.222 Rem. Mag. Load Data

The .222 Remington Magnum, often referred to as the .222 Rem. Mag., is a classic centerfire rifle cartridge that holds a unique place in the annals of American shooting history. Introduced by Remington in 1958, the cartridge was developed as an improved variant of the original .222 Remington, which first appeared in 1950. The .222 Rem. Mag. was designed to bridge the gap between the standard .222 Remington and the more powerful .223 Remington, offering shooters a bit more velocity and case capacity. Although it briefly found use as a favored cartridge for benchrest and varmint shooters, its eventual replacement by the .223 Rem. due to military adoption and commercial popularity limited its widespread adoption. Nonetheless, the .222 Rem. Mag. continues to be appreciated among reloaders and collectors for its historical significance and versatile performance.

In terms of applications, the .222 Remington Magnum is primarily regarded as a varmint and small-game cartridge, excelling in roles that demand flat trajectories, mild recoil, and precision. Its relatively modest recoil makes it suitable for extended shooting sessions, making it a preferred choice among target shooters and competitive benchrest enthusiasts during its heyday. The cartridge is also recognized for its exceptional accuracy, stemming from its efficient case design and uniform powder ignition, factors that draw continued interest from handloaders seeking tight groups on paper or steel.

Target species for the .222 Rem. Mag. commonly include varmints such as groundhogs, prairie dogs, and foxes. Its high velocity and flat shooting characteristics also make it an effective option for smaller predators like coyotes within moderate distances. While not intended for use on larger game due to its limited bullet weight and energy, the cartridge’s low recoil and accuracy make it a humane choice for pest and predator control on farms and ranches. Precision shooters pursuing small targets at longer ranges have also found its performance quite satisfactory, especially when paired with carefully tailored handloads.

When it comes to bullet and caliber characteristics, the .222 Remington Magnum utilizes standard .224 inch diameter bullets—the same as its .222 Remington and .223 Remington siblings. Typical bullet weights range from 40 to 55 grains, although handloaders have occasionally experimented with lighter and slightly heavier projectiles for specific applications. Factory loads most commonly feature 50 or 52 grain bullets, striking a balance between velocity and retained energy, which is optimal for varmint shooting. The case length is slightly longer than the .222 Rem. (1.850 inches vs. 1.700 inches), increasing powder capacity without significantly altering external ballistics or bolt face requirements. With muzzle velocities often exceeding 3,200 feet per second with 50-grain projectiles, the .222 Rem. Mag. stands out for its combination of speed, efficiency, and accuracy, allowing reloaders ample flexibility to tune loads for both benchrest accuracy and field performance.