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What I'm wondering is what are the disadvantages to using lead bullets over FMJ. Are the advantages of FMJ worth the price difference. I'm mostly thinking of for plinking at the range.
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Remember, no matter where you go, there you are! -
For plinking, nothing that I can think of. Lead bullets for plinking are great, very easy cleanup. You will get lead in the barrel but can be cleaned with 2-3 passes of a copper brush. Quick and easy.
If you load your own, using lead bullets, wad-cutters, etc it will be way cheaper than FMJ.
For plinking IMO there is no advantage to FMJs over lead. All the advantages are for the lead but mostly in cost and cleaning.
Your barrel will also last longer with with lead due to the softness of the metal."In the end people ARE AS THEY CHOOSE TO BE. It is no one else's fault but theirs. Just because you don't like the choices available does not abdicate the inherent responsibility for your choices." - meaty-btz -
LSWC make nice big round holes in targets, while FMJ makes ragged holes.
XL-650 to feed the: .45ACP's Les Baer Concept V, Ruger SR 1911, Ruger Nightwatchman,custom built Colt M1911, Springfield .45ACP Loaded.. 9MM SA Range Officer,Ruger P-85, Springfield Stainless 9MM loaded, SA 9MM 5.25" XDM, Springfield 9mm Stainless Range Officer, STI double stack .45ACP.
IDPA A41750 Safety Officer
NRA Certified RSO
"Stay out of the deep end of the pool; correct the problem with your credit card, not your dremel!"Comment
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for plinking if you keep the speeds down you won't have to clean as much lead out of the barrel. also the right size bullet helps a lot. (do a Google search on slugging a barrel it will help you pick the right size) I use .452 in 45acp and .357 in both my 357 and 9mm.Q: What was the most positive result of the "Cash for Clunkers" program?
A: It took 95% of the Obama bumper stickers off the road.
Originally posted by M. Sage
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Just get you blood lead level checked every 6 months.Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus.
What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
Nothing worse than an overrated F*** and an underrated S***
iF it'S nOt an aCt of goD, iT's a ConSpirAcy. If it can be measured, it can be optimized.
"What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." Chris HitchensComment
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I stopped using lead because of the nasty bullet lube. Smokey and dirty. I shoot indoors, so I use plated these days. No smoke and very clean.Comment
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I shoot lead bullets outdoors and plated bullets indoors.NRA lifetime member
1911's: a few dozen
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Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus.
What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
Nothing worse than an overrated F*** and an underrated S***
iF it'S nOt an aCt of goD, iT's a ConSpirAcy. If it can be measured, it can be optimized.
"What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." Chris HitchensComment
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i cast my own for 9 and 45 it makes quite a mess in my barrels but for what i save its the price i pay to playComment
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I cast my own boolits.
Every thing from 41 mag to 38 spl.
I have no problems with leading of the barrels....even with hot loads.
I kinda like the smoke from the lube......but, I shoot outdoors. I also shoot
blackpowder.
And, my lead levels are normal....been casting for over 30 years.
Take care
Abenaki"Waiting periods are only a step. Registration is only a step. The prohibition of private firearms is the goal." U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, December 1993
I'd rather be a Boomer, than generation crybaby!Comment
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I recently started reloading .45 for a new 1911 I purchased last year. I broke her in on about 700 rounds FMJ's but have switched to LSWC's and have shot about 1k rounds of lead. LSWC's are really cheap to shoot compared to the new FMJ's. Not counting the time I put into reloading, I figure I'm paying about 10-12 cents per round on the reloaded LSWC's vs about 25-30 cents for the new FMJ's. Accuracy is very close. The lead has less recoil - I'm loading on the low end of suggested powder weight. I just bought another 1k rounds of lead from SNS casting. So far I'm impressed with the quality.
Good Shooting.
DanComment
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There are two typed of bullets I use:
cast lead/swaged
or
jacketed.
Cast lead bullets work in all my pistols, even my 1932 Lugers, and about all I shoot are SWCs.
Currently, if you are buying bullets, you can buy a case of EXCELLENT jacketed JHPs (or even those boring FMJs) in 0.355, 0.356, and 0.357" for almost the same as cast (and the same as those plated bullets that some people seem to use). This is an unbelievable deal and everyone should be stocking up on Montana Gold bullets.
For .40 and larger, cast bullets are the only way to go.
Look to Mastercastbullets.com, Missouri Bullets, Penn Bullets, Bootheel Bullets, and BulletBarn for cast. These tend to be less expensive and excellent quantity or carry some unique bullets.Comment
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