Thread: .222 turning back the clock

If going old school means no rangefinder, I wouldn’t bother with CDS.

Originally Posted by Nathan F

Has anyone had any experience with the 53gn Barnes TSX?

We loaded some up when in Canada with my son for deer, his go too load for Coyotes in his 22 250 is the 50 gr Ballistic Silver tip and the TSX shot very close to the same point as the BT. My wife shot a nice whitetail buck with the TSX out of the 250 at about 50 yards and poleaxed it. Interestingly the projectile came out in about four pieces suggesting the petals broke off. I know the velocity is a lot faster from the 22 250 but at 222 velocity I think they will still be good and probably hold together better. I have loaded some 50 gr XLC for my 22 250 and some 53 gr XLC for my 223 to try out.

Many years back I used the 222 for all my hunting and shot quite a few deer of various sizes. When culling we used the same ammo as Willie used the Sako 50 gr which was an effective load. The reaction from the deer hit on the show was pretty much the same when I used it, a good shoulder / or lung shot would have the deer run off between 20 -50 meters and fall over. The accuracy of the 222 left little doubt that you had missed your shot and a follow up lead to a dead deer.
After culling I used to handload for the 222 as well and used many different projectiles but one of my favourites was the Winchester 50 gr SP. Norma 50 gr SP were another good factory load .
I think a Barnes 50 gr at over 3000 fps would be a winner especially on bigger stags where more penetration is needed, but then with the great accuracy of the round head and neck shooting when the opportunity arose would be the go.

Originally Posted by Nathan F

Borrowed ? Thats mine by default now. Trust me you dont want it back some of the places ive been sleeping

More importantly what sort of diet have you been eating that the neo-air xtherm has been on the receiving end of

Originally Posted by Nathan F

Has anyone had any experience with the 53gn Barnes TSX?

no but I really rate the 50grn TTSX.....

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Many years back I used the 222 for all my hunting and shot quite a few deer of various sizes. When culling we used the same ammo as Willie used the Sako 50 gr which was an effective load. The reaction from the deer hit on the show was pretty much the same when I used it, a good shoulder / or lung shot would have the deer run off between 20 -50 meters and fall over. The accuracy of the 222 left little doubt that you had missed your shot and a follow up lead to a dead deer.
After culling I used to handload for the 222 as well and used many different projectiles but one of my favourites was the Winchester 50 gr SP. Norma 50 gr SP were another good factory load .
I think a Barnes 50 gr at over 3000 fps would be a winner especially on bigger stags where more penetration is needed, but then with the great accuracy of the round head and neck shooting when the opportunity arose would be the go.

Tha k you. That’s the sort of practical advice I’m after

Originally Posted by Cigar

If going old school means no rangefinder, I wouldn’t bother with CDS.

Yeah it was as a pisstake. I have rifles if I want to dial. Will zero at 200 yds and get closer than that

Buy a few 50 rd packets off Belmont.Good ammo for the price.

Get familiar with the rifle and gain confidence. The 222 is unforgiving to bad shot placement. After hand loading the 222 for more than 40 years I like the 55 grain. Most makes of this pill shoot well but when the right brew is found accuracy is outstanding. I currently use a single shot on deer, hand loading with Remington Peters brass, Hornady 55 gn soft point driven by 20 grain of 4198. Sighted a 1inch high at 100 so bang on at 214 m.
Prior to going to the 55, I used the 50 for years but not being able to find the usual in Winchester I went up in weight.
50 or 55 will shoot just as well just a personel preference or ballistics..

BM2 is a good powder to use if your reloading

Originally Posted by Huntertoo

Get familiar with the rifle and gain confidence. The 222 is unforgiving to bad shot placement. After hand loading the 222 for more than 40 years I like the 55 grain. Most makes of this pill shoot well but when the right brew is found accuracy is outstanding. I currently use a single shot on deer, hand loading with Remington Peters brass, Hornady 55 gn soft point driven by 20 grain of 4198. Sighted a 1inch high at 100 so bang on at 214 m.
Prior to going to the 55, I used the 50 for years but not being able to find the usual in Winchester I went up in weight.
50 or 55 will shoot just as well just a personel preference or ballistics..

Awesome info thanks. Yes I’m going to shoot hares with it until I get used to it. Will make sure it’s spot on before going for a deer.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Many years back I used the 222 for all my hunting and shot quite a few deer of various sizes. When culling we used the same ammo as Willie used the Sako 50 gr which was an effective load. The reaction from the deer hit on the show was pretty much the same when I used it, a good shoulder / or lung shot would have the deer run off between 20 -50 meters and fall over. The accuracy of the 222 left little doubt that you had missed your shot and a follow up lead to a dead deer.
After culling I used to handload for the 222 as well and used many different projectiles but one of my favourites was the Winchester 50 gr SP. Norma 50 gr SP were another good factory load .
I think a Barnes 50 gr at over 3000 fps would be a winner especially on bigger stags where more penetration is needed, but then with the great accuracy of the round head and neck shooting when the opportunity arose would be the go.

Thanks fi that Mooseman..I was going to write very similar but there yi go. In my experience for what it's worth,that really says it all.
Many dudes in the so called old school used 4x scopes,kept in range,well placed shots,knew just how much lead one needed in a cross wind, and always walked away if things didn't suit. Great little caliber....that needs respect.

Head shoot a 100 rabbits or so at 200yds,deer will be easy as.

I'm finding the 55gr Sierra Game Kings in the Buffalo 223 ammo really good. This is one from the opposite shoulder of a fallow yearling at 346m (used a rangefinder). it held together really well Usually I wouldn't shoot that far with the 223 but had a perfect rest (used a red deer spiker on the front of the bike as a rest !). it was at the same elevation as I was shooting, no wind and a yearling. I'd say the projectile would be great in the 222 as well

Past 200 wind absolutely plays havoc with the .222. Twice as much drift as a 150 gn .308w. 250 is practically max range on big game with good shooting conditions. I would not worry about dialing.