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  #1  
Old 02-02-2018, 06:15 PM
todosan todosan is offline
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Default 222 Mag and 8208 XBR

Hello nostalgic shooters!

Looking for some experience in using 8208 in the 222 Mag.

Would the 223 loads be a reasonable starting point? I can't find anything online anywhere...Seems the 8208 gods overlooked this very important caliber when they updated their books!

Or would the 204 Ruger be a good starting point?

-Todo
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  #2  
Old 02-02-2018, 10:15 PM
gzig5 gzig5 is offline
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I'd think that max 223 rem loads would be an acceptable starting point considering the bigger mag case. The Hodgdon site shows a 3gr heavier charge for the 222mag over the 223 rem with 55gr bullets and H335, which has a similar burn rate to 8208. That should be a sufficient starting margin. I plan on trying it in my 222mag Sako when I get round to it.

I would only use same bore size for extrapolation or you are introducing a big variable.
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Old 02-03-2018, 02:46 AM
cooperve cooperve is offline
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Years ago I had a Ruger No.1 in .22 PPC with little load data. Hodgdon Loading Manual No. 25 states in the .22 PPC loadings "for any bullet not listed other than 53 gr. (only bullet grain listed) use .222 Remington Magnum load data". This was my rule of thumb for .22 PPC loading.

I purchased a .222 Remington Magnum 40XBBR and wanted to try IMR 8208 XBR. I used the Hodgdon Web Data 22 PPC starting load of 25.5 gr. of IMR 8208 using 53 grain bullets and shot 4 groups (only three shot) at 100 yards. IMR 8208 reduced my Hodgdon Benchmark and IMR 3031 powder loaded groups in half. The four groups averaged .190 with no hint of pressure problems. It would probably shoot better with increased powder?

I was going to increase the powder loading a little bit at a time, but I haven’t shot the 40XBBR since. That was in 2011. Been busy I guess.

I’d start at 25.5 gr. of IMR 8208 with 52 or 53 grain bullets and slowly work up from there.
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Old 02-03-2018, 03:34 AM
L Cazador L Cazador is offline
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Default 222 mag and 8208

In the Berger manual, H335 starting load for 222 mag with 50g bullet is 24.5 and 27gr is max. For the 55g it's a grain less on both ends. While 8208 and H335 may have similar burn rates, they have very different fill ratios, with 8208 occupying more case volume with it's extruded grain vs. the fine spherical H335. So be careful and start at the bottom and proceed no more than .5 grain at a time. In my opinion 8208 will work with 50g bullets but will be a bit fast burning for the 55's. At any rate the 14 twist in most 222 mag rifles does not work as well with bullets heavier than 52gr. My Sako 14 twist rifle shoots best with 52 grain flat base bullets and VVN133 or RL12 and Norma brass. My Sako custom 222Mag with 9 twist is a completely different rifle, shooting 69g. boat tail bullets in one small hole. Twist is everything!

Last edited by L Cazador; 02-03-2018 at 03:35 AM. Reason: grammar
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  #5  
Old 02-03-2018, 11:05 AM
17VLD 17VLD is offline
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Default Great info guys!

Makes me want to get out and try some 8208 in my 222 Magnum 40-XB.It shoots well with
H-335 but I always felt it could do better.I do really like 8208 in my ppc's so perhaps its time to try some.
Matt
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  #6  
Old 02-04-2018, 12:25 PM
todosan todosan is offline
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Well I made it back from the range.

The suggestions were really good. I tried 25.7 26.0 and 26.5 with identical results. The rifle is a Cooper model 21 with a 27 inch barrel. I am certain that 27 grains will have no Pressure signs. Group size was great right out of the gate but it was darn cold and I think it was affecting my ability to tell the difference between the groups. I’m getting a little older now and I really don’t like the cold as much. Next step is 27 and 27.3 Behind a 50 grain bullet. For some reason the 40 was not working maybe the wrong length or too light a load

On another note 222 mag seems like a powerful round. Side-by-side with the Tact 20 it had more recoil and it was louder. Seems similar to the 22-250
First time I have shot a 222 magnum and I quite like it
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  #7  
Old 02-14-2018, 05:31 PM
todosan todosan is offline
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Default Report on the mighty Cooper .222 Mag

Well, fellow magnum operators...

Been working this up....since there are no loads out there I can find with 8208.
Why 8208? Well, it works .....but the main reason is that my RL15 loads shed about 200 fps when it was -10 below. I like this stuff, but it does not smell as good as IMR 4198. LOL


The loads I worked through were

Rem 7.5 primer. Nosler brass. 50 VMAX.
26.5, 27.0, 27.3, 27.5, 28.0...28.0 is definitely max in this rifle. Shows flattening of the primer and a couple of craters. No primer deformation at 27.5

Homorable mention was 21.5 grains IMR4198 with the 50VMAX. Shot crazy good, but I don't think the velocity is all that great.

First is 3 shots and the second is 5 shots. I pushed the top right one out in the second pic myself. Not a load issue. The big hole is not a shot.

Honestly every load shot about the same. Running .3" or better.



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  #8  
Old 02-22-2018, 07:47 PM
todosan todosan is offline
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Took my wife and the 222 mag to the range. Kind of like being on a date with two girls...Anyway, I coaxed her to shoot the mag and she quite enjoyed it.

Two sighters and then she plopped three in a hole. Check it out. 0.154"

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