My First Jet Handloads - Ever

[greenmachine]

In the spirit of experimentation and only after much research on the subject I have put the following loads together, five rounds of each:

40 gr. Hornady .222 with 6.5 gr. Unique

40 gr. Sierra .223 with 8.0 gr. Blue Dot

45 gr. Hornady .223 with 10.0 gr. 2400

45 gr. Sierra .223 with 10.0 gr H110

It's supposed to be a little warmer here today and tomorrow, I may make it to the range to try them.

Please feel free to comment on these loads, either here or by email. I'm really interested in coming up with a good load for the Jet.

 

[greenmachine]

In the spirit of experimentation and only after much research on the subject I have put the following loads together, five rounds of each:

40 gr. Hornady .222 with 6.5 gr. Unique

40 gr. Sierra .223 with 8.0 gr. Blue Dot

45 gr. Hornady .223 with 10.0 gr. 2400

45 gr. Sierra .223 with 10.0 gr H110

It's supposed to be a little warmer here today and tomorrow, I may make it to the range to try them.

Please feel free to comment on these loads, either here or by email. I'm really interested in coming up with a good load for the Jet.

 

[VonFatman]

Have fun at the range...we hope to have a great range report!!

I have a load I worked up for my Contender, but I'm not sure it's recommended for a M53 so I'll not list the load...basically a couple more grains of H110 (give or take)...but it does move; comes out of that 10" sealed chamber at...1,950 f.p.s.

I probably will never shoot my M53 with it's .22 Jet cylinder as it's never been fired...no turn line at all! The previous owner only used the .22 LR cylinder! If I run on to a "deal" on a shooter '53, then sure, but for now, my .22 Jet loads will be sent down my Contender.



Bob

 

[MKT]

Don't know how that 45 grain Sierra will do, but I can tell you that 10.0 grains of H110 pushing a 40 grain Harnady gives my 1524 FPS. Bumping the charge to 11.0 increases velocity to 1830 FPS, but that load is hard on the brass.

My new favorite is 6.5 grains of SR4756 and the Hornady 40 grainer. Its moving a touch slower at 1478 FPS.

 

[greenmachine]

I have some 4756, might try that also. Thanks.

 

[roger rabbit]

So far my best results with the Sierra .223 dia. 40 and 45 grain bullets have come with 2400 and 4227. The Jet is like the Hornet - small increases or decreases in powder can make a big difference. Cast bullets are my next project.

 

[greenmachine]

Roger, do you have a source for cast gas-checked .22 bullets or are you going to cast your own?

 

[roger rabbit]

I cast my own .22 gas checked bullets using a Lyman mould. Haven't had a chance to try them yet. I expect the bullet lube will require frequent cleaning of the chambers to prevent case setback.

 

[Paul5388]

Roger,

I use a Lyman 225415 gas checked bullet for .22 Hornet and .223, mostly to duplicate .22 LR and .22 Mag loads in a reloadable form. Regardless of the type of lube, even tumble lubed with LLA, there shouldn't be any lube that gets into the chambers. With the proper amount of pressure, the case should seal against the possibilities of lube getting back into the chamber.

 

[MKT]

Paul,

I have been contemplating casting for the Jet. I cast for the .41 and .44 now so for me it is only a matter of a mold. I'd sure get a bunch of projectiles from a single pound of lead (instead of 22 to 28 for the other calibers).

 

[Paul5388]

Mike,

The number you get per pound will depend on the alloy you're using. Mine is pretty soft, so the bullets usually weigh more than a harder alloy would.

I can't say casting the 225415 is an especially pleasant chore, because they are awfully small to work with, especially applying the gas checks. Of course, I don't always use the gas check, like for loads in the 1100 fps range in a rifle.

 

[MKT]

Paul,

I was thinking about casting straight WW with the thought they would be hard enough to run 1400-1500 FPS. The Lyman book has several cast loads running 1700-1800 FPS, but those are cast from pure lino.

I might play with some slower loads, especially if my attempts to get range scrap from the indoor range where we qual (it all jacketed, so should be pretty soft).

If I go down that road I'll pick your brain.

 

[Paul5388]

Mike,

If you use a gas check the hardness of the alloy isn't very important. Then again, if you have a proper sized bullet, you can easily do 1400-1500 fps with straight WWs and no gas check. Sometimes accuracy is affected when the bullet is designed for a gas check and you don't use one and sometimes you don't know it isn't installed. As we say locally, quien sabe?

I do just about all of my casting with a 50/50 mix of clip-on WWs and stick-on WWs. If you throw a little bit of chilled shot in the mix, they can be heat treated if they're too soft. I get very little leading, but I size on the large size, like .359" for .38 Special and .357s.

 

[wheelgun1958]

FWIW, I just got the latest Graf & Sons flyer yesterday. It has Prvi Partizan jet brass for sale $21.99 per 100.

22 jet