.222?

[wildfowler.250]

I am considering changing my .223 for a .222. It would be used on vermin,(mainly crows/odd fox) and roe. Lots of people do say the .222 is a sweet round. Would I notice much of a difference between the two calibers? (I'm guessing not). Im also assuming range would be very similar? Bullets would have to be 50 grain.

 

 

Appreciate any input

[steve_b_wales]

I personally would not change from .223 to .222, not that I've anything against either caliber. I had a .223, which was excellent, and then I tried a 22-250. What a difference.

Either 'go up' a caliber,or stay with the .223.

 

Steve.

[foxbuster]

Why are you considering changing?? They're pretty much the same in performance as in accuracy and range. Cant really see any point in changing myself. I use .222-great round but cant see any benifit changing to .223 or vice versa in your case, admittadly greater choice of new guns .223 but if it aint broke, why 'fix' it?

[wildfowler.250]

Thanks for the replies

 

One of the main reasons is that there are quite a few nice second hands guns going about in .222, (some older sakos and tikkas). Im glad to hear the preformance is similar. I thought I might be better off getting a .222 tikka 595 than say a T3. Am I correct in thinking you don't have to worry about barrel wear as much with the .222?

 

 

 

Again many thanks for the input!

[henry d]

I thought I might be better off getting a .222 tikka 595 than say a T3.

 

They are better in the 595 than the T3 IMHO and agree with foxbuster...........

 

I use .222-great round but cant see any benifit changing to .223 or vice versa

[snowz]

I think it would something you might regret later on, if have a 223 why drop to a lower caliber the 222 & 223 are both great varminting rigs and the 223 has more going for it over the 222 as in light bullets an heavier if needed 222 you will be limited to 50/55grn, they will both do the same as each other but why limit your shooting by dropping down a caliber. Barrel life for both is minimal an nothing to worry about

 

The end of the day the choice is your to live with

 

I have a M595 an m8 had a T3 both in 223 there isn't any difference in the 2 models that would make a difference to your shooting it's just down to personal taste and what's available at the time

Edited October 7, 2010 by snowz

[Lez325]

Ive just gone the opposite route

 

I had a Tikka M595 in 222 sold it to Davy Holt on this forum- cracking rifle

 

I now have a Howa 1500 in 223- I changed as the ammunition for 223 is widely available and you have many weight choices- whilst the 222 I was limited in ammunition choice- ( in this area)

 

They both seem to perform well on Fox- I can't see why you want to change- apat from rifle cost etc and the tikka M595 is a very good choice- but you can

get that rifle in 223 - so maybe a change of rifle would suit rather than a change of claibre ??

 

Les

Edited October 7, 2010 by Lez325

[Dekers]

I am considering changing my .223 for a .222. It would be used on vermin,(mainly crows/odd fox) and roe. Lots of people do say the .222 is a sweet round. Would I notice much of a difference between the two calibers? (I'm guessing not). Im also assuming range would be very similar? Bullets would have to be 50 grain.

 

 

Appreciate any input

 

We all make our choices for our own reasons but I'm struggling with this one, why would the bullets have to be 50g, strange as it may seem I know one .222 at least that does not like 50g! Usable range would be similar on the basis most would not buy either with regular 300-400 yard foxes in mind. Out to 200yard ish , but weight for weight the .223 carries the range and energy better.

 

Do you reload?

 

Thanks for the replies

 

One of the main reasons is that there are quite a few nice second hands guns going about in .222, (some older sakos and tikkas). Im glad to hear the preformance is similar. I thought I might be better off getting a .222 tikka 595 than say a T3. Am I correct in thinking you don't have to worry about barrel wear as much with the .222?

 

 

Again many thanks for the input!

 

any difference in performance between a 595 and T3 accuracy wise will be so small as to be unmeasurable for the vast majority!

The cartridge is smaller on the .222 so speeds will tend to be down a little on the .223, barrel wear should not be an issue on either unless you make some really hot 40g load and use it all day (probably still not much of an issue even then)!

 

Edited October 7, 2010 by Dekers

[al4x]

I can't really see whats going on here, so you have a rifle in .223 and are looking to downgrade to a .222 simple question as it always costs money to do so is what is wrong with your current gun?

[wymberley]

We all make our choices for our own reasons but I'm struggling with this one, why would the bullets have to be 50g, strange as it may seem I know one .222 at least that does not like 50g! Usable range would be similar on the basis most would not buy either with regular 300-400 yard foxes in mind. Out to 200yard ish , but weight for weight the .223 carries the range and energy better.

 

Do you reload?

