Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .22 RF alternatives

Very interesting DD, but you are definitely a "looney".

Keep us posted.

Well........ordering a LR barrel for the Contender tomorrow. Hope you are all happy. Brass, bullet mould and dies in the wings.

Friend of mine said he'd pizz on my grave if I didn't name it after myself. So I'm using my Indian name, Cluster Fxxx and it will be known as the .22 CF.

George

Another mould arrived today with some babies.



.210"on the heel, looks to be .223" on the drive band. 40.5 grains.

Waiting for some brass.......

DD

During the rimfire shortage, I also looked at alternatives of how my 223rem could be used as substitute. Although I have not developed any handloads for it, I have laid in some reloading components nonetheless.

Also during the rimfire shortage, I look at handling 38special cast bullet in my revolver as cheaper alternative.

While not optimal, they were a possible alternative.

Well, the brass will be here in about 3 weeks. Bunnys are skeered....

Leomort, I'm thinking that most gun loonies have traveled that path; I certainly have. Problem I have with it is simple. Most CF guns take a step beyond the light and convenient world of RF guns and while they work, few of them work well due to small charges, large case capacity etc. I will admit freely that I've had a few exceptions, but they did not run cheap or easy.

Off the top of my head I know of a very few CF guns that will match the handiness of a Browning .22 Auto, Ruger 10/22 and that ilk. None can match the potential low cost of reloading a CF case for the platform. Closest I have is a .22 Hornet and .25-20 Winchester lever gun. The Hornet is an old Win 54 with a rather long Lyman Jr. Targetspot scope. Not the stuff of a walk about gun at all. Reloading the .25-20 with cast bullets and a couple or three grains of powder is about the best you can do cost wise and it will run about 6-8 cent/round depending on variables. At today's prices the components for a .22 RF substitute will cost about 1 cent each for bullet and powder; 2.5-3 cents each for a primer. The big bonus for everybody IF this works is that chronic .22 RF ammo shortages will never encumber handloaders again.

Cool stuff.

Of course, one could just stock up on rimfire with a lifetime supply, and enjoy life. But what's the fun in that?!?

I'm going to live 10,000 years and have a small garage.

You know what happens when a fella squeezes an Indian head nickle really hard?

DigitalDan,

Yes, I don't think a downloaded 223rem would be optimal but it was desperate times then. Plus back then,when you consider what was being charged for those Rem Bulk bullet buckets, I figure I take my chances with downloaded 23rem.

Glad those times are over for now.

Good luck with your project!

Barrel arrived today, awaiting brass.

When I have time, I am going to start at the beginning of this thread and read it through.. If for nothing else for the entertainment I get from Dan's literary talents. Plus I will learn something I'm sure. Right now I'm just marking the spot.

Well, I did skim through this tread. Learned a hell of a lot.
One of the most interested thread I have seen here at the fire. Very enjoyable.

Your on to something Dan.

For right now, I think I need 10k more CB longs/shorts.

I down to a few bricks of each.

Down to a brick and a half, pigs were starting to laugh at me. Then I sneezed on a few.

It always helps to keep them off balance.

For those who do not visit the cellar, I received the new Contender barrel from Bullberry a few days ago and gave it a test drive. Douglas blank, 15" twist, match chamber.. 20 yards for sight in at 50 for the groups. Boring as all get out but it sets a standard that is going to challenge my loading/casting skills.

First time ever that I've had a really good group with CCI SV.

I have had good luck with TAC. Might shoot some today. Tree rat heads for the target. Eyeballs in the crosshairs.

I have also. Funny thing about the groups, that would be the first match grade group I've shot with CCI SV....ever. Typically when I shoot TAC 1 out of 3-4 groups will have a flyer. The CCI is consistent in presenting patterns. I'm liking this barrel a lot.

I have been shooting CCI SV in auto's since my first Marlin 99C at age 12. The boxes are noisy in your pocket while sneaking up on vermin, but always did the job. Do not shoot rim fire auto rifles any more. The S&W 41 likes them. So does the Mark II. Fun factor is high and cheap.

I am glad you ended up with a good tube.

Onward into the valley of minutiae........



Brass arrived today from Rocky Mountain Cartridge LLC. Cursory examination indicates it is within specs. At least one of them fits the chamber.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a thread here at the 'fire that is more "true rifle loony" than this one.

Bravo!

Dan, I wonder if you could thumb seat a .22 air rifle pellet and propel it with just a primer for indoor practice?