bullet change

[chief99]

Have been reloading for a couple years . Load 38 , 40 and 45 .Always used Berry's platted bullets. Got a good deal on a 500 count of 45 lead in 230 gr. Thinking about going to lead in the 40 cal. , 165 gr. Is the lead just as accurate ? Is there an advantage other than the obvious , they're cheaper. I can buy a 500 count from Rim Rock bullets for under $40 . What do you think . Stick to what I know or make a change. Have used lead in the 38 with great success .

 

[kcofohio]

For me, lead has been a challenge with some of my guns. Trying to find the right powder and charge to prevent/lessen leading and get accuracy.
With plated, I have only had to get the accuracy.

The Lyman's Pistol & Revolver Handbook gives some good tips for lead bullets. IIRC!

With 45 230 gr. LRN, I have had good success with WST.

 

[PO2Hammer]

What kind of .40?
Land and groove rifling seem to be better than polygonal rifling for lead.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have shot a ton of cast 230 RN in 45 ACP. Worked fine for me. I usually shoot plated right now but would go to lead in a heart beat if I needed bullets.

I use the same powder for plated, jacketed or lead, 700-X. I have worked up loads for each so it is easy to change.

I also shoot plated or jacketed on 40 S&W. I have never tried lead but again, i would probably switch if I needed to.

As an aside, I shoot almost exclusively lead in my 38, 44 and 45 caliber revolvers. I do prefer cast bullets to swaged though.

 

[horseman1]

I've shot lead in 155gr, 180gr. For lower powered plinking I have used WST. I liked HP38/W231 a little better in the 40 s&w with lead. The WST seems a little fast, so I save it for 45 acp now. Recently, I picked up some coated lead bullets from Falcon Bullets and they work great and no leading.

These are being shot out of a Springfield Armory XD40.

I find them (lead) accurate, but my shooting isnt all that good anymore. Best to ask someone who shoots better than I do!

 

[oldreloader]

Lead is all I shoot in 45 and 9MM

 

[Hondo 60]

Remember, for several hundred years lead bullets were all there was.
Plated & jacketed are creations of the 20th century.

So yes, lead bullets work fine.
Now, to get the right powder & charge - that's the big issue.

 

[ljnowell]

You can get Missouri bullets 155gr for 36/500 and the 170 gr for 39/500.

I use the Missouri 180gr in 40.

 

[chief99]

Thanks for the replies. Going to order the lead bullets for the 40 . BTW , It,s a S&W M&P shield .

 

[1911Teacher]

Try coated bullets and get the best of both worlds with no smoke.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Try coated bullets and get the best of both worlds with no smoke.

I second that. Just $2 more per 1,000 from SNS casting : http://www.snscasting.com/

As far as cast I have had leading in 45's before. My load was too light. I bumped it up and it disappeared altogether. Recently have been running some cast bullets (not coated) through my 9mm after using mainly plated bullets. Shot 240 rounds Sat with no leading...cleaned up with a single patch.

Note: Sometimes the bullet lube sticks to the barrel and resembles leading..one patch and it's gone. So don't panic and confirm leading before changing load.

Note: Make sure you have chamfer your casings to prevent lead peeling when seating.