F
f d shuster
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222 vs 223
mike: Can't really say what either will do, consistantly, at 100 yd. As soon as I have a good load developed, I move out to 200 yd., and work with multiple 5 shot groups, taking the average of all, including those that are not always so "good". I don't believe in throwing away the "bad ones" and only keeping the good. At 200 yd. my Hart barreled Sako Vixen 1-14, 222 will consistantly average 1/2 moa or slightly less, with 5 shot groups. Another Sako/Hart barreled, and a Savage/Hart barreled, both in 223, Sako with a 1-9 and Savage with a 1-8 will just barely keep up with the 222 at 200 yd., but at 300 yd., as the 222 starts to open up, the 223's will continue to hold 1/2 moa or slightly larger. Again, these are all averages of dozens of all targets fired. I'm not familiar with the range at Denton (Texas?), so don't know if it's usable beyond 200 yds., but thought if it were, there may be some interest in the longer distances. In my original post I did say that I would prefer the 222 at 200 yds. Your question about the seating depth with the 52/53 Sierra raised my curiosity, since although the #1400 is my first bullet of choice for the 222's (Sako/Hart + a factory Rem 700BDL), as I mentioned, the 55 V-Max is the lightest weight I use in the 223's. Just took some measurements (first time) with the #1400 in the Pacific reamer cut chamber with the .072" of freebore, using the Stoney Point gauge. Sample bullet length (of one picked out of the 500 count box) of the #1400 is .697". Ctg oal to touch is 2.318", with .140" of the bullet dia. making neck contact. I seat them all with .020" of "jump", so depth is actually .160". The sample 55 V-Max oal is .812", ctg oal is 2.348", with .236" of bullet dia. seated in, and about .030" Hanging down in the shoulder area. But as erosion develops, it will soon be above the neck/shoulder junction. Both fine ctgs., I just think the 222 is better suited to 200/250 yds., and the 223, with a faster twist/heavier bullets is better suited to 300 and beyond.
mike: Can't really say what either will do, consistantly, at 100 yd. As soon as I have a good load developed, I move out to 200 yd., and work with multiple 5 shot groups, taking the average of all, including those that are not always so "good". I don't believe in throwing away the "bad ones" and only keeping the good. At 200 yd. my Hart barreled Sako Vixen 1-14, 222 will consistantly average 1/2 moa or slightly less, with 5 shot groups. Another Sako/Hart barreled, and a Savage/Hart barreled, both in 223, Sako with a 1-9 and Savage with a 1-8 will just barely keep up with the 222 at 200 yd., but at 300 yd., as the 222 starts to open up, the 223's will continue to hold 1/2 moa or slightly larger. Again, these are all averages of dozens of all targets fired. I'm not familiar with the range at Denton (Texas?), so don't know if it's usable beyond 200 yds., but thought if it were, there may be some interest in the longer distances. In my original post I did say that I would prefer the 222 at 200 yds. Your question about the seating depth with the 52/53 Sierra raised my curiosity, since although the #1400 is my first bullet of choice for the 222's (Sako/Hart + a factory Rem 700BDL), as I mentioned, the 55 V-Max is the lightest weight I use in the 223's. Just took some measurements (first time) with the #1400 in the Pacific reamer cut chamber with the .072" of freebore, using the Stoney Point gauge. Sample bullet length (of one picked out of the 500 count box) of the #1400 is .697". Ctg oal to touch is 2.318", with .140" of the bullet dia. making neck contact. I seat them all with .020" of "jump", so depth is actually .160". The sample 55 V-Max oal is .812", ctg oal is 2.348", with .236" of bullet dia. seated in, and about .030" Hanging down in the shoulder area. But as erosion develops, it will soon be above the neck/shoulder junction. Both fine ctgs., I just think the 222 is better suited to 200/250 yds., and the 223, with a faster twist/heavier bullets is better suited to 300 and beyond.