Thread: .222 turning back the clock

Pikai pack?

Don't stop posting those photos.

Originally Posted by zimmer

Pikai pack?

Don't stop posting those photos.

Like this. This is me up the Pari in the Ruahines.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Another 222 oldie from the roar. Both shot roaring at under 30 yards.



Another from the Tiritea Water Reserve. .222 20 yards

@Nathan F will need one of these packs.


Hunting mate coming off the tops in shit weather with a mate to the one I shot with the .222 when they were fighting (in the first lot of pics).


In the Pouranaki with a .222 and stag neck shot at about 50 odd yards. We had come over from the Rangi side so it was a big carry back up and down to the car. By then I was using hand loaded 52 grn Sierra hollow point match (forerunners to Barnes )and BLC2 powder. A powder measuring spoon and nut cracker hand press.


That will do. I got a bit carried away there. Someone might enjoy the history.

best thing I've seen on the forum in a while Tahr
keep them coming

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Great pic's Tahr love those old ones, keep them coming.

Couple of old ones I found
Our old Forest Service Caravan it sure was luxury compared to the tent camps I started working from.

First deer I shot with a 222 it was one of three he waited to long and I shot in the shoulder and thought i might lose it but it went about 30 yds then went down.

Deer taken with my old Vixen 222

Originally Posted by Tahr

Have you still got that BSA?

Hell no..that one came and went,then a BSA Hunter,and lastly the Fox.
I still regret not buying the wee Vixen and loopy scope for sweet bugger all at the time when culling.

Couple more pic's

My best stag to date shot spotlighting with my Mohawk 222 and a 50 gr Winchester, they don' argue with a bullet in the head.



Jaw from the boar I shot first day on the job up Moehau Coromandel, shot him three times ,twice in head then in heart before he died. Range was about 30 yards. I was using my Rem Model 788 222 and Sako 50 gr bullets.

I had a BSA Monarch (terrible full length action) and then an Anschutz 222.
Through straight out inexperience I never got the best out of my 222s so sold and replaced with a 22-250.
Already had a Forester 308 which was much more forgiving.

Old USA ad below but NZ prices were probably similar.
I paid £59 17/6 for my Forester. 6 weeks pay at the time.

I loved my Vixen so much that I bought a Forester 243 while in the Forest Service. Can't remember how much I paid but it was probably around those prices in the add above. I used to take it for hunts from time to time for a change from the 222 but had to buy my own ammo. I used the Forester 243 during the meat hunting days. Both rifles very accurate.
I sold the Vixen to my now brother in law when he went culling in the Kiamai's after we finished meat hunting and I then sold the Forester for funds to get married. Two rifles I would really like to still have.

@Tahr I do have one of those old school Pikaus somewhere. I’m pretty sure there’s also an old trapper Nelson pack laying around too. Young James is due back here tomorrow if they. They have been over Stewart island the last 10 days. He’s right into it too. Woollen gears cooking with fire. Old 303

@Tahr I’m just home from two nights away. I shot a stag on last light last night. Was 9:30 pm before i began the 90minute trek back to camp. Right on cue it started pissing down. Was quite glad I had the Swazi ultralight jacket not the old green swannie. Big donkey of an animal.

Originally Posted by zimmer

I had a BSA Monarch (terrible full length action) and then an Anschutz 222.
Through straight out inexperience I never got the best out of my 222s so sold and replaced with a 22-250.
Already had a Forester 308 which was much more forgiving.

Old USA ad below but NZ prices were probably similar.
I paid £59 17/6 for my Forester. 6 weeks pay at the time.

Attachment 161615

I saw a couple of those Anschutz .222 being used. Light little rear locking action. On the barrel was stamped "use factory ammunition only". Neat little rifles.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

The property we were based on was John Oliver's , forget the name of the road but we went in on the south side of Otrohonga under the rail bridge and headed up there to the edge of the native bush. You are right it's a neat spot, back then we had numerous old logging roads to get access way back, these had lots of skid sites which were grass covered and a magnet for the animals. When we shifted there these grass areas were cropped right down by the goats and deer , when we left there was grass up to your knees in most places, these became great spots for an easy deer. What are goat and deer numbers like nowadays for interests sake?

I know which property you’re talking about. The Oliver’s own half the north king country but Owawenga Rd is the place you’re referring to. Yeah there’s still pretty good numbers of deer up there, the Pureoras act as a feeder for the local farmland so there’s always deer coming out. Down the Waimahora end it seems that fallow are dominant, but further north it’s all reds. The block I hunt gets constant sustained pressure, so the deer are real cagey, basically nocturnal, not the easiest place to knock over an animal! Goats are thin on the ground as well due to regular culling operations. But yeah its a magic spot with some great views of the central Waikato basin

Originally Posted by Tahr

I saw a couple of those Anschutz .222 being used. Light little rear locking action. On the barrel was stamped "use factory ammunition only". Neat little rifles.

hey man i had a slight urge like yaself to tackle game with light cals.. my go to fox gun is a sako a1 222 .....

was reloading the 55gr projies an preferred SP , but this at 2700 or so fps actually helps the little round penetrate a tad better as opposed to violently opening up (which they still do)

the larger deer Hinds were felled just in the arm pit aiming for the heart, over in NZ with the reds id rekon neck shots could be in order and all hinds covered with good placement, it addds to the hunt aswell, not shooting alarmed deer and being patient to get the shot on the unalarmed deer is very satisfying.

disclaimer, would i ever advise someone to use a sub appropriate calibre - No. it is for a specialist application-