Which one would you chose and why?

[Camba]

Hi everyone!

I am thinking on getting a .224 caliber barrel for my G2 and I am not sure which one I would chose.  What I am looking for is a round that will be:
1.  Fired mostly in the 2000 fps range
2.  The case is not too delicate and allows me to reload multiple times
3.  Can shoot from 30gr to 70gr bullets
4.  Can get new brass easily from the store or can be fire formed from other easily available brass
My initial list is:
.22 Hornet
.218 Bee
.221 Fireball
.22 Reed Express
.224 Freedom Arms
.223 Rem
Any other that I may have omitted
Which one you chose and why?

Thank you.

Camba

[David D.]

From your list I have and use

22Hornet, A lot of fun, but it is for lighter bullets designed for the Hornet, will not handle 70gr. bullets, case life good if not hot-rodded.

221Fireball, Love it, still a better performer with the lighter bullets 40-45Gr., brass life is good, hard to find at times.

233Rem, mine being the IMP version, brass easy to find most anywhere, very good accuracy, will shoot a wide range of bullets weights.

If I had to give up one of these three it would be the 221Fireball. I guees if I could only have one of your choices it would be the 22Hornet only because I like its performance on turkey. And when squrriels are on the ground, I will not shoot mine at them if they are in trees.

[GameHauler]

Little of the subject but,
Dave where are you from that you can use a center fire on Turkey?
What great fun that would be using my 218 Bee for head shoots.
Mike

[Hopalong7]

    I agree with Dave's analysis and will add in the .218 Bee being very close with the Hornet(just a little more velocity, maybe 100 fps).  No experience with the Reed or Freedom Arms.
    I too think if I had to chose one it would be the hornet.  The addition and use of the Lee collet sizing die has really picked up the performance and case life of the Hornet for me.
    I much prefer the Hornet, Bee or .221 over the .222, or .223 in 10" barrels.  In 14" barrels it would be much more of a toss-up. Walt 

[David D.]

Dave where are you from that you can use a center fire on Turkey?

Mike

West Virginia laws alow center fire in pistol or rifle. I use an Encore 16-1/4" 22Hornet. I just stated Turkey hunting two seasons ago and have taken three long beards with it.

The pics below were my first ever Turkey hunt, guess I just got lucky!!

[GameHauler]

Luck or skill that a great Gobbler

[Ladobe]

Couple of thoughts...

For a .224 barrel to handle 30-70 grain bullets it would have to be about a 1:9 twist, but probably wouldn't shoot all bullet weights equally well (especially the lighter bullets).

The 22 Hornet/218 Bee are a toss up.   Both are great although the Hornet can be finicky to find your barrels preferred load (sensitive to primers and crimp).   The brass would last longer with the Bee.   Neither are designed for nor have the capacity for the heavier bullets.


The 221 Fireball, 22 Reed Express and .224 FA are similar so I'll lump them together.   Unless you have a good source for 7.62X25 or .327 brass and really like to do brass forming, the Fireball would be the better choice IMO.   It'll be faster than the 22RE and the 22 Jet wannabe 224FA.

The 223 stands alone as probably the most versatile in your line up.  Can be loaded up or down to handle all bullet weights with the fast twist I'd bet, with almost give away brass.

Even so, unless I wanted yet another wildcat just to be different, I'd opt for the much easier Bee or Fireball myself and not worry about shooting the heavier bullets.

YMMV

[Alan4620]

On your list I have both the 22 hornet and 223.
I prefer the 22 hornet,but it won't handle the heavier bullet weights well.
So unless you plan to acquire several barrels(like most of us) I would go with the hornet.It offers less recoil,uses less powder and brass is available most sporting goods stores that sell brass.
I also recommend getting a RCBS competition seat die that allows the bullet to drop in the case from the top I have crushed several hornet cases before I got this set up.You can buy the shell holder, seat and bullet guide separately and use the die on many other calibers . 

I have not tried anything heavier than 55 grains in my 223,but I would check the twist rate on the barrel and read up on that variable before I decided.   

Alan

[ShootnStr8]

Camba,

I've thought it would be nice to have a .219 Donaldson Wasp or .219 Zipper (perhaps the AI version) based on the 30/30 case.  Here is some info on it:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.219_Donaldson_Wasp. You would of course have keep the pressure down to what the Contender can handle.    Bullberry chambers for both. 

Merry Christmas!

ShootnStr8

[bulletstuffer]

Camba,

If you are only thinking of one, I would recommend the 223 rem.  But nobody can have just 1   I think the 223 is more versatile.  The 40 grain noslers and and vmax work great with little recoil and can be made to sizzle if you desire.  You can use the 55 grain bullets as well and they can be found at more reasonable prices in the off brand bullets for plinking.  The hornet is a hoot to shoot with the 35 grain vmax too.

Bulletstuffer

[WayneS]

Have to add one more to the 223, you can down load it to .22LR Vel. or stoke it out , powder selection will be the key for a 10" bbl.

[Camba]

The .223 Rem is reaching high in the list.  I was thinking on using cast boolits with it at velocities of 1800-2300 fps.  What loadings do you use for the .223 Rem with the RCBS 224-55-SP in a 12" barrel?

Camba