.222 for fox and roe

[lampingking 3]

What distance will a 222 kill a roe and what distance will it kill a fox?? Just looking at 222 as you can use them on roe in Scotland thanks

[Yokel Matt 918]

Personally i think a .243 would be a more suitable dual purpose cartridge for both species - you mentioned this in your last topic i believe. Would also give you some options on the bigger species. If for some reason range is the be all and end all of your decision making process this will give you more energy at the end range side of things and more chance of punching out a wound channel with an exit to blead the beast out / give you something to follow.

[dougal 8]

having shot with a 222 and a 243 for over 20 years a 222 is more than capable of killing both deer and fox,but if a 243 is to big why not try a 223 or a 222,50

[charlie caller 3,654]

What distance will a 222 kill a roe and what distance will it kill a fox?? Just looking at 222 as you can use them on roe in Scotland thanks

Ok mate firstly .222 are a good,very very accurate round(better than .223 in my opinion) without stretching things too much foxes 250 yds to be realistic,although Im sure they have been taken further, Roe, Muntjac, cwd, I would keep to 200 as an absolute max for deer,preferebly 150 yds, but with good shot placement a.222 is a very good small deer calibre, and really shines when reloaded, Sierra make a superb 55gn prohunter which would be my first choice if rolling your own, you will probably struggle to find factory ammo that has a deer bullet as apposed to a varmint bullet,that said Hornady vmax will kill deer but can be a little messy.

[dave1372 83]

The .222 suffers the same limitations as other .22 centerfires when used on medium game. With conventional projectiles including all factory ammunition, the .222 at close to moderate ranges produces a broad wound channel however the broad wound quickly tapers off as energy is lost, within about 5 to 6” of penetration. Beyond this depth, the wound channel tends to be very narrow. For this reason, if using the .222 on medium game, it is very important to try to avoid major shoulder bones so that the broad and shallow wound occurs almost exclusively within vitals.

 

When using the .222 on medium game, the most effective point of aim is the neck or the axis, the junction where the spine meets the skull. This is the fastest killing shot for the .222 and leaves at least some room for error. A second point of aim once popular with professional hunters was the junction between the neck and chest, this is a soft area where the major blood vessels pass through.

 

The third point of aim is often referred to as the meat saver shot. This is the largest target area for the .222. The meat saver is taken behind the foreleg, allowing the bullet to enter without blowing up on the shoulder or ruining the meat. The more this shot is angled into the forward chest cavity, the faster the kill. Deer shot with the rear lung/meat saver shot usually move off a little way. The calmer the animal is at the shot, the less likely it is to move too far. Hunters are cautioned not to aim too far behind the shoulder due to over-compensation. The meat saver shot should be placed as close to the rear line of the foreleg as possible. This style of hunting is more akin to bow hunting, a bow hunter who moves immediately after making a hit may lose his or her deer.

 

The key to the .222 is expectations. With conventional projectiles, the hunter should expect bullet blow up resulting a broad but shallow wound and utilize this accordingly. Most .222 projectiles are not very aerodynamic and lose around 100fps per 25 yards of flight. Because of this, beyond 200 yards, kills can be very slow and wind drift can make exact shot placement difficult.

 

Whether the hunter utilizes explosive varmint type projectiles or stout premium projectiles is purely personal choice. Stout projectiles tend to produce a narrow, slow bleeding wound which makes exact shot placement just as important as the accuracy required when using explosive projectiles.

 

Regarding game weights, the .222 is best utilized on game weighing less than 40kg (90lb) and up to 60kg (130lb) as a maximum. This cartridge can indeed be used for neck shooting heavier animals up to 120kg (260lb) but only female animals. On male deer during the rut or roar, the neck becomes too swollen for the .222 to produce an effective wound. Male hogs also have very thick skin at the neck once mature.

One word of caution, insulation tape cannot be used to protect the muzzle of .22 centerfires as this renders these caliber rifles completely inaccurate.

 

Factory ammunition

 

Most factory loads for the .222 feature 50 grain bullets at velocities of 3140 fps from 24" test barrels. Typically, sporting rifles chambered in .222 have shorter 22” and lose around 70fps. All factory produced ammunition is intended for varmints with an emphasis on complete disintegration of the projectile immediately upon impact.

