Hello all, been lurking on here for a while and finally purchased my first handgun for hunting a T/C Contender with a .44 Mag and .222 Remington. My question is since 222 ammo is pretty scarce as far as going to the store and picking it up what do you guys recommend for coyotes and possibly deer as well. I plan to reload for both just need to pick up the dies and components. Thanks in advance for any info.

Brian Pearce has a couple articles in a new magazine about varmint rifles which has quite a bit of data on using the .22"s from varmints to deer with the right bullet being chosen for deer.Barnes 53gr.triple x bullet is one of those recommended for deer.

I have a set of dies and some brass --I think about 200 round
I will take a look this evening and let you know what I have

Thanks for the info and would definitely be interested in dies and brass. I have a Lee 4 die set for 40 S&W and some brass if someone is interested in a trade for .222 or .44 stuff.

I had a CZ in 222 some years ago and had great luck on yotes with 40 gr NBT and H Benchmark and believe the caliber would do fine on deer at reasonable distances as long as their not pumped up on adrenalin from running,then they might just pack the bullet off with them.

My plan is mostly yotes with the 222 and use the 44 for deer but some of the areas I hunt are a little beyond the range of the 44 but most shots are within 100yds. Will occasionally hunt a field with 200-300yd shot but not too often.

Also noticed a diff between shooting manuals as far as starting loads for the 222. Some were stating for 53gr jacketed start with 18 gr and other manual states start with 22gr of the same powder. Just wondering your opinions on this.

Different lawyers. Bullet maker's manuals will often differ from powder maker's manuals. Also, older manuals will differ from newer ones due to changes in propellant characteristics.

I found a load that I will try at the range on Sat. Start with 36gr Barnes Varmit Grenade with 19.3gr H4198 with CCI #400 primer and Remington brass. Will see how she does as this will be my first attempt at reloading and shooting a .222

Are there any differences between loading this for a rifle and a handgun? I could not find any info on handgun specific loads except for loading with IMR powder.

Update. Loaded up the previous stated load and it produced 1" group @50yds and right at 2" group at 100yds but I also didn't have time to really dial the gun in for me. Will load up some more and head to the range when I have more time and get everything dial in.