cast lead bullets in an AR?
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jibbs
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I have not, but I would not advise it. The velocity of the rifle round (~2000 fps) coupled with the gas ports, would make a terrible mess of things. You most certainly get leading, even the harder alloys and I don't even thing gas checks would help in this case. I would consider it in a bolt action rifle, but not in a gas system rifle. I'm sure someone with more experience can give you a definitive answer, but I would say leave well enough alone. Jackets bullets aren't too terribly bad for 223, but I can see how casting would be tempting.
rbernie
Contributing Member
It's not hard to shoot reduced cast bullets in rifles without experiencing leading issues; just don't try to burn 3300fps from a 40gr cast bullet in a 223 and you'll likely be fine.
I have not tried cast in an AR (or any other gas operated semiauto) because I had heard that the gas port would shave lead and deposit it in all osrts of unwanted places. Can anyone confirm/deny that rumor?
I think that 6.8SPC and 7.62x39 ARs are natural candidates for the use of cast bullets for range use, so long as the gas system doesn't get spooged up with lead.
I have not tried cast in an AR (or any other gas operated semiauto) because I had heard that the gas port would shave lead and deposit it in all osrts of unwanted places. Can anyone confirm/deny that rumor?
I think that 6.8SPC and 7.62x39 ARs are natural candidates for the use of cast bullets for range use, so long as the gas system doesn't get spooged up with lead.
armoredman
Member
It's been done many times. I have used cast in a vz-58, with very minimal leading, but yes, gas ports do need to be checked. There's a lot of people at castboolits.gunloads.com who've done it.
RustyFN
Member
I have never done it but know two people that have. They told me it plugged up the gas system fairly quick. They had to tear down the gun and clean the gas system. Sounded like too much work to me. Loading with jacketed bullets is cheap enough to not have to worry about lead yet.
res45
Member
Don't have an AR but shoot lots of cast bullets in my SKS rifle,cheap,great accuracy and no leading issues. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=42469 besides that post check the links in post #15.
jcwit
member
No experience with an AR, but have shot 10's of thousands of rounds thru my SKS and M1 Carbine. Yes I load hot enough for the system to work and have no problems with the gas port or cylinder. My SKS uses checked bullets and my Carbine uses flat base cast bullets. In both cases not overly hard, 2 ingots of range lead to 1 ingot of wheel weights. I use my own lube concoction.
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armoredman
Member
The problem I had was the starting loads weren't strong enough to work the action. I posted quite a bit about testing cast loads in my vz-58 and CZ 527M. The NOE 129 grain is THE boolit for that caliber, IMHO. 
GooseGestapo
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I've done it. It required straight Linotype that is scarce and expensive. I've got a limited amount and didn't want to "waste" it plinking with a .223.
I used IMR4198 and just enough powder to operate/cycle the action. Accuracy was about 4moa at 100yds. Good enough to bust cans at 50yds but not much better.
I feel that for the expense and trouble, you're better off getting inexpensive jacketed FMJ's from Graf's.com
The 7.62x39 was actually a better cast bullet gun than the .223. I used both the Lee 122gr RNGC and the 155gr PtGC bullets. The latter was designed for the SKS/AK and worked extreamly well. Accuracy was as good or better than mil-spec. FMJ ammo. I prefered H322 for this application.
Neither had "gas port" plugging issues, but then I clean my firearms properly and completely... (ie: Pipe cleaners to the gas port every 2-400rds, even wheh they don't "need" it.
I frequently would remove the gas piston from my SKS and use it as a "straight pull bolt" action. Kept from "flinging" brass everywhere. Spring would feed and chamber ammo by just releasing the bolt after retraction. I frequently even hunted with it like this just to avoid loosing reloadable brass.
I used IMR4198 and just enough powder to operate/cycle the action. Accuracy was about 4moa at 100yds. Good enough to bust cans at 50yds but not much better.
I feel that for the expense and trouble, you're better off getting inexpensive jacketed FMJ's from Graf's.com
The 7.62x39 was actually a better cast bullet gun than the .223. I used both the Lee 122gr RNGC and the 155gr PtGC bullets. The latter was designed for the SKS/AK and worked extreamly well. Accuracy was as good or better than mil-spec. FMJ ammo. I prefered H322 for this application.
Neither had "gas port" plugging issues, but then I clean my firearms properly and completely... (ie: Pipe cleaners to the gas port every 2-400rds, even wheh they don't "need" it.
I frequently would remove the gas piston from my SKS and use it as a "straight pull bolt" action. Kept from "flinging" brass everywhere. Spring would feed and chamber ammo by just releasing the bolt after retraction. I frequently even hunted with it like this just to avoid loosing reloadable brass.
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