 

Remington factory loads include the 50 grain Accutip, a 50 grain hollow point, a 50 grain soft point and the 50 grain Hornady V-Max, all at 3140fps for a realistic 3070fps. The Accutip is the stoutest of these projectiles, adequate for meat saver shots on light medium game. The most readily available off the shelf load is Remington’s 50 grain soft point. This and the Federal Vital-Shok soft point projectiles are both predictable in terminal performance with regard to the broad, shallow wounding

 

Winchesterloads include the 40 grain Ballistic Silvertip at 3370fps for a realistic 3300fps and their 50 grain Super-X soft point at 3140fps, giving 3070fps in shorter barrels. Both are very soft, fast expanding loads.

Federal loads include the 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip at 3450 for 3380fps and the 50 grain Hi Shok at 3140fps for 3070fps, the Vital-Shok being the slower expanding, slightly deeper penetrating projectile.

Hornady produce the 50 grain V-max, again at 3140fps for 3070fps. The V-Max is a very soft explosive projectile but can be used with success providing the hunter has an understanding of this projectile’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

Hand loading

 

The rather small case capacity of the .222 necessitates the use of fast burning powders. H-322, BLC-2 and the 4895’s are typically good performers in the .222. From 22 barreled sporters, realistic safe maximum working velocities include 3380fps with 40 grain projectiles, 3180fps with 50 grain projectiles, 3130fps using 52 to 55 grain projectiles and 2930fps with 60 grain projectiles. Some rifles and load combinations are capable of producing higher velocities however the figures given here are the most common.

 

Optimum projectile weights for the .222 for use on medium game are those weighing between 50 and 55 grains. Most .222 barrels have too slow a twist rate (1:14) to utilize 60 grain projectiles. Of the conventional 50 grain projectiles, there is very little difference form one brand to the next. Readers who wish to use conventional soft point projectiles are therefore advised to choose an economical projectile which is accurate in their rifle.

 

The stoutest conventional projectiles are the European brands however, differences in penetration between these and cheaper U.S made projectiles are so insignificant as to be irrelevant. The shooter must always expect gradual disintegration of any conventional .222 bullet during penetration. Currently, the cheapest conventional projectiles for the .222 are the 50 to 55 grain soft point bullets produced by Hornady and Remington. Essentially, the most reliable conventional projectiles for the .222 are those that feature a cannelure. This helps to either arrest expansion or creates a break away point, allowing the front of the bullet to disintegrate down to the cannelure.

 

The only fully suitable premium projectiles for use in the .222 are the Barnes 53 grain TSX and XLC bullets. Barnes once listed an excellent 50 grain XLC coated projectile however, this projectile has not appeared in recent catalogues. Instead, the only 50 grain bullet listed by Barnes is their traditional flat base which may not shoot well in some rifles due to excessive copper fouling. The heavier 55 grain Barnes bullets tend to cramp the powder capacity of the .222 with a reduction of achievable velocities, therefore, the 53 grain Barnes, while only slightly lighter, is the optimum choice. The 53 grain bullets can be driven at around 3030fps in 22” barreled sporters, both styles can be relied on to penetrate through shoulder bones of lighter medium game along with vivid wounding of internal organs.

 

Closing comments

 

There was a time when the subject of the .222 and its use on medium game created heated debate. In hind sight, a major reason for the success of the .222 was that it was chambered in some very accurate rifles. When the .222 was first introduced, Both Sako and Remington flooded the market with accurate rifles. These rifles were considered light but still had stout barrels. The .222 cartridge aided accuracy further through minimal harmonic vibration to bedding surfaces. In contrast, few shooters new about bedding during the 1950’s and 60’s. The high recoiling rifles of the day, just like those of today, were prone to accuracy problems due to poor bedding.

 

Taking these factors into consideration, it is not hard to see why a hunter would become more attached to a sub MOA .222 capable of instantaneous kills over a 3 to 4MOA .270 Winchester caliber rifle that cannot be relied on to hit vitals beyond 100 yards. That said, the hunter should always put animal welfare before all else. If the hunter is able to accurately shoot a more powerful cartridge, he or she should do so.

