I'm looking for anyone that is currently selling and casting .224 bullets (45-60gr).

Having checked with several makers - the common response has been "no, too small, to much of a pain to deal with".  I don't currently cast as i've been able to find good supplies of 25 and 32 calibers that I currently shoot.

Have found plenty of sources for the molds themselves (maybe I should start casting) - but thought I would just check on the forum first before pulling out more $$$ for casting equipment.

Thanks.

PETE - 

I think you're right.  The commercial casters aren't looking to promising - I did locate one .224 22 caliber - but not in the profile i'd like.

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I also agree with you on the accuracy point.

Regards-
oldsingleshots

Joeb,

 I'll certainly agree that getting .22 calibers to shoot can be a long tiresome process. Of course a lot depends on what you plan on doing with it. If for Squirrel hunting, and other small game, and the shots are not much over 50 to 75 yds., then it's fairly easy to get acceptable "head shot" results.

 But, if you plan on shots at 100 yds. plus, then it becomes a real chore. I worked with three different guns with two different bore sizes, three different twists, and 1/2 a doz. bullets ranging from 35 to 110 grs., four different sizing dies, alloys ranging from Monotype to pure Lead, and I don't know how many powders, and I spent two full years shooting every week day until I could finally say I had some loads that would put five shots into 1 1/8" at 100 yds. on a regular basis.

 Working for a coupla months this past Summer with re-swaged spitzer .22 bullets showed slightly better results. At 200 yds. I could hold MOA vertically, but the slightest air movement would string the shots out 3 or 4" horizontally.

 As for casting....... Well, I don't know what the tolerances are that you expect from casting those diam. bullets, but will say that for .25 & .28 cal. I expect to have a max. spread of .3 gr., and for .22's I expect a max. spread of no more than .2 gr. At least 75% of the bullets will be less. As the calibers go up this will increase somewhat but even with the 600 gr. .50 bullets I expect + or - .3 gr. when I cast, and anything over that goes back in the pot. or are used strictly for foulers.

PETE

Old SS's,

  I'd say then you shouldn't have any problems working up several loads with either smokeless or BP. I've found either powder will give very good accuracy for Squirrel hunting at normal ranges for them.

  I like the .22 Hornet for cast bullet shooting as it has a small enuf case capacity that the load you come up with aren't so small you have to worry about powder positioning with smokeless. With Black Powder this case's capacity duplicates the old .22 WCF, or the .22-15-60. Lots of fun to set up a Low Wall in this caliber and a BP load and pot a few Squirrels with it.

PETE

Old SS's,

  I certainly agree with you! I've kinda had a hankering to try out those two different .17 RF's, but whenever the feeling gets to strong I just ask myself.... WHY? As you say, I can work up any kind of load I want in the Hornet and it will shoot well enuf to suit me.

  But, I have to tell you that, unless you turn out luckier than I did, you won't be able to quite get the accuracy with a .22 CF as you will with the .22 RF..... at any range.

I have apparently had some different results than you other fellows have with .22 centerfire cast bullets.

I have a Ruger #3 with custom wood (originally chambered in .22 Hornet and rechambered before I got it, to .221 Fireball). I also have a Contender pistol with a 10" heavy barrel in .221 Fireball. My original desire was to build accurate small game loads (I used to LOVE squirrel hunting).

I have a rather large supply of linotype so my first alloy was straight linotype. I tried this simply because there is NOTHING that casts better than linotype. The bullets cast extremely well as I expected and my first load (4.0 grains of Unique) put five shots regularly in .5" at fifty yards from the Contender. It also shot equally well in the #3. My experimenting was over almost before it began. These were gas checked bullets (Lyman 225415 and I believe sized at .225). I used Remington 6½ primers. 

My Contender only had a low powered pistol scope on it and I did not try it at 100 yards. Neither have I tried the #3 at anything but 25 and 50 yards (I normally shoot squirrels no farther than 50 yards or so). With .5" at 50 yards this means that up to fifty yards, if I am properly sighted in and I do my part, the rifle will strike the squirrels head within  1/4" of the aiming point.

Like most rifle squirrel hunters that I know, I try for a head shot. However, I will take a body shot if no head shot is presented. The 225415 at about 1200 fps with it's flat point is a noticeably better killer that a standard velocity .22 rimfire with round nose. You can hear the "plop" as the bullet hits.

I would recommend that you try linotype the next time you try casting .22 bullets. I also believe that gas checked bullets are somewhat easier to get to shoot.

I always shot for groups when the conditions were good (at our range, early morning is generally good and also the last hour of daylight in the evening).  I have little doubt that in any kind of wind and shooting at 100 yards I would see MUCH more dispersion.

YMMV
Dale53

oldsingleshots:  I do not see in these replies that anyone is making and selling cast .22 bullets (your original question).  If there is someone who does, I would like to purchase some also.  I have loading info for cast loads but have never found a source for the bullets.  Any help out there?

oldsingleshots:  Thank you!  Will contact the company today and GCs are fine.  Have wanted to try cast bullets for some time.  Cast too much lead in my youth to want to get into casting bullets now.  Thanks again for your reply.  2520