Author Topic: .222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?  (Read 3610 times)

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Offline lakota

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.222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?
« on: March 05, 2003, 08:33:16 AM »
My buddy is hounding me to get a .222 barrel for my new Contender Carbine instead of a .223 for which I have loads of brass and dies for. He claims the .222 is inherenly more accurate than any .223. Is there any truth to this claim? Any value in switching?

Scott.
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Offline Flash

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.222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2003, 08:52:57 AM »
During it's day, the 222 was THE caliber to get for accuracy. Benchrest shooters have since come up with so many more configurations to spell pin point accuracy. The 223 will do fine and go head to head with the 222 any day. I had a Savage heavy barreled 110 that I bedded the action of and free floated the barrel. It would shoot through the same hole at 100 yards until the barrel heated. Now, if you're into splitting hairs, there might be a little difference between what it did and what another caliber in the same platform does. When it came to performing in the field, my 223 did all I asked of it and I had the whistle pigs to prove it. My 22-250 is about the same but add another 250 yards of reach. I would go with the 223 if I were you and you won't be disappointed.
What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger!

Offline jerry68

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.222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2003, 10:08:42 AM »
Ditto.
Men who feel strong in the justice of their cause, or confident in their powers, do not waste breath in childish boasts of their own superiority and querulous depreciation of their antagonists.

 --James Russell Lowell

Offline saltydog

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Re: .222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2010, 05:40:19 AM »
You already have sunk your money into the 223 and given the information they are relatively equal in the accuracy department there is no reason to change that I can see.

Offline RB1235

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Re: .222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2010, 08:40:20 AM »
Feed a .223 imr 8208 xbr and don't look back.  If you want more accuracy, 6mm br or 6.5 grendel, no need to go back in time to a .222. I played with.222, ai, 222 mag, ai. They are good cartridges in their own right. But not more inherently accurate than many others out there. .223 with 8208 xbr will give 3/8" or better in most "good" rifles and much smaller with a "great" rifle.

Offline Jay, Tx

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Re: .222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2010, 09:25:20 AM »
Inherently more accurate? There could be a small bit of truth to that. But I really don't think one would see a huge amount of difference from the 223 to the 222 in accuracy anymore. That being said, I have a Sako in 222 that is freakishly accurate. I love the triple deuce round due to this, the one and only 222 I've ever owned.
Here's a group from mine:


But no doubt someone can post a group from their 223 that is just as good or better. Personal preference if you ask me. And if I already had the components, and wasn't in love with the 222, I'd go with the 223 myself.
Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions.

Offline DEACONLLB

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Re: .222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2010, 03:02:04 PM »
As Flash said in his post many gun writers claim that the 222 will outshoot a 223 but a lot of that would depend on how good a shot the shooter is. I would much prefer the 223 as it is more modern and if you have the 223 barrel why change. I have had both and really cannot see that much difference. I had a chance to pick up a very nice Sako in 222 but passed as I already had a number of 223, Price was great but really had no need for it.

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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: .222 Rem vs .223 Rem Accuracy difference?
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2010, 02:48:08 AM »
      I have a 21" factory barrel in both calibers.  One carries a large "target/varmint" scope...one a compact "hunting" scope.  There isn't a lot of difference....given the same sights, etc., I'm not sure which one would group the best.  The .223 has slightly more case capacity, the triple duce has a considerably longer neck.  The longer neck used to be thought of as an accuracy advantage and it may be with some bullets, but I think the advantage is slight to none with most of today's pills.  I've never been a big fan of "inherent accuracy".  My experience with Contenders has taught me that a lot of the inherently inaccurate calibers(i.e. 22Hornet, 22mag, 30-30Win, 45Colt)is pure BS.
Walt  ;)