.223 bullet casting

[bigarm]

I am considering casting for my AR's. Can you cast .223 bullets and then powder coat to avoid leading? Or do you need to use gas checks? Also, it seems that .223 molds are not as common as larger bullets. What do you recommend? Or should I just use fmj bullets for 3 gun?

[Jupiter7]

Sorry, cast ain't gonna cut it in 3gun. We shoot from 5-500yds, I load full tilt hornady HPBT 75grn amax for long range and standard 55grn for everything else. You might load some cast for the short range point and shoot stuff but where real accuracy is concerned youll do better with 55grn FMJ BT's.

[bigarm]

Only been shooting 3 gun this year. One club match had targets out to 400 yards, but every other match the targets were much closer, probably no more than 100 yards and most shorter than that.

[leadman]

I cast the Lyman 45gr RN and the Lee 55gr Bator RFN, both gas checked. I coat them with Hi-Tek coating. In my 23" Contender bull barrel I have shot the Bator to 3,619 fps average with no leading and decent accuracy. These run about 3,150 in my AR15 with 16" barrel.
To get this velocity with accuracy I use heat treated linotype.
That said I do buy some jacketed bullets now that the price has dropped below $10 per 100. Casting, coating, and sizing these little buggers is a chore.

[grampa243]

cast can make a good practice rounds for CQ and shooting drills.. i get 11 inches of drop at 200 yards from a 100 zero. so not a good option for long shots.

[upnorthwis]

I started using the RCBS 055-FN cast of WW this year in 3-gun. 22 gr. AA2520. Presently using gas check and Lyman lube. Plan to try PC but will use present stock first. 2300 FPS and haven't seen any leading yet. Must be crimped. 1-8" twist shoots about 2" at 100 yds. Not a tack driver but works great when blasting cardboard targets at relatively close range. I am very happy with it, cuz I am one cheap SOB.