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April 15, 2005
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slk said
I was able to pick up the lyman cast bullet book today. Not a lot of options for cast in 218 but i like it for a lot of the other calibers i cast for.
Actually I guess you can expect there to be lots of loads for it.
I use that same bullet mold 225438 for my 22 hornet loads. For some reason I have never been able to get good groups from a cast bullet in 22 hornet. I have a Rugger in 22 hornet that i can drive nails in with if i use the hornady varment bee jacketed bullet. The cast bullets to date have been quite disappointing for the hornet.
This is just my opinion, but varmint cartridges (like the 218 Bee and 22 hornet) were never designed to shoot low velocity or cast bullets. From many years of experience, the 22 Hornet excels when the velocities are near the maximum end of the scale… not something you can do when shooting cast bullets. If you cannot shoot sub MOA groups with your 22 Hornet, change your load specs to something with a faster velocity.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 19, 2014
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I have an old farmer friend who casts a lot of lead bullets. Years ago he was one who Lyman would call and ask for help. Anyway, he spent the winter casting .22 gas check bullets and testing in two identical .223 rifles. One would shoot nice 50 yard groups while the other looked like he was shooting buck shot. Unlike me, he has steady hands and still had gas checks all over the floor and had a very hard time getting them on straight on the bullet shanks. My 86 grain bullet for the .25-20 is now beyond my ability to do. Drop bullets, drop or shake powder out of the case, etc. My left hand is the worse of the two and I have long ingrained habit of handling cartridges and bullets with the left to put onto the cartridge holder of my press. I can’t even imagine handling tiny cast gas checks or cast bullets in .22 calibers. The very base of a bullet is critical to be straight, fully filled and square. Magnification for inspection is necessary to having good and consistent bullets. Its easier the bigger the bullet! You are in an area many fear to go. Tim
February 6, 2010
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Well so far I am able to get the gas checks on but I do run them through the lyman sizer die and it also seats the checks on straight.
Seating the bullet on top of the brass is where I drop some. It is a balancing act to get them started straight.
I have 3 loads ready to go for the 218 bee. One is a cast bullet. One is the speer flat nose. One is the hornady varment bee. All are .224 in 46 grain. Just have to get to the range and see which one does the best.
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