Thread: Sako Vixen .222 Load

I've come to the conclusion that it makes little difference juggling powders and trying to spin up heavy for caliber projectiles for the 222. Time and energy is best spent in my opinion on getting your self super comfortable with the rifle / scope as placement of the bullet is everything with the .222 - axis shots only if you want to be sure of an instant kill. Just work on getting it there first. If I'm not confident I can place the shot I hold off and wait or just walk away.

Having said all that bull my formula in my most developed vixen is 20gr RL7 Hornady 53gr V-max (BC 296 from memory) and I wont take a shot over 130m on reds. That's with the 1:10 and 1:8 barrel. Don't know if a 1:14 will spin up the 53gr but try it out to find out - have tonns so let me know if you want a hand full to test.

Hey @6.5 CRD, How'd you get on with the load development? I have a vixen I need to do the same on soon, except it has a different barrel so need to confirm the twist.

I have been given some loads that a previous family member did for the rifle, but I would rather not use them and pull them all. Believe it's a 55gr SST with Varget or titegroup.

Read Mike Bennetts book tells about a well known West coast hunter shooting 3 big red stags at 500 yards with the triple deuce. Hunter died in last few years in a tragic river crossing in a truck.

I take tales like that with grain of salt.pre rangefinder.pre fast twist ,pre heavy for calibre. That would more than likely be a 50-55grn projectile. Do the maths and look at ranges in the 223 thread with all the mod cons and ask yourself...

To put it another way. At that energy level it would HAVE to be chest/crease or neck shot.... How many can shoot a rabbit at 500 yards with 222/223 and guarantee a hit? Rabbit being similar size to neck vitals or crease

I shot my best rusa with the trebly, neck shot at around 45-50 yrds, he defo needed another two more. They have a heavy hide and a bull neck in the rut. If I was hunting rusa again I would introduce them to my 300 wsm, minimum of 165 gr.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I take tales like that with grain of salt.pre rangefinder.pre fast twist ,pre heavy for calibre. That would more than likely be a 50-55grn projectile. Do the maths and look at ranges in the 223 thread with all the mod cons and ask yourself...

I dont think Bonehead told lies considering he also used a triple deuce bolt action on venison recovery out of the chopper.

Originally Posted by TeRei

I dont think Bonehead told lies considering he also used a triple deuce bolt action on venison recovery out of the chopper.

And that was at 500 yrds. I believe people don't knowingly tell lies, just stretch the truth.

I agree Smokey.... Time blurs the edges and often the whole truth gets in way of a good yarn. Again do the maths and ask around. There are a few fellas on here shooting a lot of animals with .223 super calm with all the advantages of modern gear, ability to dial in range etc and I don't see reports of many animals being shot at 500 yards let alone big red stags.

Originally Posted by dnsn

Hey @6.5 CRD, How'd you get on with the load development? I have a vixen I need to do the same on soon, except it has a different barrel so need to confirm the twist.

I have been given some loads that a previous family member did for the rifle, but I would rather not use them and pull them all. Believe it's a 55gr SST with Varget or titegroup.

Got a load sorted for it. R-P Brass, WRE Primer, Hornady 55gr SP #2266b. 25.5gr of LVR. 3050fps & consistent .6 moa groups. Went to 26.6gr & 3150fps but wasnt as accurate & couldnt be bothered wasting time trying to get it to shoot better.

Originally Posted by Hugh Shields

I agree with @Muttonguts re the Hornady 55grn #2266 BTSP W/C I bought a few batches of these for between 28 cent and 36 cents each. That's cheap! I'm loading a deliberate light load of ADI AR2207 18.5grns, velocity might be something like 2600 - 2750ftps, not fast.
ADI Handloaders Guide #10 states: 55 Gr HDY SP AR2207: 21.0grn 3,024fps 37,800CUP, 23grns 3,222fps 46,300CPU

I've shot rabbits out to 240m, and fallow deer through the neck at 90m. Both were instant kills. Recommend the projectile and the powder.

Greetings,
I think that data is for the .222 Rem Mag and not the .222 Rem. ADI shows a max load of 19.5 grains of AR2207 for 3,017 fps at 45,300 CUP for the .222 Rem.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings,
I think that data is for the .222 Rem Mag and not the .222 Rem. ADI shows a max load of 19.5 grains of AR2207 for 3,017 fps at 45,300 CUP for the .222 Rem.
Regards Grandpamac.

Spot on GPM
Just last week I ran a ladder with 2207 up to 19.5 for 2976fps in .222 CZ 20”
Cheers MG

Originally Posted by bing

I've come to the conclusion that it makes little difference juggling powders and trying to spin up heavy for caliber projectiles for the 222. Time and energy is best spent in my opinion on getting your self super comfortable with the rifle / scope as placement of the bullet is everything with the .222 - axis shots only if you want to be sure of an instant kill. Just work on getting it there first. If I'm not confident I can place the shot I hold off and wait or just walk away.

Having said all that bull my formula in my most developed vixen is 20gr RL7 Hornady 53gr V-max (BC 296 from memory) and I wont take a shot over 130m on reds. That's with the 1:10 and 1:8 barrel. Don't know if a 1:14 will spin up the 53gr but try it out to find out - have tonns so let me know if you want a hand full to test.

Interesting to hear your thoughts, @bing. I know you're a dedicated 222 expert!
Question though: Hornady lists that 53gn as a varmint projectile I think, but you use it on reds? Does it achieve decent penetration?

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....222-rem-93259/