.223 Bullets for the . 22 Remington Jet?

[Murdock]

Hornady 40 grain .222 bullets seem to be recommended for the S&W M53, but are hard to find and expensive when located. My references say that .223 bullets can be used but to avoid the .224's.

What say you?

Thanks.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I'd say first, make sure that the .223" bullets will fit the throats of your M-53 (if that's what you are shooting). If that isn't an issue, then I would have no quams about using them, but I would back down on my charges by at least 10% and work back up. A thou may not be a big difference in a .44 or .45, but it will be more noticable in the .222 bore of a Jet. Still, there are a lot of different .223 bullets available for the .218 Bee and .22 Hornet which are generally .224", but some of the early ones were .223" nominal groove diameter (thus the reasoning behind that diameter bullet), and I haven't heard of anyone blowing one of them up by using .224" bullets in them.

 

[charlies]

I have always used the 222 bullet. Never tried the 224 but would think they would raise pressures if you were hot rodding your Jet. Try some mild loads with the 223 and see how they work.

 

[armadillo]

I have been working (slowly) with the 40 gr. .223 Sierra bullet, IMR4227 and Rem 6 1/2 primer. So far it seems that reducing the powder charge 0.5 gr. below the Hornady .222 40 gr. bullet gives approximately the same velocity.

I have a 1971 Sierra reloading manual which shows a max charge of 13.4 gr of IMR4227 with the 40 gr. .223" bullet (for a M-53). That charge seems pretty heavy compared to other manuals.

 

[Murdock]

So it looks like (with care) that a 40-grain .223 should work.

Has anyone found a particular advantage to .222? Accuracy? Is there an ongoing source for the Hornady .222 bullets? For that matter, are they still made?

 

[perrazi]

i have shot the sierra .223 40gr. hornet bullets in my jets for years. i get better accuracy than the hornady .222 bullets. you cannot load quite as hot but my everyday play load is the minimum with hs-6 powder for about 1700fps. fast enough for me and doesn't stress the gun at all. have one jet that has at least 5000 of that load through it with no problems. if you want fast, use 2400, 4227, or h110 and pay attention to the loading manuals.