Reloading for a glock

Correctly made cast lead bullets will do well in the factory Glock barrels. The operative word here is "correct". I can duplicate every negative comment made of cast bullets made here. Too soft and too big get you there. One failure has been left out. That is, how soft bullets will strip in the rifling and keyhole.

Coated work very well, No problems (that weren't my fault) here.

I am convinced that most of the leading stuff and bulged brass is a creature of the net. People have shared their reloading experiences . I belong to the shoot and load bunch. Leading is a non issue because correct bullets are used. Getting old and repeat myself. On the other hand we know the net never lies-right? Headed out after church to shoot seventy-five cast bullet handloads in my G23.4. Do what you feel is safe. Want an aftermarket barrel? Buy one. Don't like lead-don't shoot 'um. Please, do not tell me lead won't work.

YMMV: My experience: Made it out to range after church. The handgun was a G23.4 stock as a doorknob. Commenced to shoot seventy four rounds. The bullet was a water quenched Lyman 175 grain truncated cone bullet #401638. The charge was 6gr. of Accurate #5. The handgun ran with no malfunctions-about average for the make. One swipe with a brush and Hoppe's #9 plus several clean patches took care of cleaning to bore. No heavy lead buildup anyplace. Good accuracy on miniature silhouette target.@ twenty-five yards. Did find out yet again I did need to shoot the gun more!

Mowgli Terry said:

I am convinced that most of the leading stuff and bulged brass is a creature of the net. People have shared their reloading experiences

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Probably true and I think many share far more experience than they actually have.
Leading, when it occurs, is not a big deal. Watch for it, if it happens remove it and adjust the load.

I have had my G17 from right when the 40S&W become popular......was that late 80s?..I have reloaded for it since day 1 with what are now called Xtreme (back then it was Western Nevada West Coast bullet) NEVER an issue; even in my later purchased G26 and G19

I never had success with hard cast. Only when I used 10-11 bhn was I able to get no leading. 40sw and 45 auto was easy. 9mm will take some time to learn.

When I shared the Sunday experience it was prefaced by YMMV. Same here-YMMV. The following comment has to do with cast bullets in 357SIG OEM drop in barrel in my G23.4. When I used bullet somewhat softer than Lyman #2-@BH15-it was not a good thing. Round were loaded with the Lee 358-125 FR bullet. This bullet was suggested in another forum. This bullet does very well in the short neck of the SIG. The bullets appeared to strip in the rifling leaving a heavy leaded barrel. Bullets keyholed. Next, used the same load. This time out it was with water quenched bullets. The problem went away. My experience is with 357 SIG and 40 S&W in Glock's is hard bullets with good lube. For the G21 it's the same as I shoot in the Colt Target Combat 45ACP. Going to do some 10mm for the G20.3 next. Need to shoot these guns more.

blue32 said:

I never had success with hard cast. Only when I used 10-11 bhn was I able to get no leading. 40sw and 45 auto was easy. 9mm will take some time to learn.

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I used to shoot harder cast bullets but even when pushed to max load data, I got leading in my barrels.

With softer 18 BHN MBC 9mm 124 gr RN (SmallBall) bullets sized .356", I got full length barrel leading (.356" groove diameter Lone Wolf barrel) with Hodgdon near max load data of 4.3 gr W231/HP-38 (Hodgdon lists 4.4 gr max charge for 125 gr Lead CN bullet) - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

After referencing 1999 Winchester load data which listed 4.0 gr as max charge for 124 gr Lead RN, I reduced the powder charge to 4.0 and then even lower to 3.8 gr and leading stopped - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=159609&stc=1&d=1329800605

With factory Glock barrel, 4.3 gr load coated the barrel rifling with crusty fouling so much it would turn into a smooth bore after several hundred rounds. Using lower powder charges of 3.8-4.0 gr reduced the amount of fouling and accuracy was maintained for several hundred rounds at which point I cleaned the barrel of fouling.

For lower pressure 45ACP, I agree with using softer cast bullets, especially for lighter target loads. 18 BHN MBC 200 gr SWC (IDP #1) worked well with my Sig 1911 and M&P45 but would lead the oversized barrel of PT 145 (.456"+) using 5.0 gr W231/HP-38. After switching to softer 12 BHN MBC 200 gr SWC (Bullseye #1), leading stopped and accuracy returned to PT145. Even lighter 4.0 gr Red Dot/Promo would deform the bullet base enough to seal with the barrel and produce accuracy without leading.

