(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose, FMC= Full Metal Case, FMJ= Full Metal Jacket, JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet)
Loads for .222 Remington:
(Note: These are maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Bullet size is .224" in diameter.
Due to different barrel lengths,
type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors,
you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.
----------------------------------------
40 grain Speer Spire point
AA2460 25.5 gr. 3,581 FPS
H4198 21.5 gr. 3,566
H322 24.0 gr. 3,488
IMR4895 24.0 gr. 3,272
IMR3031 24.0 gr. 3,389
H380 26.5 gr. 3,000
-----------------------------------------
45 grain Spitzer or Spire Point
Reloader7 21.0 gr. 3,362 FPS
W748 25.5 gr. 3,125
Reloadr12 25.0 gr. 3,290
AA2015 24.5 gr. 3,384
AA2230 27.0 gr. 3,447
AA2460 27.0 gr. 3,405
IMR4895 23.5 gr. 3,150
IMR3031 23.0 gr. 3,281
H380 26.0 gr. 2,850
H322 23.0 gr. 3,329
H4198 20.5 gr. 3,452
Viht.N120 20.0 gr. 3,395
H4895 23.5 gr. 3,140
-----------------------------------------
50 grain
W748 24.0 gr. 2,980 FPS
Reloader7 20.0 gr. 3,115
Reloadr12 24.0 gr. 3,120
AA2015 23.5 gr. 3,208
AA2230 24.5 gr. 3,227
AA2460 24.5 gr. 3,204
IMR4895 23.0 gr. 3,037
IMR3031 22.5 gr. 3,144
H380 25.0 gr. 2,855
H322 22.5 gr. 3,167
H4198 20.0 gr. 3,306
Viht.N120 19.0 gr. 3,126
H4895 23.0 gr. 3,043
-----------------------------------------
55 grain Spitzer SP
W748 24.0 gr. 2,900 FPS
Reloadr12 24.0 gr. 3,190
AA2015 22.5 gr. 3,047
AA2230 24.5 gr. 3,160
AA2460 24.5 gr. 3,091
IMR4895 22.5 gr. 3,004
IMR3031 21.5 gr. 3,018
H380 24.5 gr. 2,766
H322 21.5 gr. 3,010
H4198 19.0 gr. 3,051
H4895 22.5 gr. 2,940
Viht.N133 22.0 gr. 3,132
-----------------------------------------
60 grain Spitzer SP
W748 22.0 gr. 2,839 FPS
IMR4895 21.0 gr. 2,707
IMR3031 21.0 gr. 2,779
H380 24.0 gr. 2,671
H322 20.5 gr. 2,805
H4198 18.5 gr. 2,843
H4895 22.5 gr. 2,940
Viht.N133 21.0 gr. 2,713
-----------------------------------------
Discussion:
This cartridge has been around since the early
50's and even though it has somewhat been overshadowed
by the .223 Remington, it's still a potent varmint
round. Velocities are only a couple hundred fps better
with the .223 and some loads are nearly identical.
It is especially accurate with the smaller bullets
like the 45-50 grain ones.
*
Bullseye, Unique, Reloader 7-15, and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6, HS7 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. HS7 is slowest of the group (Similar to 2400)
IMR 4227, IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No.2, No. 5, No.7, No. 9, #5744, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company.
748 is from Winchester.
References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet - - Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders' Guide (1995) - - Hodgdon's Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) - - Speer Reloading Manual, #12 - - Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition - - Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. - - VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet (1995) - - Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted.