(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 | |
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 |
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.