[charlie caller 3,654]

The .222 suffers the same limitations as other .22 centerfires when used on medium game. With conventional projectiles including all factory ammunition, the .222 at close to moderate ranges produces a broad wound channel however the broad wound quickly tapers off as energy is lost, within about 5 to 6” of penetration. Beyond this depth, the wound channel tends to be very narrow. For this reason, if using the .222 on medium game, it is very important to try to avoid major shoulder bones so that the broad and shallow wound occurs almost exclusively within vitals.

 

When using the .222 on medium game, the most effective point of aim is the neck or the axis, the junction where the spine meets the skull. This is the fastest killing shot for the .222 and leaves at least some room for error. A second point of aim once popular with professional hunters was the junction between the neck and chest, this is a soft area where the major blood vessels pass through.

 

The third point of aim is often referred to as the meat saver shot. This is the largest target area for the .222. The meat saver is taken behind the foreleg, allowing the bullet to enter without blowing up on the shoulder or ruining the meat. The more this shot is angled into the forward chest cavity, the faster the kill. Deer shot with the rear lung/meat saver shot usually move off a little way. The calmer the animal is at the shot, the less likely it is to move too far. Hunters are cautioned not to aim too far behind the shoulder due to over-compensation. The meat saver shot should be placed as close to the rear line of the foreleg as possible. This style of hunting is more akin to bow hunting, a bow hunter who moves immediately after making a hit may lose his or her deer.

 

The key to the .222 is expectations. With conventional projectiles, the hunter should expect bullet blow up resulting a broad but shallow wound and utilize this accordingly. Most .222 projectiles are not very aerodynamic and lose around 100fps per 25 yards of flight. Because of this, beyond 200 yards, kills can be very slow and wind drift can make exact shot placement difficult.

 

Whether the hunter utilizes explosive varmint type projectiles or stout premium projectiles is purely personal choice. Stout projectiles tend to produce a narrow, slow bleeding wound which makes exact shot placement just as important as the accuracy required when using explosive projectiles.

 

Regarding game weights, the .222 is best utilized on game weighing less than 40kg (90lb) and up to 60kg (130lb) as a maximum. This cartridge can indeed be used for neck shooting heavier animals up to 120kg (260lb) but only female animals. On male deer during the rut or roar, the neck becomes too swollen for the .222 to produce an effective wound. Male hogs also have very thick skin at the neck once mature.

One word of caution, insulation tape cannot be used to protect the muzzle of .22 centerfires as this renders these caliber rifles completely inaccurate.

 

Factory ammunition

 

Most factory loads for the .222 feature 50 grain bullets at velocities of 3140 fps from 24" test barrels. Typically, sporting rifles chambered in .222 have shorter 22” and lose around 70fps. All factory produced ammunition is intended for varmints with an emphasis on complete disintegration of the projectile immediately upon impact.

 

Remington factory loads include the 50 grain Accutip, a 50 grain hollow point, a 50 grain soft point and the 50 grain Hornady V-Max, all at 3140fps for a realistic 3070fps. The Accutip is the stoutest of these projectiles, adequate for meat saver shots on light medium game. The most readily available off the shelf load is Remington’s 50 grain soft point. This and the Federal Vital-Shok soft point projectiles are both predictable in terminal performance with regard to the broad, shallow wounding

 

Winchesterloads include the 40 grain Ballistic Silvertip at 3370fps for a realistic 3300fps and their 50 grain Super-X soft point at 3140fps, giving 3070fps in shorter barrels. Both are very soft, fast expanding loads.

Federal loads include the 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip at 3450 for 3380fps and the 50 grain Hi Shok at 3140fps for 3070fps, the Vital-Shok being the slower expanding, slightly deeper penetrating projectile.

Hornady produce the 50 grain V-max, again at 3140fps for 3070fps. The V-Max is a very soft explosive projectile but can be used with success providing the hunter has an understanding of this projectile’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

Hand loading

 

The rather small case capacity of the .222 necessitates the use of fast burning powders. H-322, BLC-2 and the 4895’s are typically good performers in the .222. From 22 barreled sporters, realistic safe maximum working velocities include 3380fps with 40 grain projectiles, 3180fps with 50 grain projectiles, 3130fps using 52 to 55 grain projectiles and 2930fps with 60 grain projectiles. Some rifles and load combinations are capable of producing higher velocities however the figures given here are the most common.

