Just changing the bullet in store bought ammo?

[Desert_Patriot]

New to reloading and not really having a "mentor" to ask these thing and after searching the forums a little bit not seeing anything on this topic (may be crazy, idk) I thought I'd ask it myself. Being as you must hunt with lead free ammo now in CA and they don't readily sell it at the local Wally World why not just buy some cheap Federal (in this case .270 win) with lead bullets, bring it home and pull said bullets and set in some copper ones, not changing anything but the bullet. By my calculations it would be a bit cheaper than buying all of the supplies separately and less labor intensive, what do you wise folks think? I've only reloaded about 100 rounds total and they have all come out well, but if this is a safe, cheap, quick and easy way to secure my hunting ammo supply for next year than why not?

[Metal God]

OMG where to start , well um DON'T ! So many things to say and no words come to mind . Lets start with lead is much heavier then copper . That means to have the same weight bullet in copper as lead . The copper bullet must be longer . Longer means more bearing surface area on bullet creating more drag down the barrel . That will create more pressure which is not good . I've been told that all those extra rings you see on lead free bullets are there to reduce the surface area of the bullet making cantact with the bore .

I do not recommend doing this . There is way to much going on in a controled explosion like this . I'm sure there are a few looong time reloaders that have enough experience and notes that they could pull it off but if your new to reloading stick with working up your loads from scatch

(may be crazy, idk)

The only crazy/dumb question is the one not asked .

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

A specific load was develop by the manufacture to work with all the components, case, primer, powder, powder weight, bullet etc.Components can be purchase for X amount of money, but your eyes and any part of your body don't have a price tag.

[TKM]

It's been done for a long time in competition. See Mexican Match ammo.

You will have to find the proper recipe for your special California condor rounds. Different powder charge or possibly entirely different powder and charge weight may be needed. Think of it as a rebuild instead of a parts swap.

[someoneeasy]

I've done this before with surplus 30-06 hxp from the CMP. The projectiles attract a magnet so I just replaced them, but with the same exact bullet that didn't attract a magnet.

That's actually how I got started with reloading. Couldn't find any powder or primers, but this gave me practice with bullet seating.

[JMP]

Lets start with lead is much heavier then copper . That means to have the same weight bullet in copper as lead . The copper bullet must be longer .

While that's true, you'd almost universally use a lighter monolithic bullet than you would a jacketed as you need a faster twist rate to stabalize solids. Also, the o-gives tend to be considerably more narrow, so they aren't seated as deeply. It really depends on the bullet. Bore-riders are also going to be more sensitive to barrel conditions and a bit more fussy to load.

[Whiterabbit]

Read the title, thought "sure, I'd have no qualms"

Then I read "with a solid copper bullet" and the red flag went up.

Notice those who say it's been done do not specifically reference copper solids. They play by slightly different rules. I'd be inclined to try it if I had a scale and could measure a grain or three down and work back up, but at that point, you have all the equipment just to do it normally anyways, so why bother?

Next, when a box of 50 barnes bullets costs $35, and 60 rounds of cheap 270 costs a buck a pop, you are at $95 for 50 rounds, which is pretty close to what you'd pay for commercial lead free ammo anyways. (what, $45 a box?)

All so you can load develop anyways, and put the first 40 rounds into a backstock to ensure you got the OAL right and picked a good commercial ammo to start with? You are not saving money. To say nothing of the safety hazard should you miss any given precaution substituting solid copper over jacketed.

Again, it could be done. With some common sense applied, perfectly safe. Ultimately, I'm not confident the economy is there, eliminating the entire justification of the exercise.

[Metal God]

While that's true, you'd almost universally use a lighter monolithic bullet than you would a jacketed as you need a faster twist rate to stabalize solids. Also, the o-gives tend to be considerably more narrow, so they aren't seated as deeply.

The funny thing there is . You and I know that but does the new reloader know those types of things . That's why I told the OP not to mees with it . With out knowing the things in your quote . It would seem reasonable to replace one 150gr bullet with any other 150gr bullet . But that is not really true .

[Witch Hunter]

You would need to size the neck for proper tension anyway. So you can pull the bullets, dump the powder and resize and deprime carefully. Then start over. Why not just shoot em and reload to your own specs with lead free bullets. Much better in the long run. Safer too.

[Divernhunter]

No need to deprime. Just move the stem up until it does not push out the primer. Do not remove it as you still need the expander ball to size the neck.
Works ok when using another lead-core bullet.
Not a good idea when going to non-lead bullets. I strongly suggest you do not do it.
Not everyone has figured out that you use a lighter non-lead bullet. I have seen far too many posts with people wanting to or using same weight/too heavy non-lead bullets. Often later complaining about their performance on game.

[JTROKS]

I wouldn't do it. For example a WW box of 40 grain Varmint load 223 Remington I bought from Walmart. I shot it out of my 14" TC Contender barrel and I had a hard action opening and a flattened primer clearly signs of high pressure. I shot it through my 21" TC Contender barrel and I really had a hard time breaking the action open and the primer was pierced. Definitely more pressure than the short barrel. A friend of mine got the same box and lot and shot them through his Reminton bolt rifle and no problem at all. As you can see some factory ammo can have over pressure just being shot from a more tighter tolerance chamber and barrel. The non lead bullet with the same weight will be longer and depending how it's manufactured may have more bearing surface. You may have to seat it deeper into the case causing less case space = more pressure. What is the value of your rifle and scope? How about your body parts?

[FLIGHT762]

Like many have said here, Don't try to replace a factory lead bullet load with a non lead bullet. I've been reloading rifle cartridges for over 40 years and I wouldn't do what you are asking. I do reload 270 Winchester with Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets for hunting.

I've seen Federal 270 Win. loaded with Barnes TSX bullets for sale at Walmart. Around $40.00 a box. Look around, you might be able to find it. That's what I would do.

[M1NM]

Practice with the lead then reload w/copper. Swapping bullets would need to be the same weight. Also with factory ammo you never know the exact powder they used. Some are even blends to get the exact pressure curve the manufacturer needs to meet SAMMI specs.

[3RDGEARGRNDRR]

Sorry fast,easy, cheap never go in the same sentence together. Pick two.
Just buy some hunting approved ammo and be done with it.

[edgerly779]

Non lead is only in condor zone remember for another few years.