Thread: Reloading 222

Hi Mitch

Never shot the Barnes 53gr TSX but there are lots of other choices e.g. 55gr HDY SP + 25gr AR2208 (compressed load but hits like a hammer on goats), 55gr HDY SP + 23gr AR2206, 55gr Sierra BK + 26gr W748, 50gr HDY SP + 21.5gr AR2207, 50gr HDY SP + 22.5gr IMR 3031 (current load). All loads produced great accuracy (don't know about velocity).

Foolishly traded the Vixen for a younger/sexier AI that will not stabilise 55gr projectiles. Go figure...

52 grain sierra matchking is a good choice with 2206h

2207 went fantastic in my Vixen with 50/55gn projectiles. One hole groups.

I've reloaded for 2 Treblies, both older models with a 14 twist. After a lot of experimentation I gave up on the heavier side of 55 grains, none would group better than 2 inches at a hundy.
I have tried a bunch of powders and have found that anything that fills the case up and stays under Max charge will perform well. I have stayed with the dirty old 55 grain hornady soft point with cannelure. These seem to have a good repeatable result on light game.

Great, thanks for the replies all.

In my Vixen .222 it didn't like the Hornady 55 grainers any other 55 grain projectile so I switched to 50 gr Hornady and it shot perfectly aswell as other 50 gr projectiles... just need to check the twist.

I played with BM2 & AR2206H powder but it preferred BM2 but I need to double check on that.

Show us some pics of the Vixen?

Now that you have the Vixen... you'll need an A1

Same rifle. A Sako Vixen is an A1.

Originally Posted by Carlsen Highway

Same rifle. A Sako Vixen is an A1.

It is but the AI model was made later and originally designated as such for the U.S. market. All of the AI's I've seen had the later shroud on the bolt rear. The early Vixens had Bofor steel barrels.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

It is but the AI model was made later and originally designated as such for the U.S. market. All of the AI's I've seen had the later shroud on the bolt rear. The early Vixens had Bofor steel barrels.

Yeah correct. The original Vixen was designated model # L461 and the A1 lost the Vixen name stamp but the box and all the accompanying literature still referred it as a Vixen.

Had both in 222 both were very good accurate rifles. I think I liked the Vixen better of the two models.

In that case I have two vixens... an L461 & an A1

Originally Posted by Seventenths

In that case I have two vixens... an L461 & an A1

Yip, different bolt shroud on each
This is what mine looks like - L461 which is about late 60's early 70's I think.

[QUOTE=Seventenths;831193]In that case I have two vixens... an L461 & an A1

They are both L461 Vixens.
"A1" is only an action length designation.


Tanqueray, your rifle is beautiful.


Here is a a wild Sako Vixen with it's natural prey.

The 222 Rem is one of my favorites, I have a heavy varmint rifle for Prairie dogs, ground squirrels and targets, Savage action , I use Benchmark and 40gr NBT's in it . A late Vixen with a floor plate that I use for coyotes, 52gr Speer HP's and again Benchmark. Last another 222 Rem in a Win. Model 70 again a coyote hunting gun and go with the same 52gr Speer HP. The Speer bullet is the flat base one with the large hollow point.

Varmint rig



The Sako



The Model 70

All this talk of Vixens .... i have a set of steel 25mm mounts for an A1 if anyone needs a spare set

@AWS nice set of triple, triple twos. I found the M70 to be quite a heavy rifle for the cal, after a nimble Sako the bolt seems massive. I have a 788 now, that in my eyes could be chopped down to 17 inches and lost no accuracy.... it will never win any contests for sexiest rifle but i like the industrial heft.
I couldnt chop the A1 but this was a good compromise.