Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Bullets made from 22 rimfire brass

There used to be a concern about the amount of zinc in the alloy. It was felt that perhaps the zinc would wear out the barrel. I'm not a metalurgist, but from everything I've read, that proved to be unfounded. Zinc actually lubricates. Millions of rimfire jacketed bullets have gone down range since this story was first floated, and no evidence has ever been presented that RF jacketed bullets wear any more than conventional bullet jackets.

Todays RF jackets are 70/30 - 70% copper, 30% zinc. This alloy is softer than the barrel steel. The alloy is clean and not contaminated.

Many years ago (before WWII), there was a concern about rimfire cases being fashioned into bullet jackets. They were worried that corrosive priming compunds would contaminate and ruin gun barrels. That's not a concern these days and hasn't been for many, many years.

22 WMR cases are a little thicker than 22RF cases. Anyone making bullets out of those?

Not too many people do. I think it's because they cannot get enough cases. Most guys that can make bullets don't want to put out the money for the equipment and only process 100 or 200 bullets every six months.

Of course, if you and your friends are shooting them, or the range is littered with 22WMR cases, it can make the expenditure worthwhile.

Steve, this is just way cool, have you shot any of these yet?

It looks like the firing pin indentation is almost completely ironed out, unlike pictures I've seen of Vernon Speer's early bullets.

Those bullets look great Steve - good job

I've been making bullets made from RF cases for about ten years and have shot a pile of them from my 222s, 22 Hornets and a 223.

I sort them by headstamp and cull all the damaged cases. I also clean the brass several times to remove any grit. These shoot as well as any commercial bullet made by Speer or Hornady.

I make and shoot 6mm bullets from 22 magnum and 17 HMR brass. I prefer the 17 HMR brass because they are easier to sort. I have shot the best group I ever shot with bullets I made and have been surprised at the accuracy of these home made bullets. I would recommend this to anyone who thinks he might want to do it. The initial outlay will be 1000.00 but after that every bullet you make brings the cost down.
Regards Bill

Think you could a little more velocity out of em by moly coating em?

Try some using 22 short cases. When I get home I will try to remember to post some pictures.

I had the Corbin setup but traded it years ago to another Campfire member. made 224 and 458 bullets.

I imagine you could, but personally, I won't bother. I'm happy with how they run now. The 43s manage 2780 fps. The 60s, shot from my 223, do 3100+ fps. The larger bullets are made for the 222 & 223 Rem.



Yes, I get some 22 short cases. I took the measurement from them, so I could trim the LR cases to the right length for the lighter bullets. I don't get enough 22 short cases, so I make my own.

I got lucky and came up with about ten pounds of them.