[jetrecbn]

How fast (FPS) before a typical hard cast bullet starts to lead a pistol barrel?

9mm
45acp
357 Mag?

[GP100man]

it depends, really ive shot12.5bhn boolits to 1300 fps in a 357 6" barrel with no leading & shot commercially cast that was 3565" & were 18bhn & loaded the barrel BAD.
i do save my alloys for the faster ,higher pressure loads & taylor the fit to the gun!
the softer stuff is reserved for lower pressure loads.
& good sticky loobe from white label lubes!!!!
wanted to add: a slower powder will usually help ,this is one of the reasons for perfect fit!
on softer alloys i use a dab of clays or titegroup to get a qwik kik to help arbutrate the soft boolit at lower speeds.
my exp. with 357 mag

GP100man

[Griz44]

i use a dab of clays or titegroup
GP, are you indicating that you are mixing powders?

[lordgroom]

Typically, most people recommend keeping non-gaschecked lead bullets to below 1200 FPS.

[possum]

i was always told 1000fps and less is best. i don't know if that is right or not though.

[243winxb]

How fast (FPS) before a typical hard cast bullet starts to lead a pistol barrel?

9mm
45acp
357 Mag They will not lead at maximum load/speed for these calibers , If using the proper alloy and lube. They dont need a gas check.

[xsquidgator]

They will not lead at maximum load/speed for these calibers , If using the proper alloy and lube. They dont need a gas check.

Not just that, but I have also read that undersized bullets, even if properly lubed, will lead due to gas leak-by cutting the sides of the bullet.

I think it's a combination of size, speed (pressure) and lube. I am beginning to experiment with not sizing my cast boolits to see if I can push them harder without leading.

[Walkalong]

Everyone has given good advise.

You will not push any lead bullet fast enough in 9MM or .45 to need a gas check. With more careful loading you won't need one in the .357.

You must match the alloy hardness to the pressures generated in the caliber. The softer bullets for low pressure and the harder ones for higher pressures.

Try to shoot hard bullets in the .38 Spl and you will get gas cutting and severe leading. The bullets do not obturate to fill the bore and let high pressure high velocity gases get past. ( Leading in the forcing cone and the first part of the bore.)

Try to shoot those soft bullets in the .357 and you will get leading from stem to stern regardless of what lube you use. Use a good hard bullet with plenty of lube. If you end up with leading towards the muzzle end of the bore, you need a different lube, or more lube.

Your bullets need to be .001 oversized for autos, and they need to fit your throats in a revolver. If your revolver throats are smaller than your bore size, you will be hard pressed to stop leading except with soft bullets. The throats should be about .002 to .003 over bore diameter for best results with cast bullets.

Hope this is helpful. It is not nearly as tough as it sounds, especially in .38 and .45. Almost any commercially hard cast .45 ACP bullet will work in the .45 without leading. It is a great one to get started with.

[243winxb]

I have seen leading in 2 handgun. Both 357mags. The fault was with the guns. 1. Colt python had an undersize groove diameter barrel of .354", the load was a Hornady 148 gr full wad cutter with a very light load of bullseys pushing it. You could only hit the standard 50ft bullseye target with 5 out of 10 rounds at that distance. 2. Ruger revolver double action, the barrel had flaws in the first 1/2" of the rifling, the lead caught on the rought edges, shot fine after polishing. When the accuracy goes, you got leading. The rest of what you see in the barrel is normal fouling. In 22Lr, i have seen leading with very bad ammo that should have been recalled.

[zxcvbob]

I have a .30 Carbine blackhawk that doesn't lead much no matter how much I abuse it. (I've loaded cast .32 pistol bullets for it to over 1700 fps)

I have a Taurus Gaucho .357 that leads badly with light .38 specials, hot .357 Magnums, or anything in between -- but the powder selection seems to make a difference in leading for the magnum loads. I'm pretty sure it just has a rough bore and I need to shoot jacketed bullets for a while to wear it in.

[GP100man]

grizz 44
nope, just one powder at the time comes out of the cabinet at the time!

GP100man

[jetrecbn]

I thank all of you for your advice.

[Snapping Twig]

Make your boolits .001 larger than bore size and lube 'em with quality lube and you can shoot 'em as fast as you like with out leading.

Gas checks offer a more perfect base and that affects accuracy and they also allow for improper sizing (see above) W/O leading.

I like straight wheel weights and I save the linotype for other things these days.