Hunter Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Is there a big performance and range difference between .223 and .222? seems like most people use .223 here, but is this just because it is more common and cheaper, or is there a range and bigger power difference? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo_05 Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 well the difference is, 0.001, but seriously it's just the .223 is the "new" and popular round and some rifle manufacturers are starting to phase out the .222. .223 is also the military caliber which you probably know but as to why it's so popular and needed to replace the .222 im not sure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 (edited) combination of things, .222 is generally down on velocity by about 100 fps, but this can change with barrel length, powder used and all sorts, so there is really sod all difference there. twist rates, the .223 comes mainly in 2 twist rates, 1:9 and 1:12, 1:9 allows the .223 to shoot a heavy bullet (60grains or higher) this in turn allows for better long range performance, however with a 1:12 twist rate it would not staibalise more than a 60grain bullet (i believe) this means you need to use a 50ish grain bullet in the .223 with a 1:12 twist rate, so basically 1:12 is for vermin shooting or target at shorter ranges, and the 1:9 is for long range target shooting and vermin shooting (as the faster twist rate will still staibilise the lighter bullets) the .222 generally comes with a 1:14 twist rate (always some exceptions), like the .223 this limits you to lighter bullets, and as such means its no long range hole puncher. The avalibility of rifles chambered in the round are now playing quite a big role. The .222 was a very popular foxing round 10 years ago, however the .223 and 22-250 are now much more popular, and as such not as many manufactors make their rifles in .222 The myth that .223 is a cheaper round to run is just that, I have recently bought a load of .223 reloading components (i always thought the .223 was a cheap millitary based round) however this is not the case. As highlighted in a recent topic, the .223 is not exactly the same as the millitary used round. And as such you should not to my knoledge use the millitary ammo. I also discovered that .223 Lapua brass is just as expensive as .222. Bullets (as in projectiles) are the same price obviously. Powder is about 1grain different (so again sod all) Primers are the same as the .222, reloading dies are the same price and still easily found for both rounds. all in all its more to do with the rifles they are chambered in or if you want to shoot heavy bullets for some reason. my old man has a .222 and i am just buying a .223, so will be able to give a better 1st hand knoledge of the .223 soon (i hope ) Edited March 9, 2006 by dunganick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Topman Nick...... .....should have gone for the .222 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Topman Nick...... .....should have gone for the .222 i was going to but Howa dont make the 1500 in .222 any more, and i didnt fancy having it rechambered from new. still like the .222 more than any other .22 centerfire, its got more class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Thanks for the replies, interesting stuff! What range could I expect from both calibers for use on foxes? I know this could be a tricky qeustion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye ive Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 my old man has a .222 and i am just buying a .223, so will be able to give a better 1st hand knoledge of the .223 soon (i hope ) Come on Nick ...what's happened ?..........If this gun takes any longer trying to get to you It'll be an antique I've got all night ....I think Ive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 tell me about it. trust me if time was going any slower waiting for this gun to arrive..... it would be going backwards. i'm sitting here next to a pile or reloading components, scopes, mounts, bipods, dies and general shooting stuff for the gun that isnt here!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo_05 Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 I think it depends on your shooting ability and making sure it's the intended quarry that governs it mostly. I have heard people talk of 270 yard foxes but at that range you have to be a damn good shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Thanks for the replies, interesting stuff!What range could I expect from both calibers for use on foxes? I know this could be a tricky qeustion 250 for a chest shot (this is the limit although open to personal interpriation) HOWEVER, i would not recomend shooting charlie at this range unless you are 110% sure of your gun and your ability to accuratly judge range and as such appropriate hold over. i can count the number of shots ive seen at this range on one hand, its not common. 75 yards too 200 are most common i find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 But if cou had the rifle benchrested, it would have the ability to shoot that far? or is the accuracy pretty poor at that king of range.. Sorry for all the qeustions lol Nick, I also have all my gun stuff waiting in my room, and no fac yet.. its a horrible long wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 (edited) yes tell me about it. at 250 yards if bench rested, with an accurate load in good conditions, i would imagine 2 inches would be possible. maybe 1 1/4 inches with handloads ( better is possible, but depends on shooter, time between shots, wind, heat, mirage, all sorts) kill zone on a fix is generally considered 3 inches, so it shouldnt be the hardest shot of your life just need to make sure its a good boiler room shot, no belly shots Edited March 9, 2006 by dunganick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Nick kill zone on a fix is generally considered 3 inches, so it shouldnt be the hardest shot of your life Never shot a fix do you have many round your way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 just read that...... i dont know what i was trying to say sleep....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 (edited) just read that...... i dont know what i was trying to say sleep....... Have you been in the PW arms haveing a sly one :*) :*) :*) :*) :*) Edited March 9, 2006 by hawkeye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 (edited) its just dawned on me... i was trying to say fox i will get my coat Edited March 9, 2006 by dunganick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Thanks all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 so basically 1:12 is for vermin shooting or target at shorter ranges, and the 1:9 is for long range target shooting and vermin shooting (as the faster twist rate will still staibilise the lighter bullets) At the risk of being picky Nick.. Is it not? (as the faster twist rate will still staibilise the heavier bullets) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 So surely if you use a light bullet in a longer twist rate, you will get roughly the same thing? as you dont need as much energy because the bullet is lighter.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye ive Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Sportsman Gun ctr have three TIKKA M595, s in .222 at the moment They have just been reduced Ive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 So surely if you use a light bullet in a longer twist rate, you will get roughly the same thing? as you dont need as much energy because the bullet is lighter.. I am not getting into this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 So surely if you use a light bullet in a longer twist rate, you will get roughly the same thing? as you dont need as much energy because the bullet is lighter.. I am not getting into this one! that makes 2 of us. fister and gemini can explain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargeant Bang Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 But you still need the terminal energy at the point of impact on the target. The lighter round won't deliver enough to Charlie if the range is too far. However, the heavier round will. So for longer range Fox shots, the heavier round sounds like the one to have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 i would have thought that a slower round although carrying more energy wouldnt expand so much and as such wouldnt actually impart all of this energy into the fox??? anyway.... never used heavy bullets on fox out of a .22 centerfire, so cant comment from experiance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Heavier bullets need more twist to stablise them Hence my query at Nicks earlier post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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