Published: December 2025 | Last updated: April 2026
The 222 Remington was introduced by Remington Arms in 1950, designed by Mike Walker specifically for varmint hunting and benchrest competition. It arrived as the first commercial .22 centerfire cartridge to exceed 3,000 FPS with lightweight bullets in standard production rifles, and its accuracy reputation was established almost immediately – the 222 Remington dominated benchrest competition throughout the 1950s and into the early 1960s before the arrival of more specialized rounds.
Two historical connections define the 222 Remington‘s legacy. First, it directly inspired the 223 Remington (5.56x45mm NATO), which uses the same case head diameter with a longer body and more powder capacity. The 223 Remington displaced the 222 Remington commercially in the 1960s and 1970s as military adoption drove factory ammunition availability, but the 222 Remington‘s accuracy reputation – and the perception that its smaller powder charge produced lower extreme spreads – kept it alive in handloading circles. Second, the 222 Remington was the dominant American benchrest cartridge before the 6mm PPC era. Competitive precision shooters understood that its small, efficient case could be made extraordinarily consistent through careful handloading.
The 222 Remington‘s position in 2026 is as an established classic with a specific practical niche. Its mild report – noticeably quieter than the 223 Remington – and modest powder charge make it appropriate for farm shooting environments where noise matters. Barrel life exceeds most comparable centerfires by a meaningful margin. For the hunter who owns a 222 Remington rifle, it is fully adequate for its designed purpose; for the handloader who values inherent accuracy efficiency, it remains a rewarding cartridge to work with.
For reloading data, see the 222 Remington complete guide. For comparisons, see 222 Remington ballistics.
Core Ballistic Parameters
| Load | MV | BC (G1) | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gr Hornady V-MAX | 3,500 FPS | 0.200 | 1,088 ft-lbs |
| 50 gr Hornady V-MAX | 3,300 FPS | 0.242 | 1,210 ft-lbs |
| 55 gr Sierra BlitzKing | 3,200 FPS | 0.271 | 1,250 ft-lbs |
| 69 gr Sierra TMK | 2,950 FPS | 0.416 | 1,335 ft-lbs |
All data below uses a 200-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 59°F, sea level, 24-inch barrel.
Bullet Drop (200-Yard Zero)
| Range (yards) | 40 gr V-MAX | 50 gr V-MAX | 55 gr BlitzKing | 69 gr TMK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | +1.4 | +1.5 | +1.6 | +1.8 |
| 200 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 300 | -5.8 | -6.2 | -6.5 | -7.0 |
| 400 | -16.5 | -17.5 | -18.5 | -20.0 |
| 500 | -32.5 | -34.5 | -36.5 | -39.0 |
| 600 | -55.0 | -58.0 | -61.0 | -65.0 |
| 700 | -84.5 | -89.0 | -93.5 | -99.0 |
| 800 | -121.5 | -128.0 | -134.0 | -141.0 |
| 900 | -168.0 | -176.0 | -184.0 | -192.0 |
| 1,000 | -225.0 | -235.0 | -245.0 | -253.0 |
Drop in inches. Positive values = above line of sight.
The trajectory table reveals an important characteristic of the 222 Remington’s bullet selection: the 69-grain TMK drops more than the lighter loads at every distance, despite having a significantly higher G1 BC (0.416 vs 0.200-0.271). This is because the TMK starts at only 2,950 FPS – a 550 FPS deficit versus the 40-grain V-MAX. At the 222 Remington’s modest case capacity, starting velocity dominates over BC advantage at typical varmint distances inside 600 yards. The 69-grain TMK’s BC advantage only becomes clearly visible in the wind resistance table, not the trajectory table. For a hunter using holdover at unknown ranges inside 400 yards, the lighter loads are genuinely more practical despite their lower BC.
This counterintuitive result – heavier, higher-BC bullet drops more – is specific to situations where the heavier bullet’s lower starting velocity is substantial. At 300 yards the TMK drops 7.0 inches from a 200-yard zero versus 5.8 inches for the 40-grain V-MAX. That 1.2-inch difference is small but real, and it grows at every distance past 300 yards. The 222 Remington does not have enough case capacity to drive the 69-grain TMK fast enough to overcome its trajectory penalty versus the lighter loads at field distances.
