.222 v. .223

dchristian

I have heard that the .222 Rem is inherently more accurate that the .223. I looked at the trajectory charts on each caliber and see that with the same size bullet, the .223 seems to shoot flatter than the .222. Is that correct? If so, why is the .222 more accurate than the .223? I am considering one of these for coyotes and smaller targets and would appreciate some imput.
Thanks,
David

bigdog1

I have no idea. But I can tell you this, the 223 is more accurate than most people can shoot it. Plus ammo and rifle selection is far more widespread and diverse. An added benefit is the tons and tons of surplus brass, both commercial and military , that are available if you decide to reload....

JustC

222 chamberings are pretty much older production guns. It was the king of the benchrest circuit for a while, but the 223 being accepted by NATO was the popular undoing of the 222. They are very accurate though, I can get .33" at 100yds with a "box stock" rem 788 in 222. The 223 will give you slightly better range and it has also been stated that you will encounter MULTITUDES of 223 surplus bullets and brass and the 222 is much less available.

When in doubt...empty the magazine!!

groundhog devastation

The 222Mag was as accurate as the 222! But the gov't killed it when they selected the 223 because the short neck functioned better in the autos. than the slightly longer 222Mag. I don't think you will find a more accurate production caliber than the 222. The 22-250 was also used early on in the BR circuits. It's accuracy and superiority to the 222, 222Mag and the 223 seem to make it a logical choice for an accurate long range varmint round!! By the way the 222Mag is still alive in SW VA!! Mine is a 700 with a 40-X barrel and I love it!! The 6x47 is the 222Mag necked up to 6mm and until 1975 with the advent of the PPC's was the gun to shoot if you were shooting BR! GHD

dantheman

I would recommend the .223. I recently purchased an inexpensive new england firearms single shot (cost of about $185.00) and use winchester usa .223 ammo ($12.00 for a 40 pack) and i shoot under 1/2 inch at 100 yards. in my opinion, you cant beat that. i use it for grounhogs and recently harvested two deer with it, they both ran less than 75 yards. also there is indeed much more .223 ammo out there.

red dog

Ground Hog DVST. I also have a 222 mag in 700 carbine circa 1962
but I have never shot it. I guess I will have to take it out and
try a few rounds out of it. Red Dog

groundhog devastation

RED DOG!!!! You don't know what you're missing!! If you need some help on loads give me an e-mail. I won't bore everyone here with loads that worked for me so I'll send them to you privately! I wore a 700 barrel slam out with the 222Mag! That is the same action I rebarreled with the 40-X barrel. It's kind of special to an old country boy like me 'cause I got to set up the lathe to cut the chamber and it's deadly!! You can't buy this kind off the shelf!! Seems like you were in VA too! Maybe we'll have a "no other calibers allowed groundhog killin" someday! GHD PS charliemill@earthlink.net

leeblackman

quote:
The 222Mag was as accurate as the 222! But the gov't killed it when they selected the 223 because the short neck functioned better in the autos. than the slightly longer 222Mag. I don't think you will find a more accurate production caliber than the 222. The 22-250 was also used early on in the BR circuits. It's accuracy and superiority to the 222, 222Mag and the 223 seem to make it a logical choice for an accurate long range varmint round!! By the way the 222Mag is still alive in SW VA!! Mine is a 700 with a 40-X barrel and I love it!! The 6x47 is the 222Mag necked up to 6mm and until 1975 with the advent of the PPC's was the gun to shoot if you were shooting BR! GHD


What you heard about the gov. selecting teh .223rem instead of the .222rem mag because it functioned better in semi autos was wrong. They didn't actually choose the cartridge, but they chose the gun, the cartridge just met the criteria.

To reiterate, the us government chose the M16 rifle. They weren't really looking to change cartridges, but to upgrade from the M14. The M16 was designed to shoot the 5.56x45mm. The govt. did not tell them to design it in the cartridge, its just what the gun came in. The cartridge itself met their requirements so they didn't bother to change it, they were more interested in the capability of the rifle.

Visit me http://www.geocities.com/gunsmithlee

74cuda

dchristian, If you want to reach out and touch something, go with the 243. Several of the varmint hunters around here who used to use the other calibers have finally stopped at the 243 round.



"In God We Trust........All Others Go Thru NCIC"

groundhog devastation

74cuda, If you want to reach out and knock the hell out of somthing instead of "reachiing out and touching" get you a 25-06!!! 243 will have to grow up to match it!! GHD