I'd like to start casting for my Sako .222. I will go with Lee equipment and need info on which gas checks work best. Any tips or loads in the 1800-2400 fps or so and alloy hardness appreciated. I want a plinker/small game round and informal 50 and 100 yrd target shooting. I was going to buy some bullets from the Bull shop but might as well put the money towards gear. I have an M-die. And for powders right now, Reloader 7, H-332, Unique and Trail Boss but can get others locally. thanks. (no idea why font changed, great)
.222 casting/sizing
- Thread starter NAGANT
- Start date
fiver
Well-Known Member
that mold will work.
11 grs of 2400 will too.
h-322 can work well in the smaller case [I use it for some jacketed loads] but you'll need to look for vertical stringing at the lowered cast load. [you'll be in the 15-16gr area with it and the rl-7]
6-7grs of unique will work also and will be about 200 fps slower than the 2400 load.
11 grs of 2400 will too.
h-322 can work well in the smaller case [I use it for some jacketed loads] but you'll need to look for vertical stringing at the lowered cast load. [you'll be in the 15-16gr area with it and the rl-7]
6-7grs of unique will work also and will be about 200 fps slower than the 2400 load.
Be careful sizing...keep'm close to,"as cast".Even if it means you lube them by hand.The nose on these are fragile in that,you can inadvertently "bump" the nose,and also bend the bullet.
I've been running the C225-55-RF in a 14 twist,22-250 @2400-2600 fps with only lube,just above GC.Meaning,not even lubing the intended groove.And with a very basic recipe of 50/50 BW-Vaseline.4895 powder,Dacron filler with no leading whatsoever and VG accuracy.
I'd be hard-pressed not to grab some 4198 if loading for the triple duce though?And wouldn't be bashful going after some velocity....provided a very tight fit on throat.
I've been running the C225-55-RF in a 14 twist,22-250 @2400-2600 fps with only lube,just above GC.Meaning,not even lubing the intended groove.And with a very basic recipe of 50/50 BW-Vaseline.4895 powder,Dacron filler with no leading whatsoever and VG accuracy.
I'd be hard-pressed not to grab some 4198 if loading for the triple duce though?And wouldn't be bashful going after some velocity....provided a very tight fit on throat.
I hear ya on the work......
Getting ready to go work out in the rain today(Christmas eve).....thank goodness for Ruger M 77's,haha.
Bullet fit, besides the obvious throat/leade association,and it's intended terminal ballistics are way up my criteria ladder.What's accurate to kill paper and coke cans "may" not have what it takes on live tissue.The meplat on the Lee that I use has been devastating on small varmints....just sayin.Best of luck with your rig.BWSmith
Getting ready to go work out in the rain today(Christmas eve).....thank goodness for Ruger M 77's,haha.
Bullet fit, besides the obvious throat/leade association,and it's intended terminal ballistics are way up my criteria ladder.What's accurate to kill paper and coke cans "may" not have what it takes on live tissue.The meplat on the Lee that I use has been devastating on small varmints....just sayin.Best of luck with your rig.BWSmith
CASTER OF LEAD
Member
Nagant I patiently wait for news on this venture. I too am getting ready to start shooting cast in my .222 . When I get started I will post my findings and results. That way we can kinda compare notes ,as well as get more advice from the guru's here. Love this forum. You guys are awesome.
Thanks Intheshop for your input, not 100 % sure which bullet I'll get but i think it's the bator. I ordered the Lee hardness tester and i need it to sort out my ingots. Some have super hard mixed in and some should be 50/50 lead & super hard. Hope it isn't 10 below when i start casting cuz this will be way different from a double .452 mold. I have a hot plate to keep the mold hot, i put a 10 inch cast iron pan on it and drop the spures in it as i go. I had just nailed the overall length and bullet seat depth for a couple jacketed bullets before i left. I have a cartridge comparator with overall length gizmo that i used. It helped but now seeing how it works a proper sized hole in a steel plate should work as good. Good luck to you as well CASTER OF LEAD, chime in here any time.
JWFilips
Well-Known Member
Nagant, looks like you are on the right track. Wish I could be more help with the .222 but I only have a .223:
Fiver hit it on the button. Those little .22's want to move ( for me my .223 and .243 just move fast even with light charges)
Ben has a nice Sako that shoots super...maybe he will chime in.
In the .223 I like Reloader 7 but the charges while light, still move so I have only used gas check bullets Also 2400 is super but you won't be lobiing them in like I do with my plain based 8 mm's
Good Luck
Jim
Fiver hit it on the button. Those little .22's want to move ( for me my .223 and .243 just move fast even with light charges)
Ben has a nice Sako that shoots super...maybe he will chime in.
