Lead vs Jacketed.

[Inkman]

Just curious why so many reloaders use jacketed bullets instead of lubed or moly coated lead bullets? If you shoot a bunch, the savings get to be astronomical. Of course you need to clean more shooting lead. Heck, even an aftermarket barrel for a Glock will pay for itself in no time shooting lead instead of jacketed.

Al

[CSACANNONEER]

I've run close to 2000 rounds of my own cast .45acp through my 1911s without lead fouling! More cleaning is not always needed if you find a bullet/lube/load combo that runs clean in your barrel.

[Inkman]

I've run close to 2000 rounds of my own cast .45acp through my 1911s without lead fouling! More cleaning is not always needed if you find a bullet/lube/load combo that runs clean in your barrel.

True. I get some but nothing too bad at all compared to some barrels i've seen. Gonna wait till after the GB to really mess around with different loads and see what happens.

Al

[Chief-7700]

200 grain LSWC 5,000+ and no leading.

[mif_slim]

I have 205lbs of already casted .40sw bullets waiting to be sized and seated.. haha Im just too lazy to do it.. I been casting 100 per day for a long time now.. need to spend time with the family and also need to spend time reloading so thats how I do it.

But I havent had issues with any of my cast boolits! Just recent ones has been on the soft size since I ran out of WW and I been casting pure lead. But light leading but thats after 500+ shots when I start to notice leading. Thats plenty for one range trip.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have 205lbs of already casted .40sw bullets waiting to be sized and seated.. haha Im just too lazy to do it.. I been casting 100 per day for a long time now.. need to spend time with the family and also need to spend time reloading so thats how I do it.

But I havent had issues with any of my cast boolits! Just recent ones has been on the soft size since I ran out of WW and I been casting pure lead. But light leading but thats after 500+ shots when I start to notice leading. Thats plenty for one range trip.

Damn! If you are close to me, you are more than welcome to buy me a Star sizing dies, some lube and use my Star lube/sizer. You should be able to lube/size almost 1000 rounds an hour with it.

[qtrxist]

Just curious why so many reloaders use jacketed bullets instead of lubed or moly coated lead bullets? If you shoot a bunch, the savings get to be astronomical. Of course you need to clean more shooting lead. Heck, even an aftermarket barrel for a Glock will pay for itself in no time shooting lead instead of jacketed.

Al

Depends which caliber. for USPSA, only the open division who uses 9mm loads jacketed bullets. everything else is casted, moly coated lead.

and yes, most IPSC/USPSA shooters reload due to the fact that by doing it will save a lot. well, most shooters dont save any they just shoot more for their money.

[Ninja45]

They are cheaper and more accurate with the right load combination.

[Cowboy T]

I shoot virtually all cast boolits, which I cast myself. The two reasons are matching alloy hardness to load pressure, and saving money in the process doing a fun hobby. I get more accurate ammo that way, and if I do my part, I can actually see the difference. :-)

The reason leading happens is two-fold, assuming your gun is within proper tolerances. First, most big casting operations use harder lead (BHN 18) than what is typically needed for handgun shooting. In anything short of full-power .44 Magnum-type pressures, that will lead your revolver chambers somethin' awful. I know, because it happened to me shooting .44 Special out of a S&W Model 629. I had to use a brass jag to scrape the (yep, BHN 18) lead out of the chambers before .44 Magnums would even fit again.

Shortly thereafter, I got into casting. These days, I shoot Magnum level loads with BHN 15 all the time, and I have ZERO leading. My light .38 Specials, .44 Specials, and .45 Colts, I use straight wheel weight lead (BHN 11-12). Again, ZERO leading.

Bullet lube also is a factor. You need enough of it, and a decent one. My choice of lube, from powder-puff to Magnum level, is liquid Alox. Covers the whole boolit and leaves me with a shiny bore. Also leaves me with clean(er) chambers in the sixgun (I shoot mostly revolvers).