.222rem vs 17 hmr

[Git r Done]

I have a 222 remington that will shoot 1 1/8 groups at 100 yards. At this point it only has a 6x scope. I am just wondering whether or not i should put a bigger scope on the 222 and use it for gophers or buy a 17 hmr and use that and the 22 for gophers. I have access to handloads and i do have previous experience with the 17hmr i just dont know whether or not the 222 would be any better for gophers with the 1 1/8 accuracy than a 17hmr.

[hardy]

Its a lot more fun to see em get hit with the .222 get a cheap tasco varmint scope to replace the 6x and you'll be good to go. You groups might shrink a bit with the higher power. Its actually cheaper to reload the .222 than buying .17hmr if that matters.

[Git r Done]

True about the cost of handloads. I would probably be looking at a higher quality scope than the Tasco though something along the lines of a Bushnell elite 3200 or 4200 .

[elkhunter11]

Its actually cheaper to reload the .222 than buying .17hmr if that matters.

If you are paying $18 or $19 per box for the 17HMR loads it is cheaper, but if you are paying $12 or $13 per box of 17HMR, it won't be easy to load the 222 for less.

[hardy]

elky's right it will cost about 19 bucks for fifty .222's but it will still be more fun in my opinion. Depending on the .17hmr your buying excluding elkhunters cooper rifles haha, most will shoot around an inch at 100 yards anyway so your .222 isn't really of the mark find some better loads for it. Thats fun in itself what type of rifle is your .222?

[hardy]

For the money a 3200 fixed 10power with the tactical turrets has served me well they run around 225-250 bucks I think. The turrets track very well and clarity is quite good for a scope in that range. I have had no problems hitting steel at 600yards and 1000yards with that scope on my .308.

[elkhunter11]

The 222 will do better in the wind than a 17HMR, and for larger game, it has more killing power, but for gophers, it doesn't offer much of an advantage if it won't do better than 1-1/8" at 100 yards.

My favorite gopher cartridge is actually the 17mach2, and at $7 or slightly less per 50 rounds, it is about half the price of 17HMR loads. However, from about 125 yards and further, the 17HMR offers a trajectory and energy advantage. If it is windy, or the distance is over 150 yards, I prefer the 22Hornet to the 17HMR, and it can be loaded for very close to the same price as 17HMR loads if you buy your components in bulk.

As far as a scope is concerned, Dantes was selling the Elite 3200 5-15x40 for $277.

[Got Juice?]

seriously, take a look at a 204. less powder than .222 or 22-250 easy to load for.

[Git r Done]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The 222 will do better in the wind than a 17HMR, and for larger game, it has more killing power, but for gophers, it doesn't offer much of an advantage if it won't do better than 1-1/8" at 100 yards.

My favorite gopher cartridge is actually the 17mach2, and at $7 or slightly less per 50 rounds, it is about half the price of 17HMR loads. However, from about 125 yards and further, the 17HMR offers a trajectory and energy advantage. If it is windy, or the distance is over 150 yards, I prefer the 22Hornet to the 17HMR, and it can be loaded for very close to the same price as 17HMR loads if you buy your components in bulk.

As far as a scope is concerned, Dantes was selling the Elite 3200 5-15x40 for $277.

Where is Dantes located ? Sounds like a very reasonable price to me.

[Git r Done]

Originally Posted by hardy

elky's right it will cost about 19 bucks for fifty .222's but it will still be more fun in my opinion. Depending on the .17hmr your buying excluding elkhunters cooper rifles haha, most will shoot around an inch at 100 yards anyway so your .222 isn't really of the mark find some better loads for it. Thats fun in itself what type of rifle is your .222?

It is a Remington model 7 with a 6x leupold.

[Spartan30-06]

Dante Sports is a retailer from Montreal. http://www.dantesports.com

[North of 53]

I have been loading my 223 with some blue dot loads. I use a 36 VG bullet and 10 grains of blue dot. That load gives me about 2500 fps, The best part is that you can shoot a lot and your barrel does not heat up and at 10 grains per shoot you get 700 rounds to the lb and that makes for very cheap shooting.
I would think you could load the same for your deuce and have load that out preforms a 17 hmr.

[hardy]

Originally Posted by North of 53

I have been loading my 223 with some blue dot loads. I use a 36 VG bullet and 10 grains of blue dot. That load gives me about 2500 fps, The best part is that you can shoot a lot and your barrel does not heat up and at 10 grains per shoot you get 700 rounds to the lb and that makes for very cheap shooting.
I would think you could load the same for your deuce and have load that out preforms a 17 hmr.

Never thought of doin that for the 222 but why not thats what i do for my 45-70 when i want to plink. That would definitely be cheaper than the HMR.

Git r done do you neck size your brass and if I may ask what load are you shootin in that baby?

[elkhunter11]

Never thought of doin that for the 222 but why not thats what i do for my 45-70 when i want to plink. That would definitely be cheaper than the HMR.

Actually the little bit that you would save in powder won't bring the cost down all that much, given that bullets and brass are the largest costs associated with reloading. And as far as bullets go, the 36gr VG is far from a low cost varmint bullet.

[Git r Done]

For handloads i am using: Bullets: 40 grain Nosler ballistic tips
Powder: Reloader #7
Primers: CCI 400 Small Rifle
Brass: Assorted kinds, remington winchester, and crappy Igman brass that is getting put in the garbage.
It has been tried with various loads. For example with this load that is listed above it has been tryed with 20 grains, 21 grains, 22 grains and there is no improvement with group sizes

[Git r Done]

One of the farthest gophers that i hit with it was at 135 yards which is not a far shot for a gun of that caliber. I think abetter scope would help though. Yes.... No . But if that is as far away as i can consistently hit them than i may as well just use a 22 because i have hit them at 120 yards with a plain jane savage 22.

[hardy]

I know you had this topic posted before but I would try using a 50gr Sierra Blitzking bullet and some H322powder topped off with a benchrest primer like a CCI BR4 or a federal 205Match. My friend uses these bullets and powder and gets five shot groups around half inch or less, he also uses hornady vmax and Ramshot tactical powder. Some guns will not shoot the lighter bullets very well thats why I suggestthe 50,52 or 55 grain pills. I highly recommend neck sizing only with your brass.

I know you have already probably already been told this but make sure your guns barrel has been cleaned well and allow 30sec to a minute between your shots for good groups.

I would personally try a few different loads before buying a new rifle but thats just me.I have a 17 hmr that I could trade you for your 222 as a last resort lol

[elkhunter11]

I would personally try a few different loads before buying a new rifle but thats just me.

I agree.I would try some other loads, and I might also try bedding the rifle. My own model 7s in 7mm-08 would both shoot around 3/4" with their favorite handloads.

[hardy]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Actually the little bit that you would save in powder won't bring the cost down all that much, given that bullets and brass are the largest costs associated with reloading. And as far as bullets go, the 36gr VG is far from a low cost varmint bullet.

Well it will bring you down to around 16 bucks for 50 shots if a guy could find some bullets for less than .25 cents a shot he'd be doin real good!