 

Optimum projectile weights for the .222 for use on medium game are those weighing between 50 and 55 grains. Most .222 barrels have too slow a twist rate (1:14) to utilize 60 grain projectiles. Of the conventional 50 grain projectiles, there is very little difference form one brand to the next. Readers who wish to use conventional soft point projectiles are therefore advised to choose an economical projectile which is accurate in their rifle.

 

The stoutest conventional projectiles are the European brands however, differences in penetration between these and cheaper U.S made projectiles are so insignificant as to be irrelevant. The shooter must always expect gradual disintegration of any conventional .222 bullet during penetration. Currently, the cheapest conventional projectiles for the .222 are the 50 to 55 grain soft point bullets produced by Hornady and Remington. Essentially, the most reliable conventional projectiles for the .222 are those that feature a cannelure. This helps to either arrest expansion or creates a break away point, allowing the front of the bullet to disintegrate down to the cannelure.

 

The only fully suitable premium projectiles for use in the .222 are the Barnes 53 grain TSX and XLC bullets. Barnes once listed an excellent 50 grain XLC coated projectile however, this projectile has not appeared in recent catalogues. Instead, the only 50 grain bullet listed by Barnes is their traditional flat base which may not shoot well in some rifles due to excessive copper fouling. The heavier 55 grain Barnes bullets tend to cramp the powder capacity of the .222 with a reduction of achievable velocities, therefore, the 53 grain Barnes, while only slightly lighter, is the optimum choice. The 53 grain bullets can be driven at around 3030fps in 22” barreled sporters, both styles can be relied on to penetrate through shoulder bones of lighter medium game along with vivid wounding of internal organs.

 

Closing comments

 

There was a time when the subject of the .222 and its use on medium game created heated debate. In hind sight, a major reason for the success of the .222 was that it was chambered in some very accurate rifles. When the .222 was first introduced, Both Sako and Remington flooded the market with accurate rifles. These rifles were considered light but still had stout barrels. The .222 cartridge aided accuracy further through minimal harmonic vibration to bedding surfaces. In contrast, few shooters new about bedding during the 1950’s and 60’s. The high recoiling rifles of the day, just like those of today, were prone to accuracy problems due to poor bedding.

 

Taking these factors into consideration, it is not hard to see why a hunter would become more attached to a sub MOA .222 capable of instantaneous kills over a 3 to 4MOA .270 Winchester caliber rifle that cannot be relied on to hit vitals beyond 100 yards. That said, the hunter should always put animal welfare before all else. If the hunter is able to accurately shoot a more powerful cartridge, he or she should do so.

Very nicely copied mate, word perfect, spot on.

[Yokel Matt 918]

The .222 suffers the same limitations as other .22 centerfires when used on medium game. With conventional projectiles including all factory ammunition, the .222 at close to moderate ranges produces a broad wound channel however the broad wound quickly tapers off as energy is lost, within about 5 to 6” of penetration. Beyond this depth, the wound channel tends to be very narrow. For this reason, if using the .222 on medium game, it is very important to try to avoid major shoulder bones so that the broad and shallow wound occurs almost exclusively within vitals.

 

When using the .222 on medium game, the most effective point of aim is the neck or the axis, the junction where the spine meets the skull. This is the fastest killing shot for the .222 and leaves at least some room for error. A second point of aim once popular with professional hunters was the junction between the neck and chest, this is a soft area where the major blood vessels pass through.

 

The third point of aim is often referred to as the meat saver shot. This is the largest target area for the .222. The meat saver is taken behind the foreleg, allowing the bullet to enter without blowing up on the shoulder or ruining the meat. The more this shot is angled into the forward chest cavity, the faster the kill. Deer shot with the rear lung/meat saver shot usually move off a little way. The calmer the animal is at the shot, the less likely it is to move too far. Hunters are cautioned not to aim too far behind the shoulder due to over-compensation. The meat saver shot should be placed as close to the rear line of the foreleg as possible. This style of hunting is more akin to bow hunting, a bow hunter who moves immediately after making a hit may lose his or her deer.

 

The key to the .222 is expectations. With conventional projectiles, the hunter should expect bullet blow up resulting a broad but shallow wound and utilize this accordingly. Most .222 projectiles are not very aerodynamic and lose around 100fps per 25 yards of flight. Because of this, beyond 200 yards, kills can be very slow and wind drift can make exact shot placement difficult.

