9mm hard cast lead

[jrkfantom]

Hey guys, I know this question has probably been beat to death and I've read up on it, but can't find exactly the answers i need. So here we go 1) I know that lead and jacketed bullets need to be loaded differently, but will there be a major difference in load data between lead and hard cast lead? 2) for someone who is just beginning to reload, will loading hard cast 9mm lead be more difficult than jacketed? 3) Is the price difference between jacketed and hard lead so negligible as to just stick to plated? I'm not currently looking ofr match grade accuracy, just looking to make range ammo for plinking. Thanks in advance

 

[rcmodel]

Not much different then reloading jacketed.

You may need to bell the case mouth a little more to prevent shaving lead when seating.

You may not be able to drive them quite as fast.

Cost will be about $30 per 500, or about 1/2 what plated or the cheapest jacketed bullets cost.
http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?category=5&secondary=8

You do need to use lead bullet load data.
I would suggest you buy the Lyman #49 load manual for the best and most complete lead bullet info & load data.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/21...dbook-49th-edition-reloading-manual-softcover

rc

 

[J_McLeod]

I agree with rcmodel's post, including his recommendations for Missouri Bullet and Lyman. You can also find some lead data in Lee's manual and Hodgdon's website. In my opinion, plated bullets are not worth it. They are so close to jacketed in price I just get jacketed and have better and more load data.

 

[Nutbustd]

Hi everybody. I have been using www.pennbullet.com for a while now. In 9mm their premium lead is 20 bernell hardness. I use their 125gn RN This lead is hard and DOES NOT lead the barrel. Even after 200 rounds my 9mm is pretty darn lead free. This hard lead is rated past 1500fps! in almost all calibers. Some like certain .357 are rated to 1800fps. I tried Missouri, lasercast and Penn. Found Penn the best. Free shipping for all military personnel makes Penn bullets very cost effective.

 

[evan price]

If the bullet is sized correctly you don't need to use bullets as hard as a rock. I size mine to .357" which is a bit larger than standard and tumble lube with ALOX and no leading even using 12 bhn lead from range scrap. I typically shoot 500 rounds in a range session and no real lead fouling. Penn likes to toot their horn about how hard their bullets are but it's not needed. 20 bhn is like pure linotype alloy which is ridiculously hard for a pistol. 9mm runs around 1000-1200 fps which isn't that fast really.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hi everybody. I have been using www.penn bullet.com for a while now. In 9mm their premium lead is 20 bernell hardness. I use their 125gn RN This lead is hard and DOES NOT lead the barrel. Even after 200 rounds my 9mm is pretty darn lead free. This hard lead is rated past 1500fps! in almost all calibers. Some like certain .357 are rated to 1800fps. I tried Missouri, lasercast and Penn. Found Penn the best. Free shipping for all military personnel makes Penn bullets very cost effective.

Looks like another Penn Bullets alias is on the forum. I guess Mr. Penn won't stop until his block of IP numbers gets banned. When will he realize we don't want to buy from him? He only makes it worse by playing these games!

Sorry for the sidetrack. I load 125gr LRN bullets all the time for the 9mm and they work very well without leading. I like W231 best for that combination.

 

[Super.45]

The Hodgdon web site has a lot of data for both jacketed and cast that I find very useful. The Lyman book is also an excellent source for cast data. The web site Cast Boolits is also another source for good info on cast bullets.

 

[LiveLife]

In 9mm their premium lead is 20 bernell hardness.

You'll find many that will disagree with lead bullets needing 20 BHN:

http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCommentsCBAlloys.htm

Plainly stated, hard-cast bullets with a BHN well over 20 are simply not necessary for the vast majority of handgun applications ... Elmer Keith's favorite cast bullet alloy was ... a BHN of only 11. This is the alloy that gave a roaring birth to the .44 Magnum using plain-based cast bullets loaded to 1400+ fps.

Obturation is the plastic deformation of the bullet alloy as a result of the pressure applied to the base by the burning powder. By making the bullet soft enough that it can deform slightly upon firing, it does a better job of sealing the gases off behind it and minimizing blow-by and the leading that results from it.

http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCBAlloyObturation.htm

... commercial alloys are commonly too hard to "bump up" (or obturate) and seal the bore at typical revolver pressures. The resulting blow-by of the hot gases past the bullet's bearing surfaces can leave significant lead deposits in the barrel.