.222 Rem. Load Data

Introduced by Remington in 1950, the .222 Remington marked a watershed moment for varmint hunting and precision small-bore shooting. This rimless, bottleneck cartridge was designed to drive light, aerodynamic bullets at high speed from compact rifles, delivering a flat trajectory with modest recoil. In the decades that followed, it earned a reputation for accuracy and efficiency, becoming a staple for field and target shooters and reloaders who prized dependable performance and broad component availability. It stood alongside early competitors and, despite the rise of the .223 Remington, remained valued for its compact case, clean-burning powder capacity, and reliability in bolt-actions and early semi-autos. The cartridge’s legacy persists in match-grade rifles and reloading manuals, where its speed and precision continue to appeal.

Applications: The .222 Remington is fundamentally a varmint cartridge, chosen for fast, flat shooting and low recoil that supports ethical shot placement and quick follow-ups. Hunters use it on ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, and other small-to-mid-sized pests, especially in open country or windy conditions. It also suits lightweight bolt-actions and precision setups used for benchrest and plinking. Reloaders appreciate its efficient powder burn, broad component availability, and predictable performance across load styles, while respecting chamber specs and safety margins. The result is a versatile platform that can be tuned for compact accuracy without heavy recoil or excessive muzzle blast, making it popular for field work and technical practice alike.

Target species: In practice, the .222 Remington excels with small game and varmints where quick, humane kills at practical hunting distances are the goal. While some shooters have used it on coyotes at short ranges, most consider it underpowered for larger deer or long-range big-game pursuits. Ethical hunting depends on precise shot placement and a sensible choice of bullet design and weight relative to the target. The cartridge’s light recoil and stable sight picture support rapid follow-ups on quick-moving animals, a plus for beginners and reloaders refining precision, zeroing, and group stability. Overall, it remains a go-to option for disciplined varmint work and controlled target shooting where accuracy matters.

Typical bullet weights for the .222 Rem range from about 40 to 55 grains. Lighter 40–45 grain bullets suit fast-moving varmints, offering quick expansion and a clean wound channel, while heavier 50–55 grain bullets extend range and penetration for tougher hides or longer shots. Bullet designs include hollow points, soft points, and boat-tails, with polymer-tipped varieties for improved ballistic efficiency. Caliber characteristics center on a .224-inch bore and a compact case capable of efficient powder use and reliable chambering. Common rifles run twists around 1-in-14, stabilizing a wide range of weights, with some rifles tuned toward lighter or heavier payloads as needed. Real-world performance varies with barrel length, throat geometry, and bullet choice, but the .222 Remington consistently offers accuracy, low recoil, and a forgiving reloading experience for varmint hunting and precision shooting alike.