Reduced loads in .222

05 April 2019, 07:39

I had a box of the cheap Winchester 22 mag's and 36 out of the 50 wouldn't fire (in a Marlin, yet) so I saved the bullets hoping to load in the .222.

The Lyman manual has reduced loads for a 50 gr cast. I expect a 40 gr jacketed would be safe with those loads but I hate extrapolating. And while I doubt those jacketed 22mag bullets could stand 222 velocities, I don't want to risk a load so light a bullet would leave the jacket in the barrel. The jackets on these bullets go way past the ogive and only a pinpoint of lead is exposed, but I doubt they're very stoutly constructed.

Anybody ever loaded reduced loads with a 40 gr bullet? or in a 22-250 but I doubt that's very reasonably achieved.

Roger

05 April 2019, 11:35

aklester

Pretty sure that .22lr & mag rimfires don't use .224 bore diameter. There are sub-40gr bullets in .224 diameter.

05 April 2019, 21:17

willmckee

The 22 magnum does use a .224 diameter. The LR does not. I already knew that. Just needed recommended loads.

05 April 2019, 22:32

B L O'Connor

quote:
Originally posted by willmckee:
The 22 magnum does use a .224 diameter. The LR does not. I already knew that. Just needed recommended loads.

Any load that uses H-4895. H-4895 can be safely downloaded to 60% of a given maximum.

quote:

Hodgdon Powder Company has found that H4895 can be loaded to reduced levels. H4895 was chosen because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly in reduced charges. To create reduced loads, the 60% formula is recommended.

Find the H4895 load in the Reloading Data Center for your caliber and bullet. Take the maximum H4895 charge listed and multiply by 60% (.6).

The load may be adjusted up from there to achieve the desired velocity and accuracy.

This works only where H4895 is listed. DO NOT use in a cartridge where H4895 is not shown.

Example: 30-06 cartridge with 125 gr. Sierra SP bullet. Max load shown in the Reloading Data Center with H4895 is 53.7 grains. 53.7 X .6 = 32.2 grains. The shooter begins with this load, and may work up from there to obtain the desired velocity and accuracy for his reduced load.

05 April 2019, 23:18

Lamar

how slow would you like to go?
the primer alone will get a 22 cal pellet out the barrel.
a heavier 40gr bullet will require a bit more.
2grs of bulls-eye or red-dot will get you close to the 22lr area.
1 more will get you to 22 mag, and 4 will get you up to 2,000+/- fps.

I have got lead bullets down to just over 400 fps with some trial and error in the 223 case.
don't try that.
I had to finagle the bore friction to keep from sticking a bullet from time to time.

06 April 2019, 00:03

Snowwolfe

I shoot a 55 grain bullet out of my .223 using 12 grains of Blue Dot. Accuracy is very good. No recoil, not very loud.
It should work equally well in a .222

06 April 2019, 01:49

willmckee

I was thinking near 2000fps, about like the 22mag. No real reason other than not to waste the bullets.

Winchester ammo is not what it used to be. The rifle fired CCI’s flawlessly. I had some of those Winchester 22’s that come in the 100rd plastic stick and they would not feed/fire/eject reliably in any 23 I owned other than, oddly, a Stoeger Luger. But I must have had a good one as it was reliable with everything.

Roger

06 April 2019, 05:04

B L O'Connor

Hmmmm. Didn't know about the Bullseye or Red Dot. Certainly sound like good options.

But for consistency, it might be better to tune in with reduced loads of H-4895. The slower burn rate would likely give you better weight-control and hence consistency than the two pistol powders.

Still, using, say, 18 grains of H-4895 would be more expensive. Assuming, of course, that cost is a consideration.

06 April 2019, 05:12

willmckee

I like the H4895 idea. That powder is at least useful for other rounds I load for. Cost of loads using 18 gr of powder isn't even worth talking about. Right now I'm not using Bullseye or Red Dot for anything and never have it on hand.

Thanks,
Roger

06 April 2019, 09:17

Lamar

it will burn erratic and require a filler at 18 grains.

4895 doesn't start burning efficiently until your over 20. [I shoot cast using 22.5grs of IMR 4895 in my AR's at about 2800 fps]

H-322 would do okay [as in better]
4198 would be an even better choice.
11 grs of 2400/AA-4100 is about right though and doesn't need a filler.[won't work an AR though]
3031 and RL-7 are good candidates at the 18gr area though, they have a fast enough pressure rise to burn pretty efficiently at lowered amounts.
RL-7 is a bit loud in a shorter barrel though, it has a pretty high muzzle pressure.

09 April 2019, 18:21

Stonecreek

Blue Dot. The 12 grains that Snowwolfe mentions will be safe, but may push your little 40 grainers faster than you wish, so drop your initial load to about 8 grains and go from there to get what you want.

I've found Blue Dot to shoot accurately and consistently in reduced loads in .223 and .22 Hornet.

12 April 2019, 21:18

Phil Brousseau

take a look at reloading pages on this web site

12 April 2019, 21:30

thirdbite

Does anyone have a green dot or unique load?

15 April 2019, 23:30

Atkinson

NOsler makes a 40 gr. bullet, most reloading books have light loads for the 40 gr. bullet.

I think I would toss those bullets and buy a box of nosler 40 gr bullets, they are truly accurate..

Seems to me pulling bullets from a 22 or 22 magnum might be a bit tricky and possible dangerous, but just a guess on my part.