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Common uses: Varmint, Target
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 50gr Federal Power-Shok |
| Muzzle velocity | 3140 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 1095 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.184 |
| Case length | 43.2 mm |
| Overall length | 55.9 mm |
| SAAMI max pressure | 50000 PSI |
| Common twist rate | 1:14" |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3140 | 1094 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2617 | 760 | 0 |
| 200 | 2152 | 514 | -3.7 |
| 300 | 1739 | 336 | -14.9 |
| 400 | 1390 | 215 | -38 |
| 500 | 1137 | 144 | -79.2 |
At 1,000 yards, .222 Rem. (50gr at 3140 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 81.2 MOA / 23.6 MIL, retaining 717 fps (subsonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 1739 | Supersonic | -14.9 | 4.8 | 1.38 |
| 400 | 1390 | Supersonic | -38.0 | 9.1 | 2.64 |
| 500 | 1137 | Transonic | -79.2 | 15.1 | 4.40 |
| 600 | 991 | Subsonic | -147.1 | 23.4 | 6.81 |
| 700 | 899 | Subsonic | -250.6 | 34.2 | 9.94 |
| 800 | 829 | Subsonic | -396.9 | 47.4 | 13.78 |
| 900 | 770 | Subsonic | -593.9 | 63.0 | 18.33 |
| 1000 | 717 | Subsonic | -849.9 | 81.2 | 23.61 |
Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.
Small-game/varmint context — the deer- and elk-sized energy references aren't applicable to the cartridge's listed uses. When a downrange table is available, its retained-energy column can provide context; verify the exact load and follow local game regulations for legal methods.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
The .222 Remington earned a lasting reputation for exceptional accuracy, and for many years it was the cartridge to beat in benchrest shooting. It is a mild, efficient round with light recoil and modest report, which makes it pleasant to shoot and easy on barrels. In the field it excels at varmint and predator hunting at moderate ranges, delivering flat trajectory and precise bullet placement. Its main limitation is range and energy: it lacks the reach and case capacity of newer rounds like the .223 Remington and .22-250, which eventually eclipsed it in popularity. Today it remains a respected classic among accuracy enthusiasts and varmint hunters, though factory ammunition and rifle offerings have become less common.
Introduced by Remington in 1950, the .222 Remington was designed by company engineer Mike Walker and was the first commercially produced rimless .22-caliber centerfire cartridge developed in the United States. Rather than being derived from an existing case, it was an original design, debuting alongside the Remington Model 722 bolt-action rifle. Its influence proved lasting, as it served as the conceptual starting point for later small-bore sporting and military-derived rounds, and it dominated benchrest competition for roughly two decades after its release.
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