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arlon
06-21-2017, 11:42 PM
Just got an old Ruger #1 in .222 (old model with 1:14 twist). Old single shot seems like the perfect candidate for a cast bullet but I'm not so sure about trying cast in a .22. I'd have to wear reading glasses just to see the bullets. Anyone with any experience shooting cast in .222? Part of my consolidation process. Trading several cheap guns for one nice one. At least it's something I already reload for, just never tried cast.

TCFAN
06-21-2017, 11:58 PM
I shoot cast in a 222. Nothing as nice as a Ruger #1. Mine is just a old Remington 788. I find nothing very hard about 22 caliber cast and alot to like.The best thing I like about 22 cast is 1000 225415 that weigh 45 grains only takes about 6 1/2 pounds of lead alloy.All my boolits in 22 cast are gas checked and that will prevent a lot of problems in the accuracy department.
I shoot cast also in 218 Bee, 22-250 22 Hornet,and 223.

arlon
06-22-2017, 12:40 AM
I shoot cast in a 222. Nothing as nice as a Ruger #1. Mine is just a old Remington 788. I find nothing very hard about 22 caliber cast and alot to like.The best thing I like about 22 cast is 1000 225415 that weigh 45 grains only takes about 6 1/2 pounds of lead alloy.All my boolits in 22 cast are gas checked and that will prevent a lot of problems in the accuracy department.
I shoot cast also in 218 Bee, 22-250 22 Hornet,and 223.

Had a 788 in .222, it was a good shooter but sold it to a friend. Then got a Remington 722 in .222, still have that one but it may become victim of my consolidation efforts (my sister wants that one). I'll shoot the #1 a little and see which I prefer.

Mk42gunner
06-22-2017, 02:36 PM
The hardest thing about cast .22 is initially seating the gas check.

A Ruger No.1 can take some tinkering to get it to shoot well, but they are a classy rifle.

A Remington 788 in .222 was the most accurate production rifle I can remember owning (Pre casting days). Wish I still had mine.

Robert

Larry Gibson
06-22-2017, 04:07 PM
I've shot a bajillion cast out of several 222 Rems. M788s, M722 and a Savage. All had 14" twist and shot cast very well. The great thing about the 222 is the longer neck. That means a cast bullet with a long bearing surface can be used. I found the best and most accurate cast bullet in the 222 was the Lyman 225462 (Loverin design). However, out of the 14" twists it liked velocity.....usually 1800+ fps for best accuracy. For less than 1800 fps the Lyman 225438 or the 225415 performed very well down to 800 fps +/-.

If I didn't already have a 225462 and 225438 moulds and had a 222 again (never should have let that last M788 go) I would get the NOE 225-62-RN (GC) and the NOE 225-57-FN (GC) moulds. Both have excellent long bearing surfaces suited to the 222 Rem. I would specify an "as cast" diameter of .226 with Lyman #2 alloy. I recommend a good alloy such as #2 because it will cast the smaller bullets much more uniformly with fewer rejects. With #2 alloy I would WQ out of the mould. I would seat a Hornady GC first then size as cast and lube with 2500+. I would use fire formed NS'd cases with the neck flared using a Lyman M-die. For 2000 - 2600 +/- fps I would use H4895 with a Dacron filler (unless load density exceeded 80%). For 1500 - 2000 fps I would use 2400, 4227 or 4198. For 1200 - 1500 fps loads Unique gets the nod and for 800 to 1150 fps 22LR equivalent loads I use Bullseye. No filler with the Unique and Bullseye loads.

Larry Gibson

arlon
06-22-2017, 04:46 PM
Larry, thanks for taking the time to post that reply. I will hold onto that info. Think the 1:14 will have a problem stabilizing the 62 grain cast? I'd think it would be less of an issue at the slower velocities but I know the 788 I had really wasn't happy with anything over 55 grain and that sweet spot was 45-50grains (only used jacketed in those days).

Harter66
06-22-2017, 10:51 PM
I shoot a 340 in a 12" twist , it is good with the NOE 225-55 @ 62 gr . I developed load of 19 gr of H322 at 2640 fps on the 60° days of autumn it was not so good on 90° days pre-summer .
I'm starting some work with the 225-37 at 40 gr . In both 222&223 .
I think the 14" will let you dip into the bottom of jacketed speeds if you're so inclined .

arlon
07-02-2017, 11:41 AM
Anyone shoot the ideal 224450 (just got the mold in a group of others) from the .222? Got the mold, haven't cast it yet. Pointy little bullet. Looks easy to damage and never had much luck with pointy cast bullets myself.

fatelvis
07-02-2017, 12:42 PM
If I didn't already have a 225462 and 225438 moulds and had a 222 again (never should have let that last M788 go) I would get the NOE 225-62-RN (GC) and the NOE 225-57-FN (GC) moulds. Both have excellent long bearing surfaces suited to the 222 Rem.
Larry, would those boolits work in a 1:14 twist 222? I figured the lower velocity and heavier projectile would spell instability in the slower twist barrel. I have a Rem 700 with the 1:14 twist, and am looking to shoot cast out of it as well. Thanks-

jerry6stl
08-20-2017, 11:41 PM
I had very poor results with 22 centerfire cast bullet loads. 3" groups at 100 yards was the best I could do.. It is much easier to get good results with ,30 caliber cast bullet rife loads. I gave up on the 22's. and just use jacket bullets.

Larry Gibson
08-21-2017, 10:46 AM
Larry, would those boolits work in a 1:14 twist 222? I figured the lower velocity and heavier projectile would spell instability in the slower twist barrel. I have a Rem 700 with the 1:14 twist, and am looking to shoot cast out of it as well. Thanks-

yes those two NOE bullets will work fine in a 14" twist .222. Just have to push the longer, heavier pne at 1800+ fps is all. That's what I found with the Lyman 225462.