Lead Bullets vs. Plated Bullets

[Jet Setter]

The saving alone should speak volumes. Just have to make sure you can shoot lead out of your barrel.

If you like wasting money then keep reloading plated.

[Pacilander]

Handling lead is not an issue, it does not transfer through the skin. You should wash up afterwards but you do not absorb lead by touching it. Good lord people are silly these days. The danger with lead comes from: consumption and fumes/fine particulates.

As for the above comment about paper and steel. There are millons of dead animals and people who would like to talk to you about the lethality of lead bullets. As long as you are outside of Kommiefornia or outside the lead ban zones. Lead pills are good for hunting.

I only said to wear gloves and wash your hands because handling lead and then grabbing a bite to eat is a bad idea. I never stated that the lead would melt through your fingers and kill you! I guess common sense is not so common after all.

[asm_]

I'm not sure why you need convince to shot lead. The basic fact is, most pistol load is well below the max speed limit of lead bullet. This is especially true if you water crunch your lead bullet when you cast them.

On the other hand, the only reason I do not cast is because plated bullets are fair inexpensive. Some time it is easier to just buy the bullet.

[GeoffLinder]

You want hard cast lead for 9mm, that means you can't scratch it with your thumbnail. You don't want to push them much over 1000fps to prevent lead shearing which fouls bore fast, which also means a 115gr will be a 115 power factor which may not cycle an auto-loader very well.

For lead in a 9mm I always use 147gr bullet weight which allows even lower velocity of 900fps or less and still getting a 125-130 power factor. This prevents heavy bore leading from too much velocity and also guarantees cycling in an auto-loader.

[OCD41911]

I prefer SNS casting, a cut above quality wise. Also Penn, if a bit slow, but probably worth the wait.

Both on the world wide web...

+1 on SNS casting. I just got 2k 230gn LRN. They shipped in a week and are a family owned business. shop.snscasting.com

[gemoose23]

Don't dooo it.. slippery slope.

1st you will switch to Lead for your handguns
2nd you will switch for your rifles
3rd you'll start considering acquiring lead, wheel weights
4th you'll start acquiring casting tools, sizing tools and lubricators
5th you'll start casting your own and be even more self sufficent in your shooting hobby.

I am on step 4 now... it started with me switching to lead 10 years ago.

[koehn,jim]

As some have mentioned I find the self sufficent part as a good reason to cast my own. I have a steady supply of bullets for all my weapons. it can however be an addicting hobby in its own right. Before buying cast bullets though you should slug your bore. With cast bullets fit is the most important variable.

[the86d]

Jump on group buys for Extreme plated...

You will be happy you did.

I want to keep some lead just in case, but I prefer plated, in "group buy pricing".

[Colt562]

Failed to mention, most of the time I shoot at indoor ranges.

[Pacilander]

Failed to mention, most of the time I shoot at indoor ranges.

Most indoor ranges will let you shoot moly or polymer coated bullets. These are still a little cheaper then plated and a lot cheaper then FMJ bullets.

[Bill Steele]

Failed to mention, most of the time I shoot at indoor ranges.

Conventional lead bullets produce a fair amount of smoke, enough that you can get some stares from those around you when shooting indoors.

As most of the smoke from shooting lead is from the lube, I think moly coated lead might be a better choice for the indoor shooter (like Bear Creek), or obviously plated/jacketed.

Truth be told though, if you are shooting indoor, a ventilation system that is not good enough to pull the smoke from your lead bullet lube out before it becomes an issue, probably isn't one I would frequent. Just because you can't see much stuff coming from your barrel, doesn't mean you want to be inhaling it.

[reg290]

I use Xtream plated bullets and they work great for me. I get less chance of leading and $35 for 500 115gr 9mm. A great deal.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

+1 on Xtreme.
It's all I use to plink with out of my Glock 22. Awesome bullet being pushed by either Unique or WST.

[Colt562]

+1 on Xtreme.
It's all I use to plink with out of my Glock 22. Awesome bullet being pushed by either Unique or WST.

If i could find that price, I would stick to plated, but cant really beat 30/500.

[welldriller]

plated lead

I cast some of my bullets, lead works fine in my 45's but because of the velocity that I like to shoot it leads up my 40 barrels.
I started copper barrel plating my bullets just to get away from handling the lead. The lead doesnt stick as well as Berries but it coats the lead until it is out of the barrel.
Plated bullets go through the bullet feeders on my progressive loader lead bullets wont feed. thats another plus for plated.
HKdads moly bullets are great for 45. I shoot a lot of them. 40's are good if you back off on the powder.

[the86d]

If i could find that price, I would stick to plated, but cant really beat 30/500.

You can for $5-10 more per K for plated in a group buy...