The 222 Remington’s trajectory with any load is adequate for varmint hunting inside 500 yards. At 500 yards the heaviest load drops 39 inches and the lightest drops 32.5 inches – 32-39 inches is manageable with a well-practiced reticle or dialed turret. Past 500 yards the trajectory arcs steeply and the cartridge’s limited energy begins to combine with challenging trajectory to make ethical hunting increasingly difficult.
Wind Drift – 10 MPH Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yards) | 40 gr V-MAX | 50 gr V-MAX | 55 gr BlitzKing | 69 gr TMK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| 200 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 2.8 |
| 300 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 7.2 | 6.2 |
| 400 | 14.0 | 13.3 | 12.8 | 10.8 |
| 500 | 22.0 | 21.0 | 20.0 | 16.8 |
| 600 | 32.5 | 30.8 | 29.2 | 24.2 |
| 700 | 45.5 | 43.0 | 40.5 | 33.2 |
| 800 | 61.0 | 57.5 | 54.0 | 43.8 |
| 900 | 79.0 | 74.2 | 69.5 | 56.0 |
| 1,000 | 99.5 | 93.2 | 87.0 | 69.5 |
Drift in inches.
Wind resistance is where the 69-grain TMK’s BC advantage finally asserts itself clearly. At 500 yards the TMK drifts 16.8 inches versus 22.0 for the 40-grain V-MAX – a 5.2-inch difference that is meaningful when a coyote’s vital zone is 6-8 inches wide. At 700 yards the gap grows to 12.3 inches. From 400 yards onward, the TMK is the superior practical choice in any crosswind.
The 222 Remington’s wind sensitivity with lightweight loads is the cartridge’s most significant practical limitation for extended-range work. At 300 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, the 40-grain V-MAX drifts 7.8 inches – approaching the vital zone width of a coyote. A 2 MPH wind estimation error at 300 yards moves the V-MAX approximately 1.6 inches. In gusty variable conditions past 250 yards, reliable coyote body shots with the lighter loads become increasingly dependent on wind-reading skill.
The 69-grain TMK at 69.5 inches of drift at 1,000 yards is competitive with standard 223 Remington loads of equivalent BC class – a reminder that the 222 Remington’s limitation at distance is primarily energy and trajectory, not wind resistance when using the TMK.
Velocity Retention
| Range (yards) | 40 gr V-MAX | 50 gr V-MAX | 55 gr BlitzKing | 69 gr TMK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,500 | 3,300 | 3,200 | 2,950 |
| 200 | 2,706 | 2,632 | 2,602 | 2,518 |
| 300 | 2,316 | 2,293 | 2,281 | 2,251 |
| 400 | 1,968 | 1,992 | 1,996 | 2,003 |
| 500 | 1,661 | 1,726 | 1,753 | 1,770 |
| 600 | 1,391 | 1,494 | 1,548 | 1,550 |
| 700 | 1,156 | 1,288 | 1,360 | 1,343 |
| 800 | 966 | 1,109 | 1,191 | 1,148 |
| 900 | 814 | 958 | 1,040 | 1,001 |
| 1,000 | 694 | 834 | 910 | 884 |
Velocity in FPS. Supersonic threshold approximately 1,340 FPS at sea level.
The velocity retention table explains why the 222 Remington is fundamentally a 500-700 yard precision cartridge, not a 1,000-yard cartridge. The 40-grain V-MAX goes transonic around 700-725 yards – well before 1,000 yards. The 50-grain V-MAX crosses transonic around 750-775 yards. The 55-grain BlitzKing reaches transonic around 800 yards.
The 69-grain TMK is the only 222 Remington load that approaches 1,000-yard capable performance. It goes transonic around 850-875 yards from a 24-inch barrel – past 800 yards but short of 1,000 yards. At 700 yards the TMK is at 1,343 FPS – right at the transonic boundary. This confirms the 222 Remington’s practical precision ceiling at approximately 700 yards with the TMK and 600 yards with lighter loads.
