primers. This load shoots really well in both a Rem 700ADL from the early 80’s and a browning a-bolt from about 10 years ago.

I use Hornady 53 gr bullets and a surplus equiveleant to BLC2. Very small groups. - dan

db
Have you found that your lot of Milsurp powder a bit faster than BLC-2?

Not really. Don't recall the lot number offhand, (I'm at work), but it seems to be very close to loadbook data. - dan

quote:

Originally posted by TCLouis:
db
Have you found that your lot of Milsurp powder a bit faster than BLC-2?

For what it's worth, I bought 4 8 lb jugs of WC846 back in the day and have used it almost exclusively for 222, 223, and 308 for a couple of decades. The one time I compared it FTF with BLC2, the difference in velocity was about what I'd expect between lots of BLC2.

It has provided excellent accuracy and velocity. I just wish the surplus powders were still as good a bargain as back then.