Cast 5.56 in ar

[freekforge]

Anybody having luck loading cast and powder coated 5.56 for use in an ar15? I enjoy reloading as much as I do shooting so I don't mind the tinkering that comes with making it work in a gas gun. I had a buddy that loaded some just to say he did so I have some data to take into consideration. I have a 55gr. Lee mold coming tomorrow and I have a little bit of lyman #2 in the garage. The lyman book listed 1680 and imr4227 which I keep on hand for my 300blk loads.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Nothing to add except, watch your speed, might need to put a gas check on it

 

[Leadeye]

30 caliber is as small as I've gone with cast. I'll be curious to hear your results.

 

[freekforge]

I have a box of gas checks coming later in the week I'm going to ladder test the various powders with and without gas checks. I've cast a lot of .30 cal for the 300blk and 30-30 and this is the smallest I've gone as well. I'm also interested in the long term effects it may have on the gas system so if I get a decent load worked up I'm going to shoot a bunch out of a ptac upper without cleaning the gas system just to see if I have and lead or powder coat build up

 

[Leadeye]

110 grain 30 Mauser and 170 grain 30-30 are the smallest I've run, the 30-30 was gas checked. I've loaded 100 grain 32s, but that's easy, no speed there.

 

[bwframe]

Gas checking was really important on the limited amount of 300BLK that I have cast/coated/loaded. The 130gr boolits with gas check ring shot just fine without gas checks, but they patterned like a shotgun. Grouped much better with the gas check. Grrr, 3 cents a piece.

 

[freekforge]

The only cast load i used in the 300blk were subsonic 230grain and 180 grain so I didn't use a gas check with them. The mold came in right as I was leaving for work. I have to bring our new wood lathe in the garage and get it setup tonight, hopefully I will have time to cast a hand full before bed.

 

[Michigan Slim]

All I run through my M1 Carbine is 120 grain lead with a gas check, lubed with liquid Alox. No issues after thousands of rounds.

 

[freekforge]

Shot 20rds today they grouped ok but had to be cycled manually. I'm going to bump up the charge and try again.

 

[Leadeye]

Gas check or plain base?

 

[DadSmith]

A brinell hardness of 21-22 with a gas check I think he would be okay. My cousin cast 70+ gr 224 caliber bullets and loads them at 2600 fps it does fine.

 

[freekforge]

Plain base with harbor freight red powder coat.

 

[Clay Pigeon]

I cast 223 with Lee 22 Bater mold, I lube and size myself. I have been playing with powder coating on and off for a few years now and I will say you will get better results using a much higher quality powder coat and I'm betting you will run out of powder coat before your bullet runs out of barrel.
I've pushed cast well above 2200 without checks using good lube. Remember harder metal is not always better, correct sizing and using a lube that leaves a star ring of lube on the end of the barrel face....
Good Luck with the powder coating and please post your results....
You will get lots of results and answers reading and posting on Cast Boolits Forum in Coatings and Alternative.....