Still searching for a cast lead boolit to use in a .223 for squirrel

[Captain Capsize]

Has anybody tried these? http://www.impactguns.com/naa-22cal-30-gr-bullets-1-cbb-744253051272.aspx

They are .224 so I am wondering if they will work without leading the bore.

I would order some to try but I am in the process of moving back to our home in Florida and don't want them lost in the mail so I will have to wait until I get there.

[mdi]

I think I'd rather go with a Beartooth Bullets 45 gr. RNGC @ .225". I have shot some in my .223 single shot. Also I like Lymans 225438 bullet @ 44 grains sized to .225". I don't have a mold yet for .22 and I can't remember where I got them (commercial cast) but they are very accurate when shot at between .22 Magnum and .22 LR velocities, but they can be loaded lower if you need.

The bullets you linked are prolly soft lead 'cause they are designed for muzzle loaders, and the pic they appear coated (?). Plus there isn't much of a description, kinda "mystery bullets"...

[chsparkman]

I use a Lyman 45 gr GC in my .223 for squirrel, loaded over Green Dot for very good accuracy.

[Larry Gibson]

Those might do for close range squirrels with very small charges of Bullseye keeping them at or under 1050 fps. If they lead the bore at that velocity a light coat of LLA will take care of it. If you're shooting tree rats out of trees or at under 50 yards they may work out.....only one way to know.

But like the above posts I favor a GC'd bullet of at least .225 (prefer .226 - .227 in the .223) and the 225438 is a good one, especially in the 1500+ fps range. For standard and HS .22LR velocities I use the 40 gr225107 and the 225415 (twist permitting on this heavier bullet) as their FPs wallop squirrels quite well. For 22 mag velocities and higher I've always preferred the 225438 and the 225462.

What rifle, cartridge, twist?

Larry Gibson

[Captain Capsize]

I am a fan of the Savage model 24, I have a .22 mag/20 and a .223/20. The .223 will be my meat collector. It has a 1:14 twist and shoots store bought varmint loads very well. Hoping to develop a lead boolit load that will head shoot squirrels at 50 + yds. I am still hoping some casters will send me a sample of their .22 boolits with info on the mold so I can choose the best one for my application. Of course pay for play is a given. I had no idea that .226 or .227 boolits would be a reasonable choice. I would have thought that stuffing that much lead down the barrel would effect accuracy in a bad way.

[Rustyleee]

I was looking over these forums quite some time ago and there was a lot of talk about cast bullets in a .223. I try using the search feature looking for ".223" and nothing comes up. What am I doing wrong??
I bought one of the Lee Bator moulds but have yet to use it.

[wistlepig1]

Rusrylee,
I was out with my Bator (.226) yesterday and I hope you have better luck than I. I have tried many combos and I am looking for something @ 80-100 yds for P dogs. Yesterday, I was shooting Bator, 54 gr as cast, 8.0 grs 231, heat treated @ 19.4 BH, and the first shot was 1/2" from center, after that I was at Min. of Board (10-14"). Gun is accurate with J-words, cleaned very good before use, 1/9 twist Savage. Lube , Jpl,Bullplate, Bee,. I am sure I am doing something wrong but have ran out of ideas.

[gtgeorge]

Might want to try Nato as the Mihec mold referenced that term with load data etc. I have both and have great accuracy with the 65gr version cast in Linotype that ends up at 60gr. Shooting mine @ 2300fps but many are shooting MOA @1800fps in AR's.

[tuckerdog]

my 222 likes 225438 sized .225 over 4 grn unique.