Cast bullets in a 22 hornet ???

[c_latrans]

I have a Lyman 252435 mold that is listed as a 51 grain round nose plain base bullet.  I am casting with wheel weights and water quenching.  Bullets are dropping from my mold at 54 grains and .225 diameter.  I am considering using these in a Contender carbine with a 16 1/2 " barrel that has been rechambered to 22 K hornet.  I also plan to send one of my handi rifles in to be fitted with a 22 hornet barrel in the future.  Powders on hand include AA #7, IMR 4227, 3031, 4895, 4320, 4064 and 4350,  Varget and Win 748 and 571.  Any suggested loads would be appreciated. Any other advice would also be appreciated.  What kind of velocity can I reasonably expect to push these bullet too?  I was hoping to get into the 1500 to 1600 fps range. Is this too much to expect, or can these bullets be pushed faster than this.  Thanks in advance for any assistence or advice.  Dale

[Duffy]

I tried some 55g FNGC cast from the RCBS mould in my 22K 15" Encore. Loaded them with 9 g of 296 and that was a bit too much. Vel was around 2500 and they leaded a bit but accuracy was pretty good. Just need to slow them down some. Of the powders you have listed the #7, 571 and maybe the 4227 would probably work. The others are too slow. The general powders for the Hornet with jacketed bullets are 296/H110, LilGun, 1680, 4227 ect. Might check your twist rate also, my bullberry is 1:12 and the factory one is 1:14. Some were 1:16 and I don't suppose the heavier bullets would work as well especially at the lower vel. Cast is really fun in the Hornet, you have a lot more uuumph than a 22 rimfire with just a bit more bark.

Ryan

[Flash]

I am confused!!! You say that the mold reads 252435 and yet they're dropping out at .225??? The mold 252435 is for a 25 caliber, hence the first three digits on the mold number. In my experience, the powder charge in a hornet is so small that the least little weight change in the bullet or powder will give poor accuracy results. I found the 222 Remington to be my choice for cast 22 centerfire shooting. Good Luck.

[Nobade]

I've had great success with the RCBS 55gr. in my Hornet Contender, from 1.5gr. Red Dot for a 22LR duplication load to 9.0gr. AA#9 for full power. No leading if you water quench the bullets and use a gas check and good lube. My favorite all round load is 4.5gr. Unique and that same bullet at 1800 fps from a 10 inch barrel. I shoot this one mostly in hunter pistol matches, it doesn't give up anything to the guys using jacketed bullet loads.

[w30wcf]

c_latrans,

I've been shooting cast in a .22 Hornet and .22 K Hornet offand on for probably close to 20 years now.

Based on my experience,  I have found that cast bullets made from wheelweights + 2% tin (not heat treated) can be pushed to factory hornet velocities using published data for jacketed bullets with good accuracy and no barrel leading of any kind.  I use the  standard 50/50 alox / beeswax NRA lube.

One can use a harder alloy, but I have found that w.w.+2% tin works very well even at high velocities in the .22 due to its low sectional density.

With well cast bullets, (important!!) accuracy is on par with jacketed bullets.

I have had the best results with cast bullets weighing 50 grs. or less.

Groups open up with heavier cast bullets since both my rifles have a slower 1/16" twist.

Good luck,
w30wcf

[Duffy]

Nobade,
What kind of vel are you getting with the 9 grains of #9?
I would think it to be comparable to the 296 or maybe a bit quicker. I rechecked my load data and w/9g of 296 I was running around 2680. Figure that's part of  the reason for the leading. Am using straight lino and Lbt lube on this batch and sized .0015 over bore.

[Nobade]

I believe it was running about 2350 fps, that's out of a 10 inch barrel. Bullets cast out of range scrap and wheelweight mix, water quenched but not heat treated.

[Sixgun]

I have been shooting the RCBS 55gr fp bullet in my 10 inch Contender in the NRA Hunter Pistol game for two seasons now.  Scores have consistently been in the 33 to 38 out of 40 range.  I have been using Lee liquid Alox lube with Hornady gas checks.  

I cast these bullets soft, out of scrap lead from our indoor range.  It is mostly 22 stuff.  

The load consists of 4.5gr of W231 and CCI Small Rifle Primers in Remington brass.  I have found that with soft lead I get better accuracy with the faster powders.  velocity for this load is about 1650fps and from a bench I get under 2inch groups at 100 meters.  Recoil is very low and there is no muzzle flash.  It does make allot of noise though.

Sixgun

[The Cast Bullet Kid]

Used to shoot the Lyman 225415 in my Hornet and still do in my .223.
In the hornet I loaded it on 5gr of 800X for 2000fps.
Worked well on rabbits out to 125 yards if I did my bit and shot 1.5 MOA on a good day.