L461 .222 twist ??

[Pastprime]

The few posts I've read here state that the twist rate for the L461 .222 is 1 in 14. Is that the only twist they were produced in? Also, is N-133 a good powder for the .222 cartridge?

 

[stonecreek]

Sako barrels were made with a metric twist which doesn't usually work out to exactly an even number of inches per turn, but most Sako .222 barrels were about 1-14". Some very early L46's used the same barrel as the Hornet, which was about 1-16", and some later ones may have used a twist similar to those of the .223 which measures approximately 1-13".

There are many, many good powders for the .222. Although I've never used N133, its burning rate falls closely in line with other powders which are excellent for the .222, so I would expect it to do very well. The Vhitavouri powders I've used in other applications have been consistent performers.

 

[Pastprime]

Thank you for the reply. I have reloaded for quite a few years but never for the .222 Remington or a Sako rifle. I'll keep reading the posts on this site for that magic load formula.

 

[stonecreek]

It's hard to come up with a "bad" load for a Sako .222. Just don't try to use extremely long or heavy bullets which weren't around when the .222 came about. If you'll keep your loads similar to the original factory load with a 50 grain bullet at about 3200 fps then they will usually shoot well. My Sako .222's do very well with the relatively inexpensive Speer 50 grain TNT bullet propelled by a charge of H335, H4895, or H4198. Accurate 2200 Data powder also does well. But then there are at least a dozen other powders which will perform equally well.

If you like higher velocities the Nosler Ballistic Tip and Hornady V-Max plastic-tipped 40 grain bullets are typically very accurate and can be driven 3500 fps or better out of the .222. They are deadly on small varmints and often yield some of the best accuracy from the bench.