10" 222 ?

[carlsflh]

i have a chance to pick up a 10"bull barrel 222 rem with a 2.5x7 redfeild scope on it for 245.00 ? is how accurate is a short barrel 222 or would i be better off getting a 14" 223 i do handload i'll be useing it for small game and coyotes along with some target/plinking also how  do the redfeild scopes hold up ?

[Ladobe]

As for the cartridge itself, the 222REM is inherently more precise/accurate than the 223Rem - all else being equal (fact).    IMO both are certainly doable in the 10", both do better in a longer tube.  So for your exact question... a 14" would do better than the 10" on longer shots in performance, but up closer probably not enough noticeable difference between them to matter.   Have owned a 10" 222 many years ago, but don't remember if I had a 10" 223 too; do remember having had a couple of both in 14", and the 222's outshined the 223's.  My main use for them all was predator hunting, called in short to long ranges and varmint hunting.   
 
(Also used 14's of both with chamber adapters - a product that is not always hand in hand good performers.    The 222 did a far better job with them than the 223 did as far as overall accuracy, but why I can only speculate on.   Just luck of the draw in the adapters most likely, I had both those made specifically for TC's and the plunger types for rifles mixed.   IOW not both types for every combination.   All used mostly in TC Contender barrels but also rifles sometimes.   For the 222 and 223 cases I had adapters to shoot 22LR, 22MAG and 22 Hornet (and I had many others for other cartridge combo's).   If I remember the 222/22LR combo was the most accurate of all of those for the 222 and 223.)
 
No idea on the scope, only Redfield scopes I've had were vintage rifle, and they were great.   Do still love the little compact folding 8X25 binos I paid way too much for 35 years ago or so though (around $300-350).  Still my go to for just having something along instead of hauling around the heavier/bigger binos.

[carlsflh]

thanks for getting back i think i"ll buy it and try it out at the price i can probly get my money back if i find i don't care for the 10". most of the contenders i've owned were 14" mostly handgun cart.with a lone 35 rem.and a 10" early 45/410 i've aways liked the ballance of the 14" barrels. i just got back into contenders after not haveing one since the mid 90s and found a 1975 contender with a 10" 357 mag  oct barrel that seems almost dainty compaired to the 14" that i was useto. i already got a 14" 41 mag barrel on the way[ yea i got contenderitus again]

[Curtis]

I've never had experience with the 222.  My 10" 223 barrel is the most accurate barrel that I have worked up loads for so far, however I have not loaded exhaustively for all my barrels.  One of my others could possibly surpass it in the future.  Choice of powder and loading the lighter 40 grain bullets mitigate the muzzle blast somewhat.  I think you will like the 222 in 10" barrel if the shorter barrels are your preference overall, as they are mine.
 
Curtis

[Ladobe]

The possible drawback of the 10" 222 barrel is resale.    Not a lot of folks still shoot 222/222MAG "instead" of the easier to get cheap ammo for 223.   You kind of have to be a reloader, or like me one who was always interested in squeezing the last bit of precison out, or something from different to downright rare on a TC no matter the cost.  How you end up owning 220-230 barrels for your TC's over 40 odd years.
 
Still have my custom Sako L461 Vixen 222Rem, but there are no 223Remy anything around here anymore except maybe some brass, maybe dies and maybe bullets bought specifically for them instead of any of my other .224's.

[carlsflh]

well i went last night  to look at the 222 barrel and it had a spot of rust in the chamber so i passed on it .today at the gun show i ended up buying/part tradeing  some used grips and forends  for a super 14 223 barrel that was mint. it came with a weaver scope mount and the ft sight and 70 rounds of ammo . i also compaired leopold and several other brands of pistol scopes and i'm going have to start looking for a couple of used leopolds.  hands down they were the clearest and brightest now to decide what power i want and if i want a varible2-7 or just get fixed power ones .for now i'm going to mount one of my red dots on so i can go play

[Curtis]

Good to pass on that barrel.  It may have cleaned up fine, but there are still very many good clean ones out there that you can pick up.  Leupold is my choice too, although I have a couple of Burris and even a few Simmons from my younger (less prosperous) days.  I went with the variable for my 223 and 7-30 waters.  I have 2x and 4x fixed on many of my big game and shorter range calibers.  I have picked up 2x Leupold M8 pistol scopes for as little as $125 but more often around $150.  The variables will set you back about $350 used, and the pricing is a bit more firm usually.
 
Curtis