Using lead slugs vice jacketed

[OhmsLaw43]

I was given a ton (no lie) of lead slugs in 40, 45 and 44 Magnum. Can I use my Dillon 550C with the normal seating due or is there a special die for lead?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hermosabeach]

With rcbs- normal die

Or it could be time to get your colors on and try powder coating.

Load up to 2,200 FPS without leading

[jsanch03]

Before you start loading those bullets check out the Lyman M die it helps Los leas bullets straighter without shaving the sides on the brass case.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[smoothy8500]

No need for a special “belling” die or plug, although it may need a tad more belling to prevent shaving lead. Your taper crimp die will iron out any extra belling.

[pacrat]

I was given a ton (no lie) of lead slugs in 40, 45 and 44 Magnum. Can I use my Dillon 550C with the normal seating due or [B]is there a special die for lead?

No there is no special die for lead. YOU MAY need to change the "SEATING STEM" in the die to conform to different bullet nose profiles.

[Cowboy T]

In my handgun rounds, pretty much all I reload and shoot are cast bullets. I don't need to buy projectiles. :-) For rifle, sometimes I shoot cast as well, and these are generally reduced, .30-30-style loads. Note that .30-30-style loads have been putting venison on the dinner table for well over 100 years, so they work!

I use Lee dies for everything that I reload. That includes .44 Spl/Magnum, .45 Colt, .45 ACP, .38/357, .308 Win, 7.62x54R, 9mm Luger, and a few more. No special seating die or even seating stem needed whatsoever for cast bullets. Just bell the case mouth a little bit, just enough to prevent bullet shaving during seating. It doesn't take that much.

THE KEY: USE PROPER BULLET LUBE! That's the mistake that far too many people make, is that they don't use proper bullet lube. That means soft enough, and sufficient quantity. If your bullet lube is too hard, or you don't use enough of it, you will get lead-fouling. NRA 50/50, or Liquid Alox, both work very well. Just use enough of it and you should be fine.

Your Dillon 550C should be just fine with those lead slugs. My Lee Pro 1000's sure are. :-)

[divingin]

THE KEY: USE PROPER BULLET LUBE! That's the mistake that far too many people make, is that they don't use proper bullet lube. That means soft enough, and sufficient quantity. If your bullet lube is too hard, or you don't use enough of it, you will get lead-fouling. NRA 50/50, or Liquid Alox, both work very well. Just use enough of it and you should be fine.

I'd assume he's got cast bullets, lubed and ready to load (though, granted, that's an assumption.) He has likely neither the need, nor the equipment to lube the bullets. Given that he's asking if he can use standard dies to load them, I'd guess he's relatively new to reloading.

Assuming the above is true, my advice would be to use load data intended for cast bullets, rather than trying to use data for jacketed.

The regular dies work with lead or jacketed bullets. Process is the same with possible minor adjustment differences.

Seating stem should match (at least roughly) the bullet profile (no different than jacketed.)

As with all reloading, do enough research that you know what you're trying to do before you try to do it.

[pacrat]

CowboyT said;

No special seating die or even seating stem needed whatsoever for cast bullets.

Which is generally correct, but not ALWAYS so. Hence my qualifier of;

YOU MAY need to change the "SEATING STEM" in the die to conform to different bullet nose profiles.

[OhmsLaw43]

I'd assume he's got cast bullets, lubed and ready to load (though, granted, that's an assumption.) He has likely neither the need, nor the equipment to lube the bullets. Given that he's asking if he can use standard dies to load them, I'd guess he's relatively new to reloading.

Assuming the above is true, my advice would be to use load data intended for cast bullets, rather than trying to use data for jacketed.

The regular dies work with lead or jacketed bullets. Process is the same with possible minor adjustment differences.

Seating stem should match (at least roughly) the bullet profile (no different than jacketed.)

As with all reloading, do enough research that you know what you're trying to do before you try to do it.

[Calif Hunter]

I have loaded thousands of .45 ACP rounds with 200 gr RNFP cast bullets on my 550. I have never had an issue.

[bruce381]

This just bell a little more to get them started, might messure them too u want about 1 thosands larger than grove to prevent leading.

[Toxic Shock]

When loading cast bullets you will need to have a slight bell on the mouth of the case to prevent shaving lead from the side of the bullet while seating. I always do seating and crimping as separate operations, or the crimping (while the bullet is still being seated) will shave lead. If you shave lead off the sides of the bullet accuracy will suffer.
Also, with cast bullets, if they're not powder coated they will need to be lubed. Usually sizing and lubing are done in the same operation. If the bullets aren't gas checked you might want to keep velocities below 900 fps to prevent leading the bore. With a gas check or powder coat you can shoot faster.
The best advise is to go to the Castboolits website and learn all about reloading lead bullets.

[pacrat]

I have loaded thousands of .45 ACP rounds with 200 gr RNFP cast bullets on my 550. I have never had an issue.

Which typically work just fine with a stem for RN bullets. Be they cast, plated, or FMJ. Because the FP is not touching the inside of the RN stem. And is being seated by ogive contact.

Whereas a Semi Wadcutter bullet tends to hit the rounded concave surface inside the stem of a RN design. And has a tendency to try and "tip" the bullet as it seats.

And that can be an issue with any pistol cartridge. I have both stems for 9mm, 38, 41, 44, and 45 cal.

Another stem conflict issue is seating some JHP bullets. When using a RN stem. It has a tendency to squeeze the HP cavity partially shut when seating. The exposed pure lead core surrounding the cavity is easily deformed.

JM2c