.225 Noe Molds which one?

[buggybuilder]

I'm thinking about purchasing a Noe mold. I shoot .223's and a heavy barreled .222.
Has anyone purchased a Noe 225-55-FN 2GC 2PB mold ? Did you get accurate results? What powder, how fast (fps) and how tight was your group at 100 yds? I don't want to buy a "dead horse" so if I can't expect good groups, I probably will stick to "J" words. Is this the mold I should buy? Thanks for any help.

[Handloader109]

Well I have a NOE 225-37 gc 6cavity. Use it in my 22tcm, not my 223. But it drops good, and runs well. I'd step up and get more than 2 cavities, they make good molds, you won't be disappointed.

[depoloni]

By my count the mold he mentioned seems to have 4 cavities. Albeit 2 plain base and two gas-check :bigsmyl2:

[buggybuilder]

If these are to be driven faster, is there an advantage to have a PB cavity? Would you shooters buy a PB & GC in the same mold?

[dilly]

In the case of 22 bullets, I personally would not. I might buy a mixed gas check mold for 357/38 combination or something similar, but it's very easy to get those little 22 caliber bullets going gas check velocities.

[GabbyM]

Plain base in a 22 is just good up to 22 rim fire velocity. However that can be fun and useful. Your bullet is heavier than a rim fires. My 1:14" twist 222 runs at 2350 fps. Should be good to 2400. Tighter twist run slower for best accuracy. 2,200 for the 12 twist and 1,800 with fast AR's. For powders I've used AA 5744, 4198, Rx7 and 2400. All the rifle powders shot better groups than the 2400. Only by an eighth inch. My accuracy is as good as I get with bulk bullets. Even at 100 yards the slower velocity has you looking for days with no wind. My CZ 527 in 222 is by far the best cast shooter. Good thing because that's what I bought it for.

[rbuck351]

The 55gr may be a bit long for the 222. I'm using it (gc version) in a Rem 700V with a 1/12 twist and it works well. 1 1/2 in groups is about the best I have with it at this point.

[Handloader109]

By my count the mold he mentioned seems to have 4 cavities. Albeit 2 plain base and two gas-check :bigsmyl2:

Yep, still not enough :-) :shock:

And I wouldn't waste my time on non gas-check. No good reason to lead it up. (other than the bullets are Very small and gs are minute.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have a NOE 225-55 FN (5 cav all GC). Tthey drop a bit heavy, 59 to 60gr depending on alloy. they'd probably be near 55 if you cast with lino. If they fit your bore, they'll shoot great. they fit my savage 340 in 222rem real well.

I concur with GabbyM, PB for playing around with slow vel (like 22LR), only. I bought a different mold, just for that, the NOE 225-45 RF in Plain base, I load that one in 22 hornet at 22LR vel. with very good success. I also played with subsonic vel. I used Red dot, but next time I'll try Bullseye.

[richhodg66]

Agree with Jon B., that NOE 45 grain FN in plain base variety is the stuff in a single shot Hornet. Use 1.5-2.0 grains of Bullseye and you have as good a squirrel killer as exists.

I haven't shot cast through any .223s, but the Lee Bator design works well in the Hornet with gas checks and even without if veloities are kept slow. Midsouth had them in stock, standard Lee six cavity. A lot of fun for little lead.