The velocity crossover between the lightweight loads and the TMK occurs around 350-375 yards. Past 400 yards the TMK is faster than every lighter load – 2,003 FPS versus 1,968-1,996 FPS for the others at 400 yards. This velocity crossover, combined with the TMK’s BC advantage, makes it the only appropriate load for any application past 500 yards.
For hunting: the 222 Remington keeps standard varmint loads above 1,800 FPS (minimum reliable fragmentation velocity) to approximately 450-480 yards. The TMK stays above 1,800 FPS past 500 yards but is not a designed hunting bullet.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 40 gr V-MAX | 50 gr V-MAX | 55 gr BlitzKing | 69 gr TMK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 1,088 | 1,210 | 1,250 | 1,335 |
| 200 | 650 | 770 | 826 | 971 |
| 300 | 476 | 584 | 635 | 776 |
| 400 | 344 | 441 | 487 | 615 |
| 500 | 245 | 331 | 375 | 480 |
| 600 | 172 | 248 | 293 | 369 |
| 700 | 119 | 184 | 226 | 277 |
Energy in ft-lbs.
The energy figures make the 222 Remington’s hunting limits explicit. The 40-grain V-MAX drops below 500 ft-lbs at approximately 300 yards – the threshold below which ethical kills on coyotes from body shots become unreliable. The 50-grain V-MAX holds above 500 ft-lbs to approximately 340 yards. The 55-grain BlitzKing to approximately 365 yards. The 69-grain TMK to approximately 425-430 yards.
For prairie dogs and small varmints where 200-300 ft-lbs is sufficient, all loads extend their useful range significantly – the 55-grain BlitzKing maintains 293 ft-lbs at 600 yards, adequate for small varmints where explosive fragmentation from any expanding bullet at that energy level produces reliable incapacitation.
For coyotes, the practical ceiling is 175-200 yards with the lightweight loads and 300-325 yards with the 69-grain TMK for ethical body shots. These limits are lower than the 222 Remington’s trajectory and accuracy would allow, but energy is the binding constraint. Hunters who want 400-yard coyote capability from a .22 centerfire should consider the 223 Remington or 22-250 Remington.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady V-MAX 40 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with very thin copper jacket and lead core. Lightest common 222 Remington bullet. Designed for maximum explosive effect at high velocity on the smallest varmints.
Terminal behavior: At 3,500 FPS the 40-grain V-MAX essentially vaporizes prairie dogs and ground squirrels – there is no exit, minimal disturbance to adjacent animals, and immediate incapacitation. At 250 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,900 FPS, fragmentation remains explosive and effective on small targets. At 350 yards the fragmentation becomes somewhat less dramatic but still reliable on direct hits. Past 400 yards the 40-grain V-MAX is below 344 ft-lbs and fragmentation is increasingly inconsistent.
Hunting application: Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, gophers, and similar small varmints inside 400 yards. The 40-grain’s extremely high starting velocity (3,500 FPS) produces the flattest trajectory of the four loads inside 300 yards – only 5.8 inches low at 300 yards from a 200-yard zero. For high-volume prairie dog shoots where trajectory simplicity and spectacular terminal effect both matter, the 40-grain is the choice. Not appropriate for coyotes.
More details: Hornady V-MAX bullet profile
Hornady V-MAX 50 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with copper jacket slightly heavier than the 40-grain, lead core. Higher G1 BC (0.242) than the 40-grain provides approximately 1-2 fewer inches of wind drift at 300 yards. The most common factory 222 Remington varmint loading.
Terminal behavior: Explosive fragmentation at 222 Remington velocities. At 3,300 FPS the 50-grain V-MAX produces violent tissue disruption on coyotes from broadside shots inside 300 yards. At 250 yards (approximately 3,000 FPS), fragmentation is reliable and effective. The 50-grain’s somewhat heavier jacket compared to the 40-grain provides marginally more consistent fragmentation at reduced velocities past 300 yards, extending reliable varmint performance to approximately 425-450 yards on small varmints.