 

Whether the hunter utilizes explosive varmint type projectiles or stout premium projectiles is purely personal choice. Stout projectiles tend to produce a narrow, slow bleeding wound which makes exact shot placement just as important as the accuracy required when using explosive projectiles.

 

Regarding game weights, the .222 is best utilized on game weighing less than 40kg (90lb) and up to 60kg (130lb) as a maximum. This cartridge can indeed be used for neck shooting heavier animals up to 120kg (260lb) but only female animals. On male deer during the rut or roar, the neck becomes too swollen for the .222 to produce an effective wound. Male hogs also have very thick skin at the neck once mature.

One word of caution, insulation tape cannot be used to protect the muzzle of .22 centerfires as this renders these caliber rifles completely inaccurate.

 

Factory ammunition

 

Most factory loads for the .222 feature 50 grain bullets at velocities of 3140 fps from 24" test barrels. Typically, sporting rifles chambered in .222 have shorter 22” and lose around 70fps. All factory produced ammunition is intended for varmints with an emphasis on complete disintegration of the projectile immediately upon impact.

 

Remington factory loads include the 50 grain Accutip, a 50 grain hollow point, a 50 grain soft point and the 50 grain Hornady V-Max, all at 3140fps for a realistic 3070fps. The Accutip is the stoutest of these projectiles, adequate for meat saver shots on light medium game. The most readily available off the shelf load is Remington’s 50 grain soft point. This and the Federal Vital-Shok soft point projectiles are both predictable in terminal performance with regard to the broad, shallow wounding

 

Winchesterloads include the 40 grain Ballistic Silvertip at 3370fps for a realistic 3300fps and their 50 grain Super-X soft point at 3140fps, giving 3070fps in shorter barrels. Both are very soft, fast expanding loads.

Federal loads include the 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip at 3450 for 3380fps and the 50 grain Hi Shok at 3140fps for 3070fps, the Vital-Shok being the slower expanding, slightly deeper penetrating projectile.

Hornady produce the 50 grain V-max, again at 3140fps for 3070fps. The V-Max is a very soft explosive projectile but can be used with success providing the hunter has an understanding of this projectile’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

Hand loading

 

The rather small case capacity of the .222 necessitates the use of fast burning powders. H-322, BLC-2 and the 4895’s are typically good performers in the .222. From 22 barreled sporters, realistic safe maximum working velocities include 3380fps with 40 grain projectiles, 3180fps with 50 grain projectiles, 3130fps using 52 to 55 grain projectiles and 2930fps with 60 grain projectiles. Some rifles and load combinations are capable of producing higher velocities however the figures given here are the most common.

 

Optimum projectile weights for the .222 for use on medium game are those weighing between 50 and 55 grains. Most .222 barrels have too slow a twist rate (1:14) to utilize 60 grain projectiles. Of the conventional 50 grain projectiles, there is very little difference form one brand to the next. Readers who wish to use conventional soft point projectiles are therefore advised to choose an economical projectile which is accurate in their rifle.

 

The stoutest conventional projectiles are the European brands however, differences in penetration between these and cheaper U.S made projectiles are so insignificant as to be irrelevant. The shooter must always expect gradual disintegration of any conventional .222 bullet during penetration. Currently, the cheapest conventional projectiles for the .222 are the 50 to 55 grain soft point bullets produced by Hornady and Remington. Essentially, the most reliable conventional projectiles for the .222 are those that feature a cannelure. This helps to either arrest expansion or creates a break away point, allowing the front of the bullet to disintegrate down to the cannelure.

 

The only fully suitable premium projectiles for use in the .222 are the Barnes 53 grain TSX and XLC bullets. Barnes once listed an excellent 50 grain XLC coated projectile however, this projectile has not appeared in recent catalogues. Instead, the only 50 grain bullet listed by Barnes is their traditional flat base which may not shoot well in some rifles due to excessive copper fouling. The heavier 55 grain Barnes bullets tend to cramp the powder capacity of the .222 with a reduction of achievable velocities, therefore, the 53 grain Barnes, while only slightly lighter, is the optimum choice. The 53 grain bullets can be driven at around 3030fps in 22” barreled sporters, both styles can be relied on to penetrate through shoulder bones of lighter medium game along with vivid wounding of internal organs.

