223 mini 14 cast loads

[clintsfolly]

looking for a cast load that will work the action on a mini 14 thanks clint

[clintsfolly]

anybody got any ideas clint

[leadburner]

Hi,clintsfolly,15 grns. H4198 will cycle the action on my Saiga in .223,and gives about 2250 fps. with Lymans 225646.I'm sure it'll operate your Mini-14

[Bullshop Junior]

18.5gn of H-4895 And a 55gn cast
Daniel/BS Jr.

[JIMinPHX]

I don’t have quite exactly the data that you are looking for, but I have a few scraps of information that you might find helpful.

I have a handwritten note in my Speer manual that says IMR4895 or 4198 are recommended for the mini-14 with jacketed bullets. I don’t know where that recommendation came from originally. I am guessing that those powders have the correct burn rate to cycle that action. I haven’t loaded for a mini-14 myself. My Lee book shows those powders at charges of 23.1-26 grains & 18.8-21.5 grains respectively for a 55-grain jacketed bullet. I don’t have cast boolit data for those powders.

My Lyman cast bullet handbook shows a 54 grain GC #2 alloy #225462 boolit being pushed from a 24” barrel by 13.7-18 grains of H-110 for 2120-2699fps with a CCI 450 primer producing 41,600Cup max.

The Lyman book also lists the same boolit with 748 at 19.8-26 grains for 1902-2697fps producing 32,000Cup max. That might by my first pick for a powder to try if I was going to try loading for the 14.

The Lyman book also has a Mini-14 specific note. They say to use a positive crimp to avoid boolit setback during feeding & a subsequent squib blocking the bore.

The paperwork that used to ship with Ruger .44mag semi-auto carbines used to recommend against using cast boolits in that gun for fear of clogging the gas tube. I don’t know if that also applies to the mini-14 or not.

[PatMarlin]

Good info. keep it comin'.. :drinks:

[trail troll]

Funny, I am getting ready to start loading some cast for the mini as well. I am tired of looking at it all sad sitting in the corner of the safe!

:drinks:



enjoy the article,,hopefully it is readable

Bill

[trail troll]

If you want I can email it,,PM me if you do


Bill

[JIMinPHX]

I'd like to read that article too!

[JIMinPHX]

I found some more info in the archives here –

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=3345

[JIMinPHX]

I just found this. I think that its from that same handloader article -

http://www.loaddata.com/members/search_printable.cfm?metallicid=644&MW=&PM=&PT=

Unfortunately, it seems to be linked to some sort of pay site.

[trail troll]

wasn't able to scan today try these

[PatMarlin]

Hey that one works. You can definitely read the print on those.

[trail troll]

I tried the first run of 4064 with a 22 Bator yesterday. 21 grains was enough to function the action, and accuracy looked okay at 50 yards. I only fired 20 and was sighting in also, but it looks like a 1.5 inch group so far. I did have a few that failed to feed from the mag, the factory five rounder. It may have been a fluke so I am going back this morning to try some more. Will post later.


Bill

[PatMarlin]

If you're doing that with WW's and it's not smearing lead through the bore, you're almost there.. :drinks:

Problem with the big guy from Montana's article is he used lino. I kinda think that's cheating, and not the real challenge that is getting it to work with a form of WW cast process.

The other thing tha's working against you is the 1-9 twist, that you have as well as mine also- with the light bator. Someone here mentioned they made a cherry tool and made a pointy nose on their bator, and the accuracy shot way up. Be interesting to try that one in the mini.

[trail troll]

Tried again today, 21 grains is leaving unburnt powder and the chambers and case are getting dirty. I may try 21.5 and see if the case seal up in the chamber better. I see verticle stringing at 50 yards. So to me it seems like I have to get the powder in the right pressure range. But I don't want to start leading too bad.

I'll try 21.5 next and go from there.

Another way may be to go to a heavier bullet so the velocity stays under control.

But that will be another mold.


It will be a nice load when it gets there.


Bill

[PatMarlin]

My mini loves 62gr copper bullets.

I'm thinking this one may be a winner from NEI:

[clintsfolly]

keep the info coming thanks clint

[JIMinPHX]

According to these guys, changing the gas port bushing allows more or less powerful powder charges to work the action of a mini-14. That might be worth looking into for use with lead loads.

http://perfectunion.com/vb/showthread.php?t=43577