Hunting application: Coyotes inside 250-275 yards with broadside body shots where energy exceeds 600 ft-lbs. Small varmints inside 450 yards. The 50-grain V-MAX is the standard factory 222 Remington load and the most readily available option. For hunters who shoot inside 275 yards regularly, it covers the primary application completely.
More details: Hornady V-MAX bullet profile
Sierra BlitzKing 55 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with Sierra’s precision-controlled jacket and lead core. The BlitzKing combines Sierra’s reputation for dimensional consistency with a fragmentation design specifically optimized for explosive varmint terminal performance.
Terminal behavior: Explosive fragmentation at 222 Remington velocities – Sierra describes it as among the most violent terminal performers in the varmint bullet category. At 3,200 FPS the BlitzKing’s precise jacket thickness and polymer tip initiation produce reliable, consistent fragmentation superior to generic soft points. At 350 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,400 FPS, fragmentation is still reliable on coyotes. At 450 yards (approximately 2,050 FPS), fragmentation begins to become less consistent.
Hunting application: Coyotes inside 275 yards with body shots, small varmints inside 500 yards. The BlitzKing’s dimensional consistency – Sierra sorts bullets to tight tolerances – provides better lot-to-lot accuracy uniformity than generic fragmentation designs. For handloaders who want the most accurate 222 Remington varmint loads for precise longer-range shooting on small targets, the BlitzKing is the choice. The accuracy potential in quality 222 Remington barrels (the cartridge’s historical benchrest heritage) combined with Sierra’s consistency produces sub-0.5 MOA groups at 100 yards.
More details: Sierra BlitzKing bullet profile
Nosler Ballistic Tip 50 gr
Construction: Polymer tip initiates rapid expansion, tapered copper jacket with lead core. Designed for deer-class game in larger calibers; in the 222 Remington the velocities and energies limit it to predator use.
Terminal behavior: Expands reliably at 222 Remington velocities within the cartridge’s effective hunting range. At 3,300 FPS the Ballistic Tip produces rapid expansion with a large initial wound channel on coyotes from broadside shots. At 250 yards (approximately 3,000 FPS), expansion is reliable. The Ballistic Tip’s slightly more controlled expansion than the V-MAX provides marginally more penetration depth – useful on coyotes from angles where the bullet must travel through several inches of muscle before reaching vitals.
Hunting application: Coyotes inside 250-275 yards from any shot angle where the bullet must penetrate through moderate tissue before reaching vitals. The Ballistic Tip’s deeper penetration than the V-MAX makes it marginally more appropriate for angled coyote shots where a fragmentation bullet might fail to reach the heart-lung area. The Ballistic Tip is also appropriate for foxes and bobcats where meat preservation matters slightly more than maximum explosive effect.
More details: Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet profile
Sierra Tipped MatchKing 69 gr
Construction: Acetyl polymer tip over a hollow point boat-tail match bullet. The heaviest practical 222 Remington load. G1 BC of 0.416 is dramatically higher than any other common 222 Remington bullet – the defining characteristic that separates it from the field at distance.
Terminal behavior: The TMK’s terminal performance is inconsistent by design – it is a competition bullet. At close-range high-velocity impacts the polymer tip initiates rapid expansion and tissue disruption. At 400 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,003 FPS, expansion is adequate for coyotes on body shots. The TMK’s more consistent initiation than the open-tip MatchKing provides some hunting practical advantage, though it remains primarily a competition choice.
Competition application: The only practical 222 Remington load for precision competition past 500 yards. The G1 BC of 0.416 produces 69.5 inches of drift at 1,000 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind – competitive with standard 223 Remington options of similar BC. For benchrest competitors or hunters who want to stretch the 222 Remington’s range limits as far as the cartridge allows, the 69-grain TMK is the only appropriate load. Stays supersonic to approximately 850-875 yards.
