Horrocks Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Hello all, I'll be moving up to a centrefire foxing calibre later this year. I'll be going for a Tikka but am unsure about the calibre for it yet. I'm really looking for an all round good cartridge, reasonably cheap, accurate, consistent, e.t.c. I spoke to one RFD who recommended .222, it being cheaper, and another, at eastern sporting, who said i'd have far more choice with a .223, given that the .222 has lost popularity and sales in the states and because of that manufactured quantities are down and the futures not looking too bright for it on a viable domestic basis. I'd appreciate your opinions on this often heard question, thanks. and whats .20 swift? H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 (edited) Alan at Eastern Sporting has a good point: the .223 has a massive market share compared to the .222. I've had .223s, a. 222 and a mighty .220 Swift, and I settled on a .22-250. However I am not happy with the relative ferocity of the .22-250 over the mild and quiet .222. I don't need the added range of the .22-250. When I can find a decent L/H .222, I will buy it and ditch the .22-250. If you are on a budget and not interested in reloading, buy a .223. If you have the time and money to get involved in reloading, buy a .222. The .220 Swift is now a pretty rare find, and it being a long-action calibre, has its drawbacks. PM swift4me on here if you want to know more about the Swift, as he's an avid fan. Edited June 21, 2009 by Baldrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrador Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 i have noticed an increse in people using .222s again and why not, its very acurate, pretty flat shooting and and about as quiete as you can make a centerfire rifle its a bit like 28 bore shotguns a few years ago nobody bothered with them all it took was people to start using it and now loads of people shoot them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taffygun Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I was cornered into opting for the .222 as at the time I only had one farm with permission for a CF for foxing and it was only cleared for .222 and the owner wouldn't accept anything bigger. So I read up on it and the .222 is the benchrest alternative to the .223, although there is greater choice of rifles and ammunition for the .223 From what i've read the .222 is easier to reload and get supremely accurate and the trajectory is slightly less loopy than the big brother I've zeroed mine at 1/2" high @ 100yds which gives me a zero of 140yds and a secondary zero at around 27yds and I can aim bang on pretty much out to about 175yds... after that I get a 2.5" drop @ 200yds - 6.5" @ 250yds and 12.5" @ 300yds I rarely get the opportunity to shoot any further and never want to TBH it suits me for anything I can possibly want for foxing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horrocks Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) Thats interesting, the main thing im worried about is cost and availability and though the .222 is obviously a good round, and i shouldnt need anything reaching out too far, would i be hindered by any lack of availability? And at the moment i'd rather not relaod, i havent got the money to get all the kit and wont be in a position to do so for the forseeable future.... Edited June 23, 2009 by Horrocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid the sniper Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 is 22 250 a readily available calibre for rifles and ammunition and hoow easy is it to reload? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Sid, the .22-250 is readily available and is straightforward to load for (but mine seems fussier than the .222). I may be very much alone in saying this, but I am not overly satisfied with the .22-250. It makes just as much noise as the .243, but without the versatility of it being deer-legal. The flat trajectory is helpful, but hardly crucial, and it doesn't kill foxes any deader that a less punchy .22CF does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid the sniper Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Is there much difference in accuracy and range between 222,223 and 22 250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 There is little inherent difference in accuracy between the three, and the difference in range is not great enough to warrant much consideration for normal use (they will all do 250 very comfortably). However if you want to pop magpies and rabbits at 400 yards, buy a .22-250. The principal limiting factor regarding range and accuracy is your skill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 .......The principal limiting factor regarding range and accuracy is your skill. Hallelujah, the voice of reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseldogg Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Well to get "sniffy" Range = calibre/loading/trajectory Accuracy = trigger/Action/barrell/bedding, the quality thereof, However neither is possible without the neccesary shooting skills jat M Edited June 24, 2009 by dieseldogg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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