With Glock switching rifling to conventional square cut land/groove rifling for Gen 5 models, discussion of using lead bullets will likely become moot in the future but IMHO with some consideration, one could shoot lead bullets out of Gen 1-4 barrels.

That's why I put YMMV in these post. Aside from 45 ACP faster powders made mischief with soft bullets here. That is, in the application we are discussing. Evidently, the point about " hard" bullets was missed here. That's why your results were variance with several post here. That's your experience is different from mine. Seriously, try slower powers and harder bullets. Incidentally, the G23 was inspected for lead again with the same results. I'd also suggest you research BHN of water quenched bullets. Our BHN is in excess of 20. Beats wheel weights and Linotype for alloys for convenience. That's all for me. Having said all this twice constitutes an argument. (-:

Addendum: I have no interest in target or plinking loads in the Glock handguns. I want a cast bullet that is for general use. For hand cast hollow points in 45 ACP it's unalloyed lead. Sorry, no toxic leading in the G21. Do you cast or buy your bullets?

Yes, I agree that YMMV absolutely applies due to different reloading variables such as BHN, rifling type, groove diameter of barrels, powder and charges etc.

That's why I shared my successes (and shortcomings) of specific BHN bullet with particular groove diameter barrels along with powder/charges and results regarding leading/fouling and accuracy so readers of this thread can better benefit for their load development. I believe general statements such as "lead/cast bullets don't work with Glocks" do not offer specific enough information to help readers of this thread.

This is The High Road. If we are going to respond to member questions about particular topics, I consider it courtesy to provide specifics instead of posting vague and generalized statements.

And if there are topics we cannot satisfactorily conclude, we do "myth busting" threads to get to the bottom with objective facts and data instead of perpetuating the "internet" myth.

Do you cast bullets? Have you fired your cast bullets in a Glock?. I think no to each question.

Moderator: Please close this thread. It is going no place at this point. Thanks.

Mowgli Terry said:

Do you cast or buy your bullets?

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Currently I buy cast and coated cast bullets but collecting lead to cast/powder coat in retirement years.

And while OP posted casting bullets from wheel weights, purchase and use of MBC bullets was posted with concern for leading in Glock barrel (with consideration for aftermarket barrel) and I posted my experience with factory/aftermarket barrels and MBC bullets.

Okcafe86 said:

Thank you for your input everyone. I did forget to mention I mainly load cast boolits from wheel weight and Ill buy MBC when I dont have time to cast. So leading in the polygonal rifling was my main concern. If and when I do buy one Ill get an aftermarket barrel just to put my mind at ease.

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Mowgli Terry said:

I'd also suggest you research BHN of water quenched bullets. Our BHN is in excess of 20. Beats wheel weights and Linotype for alloys for convenience.

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"Our BHN is in excess of 20"? OP clearly posted casting is done with wheel weights.

Okcafe86 said:

I mainly load cast boolits from wheel weight

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Mowgli Terry said:

Addendum: I have no interest in target or plinking loads in the Glock handguns.

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I do not believe OP mentioned what velocity range was desired. And again, I simply posted my actual experience with specific bullet OP planned to use (MBC) and factory Glock and aftermarket barrels.

I am responding to OP's questions.

Mowgli Terry said:

Moderator: Please close this thread. It is going no place at this point. Thanks.

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That request should come from the OP only if OP desires such.

PM made to moderator.

Mowgli Terry said:

Our BHN is in excess of 20. Beats wheel weights and Linotype for alloys for convenience.

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But I posted success with softer 18 BHN MBC bullet when used with proper lead load data, in this case 1999 Winchester lead load data for 124 gr Lead RN.


And this is quote from another thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/question-about-leading.840890/page-2#post-10923397

Mowgli Terry said:

We have considerable money and time invested in the conventional stuff

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You keep talking with "Our" and "We".

Are you affiliated with a cast bullet business?

