Anyone Cast and Reload 22 CAL, 55 grain Bullets ? Pros/Cons?

[RickModesitt]

I have started casting wheel weights into 124gr 9mm bullets. I am thinking about doing my next batch of weights in 22 cal 55gr for reloading 223 ammo. There does not seem to be many choices in 55 grain molds. I was just curious if any of you guys cast 22cal and what the pros and cons were? Thx

[OlongJohnson]

You may want to research what happens to unjacketed bullets at .223 speeds. Both in the barrel and past it. And consider what twist you have.

[Rich@CCC]

I've been wanting to pick up the swaging dies to make jacketed .223 pills with .22lr cases. It's a bit pricy to start but it looks like it'd be a money saver in the long run.

There have been a few youtubers doing powder coated .223 bullets with varying results. You still have to load to lower velocity.

[SecondsCount]

Can you cast your own for less than 7 cents a piece, which is what I pay for 55FMJ, and obtain the same or better accuracy with your cast bullets?

Do you have to slow the bullet down to keep from leading the barrel?

How will it function in a gas operated rifle like an AR15? Would the vaporized lead start to gum up the gas port, etc?