cast boolit and 5.56 help.

[troy_mclure]

due to the lack of decent barrels for the 5.45x39 i have decided to settle for the 5.56.

this is building an ar, for target/range shooting.

what twist rate would be best for cast boolits?

and of course what .224 boolit would best for target shooting in an ar?

my max range would be 300yds, but ill be more often shooting 100yd to 150yd.

also any advise on barrel length and where to find a stripped barrel?

[bruce drake]

troy,

The search button at the top will find a number of threads on shooting cast in an AR.

I recommend a 1/9 barrel since its the most commonly available and I use the LEE Bator 55gr RN mold that MidSouth Shooters Supply sells on thier webpage

Welcome to the madness which is shooting 22 caliber cast boolits.

Bruce

[troy_mclure]

yea, ive already jumped in head first with 5.7fn. as far as i can tell there have been 3 people that have posted success on it.

[home in oz]

Have to give it a try...

[Calamity Jake]

Back before the pres election I bought a RRA LAR15 with 24" heavy barrel in 1:12 just for shooting cast.
I shoot the RCBS 22-055 at .225 with 17.5 AA2015 and a dacron filler this combo shoots 11/2-1 3/4 groups @ 100 and cycles the action real well.

The 1:9 will shoot cast ok it just taked a little more work.

[HighHook]

Back before the pres election I bought a RRA LAR15 with 24" heavy barrel in 1:12 just for shooting cast.
I shoot the RCBS 22-055 at .225 with 17.5 AA2015 and a dacron filler this combo shoots 11/2-1 3/4 groups @ 100 and cycles the action real well.

The 1:9 will shoot cast ok it just taked a little more work.

I like the 1:12 barrel for the cast...
What velocity is that bullet traveling to cycle the action???

[NHlever]

I like the 1:12 barrel for the cast...
What velocity is that bullet traveling to cycle the action???

Quickload says that should be around 2300 fps - 2400 fps from his 24" barrel if he hasn't chronographed the load.

[Larry Gibson]

The 12" would be the "best" of the standard 5.56/.223 twists for cast bullets. However, if you are really interested in just cast bullets or 55 gr or under J bullets then the 14" twist would be the best. Witha 14" twist I get excellent accuracy upwards of 2400+ fps with 55 - 60 gr cast, especially 225462. The faster the twist the harder it is to get accuracy and functional reliability together.

Larry Gibson

[Moonie]

Where would one find a 1-12 or 1-14 ar-15 barrel? I've looked but haven't found anything slower than 1-9 currently available.

[troy_mclure]

same here.

[onondaga]

Be prepared for a lot of fun at the range. I have two rifles in .223. an AR and an NEF Ultra Varmint. I cast Linotype alloy, sized to .224" and gas checked the bullets then loaded 20 for each of 6 different powders at the starting load charges recommended for JACKETED bullets of the same weight with each powder. I shot 2 five shot groups for each load in each rifle. Group size comparison was very interesting. I had one powder put both groups in less than 1/2 inch at 50 yards with the AR but that same load grouped 4 inches in the NEF. Another powder did just the opposite and all the remaining loads were doodoo in both rifles.. I wanted one load that shot well in both rifles----I am still playing with this.

I am not kidding at all.

Gary

[Bullshop]

Have you guys seen the 22 cal postal match going on at the comp and get together forum? Why not join in, its lots of fun.

[troy_mclure]

oops!

[Larry Gibson]

Where would one find a 1-12 or 1-14 ar-15 barrel? I've looked but haven't found anything slower than 1-9 currently available.

The rebuilt M16 upper with new contract 12" twist barrel I got in MS was also advertised in Sgotgun News, so that is one place to look. Try the adds there and look for target or varmint barrels. Last time I looked there were several available from different sources. The longer 24" barreled ones usually have the gasport a little farther forward wich would help with slower powders. Most anyone who makes AR barrels from blanks can make one in 12 and 14" twists also. I'm seriously thinking of a 24" barrel with a 14" twist chambered in .222 Rem. The longer neck would aleviate the lube groove out side the neck and the GC below the neck also.

Larry Gibson