Author Topic: Cast bullet for .22 Hornet (Read 1718 times)

harrygoat · « **on:** December 05, 2005, 12:48:50 PM »

Can somebody help me out with information about using cast bullets in a .22 Hornet? Information, such as molds,dies etc. Plus can one get cast bullets in .225 anywhere. Any and all help will be appreciated.
Thanks harrygoat

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** December 05, 2005, 12:55:11 PM »

Pascalp in the NEF/H&R forum shoots cast in his 22 Hornet Handi...

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=400282#400282

Nobade · « **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2005, 02:34:26 AM »

It's going to depend on the twist rate of your barrel. TC Contenders, Encores, and NEF Handi rifles have 1:12 barrels. They will shoot 55-60 gr. bullets well. Normal hornet twist is 1:16 and maxes out at about 45 grains. I use a RCBS 55gr. FP mould in my TC and 1:8 AR-15. It throws bullets at .2255, plenty big. For the slower twist, Lyman makes a little roundnose mould that looks like a .22LR bullet, and NEI make a couple of lightweights. Not much else out there to choose from. I also love Lee collet dies for use with cast bullets since you can control the neck tension to some extent by how much you tighten the sizer down. The Hornet makes a great cast bullet cartridge, since with the heavier bullets you can run it at full throttle with good accuracy, or drop it down and duplicate rimfire ballistics. Good luck!

Sixgun · « **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2005, 04:06:42 AM »

I use a 10 inch Hornet Barrel for NRA Hunter Pistol Silhouette. The twist on my barrel is 1 in 14. I like two bullets. The RCBS 55gr fn and the Lyman 225450 which is a 45 gr pointed bullet. I use a GC on both.

With the 55gr bullet, I use 4.5 gr of Win 231 for a volicity of about 1630 fps and accuracy is 1.5" at 100 meters, from a rest. It weighs 60 gr using my soft alloy, from my mold.

With the Lyman, I drop down to 4 gr of Win 231 for a volicity of 1700 fps and accuracy is a 1/2 inch ragged hole at 100 meters, from a rest. It weighs 49 gr using my soft alloy, from my mold.

Sixgun

HL · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2005, 11:41:02 AM »

I've been having good luck with the Lyman 45gr. Looks like the 22lr bullet.

My load has been 9.7gr of 296. So far no leading and fairly accurate. These have also been heat treated to be used as a solid with no expansion on Turkey.

The Cast Bullet Kid · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2005, 10:24:17 AM »

Hi
I had a great deal of succes with Lyman's 225415 GCFN in No.2 alloy over 5gr of 800X. Produced 1900fps and sub 2MOA.

harrygoat · « **Reply #6 on:** December 10, 2005, 06:07:36 PM »

Thanks to all who took the time to reply.
harrygoat

stuffit · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2005, 12:13:30 AM »

Here are a couple of cast bulets from NEI moulds. I use them primarily for fireforming .22 Hornet brass to the K version but found that they gave good accuracy with 5744 during the process, which has been put on hold
'til after deer season. Here they are:

I like their moulds and in this instance took advantage of their "two bullet designs" in one block deal. I don't recall exactly the diameter at which they fall out of the mould , but I think they are at least .225. I've been sizing to .223, but others like them oversize. Depends on the load and the rifle, I suspect. Here's NEI's site:
http://www.neihandtools.com/catalog.html
:wink:
stuffit