20-222 Remington 722 Project

[PeterS]

I thought through my project and tried to listen to suggestions. Being a big .222 Remington fan I decided on the 20-222 wildcat caliber for a walking varmint rifle. WarrenB was a huge help, sharing experience, data and reamer prints. I purchased a Remington 722 donor rifle that has a tired barrel and stock but a good looking action. The chamber reamer is on order from Pacific and I purchased a factory 700 BDL stock from a nice guy in MN. I plan to send all the components to Douglas who will supply a 12" twist 20 cal barrel and fit it all to the action. They also can get it all blued for me. One stop shopping. After it comes home, fitting to the stock will be in order and then to finish it all up. I plan to top it off with Weaver bases, Burris Signature Zee series rings and a Sightron SII 6.5-20x scope. Simple and basic. I can't wait to try it out upstate for woodchuck season. Peter.

[drewh]

Sounds like a fun project, I have been toying with the idea of a 20-222 for a long time, just haven't gotten to it. I wasn't sure if you were aware that the 722 and 700's have different styles of bolt handle. The bdl stock may have the cutout in it for the newer dog-leg style bolt rather than the straight handle of the 722. There are several ways to skin that cat, but it's nice to know ahead of time.
Drew

[jim barker]

You'll just love the cartridge. Very easy to make brass for is a big plus. It sure knocks the socks off of the PDogs.

[PeterS]

Drew, Thanks for the heads up on the bolt handle. I had not thought of that. I'll have to check it out. Hopefully I can get things to work without big gaps or unsightly modifications. Peter.

[17varminter]

You might want to use a faster twist for 50+ gr bullets.

[Oleman]

In a 20-222 my guess is you won't be shooting 50 MV drops way down there. But with a button rifled barrel I'd be doing 11 twist to insure those 4o's shot.

[PeterS]

I had thought about an 11 twist but when I ask it seems all the barrel folks say 12. As far as bullets, Sierra and Hornady go up to 40gr in polymer tipped design. Berger has changed some of their product line and I got caught up in the new and old part numbers, designs & different ogives for the .224's and 6mm's and lost faith. What are some other choices? No sense running a faster twist if there are limited choices, but the benefits of a 45 or heavier bullet is very tempting. Peter.

[Mulerider]

The 223 crowd found going from a 1:12 to various faster twists seldom bothered accuracy with lighter bullets, but sure increased the versatility of using the heavies.
I would not hesitate to go 1:11 or even 1:10 on a .20 cal barrel.

Greg

[rflshtr]

I have a 20 Vartarg and a 20 Tactical with 1 in 12" twists and would go with a 1 in 10" or maybe even a 1 in 9" if doing it over again. 1 in 12 works fine with the lighter 20 cal bullets. I also have a .223 with a 1 in 9 that shoots bullets from 40 to 70 grains equally accurate.

[PeterS]

So what is the down side to going with a faster twist? I agree with you guys that the heavier bullets have qualities that are attractive. I think at some point one replier made mention of the 6.5x55 type bullets (SD & BC) which I like. I wish one of the bullet companies (like Hornady or Sierra) made a 45 or 47 gr bullet (or even a 50). Maybe I should plan to use up to 50's. As someone said earlier the case size that I am using is somewhat limited so to go heavier than 50 would result in velocities around 3000 or lower. I have to load my 222 pretty hot to get 3200 with 50's and usually can't with H322. Should I assume that the velocity from my .222 will be approximately the same with the 20 cal with the same weight bullets? How about a 1:10 twist?

Thanks, Peter.

PS. my reamer is enroute from Dave Kiff via UPS

[Mulerider]

Going down in bullet/bore diameter, at equal weights, usually results in lower speeds (assuming approx equal pressures, from basically the same case). I've always assumed the gasses generated have less surface for propulsion?
The opposite is also true; a 358 Win can propel an equal weight bullet faster than a 308Win.
But the upside to the smaller diameter bullet/equal weight will be a better BC.
Downside to faster twist? Sort of depends on is the twist "extreme", or just somewhat faster. Accuracy can remain, but pressures can go up, and dependent on speed, bullets may not hold together. But that would be using the "extreme" scenario, IMO.
Also a comment regarding 222 Rem data; for reason unknown, max pressures are often listed at below 50k :confused:, whereas 223 and 221 Fireball data goes to ~55k....me, If the load works, I lean on my 222 Rem a bit, and also do the same with my 20-222 Improved (222 case in a shortened 204R chamber). Due to its 1:12 twist, 40gr pills are the heaviest it will see.

Greg

[PeterS]

So, knowing the limits of the parent case, the .222 Rem, do we think that a .204 caliber bullet is appropriate? Douglas offers 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 twists in the .204 caliber. From the feedback here it seems that I should use an 11 or faster twist. I can't afford to do it twice. Berger reccomends a 9 twist with their 50gr and an 8 twist with their 55gr. Thanks, Peter.

[Oleman]

My TAC 20 has a 1 in 9 twist. This is a group with a 32 Gr Sierra Blitzking. Don't you see the down side?

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/Oleman_photos/32SierraH4198II.jpg

[Fireball]

The 32 gr VMax running at 4000 fps in a 1-12" barrel is the sweet spot for the 20-222 IMHO.

[GLWenzl]

PeterS, I am just a 20-222 wanna-be right now so this is some speculation on my part, take this for what its worth…

My own experience with shooting a brand new CZ 204 R and a box each of factory loaded 32 & 40 gr Hornady v-max that the 32s went under a ½” w/four 5-shot groups and the 40s was a hair over 1”. My 20 BR is 11 twist Pacnor and I really like it….

I would probably go with the 11 twist if I intended to shoot both the 32 & 40 gr bullets

I personally would not go heavier than the 40s with a 20-222, I just like a flatter trajectory and more than likely would stay with the 32s for my use (shooting pds). That said Fireball info sounds really good to me if only shooting the 32s and I do know that the 32s at near that velocity are very very explosive on PDs from shooting my 20 Killer Bee…

[larryinIA]

with anything. But I have a 1:10 twist 204 that likes anything in-between 32's and 40's. I do wish I would have gone with a 1:8 for the 55's that have come out now though. It's a savage chambered in 204R, saami specs, for now. I only wish I was better trained in how to control the shot. It is WAY more accurate than i am capable of shooting.

larry

[jethro]

G,day Mulerider & all
I too have a done a 20-222 improved ( like Mulerider's ) with a 10 twist barrel on a tikka 55 action. So far I have only tried 39 sierra BK and 32vmx in it. I seems to show similar accuarcy with both projies and shoots to vertually the same point of impact out to 200m. I haven't done much load development as yet due to component shortages in Aus and other projects and such getting in the way. Mulerider Im just wondering if you have done any load development using rel10x and also what sort of velocities you are able to get from the 32s & 39s

Cheers Jethro