223 boolit for AR15??

[catman81056]

Just got an Ar15 and I'd like to cast for it. At this time I powder coat all my boolits so I figure this would work for the 223/5.56. Is anyone casting the Bator 55gr? It looks like a blunt nose design and I was wondering if there are any feeding problems associated with it. I've checked out the RCBs 22-055-sp and it looks it would be a more reliable feeder. Open to suggestions.

[.429]

I shoot Bators in mine with zero malfunctions. I've heard some say they have feeding issues tho. The RCBS will get a lot of votes

[Calamity Jake]

I shoot the RCBS 22-055FP in mine, have had no issues with feeding.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Just got an Ar15 and I'd like to cast for it. At this time I powder coat all my boolits so I figure this would work for the 223/5.56. Is anyone casting the Bator 55gr? It looks like a blunt nose design and I was wondering if there are any feeding problems associated with it. I've checked out the RCBs 22-055-sp and it looks it would be a more reliable feeder. Open to suggestions.

I'm not sure if your AR has a 5.56 chamber or not ...BUT, this mold from HM² was specifically designed for the 5.56 chamber ...done by some of our members.
http://heavymetalmolds.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=8

Also, your twistrate of your barrel will dictate what boolit length/weight will stabilize best.

[Boolseye]

I have a 5-cav NOE RCBS 22-055 clone. Works very well in my 1-9" AR, at quite high velocities, too.
I notice he has 3- and 4-cavity molds in stock,
-BE

[MaryB]

Lee Bator works well in my 223 bolt gun with 1:9 twist. Feeds decent, decent accuracy.

[dudel]

I use the Bator (gas checked) in my .223 Contender and .223 Handi. I'd rather not use lead in my AR with the gas port (but that's just me).

I can't seem to get a high volume of keepers out of my 2 cav Bator mould, so I use them for my single shot guns. No complaints about accuracy.

I have gotten them to feed and shoot in my AR, but the gas tube was really gunked up afterwards. Same reason I don't shoot lead suppressed.

I'm sure it could be made to work better with different alloy, different lube, different powder, etc; but j-word pulls are pretty darn cheap for plinking.

To a kid with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I just don't have to shoot cast in everything.

[bruce drake]

I use the BATOR mold in one of my ARs (1-9" twist) and I had feeding issues until I seated the bullet a little deeper in the cartridge neck. The blunt nose works fine as long as you don't try to shove into a short lead in the chamber like I first tried. Use a jacketed 55gr bullet and match the diameter of the seated BATOR bullet nose with the jacketed bullet to insure it feeds like a jacketed round.

Bruce

[trixter]

How much of what powder are you using for the Bator boolit? I shoot a bolt gun.

[bayjoe]

What is over all length for cartridge when using the bator bullet in a M4?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

What is over all length for cartridge when using the bator bullet in a M4?

I'd seat it til it touches the lands (or off the lands .005)...then hope and prey it cycles reliably. The nose of the bator is kinda large...not ideal for an AR, but some have had good luck.

I like it for the hornet.