Lead vs FMJ

[Mr.Name]

I apologize if this is an over debated topic but Im new to reloading.
I was looking into reloading to just do some range plinking and I noticed that cast lead bullets were a fraction of the cost of FMJ and factory second bullets. A google search later and I see that the general idea is to load about 10% less powder for lead bullets because of different characteristic potentially producing higher pressure. I was wondering if this was true and if there was anything else I should know about lead bullets and reloading them?

[MongooseV8]

Depends entirely on the cartridge you plan to reload.

[Mr.Name]

7.62x54r and specifically using ACME coated bullets.

[MongooseV8]

Most lead alloy bullets will melt if pushed too hard too fast. Gas checks help but in a rifle you really should use lead only data. 10% reduced fmj loads will just spray molten lead down your bore.

[Mr.Name]

Makes sense. In that case, do you have reloading data for lead bullets? Because all the reloading manuals/data Iv found do not have data for lead bullets.

[1068ppt]

Get the Lyman manual. They specialize in cars bullets and have lots of loads for them (and jacketed bullets) throughout the book.

[hermosabeach]

Non magnum handguns, lead is great

The loading books are great and they give the recipe based upon the bullet

For 44 mag, gas checks can be a help when you speed them up

They also sell a very hard cast bullits for non ca hunting when you want to crank up the velocity.


Powder coating is becoming popular. Polymer over your lead. No leading issues at all.

[ironhorse1]

I apologize if this is an over debated topic but Im new to reloading.
I was looking into reloading to just do some range plinking and I noticed that cast lead bullets were a fraction of the cost of FMJ and factory second bullets. A google search later and I see that the general idea is to load about 10% less powder for lead bullets because of different characteristic potentially producing higher pressure. I was wondering if this was true and if there was anything else I should know about lead bullets and reloading them?

Lead bullets have less friction and will have more velocity with less powder than a fmj. That is why manuals show higher powder charges and higher pressures for jacketed bullets.

So your general idea is actually opposite of your posted information.

That being said if you are shooting indoors then a cast bullet will produce smoke from the lubricant which may be a lot or minor depending on the bullet lube.

Cast bullets are generally cheaper, messier to load, but a lot of fun to shoot.

If you have a manual believe it or not they actually cover almost every question you could possibly ask. Just start reading it from page one before you get to the data section.

irh

[Abenaki]

The first thing that you need to know about shooting cast boolits, is to forget all of the old wives tails about it from people who have never done it.

99.9% of all my hand gun shooting is with cast boolits.

You do not need gas checks. I shoot full magnum loads in 357 and 41 mag with out gas checks. I even use powders like H110. I get no leading. None, zilch, nada!!!

Never forget that with cast boolits size is king, lube is queen, and hardness is a ugly step child!!!! In other words do not get hung up on hardness. infact, to hard of a boolit can give you leading problems.

May I suggest that you get the Lyman cast bullet hand book. And you really need to visit www.castboolits.gunloads.com

I need to warn you that shooting cast boolits is a rabbit hole that has no bottom. You may even start casting your own.

Take care
Abenaki

[Abenaki]

I forgot to add.
You need to know what the actual size of what your bore is. So you will have to measure your bore by pushing a lead slug down it.

You will also need some thing like a Lyman M die to expand the mouth of the case.

Reloading cast boolits for a rifle is a totally different ball game, than for a hand gun.

My best advice to you is to go over to the castboolits web site and learn from the masters.

Take care
Abenaki

[MongooseV8]

Shooting a 44 mag at 1100 fps without a gas check is not the same as shooting a 7.62 at 2500 fps. Ive gone through 10s of thousands of lead bullets and telling somebody they dont need gas checks is bad advice.

[kcheung2]

7.62x54r and specifically using ACME coated bullets.

I hope you realize that x54R uses a .311 or .312 projectile, the .309 projectile in your link is too small. But of course some Mosins varied so slug your bore if you're not sure.

[Abenaki]

Shooting a 44 mag at 1100 fps without a gas check is not the same as shooting a 7.62 at 2500 fps. Ive gone through 10s of thousands of lead bullets and telling somebody they dont need gas checks is bad advice.

I went back and read what I wrote. I didn't make my self clear.

You are right about 2500 fps.

I have shot a lot of plain base boolits out of my 30-30. but not at 2500 fps.

I am looking to get started with paper patching. Again no gas check.

Anyway, you are right about that.

Take care
Abenaki

[Mr.Name]

I hope you realize that x54R uses a .311 or .312 projectile, the .309 projectile in your link is too small. But of course some Mosins varied so slug your bore if you're not sure.

Another question. Does bullet diameter vs bore diameter only effects accuracy (and some pressure if the bullet is too big)? Because my local range only goes up to 200 yards (185 meters) and trying to shoot sub 1moa is the least of my concern.

[MongooseV8]

As Abenaki posted you need to know both diameters to help prevent lead build up. There is a balance game you have to play to get a good seal.

Its important for sure, just do some home work. Like most things its a lot easier once you have a good grasp on the fundamentals.