225415 Cart OAL

[snaggdit]

OK, loading up some cases, what to use for OAL on this flat point mold? Do I just want to seat it to the crimp groove? If it had a point, this would put it about where a FMJ round would end up.

[garandsrus]

Snaggdit,

From the other thread, you mentioned that you are loading for an AR-15. The magazine length will pretty much dictate the max OAL. I would start with the crimp groove and see where that puts you.

John

[snaggdit]

That puts me at 2.090 while 55gr FMJ seats on the cannalure at 2.230 so I will have no trouble regarding the magazine.

[72coupe]

Snaggdit at 2.15 mine are jammed into the rifleing of my Model 70 using the 225415 bullet.

[snaggdit]

Thanks! So I should be OK out to 2.10. Since I will be trying them in my BIL's AR I do not have it here to check chamber length. My upper has been backordered for 3 months. I expect it soon. My lower came almost 2 months ago from Superior Arms.

[garandsrus]

Snaggdit,

Without the upper you are going to be shooting this in, you might consider using a bullet comparator. This is basically a bolt that has a .224 hole drilled/reamed through the side of the bolt. The comparator will allow you to measure the length of the round where the bullet/boolit is full diameter. You could load the cast boolit so that the comparator length of the cast boolit (which is not the same as the OAL) is the same as a factory round. This would guarantee that you are not putting the booilt into the rifling.

Here's a picture of a comparator.

John

[NHlever]

I've been using 2.100 OAL for that boolit in my 223. It's a CZ bolt action, if that matters.

[snaggdit]

Snaggdit,

Without the upper you are going to be shooting this in, you might consider using a bullet comparator. This is basically a bolt that has a .224 hole drilled/reamed through the side of the bolt. The comparator will allow you to measure the length of the round where the bullet/boolit is full diameter. You could load the cast boolit so that the comparator length of the cast boolit (which is not the same as the OAL) is the same as a factory round. This would guarantee that you are not putting the booilt into the rifling.

Here's a picture of a comparator.

John

Yeah, I have seen those. That would really tell me the real story. Hey, I just checked in the goodies I got when I bought my reloading stuff from an old guy who was no longer loading. I have one! Thanks, I'll try it!

[snaggdit]

OK, comparing to a handload FMJ seated to the cannalure, I have an additional .032 I can seat it out from the 2.090. That tells me it should work out to 2.122 at least. I should be fine at 2.120. At least I know what that hex block is for now. Just last week I had a reloading buddy show me how to use the Chamber-All OAL Gauge I got with this stuff, too. But there isn't a .223 case, only a 25-06 and 30-06. He had a .223... Oh well, guess I can buy that one!

[Tippet]

You're using cast boolits for your AR? hmmm. I wouldn't have thought of that. I'm not sure you'll get enough boom to cycle the action unless you go over the max MV for a cast boolit, even with a gas check.

[snaggdit]

I'm hoping... I decided to start with the surplus 4198 I have a bunch of. For FMJ they start at 19 and go to 21 grains. I just loaded 15 each of 17, 18, 19 and 20gr. Hey, like I said. It's my BIL's AR. If it leads, he will have to clean it! JK.

[Tippet]

I undertsand if you load high-power rifle CB's at anything near regular mv, you'll get lead fouling like nobody's business. To the point of being dangerous after a few rounds.

[BCall]

You're using cast boolits for your AR? hmmm. I wouldn't have thought of that. I'm not sure you'll get enough boom to cycle the action unless you go over the max MV for a cast boolit, even with a gas check.

I didn't realize a cast boolit had a maximum muzzle velocity. I've been shooting 222's around 2500 fps with no problems. Not great accuracy, but nothing dangerous. I have gone higher, accuracy was terrible, but definately not dangerous.

[snaggdit]

I used the Lee pressure reducing factors and my 17-20 grain should yield 27000-43000 psi. What worries me is that also gives 2600-3000 fps. My alloy should age harden to around 28bhn so pressure isn't going to be an issue but velocity might. I will keep checking the barrel as I go. Thanks for the heads up.

[snaggdit]

Bcall, you should check out www.lasc.us Tons of good info. Now Docone will tell you to paper patch and fire full speed. I might have to try that but I think I would rather start on a bigger boolit! LOL

[BCall]

I have read a number of articles from there, the one by Paco on the 22 hornet was the catalyst that started me casting. Shooting cast boolits for pennies in a hornet over 2800 fps with moa or close accuracy really intrigued me. While I have not been able to achieve moa with higher velocity yet, I keep trying.

Also the article about 22 cast really got me interested in a heavier cast 22. Unfortunately the poor reports of NEI molds has kept me from buying a heavier type mold. I hope to get one soon.

[Tippet]

I believe the danger is in letting the lead build up iin the barrel.

[72coupe]

Reliability with 4198 in an AR is marginal even with jacketed bullets. The burn rate is not correct for ARs.

[Calamity Jake]

The max OAL for the 225415 in my RRA 1:12 heavy varmit barrel is 2.055, that is lightly engraved, for the RCBS 22-055fp, 2.075.
My action cycling/good accuracy loads are 17.5 AAC 2015BR and 19.0 of bartlets 4895 from a couple of years ago. Both loads have dacron fillers and will do about 2¼ to 2¾ inches @ 100
don't know what the velocity is, haven't chronedem.
I also tried 18.0 Varget but accuracy was real bad.

[snaggdit]

Well, I have 4895 and 3031. Suppose I should load up some other powder as well, since I will need to eventually anyway to compare.