Will it fly? Opinions on an "accidental" design

[Dschuttig]

So... Just got my ranch-dog 255-50 25acp mold. By accident, Lee cut them to 225 diameter instead of 255. Let me first say that I have no complaints about ranch dog or Lee,as they are being recut and I get to keep this one. Here is the design:

http://ranchdogoutdoors.com/bin/TL25550RF/bullet/bullet_sketch.jpg


Only difference is the diameter of ,225.

Any thoughts how it would work as a 218 bee or 22 hornet, ect bullet?

[Mk42gunner]

If it will stabilize it should be a very good small game thumper at plain based velocities.

You may be able to recreate the .22 WRF or the .22 WCF? I would not mind having that mold to play with for a while.

Robert

[Dschuttig]

I was thinking the same thing.It does look like the same shape as the 22 wrf..

[bhn22]

.22 caliber instead of .25 caliber? I'd expect the bullet to fall freely through the bore, touching nothing.

[Dschuttig]

Obviously it won't work as a 25, I was talking 22 uses.

[square butte]

Pretty sure he is talking about using it in a .22 cal gun - not .25

[Dale53]

I would just cast up a few with a suitable alloy, run it through my .225 sizer to lube it, and try it in my Hornet, or .222, or...

There is no reason for it not to work. In the Hornet, I would try 3.0 grs of Unique and you'll probably discover a dandy squirrel load.

FWIW
Dale53

[dbosman]

That looks like a perfect candidate for powder coating.

[Jupiter7]

Wonder if that may work in the 22tcm...

[bhn22]

Silly me for not assuming...

[Tonto]

This would be a great option in these days of 22lr scarcity....serendipity can be a wonderful thing.

[texassako]

I was going to ask the same thing since I discovered the error this morning. I thought the cavities looked awfully small on delivery, but did not measure until some were cast. They actually drop at 41gr with coww, .226-7" drive bands, and the nose tapers from .221" just after the drive bands to the .17" meplat. Length is .445" with the drive band section being .215". Please ignore the quality, I stopped when I realized they definitely were not .25 caliber. They look effective if they will stabilize.

93551

[375RUGER]

I'd sure try it in the hornet. Sometimes mistakes are good.

[Dschuttig]

I compared it to the 22 wrf cartridges that I have and the bullet looks like a exact match.

[JeffinNZ]

I think you have an accidental winner there. Load it to 12-1400fps and you'll be cooking.

[Mk42gunner]

I was wondering what the boolits would weigh, a 41 grain plain based FP sounds like a very useful size.

Too bad Lee probably won't include it in the catalog. Of course a one pound coffee can of those little things would last a looong time.

Robert

[brotherdarrell]

I gotta ask,........How might one get a hold of one of these mis-cut molds? I got a .222 that might love one of these.

Darrell

[Dschuttig]

contact ranch dog and see if he had extras made

[MT Gianni]

I think the base area looks thin. I would keep it under 1500 fps and hope it shoots well.

[Teddy (punchie)]

Interesting let us know how they shoot may just have a nice boolits there. I have a 222 I going to start loading for target shooting for the girls , darn 22 lr are too much.

[Dschuttig]

9359693597


I attached a couple of pictures of the .22 WRF bullet next to the mold. When comparing them in your hand, they look even closer than the pictures appear. The pulled WRF bullet actually has a hollow base that extends into the base at least 1/16" hence why it looks longer, but it still only weighs 43.5 grs. I assume that the 22 winchester center fire bullet is probably the same, so I think it would make a good choice, while keeping the correct look of the original. BTW- the 22 WRF bullet is only .220 towards the front and .221 towards the base.

[StrawHat]

contact ranch dog and see if he had extras made

Is ranchdog up and running again?

I have a 22 WCF and would love to get a copy of this miscut mold.

[Tonto]

An amazing mould would be one that mixes PB and GC styles. I'd be in for one.

[Reverend Al]

Is ranchdog up and running again?

I have a 22 WCF and would love to get a copy of this miscut mold.

+1 on that! (I also have a Winchester Low Wall in .22 WCF and this boolit at about .228 would be perfect for it ...)

[texassako]

Is anyone that has this mold going to test it out? It is an excuse for me to buy another rifle since I have none in .22 caliber, but I would like to see if it will shoot first. No samples, it is boxed up for a new owner.

[beagle]

Use a PB GC and it ought to work really nice in a Hornet./beagle

[grampa243]

i would like to try them in the .222rem.

[Dschuttig]

I would be willing to make some up if anyone wants to buy some. I was thinking like 8 cents each for the first hundred, 5 cents each after that, just because of the time it takes to get it up to temp, and to cover the cost of the lead and power. I have to cast on the unheated back porch after the kids go to bed, and it's going to be -7 degrees this week, so if anyone wants some please pm me and I'll get to it next week. Dan

[Walter Laich]

per your title I don't think it would fly cause it doesn't have wings :wink:

[StrawHat]

Did Lee ever make good on the Ranch Dog mould?

[AlanF]

I have a Browning A-Bolt 22 Hornet I would be happy to try some in.

[.22-10-45]

Having shot cast in the .22 Hornet for 18 years, and trying just about every mould out there..the bullet looks to be a bit short in body & long in unsuported nose..but who knows? Sometimes the least likely looking are the real sleepers! Good luck & let us know how it shoots.

[Dschuttig]

They are working on cutting new ones right now.

[jsizemore]

That would be fun to try in a T/C Contender in 22 Hornet for Hunter's Pistol.