 

Closing comments

 

There was a time when the subject of the .222 and its use on medium game created heated debate. In hind sight, a major reason for the success of the .222 was that it was chambered in some very accurate rifles. When the .222 was first introduced, Both Sako and Remington flooded the market with accurate rifles. These rifles were considered light but still had stout barrels. The .222 cartridge aided accuracy further through minimal harmonic vibration to bedding surfaces. In contrast, few shooters new about bedding during the 1950’s and 60’s. The high recoiling rifles of the day, just like those of today, were prone to accuracy problems due to poor bedding.

 

Taking these factors into consideration, it is not hard to see why a hunter would become more attached to a sub MOA .222 capable of instantaneous kills over a 3 to 4MOA .270 Winchester caliber rifle that cannot be relied on to hit vitals beyond 100 yards. That said, the hunter should always put animal welfare before all else. If the hunter is able to accurately shoot a more powerful cartridge, he or she should do so.

 

One of the most informative and balanced replies i've ever seen on the forum - very refreshing, thanks

[murphymax 9]

The .222 suffers the same limitations as other .22 centerfires when used on medium game. With conventional projectiles including all factory ammunition, the .222 at close to moderate ranges produces a broad wound channel however the broad wound quickly tapers off as energy is lost, within about 5 to 6” of penetration. Beyond this depth, the wound channel tends to be very narrow. For this reason, if using the .222 on medium game, it is very important to try to avoid major shoulder bones so that the broad and shallow wound occurs almost exclusively within vitals.

 

When using the .222 on medium game, the most effective point of aim is the neck or the axis, the junction where the spine meets the skull. This is the fastest killing shot for the .222 and leaves at least some room for error. A second point of aim once popular with professional hunters was the junction between the neck and chest, this is a soft area where the major blood vessels pass through.

 

The third point of aim is often referred to as the meat saver shot. This is the largest target area for the .222. The meat saver is taken behind the foreleg, allowing the bullet to enter without blowing up on the shoulder or ruining the meat. The more this shot is angled into the forward chest cavity, the faster the kill. Deer shot with the rear lung/meat saver shot usually move off a little way. The calmer the animal is at the shot, the less likely it is to move too far. Hunters are cautioned not to aim too far behind the shoulder due to over-compensation. The meat saver shot should be placed as close to the rear line of the foreleg as possible. This style of hunting is more akin to bow hunting, a bow hunter who moves immediately after making a hit may lose his or her deer.

 

The key to the .222 is expectations. With conventional projectiles, the hunter should expect bullet blow up resulting a broad but shallow wound and utilize this accordingly. Most .222 projectiles are not very aerodynamic and lose around 100fps per 25 yards of flight. Because of this, beyond 200 yards, kills can be very slow and wind drift can make exact shot placement difficult.

 

Whether the hunter utilizes explosive varmint type projectiles or stout premium projectiles is purely personal choice. Stout projectiles tend to produce a narrow, slow bleeding wound which makes exact shot placement just as important as the accuracy required when using explosive projectiles.

 

Regarding game weights, the .222 is best utilized on game weighing less than 40kg (90lb) and up to 60kg (130lb) as a maximum. This cartridge can indeed be used for neck shooting heavier animals up to 120kg (260lb) but only female animals. On male deer during the rut or roar, the neck becomes too swollen for the .222 to produce an effective wound. Male hogs also have very thick skin at the neck once mature.

One word of caution, insulation tape cannot be used to protect the muzzle of .22 centerfires as this renders these caliber rifles completely inaccurate.

 

Factory ammunition

 

Most factory loads for the .222 feature 50 grain bullets at velocities of 3140 fps from 24" test barrels. Typically, sporting rifles chambered in .222 have shorter 22” and lose around 70fps. All factory produced ammunition is intended for varmints with an emphasis on complete disintegration of the projectile immediately upon impact.

