Need Info On Cast Bullets

[bigdawg86]

I am a new(er) reloader... So far the only thing I have reloaded is about 1000 rounds of .223 for my rifle. I have a 2K of 357/38 projectiles that I obtained from a friend of a friend and I would like to use them since my Colt 357 King Cobra is hungry... Question is that I have never used lead projectiles and I don't know what guns can or can't use lead or if there are any special considerations I should know before I start. The projectiles are wadcutters, semi-wad cutters, and hollow base wad cutters.

Any help or pointers would be great.

EDIT: I have about 4lbs of Unique powder that I would be using...not sure if that changes anything.

[ZakAttackMan]

Here you go:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

The hardest part for me is finding lead for cheap anymore.

[bigdawg86]

Genius

[CalTeacher]

Slug your bore. Use boolits about .001" over your groove diameter. Make sure the boolits are lubed properly. If you plan to run them at magnum velocities, which you won't be with Unique, then use gas checks. Enjoy shooting accurate ammo for a hell of a lot less money.

Read everything you can at the cast boolits forum. Also, google the Los Angeles silhouette club and learn more than you ever wanted to about lead projectiles. I'd link you to it but I'm on my phone.

[bohoki]

i personally do not want to use lead in anything going supersonic or with a barrel longer than about 8 inches (for cleaning purposes)

i cast for 9mm luger 45 acp and 44 magnum (that i load wimpy)

[bigdawg86]

Slug your bore. Use boolits about .001" over your groove diameter. Make sure the boolits are lubed properly. If you plan to run them at magnum velocities, which you won't be with Unique, then use gas checks. Enjoy shooting accurate ammo for a hell of a lot less money.

Read everything you can at the cast boolits forum. Also, google the Los Angeles silhouette club and learn more than you ever wanted to about lead projectiles. I'd link you to it but I'm on my phone.

1.)Slug your bore... Huh?
2.)Bullets .001 over groove diameter... I already have projectiles. Won't be buying anymore, so I have no control over diameter.

Looks like I have some reading to do... maybe I'll just load a crap-ton of .38 since I wont be doing magnum velocities.

[AJD]

Question is that I have never used lead projectiles and I don't know what guns can or can't use lead or if there are any special considerations I should know before I start. The projectiles are wadcutters, semi-wad cutters, and hollow base wad cutters.

Any help or pointers would be great.

EDIT: I have about 4lbs of Unique powder that I would be using...not sure if that changes anything.

Shooting lead usually requires a bullet at least .001 over groove diameter for optimal fit to prevent leading and optimal accuracy. Since you've already bought the bullets my guess is they're the standard .358 size. Without knowing what brand, hardness, etc. of the bullets, it's hard to make suggestions based on how to load them. The hollow base wadcutters however should be used with light charges of powder. There is plenty of data out there with Unique and HBWC. Those bullets are usually seated flush with the case mouth or slightly extended. They're very accurate up to 25 yards or so.

Btw, you do not need gas checks for magnum velocities in most cases as someone else stated.

[CalTeacher]

1.)Slug your bore... Huh?
.

Figure out the groove diameter of your barrel.

[CalTeacher]

Btw, you do not need gas checks for magnum velocities in most cases as someone else stated.

I've found them to be very useful at preventing leading at high velocities. YMMV

[smoothy8500]

I've had great success with factory hardcast bullets. I have not had any issues with leading in my 6" .357 S&W when loaded in the "mid-range" between starting and max loads. Follow reputable guides, either from Alliant website or published books. You'll be fine. Your initial question as to what guns can't use lead is related to certain semi-autos that have polygonal rifling, such as Glocks and other European makes.

[bigdawg86]

So I am essentially hearing this...I already have my cast boolits, so just work up my load like any other round and plink away? I know it is alot more scientific than that, but it doesn't have to be for recreational use.

[AJD]

Out of curiosity what brand are the cast bullets? If they're a very hard bullet you might get leading with light charges because the bullet won't obturate or seal the bore. But I don't know anything about the cast bullets you have. Generally speaking you would work your load up like any other round for the most part. Lyman, Speer, and Hornady to name a few have lead data for .38 special and .357 mag.

[CalTeacher]

. Your initial question as to what guns can't use lead is related to certain semi-autos that have polygonal rifling, such as Glocks and other European makes.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with shooting fast boolits in a stock Glock barrel.

[prob]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with shooting fast boolits in a stock Glock barrel.

My experience has been that cast bullets don't work well in Glock polygonal barrels. Of course, there will be those whose experiences have been contrary to mine, though I think for the most part it's a somewhat disappointing endeavor.

[CalTeacher]

My experience has been that cast bullets don't work well in Glock polygonal barrels. Of course, there will be those whose experiences have been contrary to mine, though I think for the most part it's a somewhat disappointing endeavor.

How do you know the problem was with the barrel?

The same rules for shooting cast boolits apply to all types of rifling.