More details: Sierra Tipped MatchKing bullet profile
Practical Range Recommendations
Prairie dogs and small varmints – 40-grain V-MAX to 400 yards, 50-grain V-MAX to 450 yards, 55-grain BlitzKing to 500 yards in calm conditions. The 222 Remington’s mild report and low powder charge (approximately 20-22 grains) make it particularly appropriate for farm varmint control where quiet operation near buildings or livestock is practical.
Coyotes – 50-grain V-MAX or 55-grain BlitzKing inside 250-275 yards with broadside body shots. 69-grain TMK inside 325 yards on broadside shots where energy exceeds 700 ft-lbs. Head shots extend the ethical range with any load. For coyote hunters who want consistent body-shot performance to 350+ yards, the 22-250 Remington or 223 Remington provide significantly more energy at those distances.
Economy and noise – the 222 Remington uses approximately 20-22 grains of powder per shot versus the 223 Remington’s 24-26 grains. The report is noticeably quieter – not merely from cartridge size but from the muzzle blast of a smaller powder charge. On farms where neighbors or livestock are within earshot, this matters. Barrel life is excellent – approximately 4,000-6,000 rounds before meaningful accuracy loss.
Edible small game – InterLock soft point 55-grain or equivalent inside 175 yards for rabbits and squirrels where meat preservation matters. The soft point’s controlled expansion reduces tissue destruction compared to fragmentation bullets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 222 Remington still worth loading in 2026?
Yes, for owners of 222 Remington rifles with specific practical needs. Factory ammunition from Remington and Hornady remains available; handloading is supported by standard .224-inch component bullets and widely available dies. The 222 Remington’s mild report, excellent barrel life, and proven accuracy make it a legitimate choice for farm varmint work inside its energy envelope. For a hunter choosing a new rifle, the 223 Remington offers more performance with equally broad support – but the 222 Remington in an existing rifle is fully adequate for its purpose.
How does the 222 Remington compare to the 223 Remington?
The 223 Remington produces approximately 100-200 FPS more velocity with equivalent bullets from its larger case. At 300 yards the practical trajectory difference is 1-2 inches – negligible. At 500 yards the energy difference becomes meaningful: the 223 Remington 55-grain V-MAX delivers approximately 550-600 ft-lbs versus the 222 Remington’s approximately 375-420 ft-lbs, extending reliable coyote range by approximately 75-100 yards. The 222 Remington’s advantages are quieter report, slightly better inherent accuracy consistency, and approximately 20-30% longer barrel life.
What is the 222 Remington’s effective range on coyotes?
250-275 yards with broadside body shots using 50-55 grain loads where energy exceeds 550-600 ft-lbs; 325 yards with the 69-grain TMK. Head and neck shots extend these ranges by approximately 100 yards since the energy threshold for ethical kills on the central nervous system is substantially lower than for body shots.
Why does the 69-grain TMK drop more than lighter loads?
Because its starting velocity (2,950 FPS) is 550 FPS lower than the 40-grain V-MAX (3,500 FPS). At the 222 Remington’s case capacity, there is insufficient powder to drive 69-grain bullets fast enough for the BC advantage to overcome the velocity penalty at practical distances inside 600 yards. The TMK’s BC advantage shows primarily in wind resistance and at 700+ yards where it passes the lighter loads in retained velocity.
Can I use 222 Remington brass to make 223 Remington cases?
No. Despite sharing the same case head diameter, the 222 Remington has a shorter case (1.700 inches) with different shoulder dimensions than the 223 Remington (1.760 inches case length). They are not interchangeable. Use Remington, Nosler, or Lapua 222 Remington brass for this cartridge exclusively.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in December 2025 and revised in April 2026. The revision added velocity retention table with transonic analysis noting the honest 700-875 yard supersonic ceiling, added energy table confirming the coyote body-shot ceiling at 250-325 yards depending on load, expanded all five terminal profiles with specific construction, terminal behavior, and practical range data, added the counterintuitive BC vs trajectory explanation (69-grain TMK drops more than lighter loads due to velocity deficit), and added FAQ.
