It remains a popular vermin or "varmint" cartridge at short and medium ranges with preferred bullet weights of 40–55 grains and muzzle velocities from 3,000 to 3,500 ft/s (915–1,067 m/s).

[4] The accuracy and flat trajectory of the bullet resulted in the adoption of the round for varmint and benchrest rifles.

While the .222 Remington is rarely found in current production in America, its derivative cartridges are among the most popular in the world.

In addition to the .222 Magnum and .223 Remington, the .222 has also served as the parent case for the .221 Fireball, the fastest production handgun cartridge.

The .222 Remington is still fairly popular in Europe, where producers like Anschütz, Sako & Tikka, Steyr, Sauer and Weihrauch chamber rifles for this caliber.