[JohnnyGrey]

I've been doing some searching on here and google and found out a few things...

1. Most light loads for .223 involve small charges of pistol powder.
2. Longer bullets tumble at low velocities.
3. Going too slow increases risk of stuck bullets.
4. Copper jackets increase risk of stuck bullets.

I've seen certain AR-15 kits online that allow you to fire 22LR through an AR upper. Then I got to thinking... would it be possible to use unjacketed 22LR bullets in a .223 case? Since the bullet is unjacketed and .004 smaller than a .224 bullet, I'm thinking the risk of a stuck bullet would be much smaller than trying to push a .224 out with a light charge. Should I start with a squib load to see what happens?

The reason I want to do this is because I occasionally need to take out a neighborhood pest as quietly as possible and I don't have a 22LR rifle.

[Zcarp2]

22 LR are heeled bullets. The smaller diameter may not obturate enough to seal the bore and stabilize the bullet. Some people roll the pulled 22 around to make round shot.

Lead bullets slide down the bore and yield higher velocities. Jacket bullets are a little more sticky.

In short, yes it should work. In actuality, sounds like a lot of work. Buy a bucket of cast and try it. Someone may even trade you for a handful.

There are several sites that deal with this.

Good luck and have fun with your project.

[LotI]

I have used Hodgdon's recommendation of 3.1gr Titegroup and a 55gr FMJ bullet. It's more than fast enough in the 1000fps range not to get stuck...and its subsonic out of my 20" 1:9 AR. I haven't shot it for accuracy yet.

I think Trail Boss would work also. I works really well in 30-30 and 165gr Meister LFP bullets. Hodgdon says 6.5gr is about 1000fps at only 20,000 CUP.

No load data for .223 right now but it would be easy to start with about ~4-5 grains and go from there.

[rcmodel]

I used to shoot pigeons off the roof of an old house I lived in with a 22-250.

Used a primed case, a .22 air-rifle pellet, and just enough Unique powder to get the pellet out of the barrel at probably under 1,000 FPS.
Almost exactly the same as a spring-piston air-rifle!

Almost no noise at all, and the pigeons didn't even know what hit them.
I'd often get several before the flock decided it wasn't a good place to be.

rcmodel

[JohnnyGrey]

Good stuff, thanks guys!

I'll try loading some up tonight.