 

 

 

any difference in performance between a 595 and T3 accuracy wise will be so small as to be unmeasurable for the vast majority!

The cartridge is smaller on the .222 so speeds will tend to be down a little on the .223, barrel wear should not be an issue on either unless you make some really hot 40g load and use it all day (probably still not much of an issue even then)!

 

Hi, 50gr? The OP specifically mentioned roe.

Cheers

[wildfowler.250]

Thanks for the replies! Going by everyones responces this seems like a daft choice....

 

Ok... To start with it would have to be 50 grain so that its roe legal.

 

I would happily buy a tikka 595 in .223 or similar but haven't seen many for sale? quite a few going in .222 as it is not as fashionable.

 

Can't say there is anything wrong with my current .223, (apart from the rifle not being screw cut) but I generally just get to the stage where I fancy a change

 

 

 

On a slightly different note, if I was going to go for the T3...is there much advantage in going for the varmint over the lite in terms of accuracy or anything?

 

 

 

Many thanks for all the help...greatly appreciated!

[wildfowler.250]

Hi, 50gr? The OP specifically mentioned roe.

Cheers

 

You beat me to it

 

 

Also...I dont personally reload,(yet). Plenty places round here supply .222 ammo and a friend loads for the caliber so it wouldn't be a problem

[Dekers]

Hi, 50gr? The OP specifically mentioned roe.

Cheers

 

 

Didn't pay proper attention did I.

[Dekers]

Thanks for the replies! Going by everyones responces this seems like a daft choice....

 

Ok... To start with it would have to be 50 grain so that its roe legal.

 

I would happily buy a tikka 595 in .223 or similar but haven't seen many for sale? quite a few going in .222 as it is not as fashionable.

 

Can't say there is anything wrong with my current .223, (apart from the rifle not being screw cut) but I generally just get to the stage where I fancy a change

 

 

 

On a slightly different note, if I was going to go for the T3...is there much advantage in going for the varmint over the lite in terms of accuracy or anything?

 

 

Many thanks for all the help...greatly appreciated!

 

 

None whatsoever for general field work!, you just have to lug around a heavier lump of metal, but some people prefer heavier barrels!

[jamie g]

Thanks for the replies! Going by everyones responces this seems like a daft choice....

 

Ok... To start with it would have to be 50 grain so that its roe legal.

 

I would happily buy a tikka 595 in .223 or similar but haven't seen many for sale? quite a few going in .222 as it is not as fashionable.

 

Can't say there is anything wrong with my current .223, (apart from the rifle not being screw cut) but I generally just get to the stage where I fancy a change

 

 

 

On a slightly different note, if I was going to go for the T3...is there much advantage in going for the varmint over the lite in terms of accuracy or anything?

 

 

 

Many thanks for all the help...greatly appreciated!

 

hi i take it you live in scotland then ? if not then you cant use 22cf on roe here in england so you would have to get a 243 or above for them.

 

i really like the 222 but there is no point in changing caliber you wont get any more out of it. if you want to change rifles then sell the rifle you got and do a 1 for 1 and get a 223 again but the rifle you want.

 

the m595 is a cracking rifle. very good actions and triggers from the box. they are good to rebarrel on also if you wanted to in the future.

[njc110381]

The way I'm reading it, you just want to get a nicer rifle and they cost less in .222 because they're less popular? If that's the case then go out and look for a nice rifle (forgetting the calibre) and when you find one slap a deposit on it and then go for the variation to whatever it happens to be. It keeps your options open that way.

 

Don't forget that even if a private seller wants rid quickly you can still get the gun stored with your RFD until you have the slot sorted.

[wildfowler.250]

The way I'm reading it, you just want to get a nicer rifle and they cost less in .222 because they're less popular? If that's the case then go out and look for a nice rifle (forgetting the calibre) and when you find one slap a deposit on it and then go for the variation to whatever it happens to be. It keeps your options open that way.

 

Don't forget that even if a private seller wants rid quickly you can still get the gun stored with your RFD until you have the slot sorted. :look:

 

Thats more or less it, yeah Really I have probably phrased the question poorly. I'm not looking to gain anything from going from .223 to .222,(I was more bothered about loosing range/energy ect). As everyone has said though there isn't much difference between the two so its all good. Without spending loads I could get a 595 or a sako 75/vixen for about the same price as a new T3,(obviously the 595 would be cheaper than the T3). So my main concern was am I loosing anything going for a better quality .222 and if so I would have got a new T3.