 

Remington factory loads include the 50 grain Accutip, a 50 grain hollow point, a 50 grain soft point and the 50 grain Hornady V-Max, all at 3140fps for a realistic 3070fps. The Accutip is the stoutest of these projectiles, adequate for meat saver shots on light medium game. The most readily available off the shelf load is Remington’s 50 grain soft point. This and the Federal Vital-Shok soft point projectiles are both predictable in terminal performance with regard to the broad, shallow wounding

 

Winchesterloads include the 40 grain Ballistic Silvertip at 3370fps for a realistic 3300fps and their 50 grain Super-X soft point at 3140fps, giving 3070fps in shorter barrels. Both are very soft, fast expanding loads.

Federal loads include the 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip at 3450 for 3380fps and the 50 grain Hi Shok at 3140fps for 3070fps, the Vital-Shok being the slower expanding, slightly deeper penetrating projectile.

Hornady produce the 50 grain V-max, again at 3140fps for 3070fps. The V-Max is a very soft explosive projectile but can be used with success providing the hunter has an understanding of this projectile’s strengths and weaknesses.

 

Hand loading

 

The rather small case capacity of the .222 necessitates the use of fast burning powders. H-322, BLC-2 and the 4895’s are typically good performers in the .222. From 22 barreled sporters, realistic safe maximum working velocities include 3380fps with 40 grain projectiles, 3180fps with 50 grain projectiles, 3130fps using 52 to 55 grain projectiles and 2930fps with 60 grain projectiles. Some rifles and load combinations are capable of producing higher velocities however the figures given here are the most common.

 

Optimum projectile weights for the .222 for use on medium game are those weighing between 50 and 55 grains. Most .222 barrels have too slow a twist rate (1:14) to utilize 60 grain projectiles. Of the conventional 50 grain projectiles, there is very little difference form one brand to the next. Readers who wish to use conventional soft point projectiles are therefore advised to choose an economical projectile which is accurate in their rifle.

 

The stoutest conventional projectiles are the European brands however, differences in penetration between these and cheaper U.S made projectiles are so insignificant as to be irrelevant. The shooter must always expect gradual disintegration of any conventional .222 bullet during penetration. Currently, the cheapest conventional projectiles for the .222 are the 50 to 55 grain soft point bullets produced by Hornady and Remington. Essentially, the most reliable conventional projectiles for the .222 are those that feature a cannelure. This helps to either arrest expansion or creates a break away point, allowing the front of the bullet to disintegrate down to the cannelure.

 

The only fully suitable premium projectiles for use in the .222 are the Barnes 53 grain TSX and XLC bullets. Barnes once listed an excellent 50 grain XLC coated projectile however, this projectile has not appeared in recent catalogues. Instead, the only 50 grain bullet listed by Barnes is their traditional flat base which may not shoot well in some rifles due to excessive copper fouling. The heavier 55 grain Barnes bullets tend to cramp the powder capacity of the .222 with a reduction of achievable velocities, therefore, the 53 grain Barnes, while only slightly lighter, is the optimum choice. The 53 grain bullets can be driven at around 3030fps in 22” barreled sporters, both styles can be relied on to penetrate through shoulder bones of lighter medium game along with vivid wounding of internal organs.

 

Closing comments

 

There was a time when the subject of the .222 and its use on medium game created heated debate. In hind sight, a major reason for the success of the .222 was that it was chambered in some very accurate rifles. When the .222 was first introduced, Both Sako and Remington flooded the market with accurate rifles. These rifles were considered light but still had stout barrels. The .222 cartridge aided accuracy further through minimal harmonic vibration to bedding surfaces. In contrast, few shooters new about bedding during the 1950’s and 60’s. The high recoiling rifles of the day, just like those of today, were prone to accuracy problems due to poor bedding.

 

Taking these factors into consideration, it is not hard to see why a hunter would become more attached to a sub MOA .222 capable of instantaneous kills over a 3 to 4MOA .270 Winchester caliber rifle that cannot be relied on to hit vitals beyond 100 yards. That said, the hunter should always put animal welfare before all else. If the hunter is able to accurately shoot a more powerful cartridge, he or she should do so.

 

BLOODY HELL DAVE !!!

 

Just tell the guy he needs to be sure he has the capability to place the shot on either roe or fox with a 222, at a required distance he is comfortable with, its not about LONGSHOTS its the art of stalking the roe or calling the fox, i wouldnt go much further than 100yds, as after that its more a fire and hope and thats not a good idea !!!

Edited September 28, 2012 by murphymax