In the .223 I like Reloader 7 but the charges while light, still move so I have only used gas check bullets Also 2400 is super but you won't be lobiing them in like I do with my plain based 8 mm's
Good Luck
Jim
RBHarter
West Central AR
I believe I run 19.0 of H322 with the NOE 225-55 @ 62 gr . I'm a long way from my notes . 3.0 Unique with the 50 gr original Lee Bator shot very well for me also in 70s-80s vintage Savage . I sized and checked with Hornady checks and a Lee push through at .2255 for the 225-55 for about 2400 fps lubed in Darrs lube .
Both shoot as well as the 50 gr SP and SPBT offerings from Win,Rem, Hornady and FC and at 3/4 speeds .
Both shoot as well as the 50 gr SP and SPBT offerings from Win,Rem, Hornady and FC and at 3/4 speeds .
KHornet
Well-Known Member
It is my advice with cast bullets in 222 with that twist, to stay under 50 gr and if you
can get a HP mold even the better. Fiver's loads are a good start. With 222, you can
often find quite an accuracy variance in one or two tenths of a grain difference. It is
worth playing to get there. Will send you some of my loads when I get a chance to
pull my books. In the meanwhile, Good Luck Nagant.
Paul
can get a HP mold even the better. Fiver's loads are a good start. With 222, you can
often find quite an accuracy variance in one or two tenths of a grain difference. It is
worth playing to get there. Will send you some of my loads when I get a chance to
pull my books. In the meanwhile, Good Luck Nagant.
Paul
KHornet
Well-Known Member
Dug out some data from times back that you may find of use. My exception to over 50 gr
was with the 51 gr. Bator. 10.5 gr of 4759, produced (best group at 50 yds), .49". 13 gr of
4227, with same bullet did well holding 5 shots just under an inch at 50. My favorite load
for 222 with cast however is the 37gr NOE GC (weighs 41gr. checked and lubed), over13.1 gr
of Rx7, which in my rifle will hold around half inch for 5 at 50, and do it with regularity.
I suggest that you will find via trial and error that 10th of a grain variance will often make a
difference in accuracy in the 222. It is imperative that 22 cal bullets be weighed to EXACT
weights for peak accuracy. A real pain, but well worth the effort. I prefer my 22 cast bullets
to be hard, and at least 22BH, but prefer them to be around 26-28. I am a believer in Ben's
Red Lube, and one coat of BLL. If you are interested in very lite loads that will produce in
most likely very accurate 50 yds loads, small charges of Red Dot, may be of interest to you,
starting with about 3gr and working up a tenth or a grain or two at a time. With the 37 gr.
NOE they will about fall someplace between a 22LR and a 22Mag. Be very careful in load-
ing these very lite loads, as it is easy do double charge. If you have access to Lyman 225348,
and 225415 I believe you will find both potentially accurate loads with the charges recommended
in this thread. My rifle likes .226. And would suggest you start with.225, and if accuracy is
to your liking, stay with it. If however you are getting less than stellar accuracy at that dia,
you might wish to try .226. I wish you good luck, and hope you will report on your progress.
Paul
was with the 51 gr. Bator. 10.5 gr of 4759, produced (best group at 50 yds), .49". 13 gr of
4227, with same bullet did well holding 5 shots just under an inch at 50. My favorite load
for 222 with cast however is the 37gr NOE GC (weighs 41gr. checked and lubed), over13.1 gr
of Rx7, which in my rifle will hold around half inch for 5 at 50, and do it with regularity.
I suggest that you will find via trial and error that 10th of a grain variance will often make a
difference in accuracy in the 222. It is imperative that 22 cal bullets be weighed to EXACT
weights for peak accuracy. A real pain, but well worth the effort. I prefer my 22 cast bullets
to be hard, and at least 22BH, but prefer them to be around 26-28. I am a believer in Ben's
Red Lube, and one coat of BLL. If you are interested in very lite loads that will produce in
most likely very accurate 50 yds loads, small charges of Red Dot, may be of interest to you,
starting with about 3gr and working up a tenth or a grain or two at a time. With the 37 gr.
NOE they will about fall someplace between a 22LR and a 22Mag. Be very careful in load-
ing these very lite loads, as it is easy do double charge. If you have access to Lyman 225348,
and 225415 I believe you will find both potentially accurate loads with the charges recommended
in this thread. My rifle likes .226. And would suggest you start with.225, and if accuracy is
to your liking, stay with it. If however you are getting less than stellar accuracy at that dia,
you might wish to try .226. I wish you good luck, and hope you will report on your progress.
Paul