Handloading 222

Sometime ago, I was given 100+/- 40 gr., .225" lead bullets and decided to load them in my .222. If I recall correctly, I used Unique powder and because they seemed kind of soft, I tried to limit the velocity to around 1300 fps. I also loaded a few .223 Rem as well.

Well, they went bang and hit the target. Not a great group, but within minute of rat at 20-30 yds.

Then I figured out the cost: 1.5¢ ea. for the primer, maybe about the same for powder, I already had the brass, but I suppose one should amortize that cost. At least the bullets were free.

I own at least 6 22 l.r. rifles that shoot cheaper, better. The best I can say is that I know it can be done!

We shot lots of .222 when I was a kid and IIRC it was mostly 52grain Sierras.

Love the round. Funny how it works, still have that rifle but can't remember the last time I shot it. 35 years or more. Had a Contender barrel in it for a while. And yet, I still surf gun broker looking at .222 rifles, and toy with building a precision rifle in it.

I have just recently pulled my old 24V out of the safe to start loading for the .222, with cast bullets. I also load for the .223, and spent most of my efforts there; but the .222 has a longer neck & smaller case capacity - better for reduced lead loads. So far, some of the results have me quite hopeful, but I want to do some more testing.

I 'get' not wanting to become involved in the casting process; but with the cost (and rarity) of components these days, it seems like a fairly reasonable solution. But I started that back in the 80's - even the tools & equipment was cheaper then. Usually you can find published data for reduced loads using 55 gr. FMJ's; I would think that might be a better small-game option than the 50 gr. soft points. I hit a squirrel with 50 gr. 'pointed soft point' just once; and promised myself I would never do it again. (Kind of like deer hunting with a LAW rocket....)

Like the idea presented above by jrguerra too. I may eventually get around to trying that myself. Just another 2-cents worth - which when adjusted for inflation, may be worthless.... :-)

Another possible option are chamber inserts/adapters. The 24V I mentioned was inherited from my grandfather, and he acquired several different variations that allow various other cartridges to be fired. I've continued that trend with the accumulation of other M-24's & currently manufactured units. In the 1970's, we called it "the survival gun", and it was on 'perpetual loan' to me for years until I was old enough to start my own collection. Anyway, he had an adapter made by Walther that would fire .22lr in a .222 chamber. They probably no longer make them, but there's a guy in Alaska....

I got one each for .22WMR in the .222 & .223; I tend to think the accuracy potential is better. [.22lr bullet diameter is .223", .22WMR bullet diameter is .224" - centerfire 22-cal. bores are generally .224"] My grandfather also had inserts to fire both rimfires in the 20-ga. barrel.

The guy is Ace Dube. The insert line is called MCA Sports, he also has a cast bullet business that uses his name; hence the name 'MCACE'. mcaceak.com/index.html
Hmm, I looked a little bit - doesn't seem to offer as much he did a few years back. But it might give you some ideas....

To better answer the original question.... My bullets are my own castings, I don't know how they compare to commercially available lead bullets. I use a Lee mould that is listed as 55 grains (with a specific alloy) and is a gas-check design. I used straight linotype metal and they run 48-49 grains, with gas-check - I call them "50 grains". These are quite hard and don't really 'mushroom'. Don't know the policy of giving out load details here; I'll just say that I'm working from the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th edition. For my selected powder, I chose a 'middle-of-the-road' velocity of about 2000FPS & 2100FPS and weighed out corresponding charges - the 2000FPS seems to be better, but one day out isn't a definitive test. The bore was in great shape after, good powder burn, no leading.

I cast some from my "soft alloy" (wheel weights found on the side of the road, range scrap, whatever other lead I scrounge up, etc.) that weighed 57 grains. I fired some test groups from my .223 M-24 without gas-checks. No apparent leading but the target looked more like a buckshot pattern - terrible. Got more acceptable results when I added gas-checks. Looking to try the linotype w/ gas-check in that one.

Loading lead isn't difficult, but it is different from the jacketed stuff. The results of my first attempts had me wondering what I had gotten into, other than an expensive 'big mistake'. But I read a lot, tried some things, and read some more, and I'm getting happier all the time. :-) It does add more versatility to a particular gun/cartridge if you reload. I would highly suggest a Lyman "M" die for loading lead, and limiting bullets to 55 grains or less in the Savages. (Although every rifle can shoot differently, so that's not carved in stone.)