Thanks for your reply and efforts not to have the thread closed. All these bullets are hand cast here-nothing lead is store bought. I was accustomed to the Moderators closing the thread for cause. No, I am not in a bullet or gun business. The "We" and "Us" are a group of bullet casters with which I shoot. The knee jerk 18 BHS in a Glock barrel is very iffy.YMMV! From my casting and shooting experience it would prove too soft in 357 SIG, 9mm and 40 S&W. That hardness would work well in 45 ACP. Buying an aftermarket barrel is totally unnecessary. My 45ACP loads are 4grs of Bullseye and the Lyman #452460-200gr. SWC. For carry the charge will be 4.5 to 5grs of Bullseye. Ill use the SWC or home cast hollow points. The HP bullets are cast from unalloyed lead. For the other its water quenched range scrap. I have an informal weekly Bullseye match where the program requires ninety rounds of 45 ACP cartridges. All this is shooting my bullets in my handguns. Loads were made up in my Skunk Works. The equipment was for the handgun a Dillon 550. For the rifle calibers it was an RCBS Rockchucker and a Lyman Turret Press. I have made up a rig for 308 lead using a current Lee Classic Press.

Your wheel weights comment was out of context. I'd suggest your reading Chapter 3 from Mr. Fryxell's book from which you used heavy edited quotes in a previous post. This is an enlightening chapter on alloys and quenched bullets.

Whats happening here. First up, I'm no expert on casting. I will be glad to help anybody on these projects. Right now it's loading 45 ACP for the matches, I use loads listed above. Works great and is accurate. My handgun is a Colt 1911 Combat Target model. The was a plain jane model of a Gold Cup. This is a good gun. I cast my own hollow points for 44 caliber and 45 ACP. I have a hollow point mold for the 40 caliber but have not used it. The nose plug is gone from my old Lyman mold for the Keith SWC.

My other current projects are turning a 308 Ruger American into a dedicated lead bullet rifle. The bullet is a Lyman 311334 GC and a similar antique Ideal mold. The bullets run 185 grs. The load is 16grs. of 2400. So far this load appears to have great promise. This particular load was a "go-to" in "Cast Boolits". The load also works in my ratty 110FP Savage in the local CBA matches. Also, did some loading of 44 Magnum. Using the 428244 250gr. GC bullet. The powder is 18.5 grs on Accurate #9, This is a work in progress. Bubba had done a number on one of the second hand Vaquero's The bullet I use in the G23.3 is the Lyman 401638 TC bullet at 175grs. Load is 6gr. of Accurate #5. No lead in these guns with current loads.

Also in the mix is a variety of other projects. Also doing some 44 Special and 45 Colt loads for Ruger's. Other long guns include a custom Mauser in 256 Newton. Hope to get some rounds loaded by Friday. Another project is getting loads up for a 38-44 S&W Outoorsman. I'll use the Thompson bullet and Unique or #5 to start. Other rifles on the far back burner are two 1885's and two 1874's. This rifles are in; 40-64, 45-70, 45-90 and 45-110. Mainly loading for the 45 calibers using 458125@500grs. Sometimes I will use a 458124@385 grs. For BP I'm using FFFg or Accurate 5744. I cut my own wads and use SPG lube-all pretty standard stuff. For the 40 caliber handgun it' the Lyman 401638 TC bullet . These bullets are water quenched. The charge was 6grs. of #5. For my 9mm Rock Island FS 1911 it the Lee 357-125RT. This is a 38/357 bullet that works very well in 357 SIG. I have used the Lyman 356402 Lyman bullet. This latter bullet was not well adapted to the 357 SIG. I'm also working on a T/C Dimension in 300 WM. I have a couple of other thirty caliber magnums in the safe. I'm gonna to make attempts to get them going with lead bullets.

I have many old loading manuals and several recent editions plus a subscription to "Loaddata". I'm not crazy about using data from 1999. I apologize for boring everybody with this self centered post. I'll do back flips to get you or anybody any information or to elaborate on information in this post. Let me know via private email. Take care and be safe.

I am willing to help anybody and will own not knowing if that's the case. Most people can figure out BS fairly quickly.

Mowgli Terry said:

I am willing to help anybody and will own not knowing if that's the case. Most people can figure out BS fairly quickly

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Mowgli Terry, my friend. Truly.

Like many others posting on this thread, you are missing the entire purpose of this discussion. I believe you, that you would do anything to help someone asking so please don't take this as a negative.

A reality check: You are right. There is wandering off topic. I'm not exactly sure about the entire subject of the post. I thought we were talking about lead bullets in Glock's.Then leading in general. We were in a hot button topic. Down here there is an expression. That's like bringing up the subject of illegitimacy at the family picnic. It's on then. Thanks.

thomas15 said:

Like many others posting on this thread, you are missing the entire purpose of this discussion. I believe you, that you would do anything to help someone asking so please don't take this as a negative.

