I have always shot the "standard" 52 or 53 grain match bullets in my 222Rem.
Peter.

Why on Earth would you want to shoot a monometal bullet in the .223?

52 grain Sierra Match King!

Rc I am not sure what you are saying. I said "in my 222Rem". Where does the 223 come from? This whole thread is about the 222Rem. Please tell me what I am missing here.
Peter.

Sorry!

Why on Earth would anyone want to shoot monometal bullets in the .222 Remington?

52 grain Sierra Match King!

The problem may be the bullet. My 22-250 will not stabilize a 53 gr TSX and I wanted to shoot them. The 53 gr TSX has a long bearing surface. My 22-250 has a 1 in 14 twist probably like your 222 and would stabilize some 60 gr bullets but not the 53 gr TSX, got keyholes.

Did you say that you had previously shot the 53 gr TSX and gotten good accuracy? If so, then I missed it.

Stabilization is a function of twist, bearing surface, weight and velocity so I would be surprised if you would have sufficient velocity in a 222 to stabilize that bullet. The 222 seems more geared toward the 40 gr range of bullets than the 55 gr bullets but if you want a hard bullet you will probably be able to shoot, then I had good luck with the 55 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.

Don't they make a 45 gr TSX?

Woods thanks for the info. Yes, early results with the 53 gr TSX resulted in 1/2 MOA and no sign of instablility. Several others have stated they had no problem with stability in their 222/22-250's 1:14 twist with this bullet. I am also working with a 22-250 and have just changed over to H380 in that caliber and it is showing promise. My 22-250 loves the 55 gr TBBC but I believe they are out of production. Also working with the 45 gr TSX in both calibers and in fact went back to my notes thinking I may have loaded the 45's instead of the 53's in the 222 that is the subject of this post. All my notes reflect all loads were in fact the 53 gr TSX so the quandry will continue until I load some more 222/53grTSX with new brass once again to see if I can copy the 1/2 MOA group.

Got back to the dilema this AM. Did not shoot the 53 gr TSX w/1/2 of neck sized with neck die but did shoot a proven load of 21.7 gr IMR 4198 behind the 40 gr nosler BT bullet. Fired six shots into 3/4" at 100. Three cases were 1/2 neck sized(like the original problem cases) and three cases were fully neck sized with redding NS die. All previously shot in this rifle. Accuracy with this load/bullet was not changed as between the two different neck sizings at least to any measurable difference.

At this point I conclude that Barnes put out some junk or in fact made changes to their 53 gr .224 TSX round w/o comment. Certainly during this two or three month period they began putting the NOTICE on this bullet that it would take 1:12 or faster twist to stabilize this particular bullet. Yes, not conclusive evidence but makes me feel a little better about my case preparation procedures. Thanks to all who contributed to my questions.

Well? Perhaps Barnes DID NOT put out the junk! Got back to the 222 yesterday and noticed when putting the shellplate in the Dillon that if one is not overly careful the shellplate may not be properly installed, too loose in my case. When using the Dillon like a single stage which I do most of the time, on the third stage when sliding a case in to seat the bullet I noticed it would move around in that position and for sure causing the bullet to be seated in a less than concentric and for sure differing positions in the case mouth.

Has anyone else had this occur in loading with their Dillon 550b or other of their progressives?

Nice detective work.

I was going to suggest going to the 45grn tsx for your 1-14" twist, but ensuring that the bullets are loaded straight has got to improve your loads!

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:
Well? Perhaps Barnes DID NOT put out the junk! ...when sliding a case in to seat the bullet I noticed it would move around in that position and for sure causing the bullet to be seated in a less than concentric and for sure differing positions in the case mouth. ...

I do hope that is all that was wrong. I know what it is like to want a specific Bullet to work and for whatever reason, it just doesn't work out.

Best of luck to you.

"Fifteen shots went into a area roughly 5"wide and 3" high where I had 1/4" for four shots before neck sizing."

Well, you've surely proven that neck sizing isn't the magic accuracy thing it's so commonly proclaimed to be. But, neck sizing isn't the reason your .25" groups became that large.

Few things in reloading are certain but there is never anything to be gained by neck sizing below the base of the seated bullet.

Lee's collet neck sizer is probably the best neck die available for factory chambers, IF you understand how it works and are willing to take the time to learn how to use it properly. (Otherwise it's probably better to stick with simpler conventional type neck dies.)

Back again! Just loaded up some 50 gr Hornady SP and right into a 1/2" group they went.

I am now convinced after going thru 150 TSX in 45 and 53 gr at all levels of powder and seating depths that this rifle will NOT shoot this monometal bullet.

Strange I had the same problem with a BOFORS STEEL 30-06 that would not group the TSX but shoots lights out with the partition bullet. The 222 is a Vixon w/Bofors heavy barrel.

Have others had a problem getting BOFORS barrels to group well with their monometal bullets?

Can't say anything on Bofors barrels, only on TSX bullets.
They have proven inconsistent in all of my guns. 2 or 3 shots may be fine, but then the horror usually starts.

Thumbs up for your 50 grs Hornady SP load in the .222. That's also my preferred bullet for the .222. I load it with 19,8 to 20 grs. of Vita N120 with an OAL of 2.145".
What is your load?

I am still working some on this bullet. But the above load was 20.8 gr of IMR 4198 @ 2.18 which is right at the lands in this rifle. Your N120 is right at the same burn rate so should be fairly close. Thanks for sharing your info.

Maybe the 222 cant stabilise the 53 grain tsx. I tried them in a sako and they shot poorly.

I had to same problem with both the 45 and 53 gr TSX so do not think stability was my problem. Certainly Barnes has now put the yellow sticker on the 53 gr boxes that does say 1:12 required to stabilize that bullet.

Good point Muygrande

I have to admit I have struggled to get them to shoot in every calibre i have tried them in. Not sure why. Maybe just bad luck.

I shot a few deer with them in 243 (85 tsx) and while they killed fine they were no better than the sierra 85 gn HP, and all that with 2 inch groups. They are so expensive i was determined to use up the rest of the box on deer even though they were poor in the accuracy department!!

Tommo, in fact this is the FIRST of about twelve rifles from 222 to 416 that will NOT shoot the Barnes (other than one Bofors barrel in 30-06) TTSX bullet or the TSX. Really strange stuff, even a 22-250 will shoot 3/4 inch with the 45 TSX, go figure.