Casting 22 rimfire bullets

[uscra112]

What are you doing for lube? Factory ammo uses some sort of wax. I'd like to know what it is and how it's applied.

[tazman]

One time, long ago, I pan lubed a batch of 38 special boolits with paraffin and candle wax. It worked great. Good accuracy and no leading.
The candle wax was less brittle than paraffin. It felt like it had a little oil in it somehow.
Hope this helps.

[ncmn]

I always tumble lube with 45/45/10 in ziplock bags for smokeless loads, never have gotten around to buying a lube sizer. On BP I use a combination on beeswax, Crisco and oil for cake pan lubing.

[Dapaki]

After a few emails with John Boy, I picked up a 40gr mold from South West.....

Is this Old West Bullet Moulds?

[ncmn]

Yes Sir, great mold and great communication. Recommended

[John Boy]

mcmn ... range lead can run from about 8 to12 Bhn. I would not be concerned that leading the bore is going to happen. For lube .... Melt some 50:50 paraffin - beeswax with a 1/4 teaspoon of fine graphite. Stir in the graphite. Next add water and bring to a temperature so the 50:50 mix floats too the top. Hand dip the bullets. A thin coat of lube will be on the bullets. Set base down to dry. Here’s a thread discussing other lube combinations ... http://castboolits.gunloads.com/arch.../t-299446.html

I have not tried JPW but have used Rooster Lube too

[ncmn]

Thanks John, shot a few in revolver and no leading was found. I am going reload the pot with pure lead and try casting some that are not quite as hard.

For those that are interested in the primed cases, they are available again and if you want some you better hurry!

[rdwarrior]

Curious as to which powder everyone is using to reload 22lr?

[Traffer]

I have been perfecting a swaging setup for about 5 years now. I use dead soft lead (same as commercial bullets) I used to use harder...around 11bhn. Until I realized something...The bullets have to obturate the hollow base to the rifling...my harder ones were not. So I went to dead soft. Here is a picture I found on the internet of what recovered 22lr bullets look like ...notice the hollow base has expanded to the same size as the rest of the bullet. And here is a video of my swaging setup (It has changed since making this video)

[John Boy]

https://fedarm.com/product/22lr-prim...-2000-ct-pack/

[John Boy]

warrior, these are the charges I have been using:
* 2.0gr Bullseye, less FPS
* 2.1gr Bullseye, 1530 FPS
* 4.1gr Swiss Null-B, 1320 FPS
Box store velocities are in the 1050 FPS

[John Boy]

Traffer, thanks for the video ... neat

[tazman]

Is anyone shooting their boolits through a match grade rifle?
How does your accuracy compare to factory match ammo?

I know I can do better than factory with my handloads for centerfire. I am wondering if it is easily done with rimfire.

[John Boy]

taxman, an example of accuracy ...
* JM Marlin rifle, vintage 1887 with vernier rear and globe foresight, 50 yards
* 30 reloads of the Bullseye smokeless
* center of 100 yd target totally obliterated and several in the 10 ring with one flyer in the 7 ring ... due to me not the reload
I have shot the black powder reloads at 100 yds... 10 rings with several center holes

[rdwarrior]

John Boy
What do you mean when you say less FPS on the 2.o gr of Bullseye. Are your velocities using a 40 gr boolit?
Thanks
rdwarrior

warrior, these are the charges I have been using:
* 2.0gr Bullseye, less FPS
* 2.1gr Bullseye, 1530 FPS
* 4.1gr Swiss Null-B, 1320 FPS
Box store velocities are in the 1050 FPS

[ncmn]

I started my loads at 1.7gr Bullseye and may work up to 2.0gr. Right now I am only interested in the black powder loads, just still waiting on some powder. I loaded the bullseye loads just to get the setup working. Still learning the process, but its very interesting to me to be able to do this. Loading these little fellas teaches one patience.

[Texas Gun]

I have not been lubing mine I’ve been using soft lead and have not had a leading issue at all but I would tumble coat with graphite if i start to get leading Most of the factory around I have just have a thin coat of copper or they’re just straight lead there’s no lubrication on them at all

[Traffer]

John Boy,
Are you getting signs of overpressure at those heavier loads?
I found that starting about 1450fps with a 40 grain bullet cases started showing signs of over pressure.
I use HS-6 which only works with a heavy commercial type crimp. Otherwise it won't burn worth a darn.

[Traffer]

Before I started powder coating the bullets I did a knurl with a pair of matching files. It takes practice but if you roll the bullet between files it puts a nice knurl in the bullet that holds lube well. A harder wax works well. Candle wax is ok but I think harder is a bit better.

[John Boy]

warrior, 2.0gr less FPS than the 2.1gr of Bullseye
These FPS are old 45 UMC Target bullets from a David Mos custom mold.
Also reload Old West 40gr and Lyman 46gr