Can you cast and reload .222 Remington?

[DuncaninFrance]

Might seem a simple question but I always think that the best way to find out is to ask those who know!
Information or point me in the right direction please.

[357maximum]

Might seem a simple question but I always think that the best way to find out is to ask those who know!
Information or point me in the right direction please.

Short answer...yes

You can cast and handload pretty much anything with cast...if you are willing to put forth the effort..

Bullshop is one of the .22 caliber guys...maybe he'll weigh in on this for you...

[carpetman]

I use the 58 grain RCBS in .222 and my experience has been it's harder to find something that doesnt shoot than something that does. Very cast friendly.

[klausg]

I've been playing around with a Lyman 225415 using IMR 3031 & 2400. I haven't found a really good combination yet; I have several that show promise though. My rifle (a Savage M24) does have quite a bit of freebore though. With jacketed I barely seat the bullets; in order to get the same OAL with cast I wouldn't even cover the gas check. I think the difference between the jacketed & cast groups is more a function of the different seating depths than any thing else.

-Klaus

[Larry Gibson]

Might seem a simple question but I always think that the best way to find out is to ask those who know!
Information or point me in the right direction please.

Had a Remington M788 .222 years ago and found 16 gr H4895 under a hard cast 225415 shot into 1 1/2" all day long. Now why did I ever sell that rifle.............

Larry Gibson

[trk]

Lyman 225415 works for me in .221Rem and .223 using Unique and 2400 so far.

Inch groups at 50 so far should be able to do better.

[T-Bird]

trk, what loads of unique and 2400 in the .223? Did you use a filler? T-Bird

[9.3X62AL]

The 222 should be a good caliber for cast boolits in 22 centerfire. Most rifles have a very lead-friendly 1-14" twist, the long neck is a "positive" for castings, and the caliber's reputation for accuracy precedes it. If I were to select a caliber specifically to do 22 CF cast work with, it would likely be the 222. A Remington 40-XBBR in this chambering was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned.

That said, the 223 work under way is starting to yield fruit.

[DuncaninFrance]

OK, so the good news is this!
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/Duncaninfrance/IMG_3855web.jpg

It's a BAIKAL iJ18 with a MIOPTA Artemis 2000 6x42 sight.
Christmas came early!!

[TCLouis]

Duncan that looks like fun in the raw!

So far my 788 has NOT met a load it likes with 225415 and the barrel is fouled with jacket material so won't be slinging lead for a while!

[Greg]

Duncan-

I’ve had real good groups with IMR 4895 and a 60 grain boolit set into the lands. My rifle, a Remington 788 in .222 has one rough spot in barrel, so I must heat treat or it fouls pretty badly.

I cast the NEI 22-54 GC of wheel weights and heat treat to a BHN of 22.

I picked a medium burning powder that I had on hand, started at about 60% of a listed maximum load with the same weight(jacketed) boolit and worked until I found my rifle’s sweet spot.

I never could shoot this rifle extremely well, but I can usually hold a decent group (1½") with cast boolits. When the group size starts to open up I dry brush with a nylon brush and then a few dry patches and I’m back to good groups.

[DuncaninFrance]

Thanks chaps!
The friend that I got the rifle from says that the best tip was to let the barrel cool between shots. Because it is a hunting rifle it is designed for single shots and after 2 or 3 the group starts to move right and down.
He also included about 130 home loads which he thinks are the best spec for the weapon.

Cases: Winchester Western TX2
Bullets: Speer #1049 55 grain
Powder: SNPE Vectau TUBAL 3000
Charge: 21 grains
Primers: C.C.I. 400

I might get to shoot it next weekend on our 165 mtr (175 yard) range. Needs a 2cm increase in the stock length I think so I might be able to sort that this week using some French Oak.