Casting .22 Boolits

[Mk42gunner]

I don't know which is worse:

1. Realizing you have just cast roughly 300 225438's with rounded bands due to not pressure filling the mold or

2. Thinking you are making progress because the level of lead in the pot is going down, then figuring the reason is because sprues build up at a rate of approximately thirtyleven to one boolit.

I can't complain though the new Lyman 225438 that I bought at the gunshow last weekend casts well filled boolits at .226" when I do my part.

Robert

[rhbrink]

I don't know which is worse:

1. Realizing you have just cast roughly 300 225438's with rounded bands due to not pressure filling the mold or

2. Thinking you are making progress because the level of lead in the pot is going down, then figuring the reason is because sprues build up at a rate of approximately thirtyleven to one boolit.

I can't complain though the new Lyman 225438 that I bought at the gunshow last weekend casts well filled boolits at .226" when I do my part.

Robert

Howdy neighbor! I live in Pleasant Hill, them 22 cast boolits can be a real pain but if you learn what it takes the effort is worth it. One 10 pound pot of lead sure goes a long way.

[dk17hmr]

When I cast 225415's I dont throw hardly any back in the pot unless really bad. If they dont fill out completely I tumble lube them and using them with Trailboss powder in my 22 hornet and 218 bee, they kill squirrels and steel targets just fine for close range hunting and plinkin. The good ones get checked and lubed though.

[HORNET]

Running hot and fast generally helps with them little rascals. Watch for localized hotspots then slow down just a tad.
Wait 'till you find out just how fast you run out of them again.....

[Wayne S]

AND don't forget the lubing of them little critters, 2 kitty whiskers not deep enough and no lube, 2 kitty whiskers to deep and lube comes out the top.
Tumble lube looks like the answer :mrgreen:

[leftiye]

Some of us here have posts that we put out over and over. Mine involves using a mold heater to keep the mold at a good temp, and incorporating it into the actual casting activity. I.E. you put the mold on the heater for a while while you inspect your last cast, and dump the sprue and rejects into your melting pot (not your casting pot).

This is really useful with these little .22 boolits as it removes the issue of how much heat the boolit provides to keep the mold hot when it is cast.

[Wally]

I have found that one has to fill the mold and almost immediately open the sprue plate--I do so with a gloved hand. I did damage an RCBS .22 Cal mold by slamming the blocks together too hard and fast...have since learned to close them gently, with a gloved hand. I get few rejects in this caliber which is quite amazing...

[beagle]

Once you get the .22 moulds up to casting temp, you hav eto stay with it and you'll actually be surprised how few rejects you have.

Then, there's the fun of GCing the little devils. Try that after GCing and sizing for .45s for the .45/70.

But, it's worth the trouble./beagle

[ChuckS1]

Little boolits need little fingers. My 10 year old is learning how to put on GCs and size for me with my 225438s.

[iron mule]

dk17hmr if you don't mind what is your trail boss load for the hornet and what is the velocity of it if you know i am looking for a good squirrel load for my contender
thanks ===mule

[stephen perry]

For 22 and 6 cast I use my Lee 4# and dip. I have 225438,225415, 225462, and 245496. If you have 300 with rounded lube bands load the em and shoot em, forget the gas check.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR :brokenima

[Mk42gunner]

Once you get the .22 moulds up to casting temp, you hav eto stay with it and you'll actually be surprised how few rejects you have.

Then, there's the fun of GCing the little devils. Try that after GCing and sizing for .45s for the .45/70.

But, it's worth the trouble./beagle

That was part of my problem this morning, I think I had the mold and melt too hot 730 degrees and couldn't get a good sprue at first then it kind of all went downhill from there.

After the above post I went back and cast with the pot at 680 degrees; out of 140 boolits, I had 136 keepers- good enough to gascheck.


Robert

[Dale53]

Since Linotype casts so well, I often cast the "little bitty ones" out of pure linotype. Each bullet is so small, that it doesn't take much linotype.

They shoot extremely well and the bullets are near perfect.

I use the 225415 Lyman bullet.

Dale53

[stubshaft]

AND don't forget the lubing of them little critters, 2 kitty whiskers not deep enough and no lube, 2 kitty whiskers to deep and lube comes out the top.
Tumble lube looks like the answer :mrgreen:


That's why I tumble lube.

[303Guy]

My 10 year old is learning how to put on GCs and size for me ...Aah! But what will you do when your 10 year old grows up? :mrgreen: (Happens too quickly!)

[JIMinPHX]

Aah! But what will you do when your 10 year old grows up? :mrgreen: (Happens too quickly!)

Hope for grandkids???