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Mowgli Terry said:

A reality check: You are right. There is wandering off topic. I'm not exactly sure about the entire subject of the post.

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Mowgli Terry, thank you for your responses. Looks like you have wealth of knowledge and experience and I have no doubt you will be an asset to THR forum.

THR is a great public forum where people come to share information, learn new ways from others and at times get away from hecticness of life. And since we are human, we sometimes do human things. I admit guilt there and in my early years with THR, moderator Walkalong has asked me to stay on topic so since, I often do direct OP quote followed by my response focused on the OP's questions. If you look at my post #14, you can see my point-by-point response to OP's various questions - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reloading-for-a-glock.841153/#post-10922408

These were OP's premise and questions for the thread:

• Ive owned several pistols by multiple manufactures, but never a glock.
• [stigma] behind reloading for them. Case bulging, leading in barrel, the list goes on.
• Is the general consesus on the topic that if you want to reload with these things, its accepted to buy a new barrel and all your problems go away?
• I mainly load cast boolits from wheel weight
• Ill buy MBC when I dont have time to cast
• leading in the polygonal rifling was my main concern
• If and when I do buy [Glock] Ill get an aftermarket barrel just to put my mind at ease

My posts #14 and #25 were focused on these questions.


When member blue32 posted "never had success with hard cast. Only when I used 10-11 bhn was I able to get no leading." I posted my personal experience with 12/18 BHN MBC bullets many members on THR have used with success which I consider still pertinent and beneficial to OP - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reloading-for-a-glock.841153/page-2#post-10928139


I responded to your post #35 by absolutely agreeing with you YMMV applies due to many reloading variables. But when you posted "Our BHN is in excess of 20. Beats wheel weights ... I have no interest in target or plinking loads in the Glock handguns." I responded that OP is using wheel weights and did not specify the velocities that would be used in OP's Glock. You may be surprised but many members on THR load to 125-130 power factor which is considered by many to be light target loads - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reloading-for-a-glock.841153/page-2#post-10928349

Mowgli Terry said:

Most people can figure out BS fairly quickly.

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Well, not always, especially for new reloaders and for many myths that have perpetuated on gun forums, even on THR. When we come across such, some members have done "myth busting" threads to either confirm or bust these myths with factual objective testing and data.

Here's one busting myth of tumbling finished rounds breaking down powder (members tumbled up to 48 hours!) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ling-loaded-rounds.498890/page-3#post-6208556

How to best determine maximum and working OAL/COL using the barrel (AKA "plunk test") - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...rel-find-a-max-o-a-l-with-your-bullet.506678/

Use of digital scales (even cheap ones) for reloading - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...tal-scale-accuracy.759750/page-5#post-9596742

Residual affect of One Shot on neck tension and bullet setback - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...affect-on-neck-tension-bullet-setback.834035/

Copper plating thickness and rated velocities - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ng-at-25-50-yards.808446/page-3#post-10470195

Not all 9mm bullets are sized the same - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...re-sized-the-same.818806/page-2#post-10567453

Neck tension and bullet setback by headstamp - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...neck-tension-and-bullet-setback.830072/page-4

Use of pre-resized brass affect on OAL - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10779806

There are many more but these are just some examples of getting to the bottom of myths with measurable factual testing and data.

OP asked about the bulge: The bulge if often not a problem. My notion in this day is to size the case outside the Dillon 550 or what ever press I am using. Run the sized case into a case gauge. One that flunks going into a push through die or trash. This die removes the bulge. There is some controversy about ironing out the bulge. Should I use this case? I do. The die for 40 S&W will also do 10mm.

I have a Glock 17 and a Glock 43. Both shoot reloaded plated bullets, 124/125 grain RN bullets, without issue. I did buy a conventional barrel for the Glock 17 so that I could shoot cast bullet in it but have not tried it yet. I still have an adequate inventory of plated bullets to consume.

I recently bought a Colt Gold Cup in 9x19 and SWC bullet moulds for it. I'm sure some of the SWC ammunition will be tried out in the Glock 17 at some point in time. Glocks are nice to shooters, I just do not like the trigger for carry purposes.

I have several modern 9x19 chambered handguns and need, no want, to have them all run on the same ammunition. I may tailor reloads specifically for the Gold Cup only because it is primarily a target/range gun.