Anyone have H&G #158 22 cal experience?

[7x57Hunter]

I just cast up some of these little 22 cal guys last night…going to try them in my 22-250. Does anyone have experience with this bullet?

[7x57Hunter]

Here are some pics

[sigep1764]

No experience, but im interested. Nice shape. What do they weigh?

[7x57Hunter]

53gr….going to try to load some soon…I’ll post results

[7x57Hunter]

Loaded up 5 rounds with some 4227 I had…seems promising. This was at 35 yards off the hood of the truck.

[bearbud]

I don’t have the H&G 158 but I have two molds that are of very similar design. These are the Ideal 224-450 and Herter 22475. Both cast at around 50grs. I shoot them both in the Hornet and in 223 (H&R Handi and bolt guns). Both molds do ok but not super in comparison with the Lee Bator. I found out that if the boolit tip is bent even slightly, your accuracy will suffer significantly even at 50 yards or below, so you have to be very careful while casting when dropping the boolits. I do cast on the soft side but apply a GC and traditional lube. Best accuracy so far was in the 1600-1900fps range.
Bearbud

[7x57Hunter]

I know one was slightly crooked from the seating operation…I need an M die. They are sized .225 and my expander button is around .223…not a good situation. I was definitely shaving some lead when seating

[7x57Hunter]

Here are a couple more pics of the dimensions…I’m interested in how they compare to a Lyman 225450?

[bearbud]

I did the measurements you requested but on the as cast Ideal 224-450 (as marked on the mold) OAL: 0.664”, nose: 0.333”, from tail end to front of drive band: 0.331”. I gas check and size before I plan to shoot it, so I don’t have fully dressed boolits on hand. So it should be slightly longer with the GC installed.

[7x57Hunter]

Thank you! For reference as cast: .0690” OAL; 0.330” nose; 0.360” base to front band…so pretty close

[7x57Hunter]

I loaded a couple more expanded with a m style expander…too windy to try today maybe tomorrow

[7x57Hunter]

Got a chance to fire them off…1st round was loaded from the magazine…I believe the bullet distorted. It keyholed. The rest were loaded into the chamber. 0.41” at 35 yards. I’ll probably load a few more and try out at 100 yards.

[Shopdog]

I shoot 22's right much. The 22-250 being a favorite. Best advice,I have....

Get your casting process down so that weighing becomes a waste of time. Uber consistent weights "seem" to be the first of a cpl hurdles. Depends on the rig,some dial in very easy.... others,the powder choice is durn fickle. The 22's don't seem to be as "programmable" as larger cals. Looks like yours likes that powder. Good luck with your project.

[7x57Hunter]

Thanks for the input! This old H&G Mould casts very consistent…the visual inspection resulted in weights from 52.9-53.1 grains. I had about 40 hood bullets and probably 50 went back in the pot…the majority just due to warming up the blocks and getting used to pouring the small cavities