Help With 223 Cast Bullets

GunGuru · January 3, 2015, 06:09 PM

I have some 55 gr cast bullets with a gas check that I tried to load for my AR15 and my 223 bolt rifle. When I loaded them I went by the top crimp groove like I normally would. When I tried to chamber them in my rifles, both of them were very hard to chamber. Any suggestions?

**Unclenick** · January 3, 2015, 06:19 PM

When you pull a chambered but unfired cartridge back out, do you see rifling marks on the bullets? You can always seat them deeper and crimp over the front of the bearing surface, though that won't help you with push-in during feeding from a magazine and you will want to lower the powder charge a little. For loading singly, though, the crimp may be unnecessary, depending on the powder choice. These bullets may have been designed for a longer throat or a different cartridge.

If, instead of the bullet getting marked, marks are on the case neck (use a Magic Marker to color the neck so you can see scuffing easily), then the bullets need to be sized down a little.

skizzums · January 4, 2015, 11:00 AM

what mold are you using? did you use the .224 sizing die?

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · January 5, 2015, 09:57 PM

If you are sizing at .225, try sizing at .224.

trapper9260 · January 6, 2015, 07:22 AM

have you slug your barrel ? that way you will know what size you need to cast your boolits.Also have you check your OAL? There is another thing some guns need to use the Lee Factory Die for the last step of reloading because some guns have a tight chamber.First slug your gun and then go from there.

skizzums · January 8, 2015, 09:05 PM

I can only guess he has likely solved his problem.

January 3, 2015, 06:09 PM	#1
GunGuru Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2014 Posts: 6	Help With 223 Cast Bullets I have some 55 gr cast bullets with a gas check that I tried to load for my AR15 and my 223 bolt rifle. When I loaded them I went by the top crimp groove like I normally would. When I tried to chamber them in my rifles, both of them were very hard to chamber. Any suggestions?

January 3, 2015, 06:19 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	When you pull a chambered but unfired cartridge back out, do you see rifling marks on the bullets? You can always seat them deeper and crimp over the front of the bearing surface, though that won't help you with push-in during feeding from a magazine and you will want to lower the powder charge a little. For loading singly, though, the crimp may be unnecessary, depending on the powder choice. These bullets may have been designed for a longer throat or a different cartridge. If, instead of the bullet getting marked, marks are on the case neck (use a Magic Marker to color the neck so you can see scuffing easily), then the bullets need to be sized down a little. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 4, 2015, 11:00 AM	#3
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	what mold are you using? did you use the .224 sizing die? __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

January 5, 2015, 09:57 PM	#4
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	If you are sizing at .225, try sizing at .224. __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

January 8, 2015, 09:05 PM	#6
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	I can only guess he has likely solved his problem. __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

January 6, 2015, 07:22 AM	#5
trapper9260 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 119	have you slug your barrel ? that way you will know what size you need to cast your boolits.Also have you check your OAL? There is another thing some guns need to use the Lee Factory Die for the last step of reloading because some guns have a tight chamber.First slug your gun and then go from there.