Loading 223 lead bullets

[Austin Edwards]

Hello everyone,
Im looking at loading a 60 grain cast bullet but I can't find any load data for 60 grain cast boolits in any of the 4 books I have. Would any of you happen to have any pictures of older books that have this load data? I will be using winchester 748 powder.
Thanks!

 

[BBarn]

I recommend anyone loading cast bullets to pick up a copy of Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook.

The copy I have lists data for a 60gr. SAECO bullet, but 748 isn't one of the powders listed, it being slower than all of the powders that are listed.

 

[Dudedog]

Looking at Lyman 50 they don't list a lead 60 but do list 55s.
All the listed loads are using faster burning powders than 748 and look to be keeping vel on the hi side around 2200 fps
(for example Green Dot, Unique, 5744, IAA#9, MR 4227, IMR 4198, RL7)
You would probably need to reduce the 748 charge quite a bit from what you would use with a jacketed bullet and I don't know if 748 behaves well with reduced charges.

 

[LiveLife]

If you are looking to load .223 in ARs with gas system, consider lead fouling of gas tube that you have to clean.

Some members have loaded lead bullets in .223 using lube, gas check and powder coated and I would lean towards powder coated bullets to minimize gas system fouling but I believe you need to keep velocities below 1800 fps or you will get powder coating failure and leading in the barrel. And of course, quality of coating depends on the quality of powder coating application and baking.

Here's one thread that showed some promise but you will definitely need to use different powder - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/casting-for-223-5-56.734306/#post-9195925

After reading some reviews and accuracy testing, I abandoned my interest in powder coated .223 and switched to casting and powder coating 200+ gr subsonic .300 BLK bullets instead but with retirement projects that keeps growing, lead casting bullets and fishing weights/lures has gone to the bottom of project list.

Keep us post, particularly accuracy you obtain with your load.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I'll look when I get home. I have an old RCBS book. But I think it only covered 55s.
I totally agree with the suggestion of Powder coating your bullets.