Does anyone think that it would be unwise to load a 60 grain bullet to run in a factory barrel of a .222?

tlo7mm,
To answer your question...maybe and maybe not. About the only way to be 100% certain your 222's barrel twist would stabilize a certain brand of 60 grain bullet is to try it.
I use a 222 for coyotes and most of my hunting loads use 55 grain bullets. I've never found the need to try anything heavier in my 222. If your barrel will shoot 60's accurately then I know of no reason that would keep you from using them.

Okay, so here is the deal, I am going to be using my .222 primarily for varmint hunting, however I have considered deer hunting with it. I am a big fan of Nosler partitioned bullets however the smallest available in a .224 bullet is 60 grain. I have killed deer with this gun before using 50 grain rounds but I would like to hand load some partitioned rounds thats why I ask otherwise I do not care honestly.

Barrel twist has a LOT to do with how long the bullets can be and still be stabilized. Yes, it's more a matter of length than weight so a heavy flat based round nosed bullet will stabilized at a slower twist than a bullet of equal weight in a boat tailed spitzer configuration.

I shoot Speer 70 gr. Semi-Spitzers in several 1:12 twist .224 caliber barrels with excellent success and I've heard they'll even stabilize in 1:14 twist barrels. They've given excellent performance on everything I've ever shot with them and that includes a deer at 360 yards with a 22-250 and a deer at 80 yards or so with a 222.

My load for the 222 is a compressed load of H414/Win. 760 I found in an old Speer reloading manual.

Length wise the 60gr partition is a little shorter than the 55gr B-Tip. Thus I would think the twist should be ok !!!

If the partition doesn't work out keep in mind that Barnes makes a 45 and 53 grain TSX !!!

52grn hp fb speers my good man. try them and youll never look back.

Nosler states that with there bullets and the 1:14 rot that most .222's come with that only up 55 grain will stabalize so I am pretty sure that I am not going to be loading any 60 grain partition rounds for the gun.

tlo7mm wrote:

I am not going to be loading any 60 grain partition rounds for the gun.

Miller's Twist Rule indicates it would not be stable (not sure if .224 bullets are used in a .222)

Caliber 0.224 Inches
Bullet Weight 60 Grains
Bullet Length 0.79 Inches
Barrel Twist 1:14
muzzle velocity 3000 fps
Temperature 60 degrees Fahrenheit (59 is standard)
Pressure 29.92 inches of mercury (29.92 is standard)

Sg = 0.89

Sg shouldn't be less than 1.4. If Sg is greater than about 2.0, you may gain some accuracy by going to a slower twist barrel.

Note: I'm shooting bullets with a stability less than 1.4 and am doing ok. You just have to watch out when the weather gets very cold which reduces bullet stability further.

This is a prime example where the rules and standards can be thrown out the window !!!

Crunching the numbers with common bullet lengths (.7-.8) with a 1-14 twist at .222 velocities and they'll all come out unstable. The fact is benchrest records have been set with this combination in the years gone by.

Sierra list a 60gr HP bullet at .792 with a 1-14 twist, If it works for them why wouldn't the Nosler ???

tlo7mm, If this is something that really interest you I say give it a try. I would however suggest doing the test in temperatures your likely to encounter in the field. As slim said stability will drop off as colder weather sets in.

I think that I may just do some experimenting just so that I can see what I can get the gun to do. The thing about weather conditions is most of what I will be doing with it will be rabbit/parrie dog hunting which here tends to be done more in the warmer conditions. The reason I am interested in loading a 60 grain partition is for deer hunting which that season can be warm at first and get very cold. I will experiment and I will pass my findings along.

the speers work good on deer. my bro used to use them all the time. I have dropped 2 pigs with them. great preformance.

One of the reasons I am leaning towards Nosler is they are from my home state here in Oregon. I feel I would like to support them although I am guilty of loading Speer and Hornady. Also I know they have a reputation of being great bullets.

I'll be looking forward to seeing your findings !!!

Me to LOL. I have been wanting to try some experimenting with all my guns for a while now.

It depends on the twist of the barrel.

Most .222's had a 1:14" twist and some had a 1:12.

You would get away with the 1:12 barrel but it would be doubtful with the other.