 

 

Im starting to think that its nice to be different.. .222 :blink:

[snowz]

Thats more or less it, yeah :look: Really I have probably phrased the question poorly. I'm not looking to gain anything from going from .223 to .222,(I was more bothered about loosing range/energy ect). As everyone has said though there isn't much difference between the two so its all good. Without spending loads I could get a 595 or a sako 75/vixen for about the same price as a new T3,(obviously the 595 would be cheaper than the T3). So my main concern was am I loosing anything going for a better quality .222 and if so I would have got a new T3.

 

 

Im starting to think that its nice to be different.. .222 :blink:

 

 

you wont find/see any difference in the 2 models, one's old and discontinued and ones the new model, you will find nothing to effect your shooting.

 

if you just want to buy a M595 just buy one and dont look for an excuse to do it, your a big boy and i'm sure you can make your own mind up.

 

But dropping from 223 to 222 that you will regret FACT!

[wildfowler.250]

But dropping from 223 to 222 that you will regret FACT!

 

I keep thinking that myself I'll just go for a T3 I think :look:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unless anyone has or has seen a sako vixen tikka 590/595 in good order for sale?

[Norrie]

I had a Tikka M595 in 222 sold it to Davy Holt on this forum- cracking rifle

 

 

LOL, You've obviously forgotten about the CZ .222 you sold me a few weeks before Davy bought the Tikka off you...it was a cracking gun too.... :look:

Edited October 8, 2010 by Norrie

[Mr_Logic]

You won't regret it unless you're regularly doing shots of 300 yards or more. I have a T3 222 and CZ 223. Both work, but I prefer the T3. don't miss 223 one iota.

 

I only skim read the thread - are you reloading? If not, THEN you will regret it - factory choice is better in 223.

[wildfowler.250]

You won't regret it unless you're regularly doing shots of 300 yards or more. I have a T3 222 and CZ 223. Both work, but I prefer the T3. don't miss 223 one iota.

 

I only skim read the thread - are you reloading? If not, THEN you will regret it - factory choice is better in 223.

 

Thanks for the help

 

I very much doubt I will be shooting that far! Even 250 seems a long way in either daytime or night. I can get someone to reload or at least help me if necessary. But there also seems to be plenty .222 ammo for sale in my area anyway.

 

 

My last question would be, can you convert a .222 to a .223 if you wanted? My guess would be yes but I'm not 100% sure

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks for all the input so far, everyones opinion is greatly appreciated!

[Vermincinerator]

I keep thinking that myself I'll just go for a T3 I think

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unless anyone has or has seen a sako vixen tikka 590/595 in good order for sale?

 

I can see where you are coming from CZ, go for the .222 it may be a bit slower then the 223 but it is inherently more accurate, as for bullet weight in the 223 unless you have one with a 1:9 twist rate you will be limited to the same weight as the .222 anyway, plus the fact lighter bullets do not shoot as good in the faster twist barrels.

The 590/595 Tikkas are a nicer and better made rifle then the current T3, they are more compact because of the dedicated short action (all T3's are the same action length) and were made when Tikka was still owned by Sako, now that both are owned by Beretta the bean counters have been in neither are as good as they used to be.

 

Ian.

[Mr_Logic]

Thanks for the help

 

I very much doubt I will be shooting that far! Even 250 seems a long way in either daytime or night. I can get someone to reload or at least help me if necessary. But there also seems to be plenty .222 ammo for sale in my area anyway.

 

 

My last question would be, can you convert a .222 to a .223 if you wanted? My guess would be yes but I'm not 100% sure

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks for all the input so far, everyones opinion is greatly appreciated!

Yes you could. But 14 twist 223 is a little slow and if the gun shoots it's fine as a 222 anyway

[wildfowler.250]

I can see where you are coming from CZ, go for the .222 it may be a bit slower then the 223 but it is inherently more accurate, as for bullet weight in the 223 unless you have one with a 1:9 twist rate you will be limited to the same weight as the .222 anyway, plus the fact lighter bullets do not shoot as good in the faster twist barrels.

The 590/595 Tikkas are a nicer and better made rifle then the current T3, they are more compact because of the dedicated short action (all T3's are the same action length) and were made when Tikka was still owned by Sako, now that both are owned by Beretta the bean counters have been in neither are as good as they used to be.

 

Ian.

 

Thanks for the help Ian! There seems to be quite a few people who say the quality has gone down hill since beretta took over both companies.

 

Yes you could. But 14 twist 223 is a little slow and if the gun shoots it's fine as a 222 anyway

 

Cheers for that! I have to say I didn't think about the twist rates but I was only thinking about it if the gun eventually needed a new barrel