25-222 copperhead long neck

[andym79]

Hi guys,
I am considering having a 25-222 copperhead long neck built.

The copperhead but with a .450 neck to take up to 120 grain cast bullets.

My logic being that the 25-20 isn't enough case for big 25 bullets and the 25-35 is too much, well at least for moderate velocities or good fill.

Both my 25-20 and 25-35 are pretty accurate, but I truely believe that an in between case could be the sweet spot for 1600fps 115 grain cast bullets.

Any opinions appreciated.

I would really like to hear from anyone who shoots cast bullets in the copperhead or similar.

[richhodg66]

No pertinent experience, but it's an interesting idea.

Shot my Savage 340 in .222 yesterday with cast and results weren't so good. Got me thinking that rifle could become a .300 Blackout easily, but there's all kinds of things a guy could do with existing rifles. In fact, old 340s in .30-30 abound, a .25-35 probably wouldn't be hard to do either.

[Texas by God]

The 25-222 Copperhead was John Wooter's baby if I recall correctly. It should be delightful with cast and light jacketed bullets. Do you lower the shoulder in a .221 Fire Ball die to get the longer neck?
Rich a 340 in 25-35 would be fun.

[Three44s]

Not qualified on the 25-222 at all but have dabbled with .25-20 win, 25 R.E.M. and .25-35 win.

I have the .25-20 as a carbine in the Contender, the 25 R.E.M. in a R.E.M. 141 (pump) and the 25-35 in a 94 win

Thus I can see where you are coming from.

Just for point of reference are you aware of the huge and long running thread over in the reloading section of the Marlin gun owners forum? If not, and you are interested just search that whole four word title. There is a ton to sift through but pay particular attention to member 35Rem's postings .... he's done a tremendous job with 25-20 there!

Best regard

Three 44s

[Mk42gunner]

The 25-222 Copperhead was John Wooter's baby if I recall correctly. It should be delightful with cast and light jacketed bullets. Do you lower the shoulder in a .221 Fire Ball die to get the longer neck?
Rich a 340 in 25-35 would be fun.
If I were to do this, I would use a .223/5.56mm or maybe a .22 Remington Magnum case in the standard 25 Copperhead die, depending on just how long I wanted the neck. This would give the normal .22 Rem boiler room and a longer neck do to the longer parent case.

Robert

[earlmck]

My most accurate .25 cal cast bullet platform is a 222mag/25, which I believe is also called 25 TCU. But the heaviest bullet I shoot is the 90 grain Lyman 257312. My favorite is the 70 grain FNGC from the Arsenal 5-cavity. By coincidence I just loaded 130 rounds of this cartridge with the 70 grain bullet (harbor freight red powder coat) just today for use in a sage-rat shoot I am hoping to get in in the next week or two. The load is 15.5 grains of 4759 for just over 2300 fps which pretty much will blow a sage rat (columbia ground squirrel) in two out to 150 to 200 yards.

I looked at your Copperhead in QuickLoad and of course your are right -- it very easily and economically does just what you are wanting with the heavier cast bullets. You could go to 2300 fps if you so desired (which is about where accuracy starts dropping off with my cast bullets in my 12" twist barrel). I'm guessing you'll use a 10" twist for your longer cast bullets; I would bet the copperhead would be totally perfect for your application.

[andym79]

Thanks gunner and earl.

Glad to see that whilst I appreciate my 25-35 that I am not alone in thinking it might be too much or at least too inefficient cartridge for shooting cast at that 1500-1900fps range.

But would a long neck 222 or 223 necked up to 25 be okay with a 115 grain cast bullet?

[376Steyr]

+1 on using a faster twist for longer cast bullets. IIRC, John Wooters used a 1-14" twist in his original Copperhead, and had stabilization problems with longer bullets.

[BAGTIC]

The .222 already has a longer neck than the .223 or .222 Magnum. When expanded in caliber the neck will increase in length. It probably depends on bullet design. With some designs an extra long neck might extend forward over the ogive or crimping groove