Originally Posted by
Sleeping Dog
I worked up a load for the Lee DC C225-55-RF using Varget. I cast them with a somewhat soft lead of BH 9 or 10. The bullets cast a bit lower than 55, about 52 grains. The rifle has a 7-1 twist.
I ran it from 12-22 grains and they all shot well at 25 yards. I only have iron sites, so I can't go much further than that. From 12-18, I did 1 grain increments. For 18-22, I did 0.2 grains.
12-18 didn't cycle the action at all.
19-20 Ejected the round, but didn't load a new one.
Starting at 21, I got the it to fully cycle. The max I tried was 22 grains. There was no indication of overpressure. Sadly, I don't have a chronograph, so I can't provide any information on the speed.
While 25 yards is a pretty short distance, the groups were as accurate as factory ammo for iron sights and no bench rest. All of the holes in the target were clean, round and even. There was no indication of tumbling or disintegration.
Cheers
Eric