Cast bullets in CSA VZ 58 5.56

jongun

jongun

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Was thinking about casting 22 cal bullets with gas checks for use in my CSA VZ 58 in 5.56. What do you guys think? Anyone have experience with this? Am I asking for problems using cast in a semi auto?
 
i don't know about the semi auto part, but from my understanding 5.56/223 cast bullets arn't a great idea.

apparently the soft lead can't handle the velocity
 
As long as you up the zinc, tin, antimony content you'll be fine. The harder the better for 3000 + FPS. Remember to water drop them too.
 
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1) cast bullets can be fired from any semi auto, At cast bullet pressures do not expect the action to cycle.
2) cast bullets do have a velocity speed limit that is alloy dependent. I have found that to be between 1750 and 2200 fps in a 30 caliber rifle using Wheel weight alloy. A softer alloy slow that down.
3) zinc in a cast bullet alloy is bad news. bullet molds do not fill out properly.

The best cast bullet alloy for 223 and 22 hornet is linotype. That is in the ream of unobtainium with the new newsprint and other printing processes.

There may be an issue with bullet lube fouling the gas piston. Not a problem on an SKS or 858.

And to get 3000 fps out of a cast bullet, and get the bullet to shoot accurately many have gone to paper patching.
And that itself is an art, and takes great dexterity on 22 caliber bullets.
 
jongun said:
Alright guys thanks for your thoughts. Certainly doesn't seem too practical. Will most likely just stick with casting for the larger cals.
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JBD said:
I have casted bullets for an AR-180 B. Its possible and could cycle the action. However I found it far more difficult to do then larger calibers.
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It can be done and cast bullets can give great accuracy in 22 caliber bores. Just do not expect your semi auto to cycle with the most accurate load you develop.
I run cast bullets through an SKS from time to time. The action does not even start to cycle with the most accurate load. Also velocity is about 1700 fps.

I would suggest you read the Lyman cast bullet handbook - Edition 3 is an excellent volume, and Edition 4 makes a wonderful appendix to Edition 3. The lee manual also has a section on Cast bullets.

I have found that cast bullets can be challenging and rewarding. As for saving money - eventually you will spend less money per shot but amortizing the mold, sizing gear. A quality mold can cost a couple of hundred dollars
Currently I have a 10 cavity aluminium block mold in the process of being shipped from Night Owl Enterprises 37 grian bullets, 5 with gas check 5 with plain base. I already have the Freechex gas check maker (Gas checks run about $40 per thousand from Hornady).

Glen Frixell has a free ebook on cast bullets as well

The cast boolit forum has a wealth of information.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?130758-225107-noe-sgb
 
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Thanks for the info 10x. Looking forward to starting to cast bullets and am currently in the process of pricing equipment and within a month or so I'll hopefully have a melting pot,a couple different molds and all the miscellaneous things I'll need plus wouldn't be such a bad idea to pick up some literature.
 
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