Working down 223 loads to 22 mag power

As I have reviewed this thread, I remembered that my first reduced load was around 1964 - 65. I had a 30-06 and loaded some 100gr Speer "plinkers" at around 1200 fps for varmint duty around and in the barn. I posted on top of the grainery and plinked rats 30 - 40 yards away as they worked on the fresh crop of soybean hay stacked in the barn and peeked out of the many tunnels dug into the dirt side walls in the bottom part of the barn. Those were truly the best days of my youth.

I have both a .22 MAG and a 22Hornet. I think of a 22Hornet as a reloadable .22 MAG or downloaded .22 LR vel. 40 or 45 grain hornet bullet with a case full of Lil Gun is THE load. I have messed with 223 brass and those same bullets and in a Handi Rifle got reasonable accuracy (1.5-2 MOA) but having to adjust the scope for them when used caused me to put the data in the last chance if needed only file. IIRC the best results were with Red Dot/Promo.

I have had good results with Blue Dot for reduced loads in .308 Win. and 30-30 Win. with plated and jacketed bullets.

jmorris said:

Actually a good reason to buy a .22 unless you really enjoy sighting in every time you switch

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I agree, POA and POI will be quite different between standard and reduced loads.

There's a cpl hoops you sorta need to jump through on cast.

Scopes definitely need to be good,"dialers". The benefits are you're gonna get good at it if the scope is up to it. It ain't just elevation,you can learn to dial for wind too because of the longer time of flight with cast.

Irrespective of velocity,although it's much less forgiving at HV.... the cast bullet you choose has to be a VERY GOOD match for the leade and barrel. There are work arounds but that involves work. Best to order a cpl different designs of bullets before getting moulds. What works peachy in my 223 may not in yours.

The 4198's and cast in 223's is a tough to beat combo. I'm using 19g behind a very well cast and "massaged" Lee 225-55RF out of a single shot R700 that will flat out embarasss some higher $$$ rigs.

A pic.... this is the type of fit you're looking for in a bolt rig. Not only are the leade engravings perfectly spaced,and most importantly,the same length*.... also look at the edge of that drive band. That's where it interfaces with the back of the freebore.

* length here is a very complex measure because of the taper present during the chamber ream.... and the ogive of the bullet nose. Therefore,visual reference is the acid test.

I used to reload .22 Hornet cases to .22 mag levels using 700X. Why? Because I had a nice little .22 Hornet rifle, but not a .22 Mag.

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I still do that from time to time and I have a .22 magnum. Unlike the 17hmr, the 22 mag just doesn’t have many good bullet offerings. The .22 Hornet cures that problem.

I agree with Frog on lilgun, a case full of it (13 grains) and a 35 grain Vmax shoot under 1/2 MOA out of my Van horn .22 Hornet.

Anchorite said:

FWIW, I used to load 10-11grs Bluedot in a 223 with a 50gr pill. It clocked 2500fps or so in a Douglas barreled Remington. No idea if this is 22Mag territory or not.

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Years ago I used BlueDot as well for the same purpose. I believe I got down to 9 grains and 2,000 fps with a 55 grain. That's where the bullets started to not stabilize.

@Ethan sherman for bullets, try these Armscor 40 grain bullets. They work great in 22 Hornet and are probably cheaper than what you can get cast for.

https://www.ammosupplywarehouse.com/west/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20075

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

Once you run out of regular primers, you can try these.

https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2016/12/firearm-pellet-adaptor-part-1/

http://www.jkmshells.com/?q=content/22-223-cal-pellet-conversion-kit

Still won’t beat a pump or springer air rifle for cost per shot but still less than a muzzle loader.

Bfh_auto said:

Search James Calhoon bee 223 loads. Also 223 bluedot Seafire
Both of these guys did extensive testing with reduced velocity loads.
I've done it. But prefer my 22 lr.

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I’ve talked to Calhoon a few times about his chambering and bullets. He mentioned to me the use of Blue Dot reduced loads and we compared notes on use in the 223. He’s a sharp guy, really an amazing resource for us rifle shooters and varmint shooters. The guy is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, and just an all around great guy. At the time I was heavy into 223s, since then I’ve shifted back to my first love, the 222. That’s where I’m going to focus going forward, and as much as I love a good wood-stocked Hornet, it’s dang hard to beat the .222. YMMV