Cast bullet ok for .38 but not for Glock?

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

ghh3rd

Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
84
I heard that I can shoot a cast bullet from my S&W 642 .38 cal snub revolver without a problem, but should only shoot FMJ from my Glock - is this true?

From what I can tell, between bullet, powder, and primer I should save about half of the cost by using cast bullets. Is this about what everyone saves by reloading? How much does loading FMJ eat into the savings?

Thanks,

Randy
 
The conventional wisdom on not shooting cast bullets in a Glock is due to its polygonal rifling. Supposedly, accuracy is poor and leading is bad. Though there are some people out there who will tell you that they shoot cast bullets in their Glocks all day long with no ill effects.

As to the savings on cast bullets vs. FMJ, it depends on the caliber. 500 cast bullets for the .45acp cost about $45-$65. 500 jacketed bullets will run an average of $90-110. Given that the bullet is usually at least 2/3 the cost of a reloaded round (minus the cost of the brass), FMJ really does add up.
 
What caliber is your Glock ? If lead bullet can strip past the polygon rifling, what if a over sized (say .002") extra hard cast bullet was used ?
 
If you cast your own, you save big, after cost of equipment. I cast for 38 and 9mm, (even use the same mould, a Lee), and my cost is about $1 a pound for wheelweight lead, or cheaper, a quarter to run the pot, and my time. It's fun, too.
 
I am new to handgun loading and loading for the Glock. It was recommended to me that I install and after market barrel if I want to shoot handloads in my Glock.

I purchased a Lone Wolf barrel for my Glock 23 40 S&W. The chamber has more support than my stock barrel and it will shoot lead with no problems.

http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Products.aspx?CAT=238


.
 
The problem with Glocks is two-fold.

The poly rifling may strip soft bullets and lead badly.
But that is not the worst of it.

The big problem is, the older Glocks at least, could fire out of battery by quite some distance. As much as 3/16" of an inch.
And this was by design. :eek:

Cast bullets may deposit lead & bullet lube in the headspace shoulder of the chamber, holding the gun out of battery an increasing amount as it builds up in the chamber.
That makes the already unsupported case situation much worse!

These problems can be completely avoided by using very hard (Linotype) cast bullets. They are as hard as jacketed bullets, and act the same.

But more importantly, cleaning the chamber occasionally with a bronze bore brush, like every month or so!

I have shot hard-cast bullets in my .40 cal Model 23 for going on 13 years now without a problem.

rc
 
I may get flamed for being a newb and offering advice, but, I am not a newb to the world of glocks. If you shoot lead out of a glock the key is to keep velocity and pressure down and shoot a bullet that fits the bore best. That being said, I would not shoot lead .40s out of a glock. The .40 is a notoriously high pressure cartridge and the .40 glock is known for its unsupported chamber. Thats fine with factory ammo and fmj, but not for lead. It would not take much leading to force pressures high enough to blow the case out where its unsupported. If you were wanting to shoot it through a .45 glock, like I have done many times, I would say to be careful, clean often, and keep the load reasonable.
 
I always heard you can get excessive pressures shooting lead out of a Glock. That being said. I know guys that shoot lead with no problems. You can get a barrel to shoot lead for 100.
 
I shoot lead through my glock 17. Accuracy is excellent, better than the montana glod jaketed bullets I have shot in the past. I have a little leading but I clean the gun after every time I shoot it. I shoot IPSC with it so that usually means no more than 200 rounds at a time. Price of the lead bullets can't be beat 4.5 cents each.
 
I have been shooting cast bullets in my Glocks for years with no problems.
I use both Commercial bullets and home cast from wheelweights and shoot them in a G21,G30, G23 and G27.
After shooting a couple of hundred rds., I would have just a little leading but brushed it out when cleaning.

I then tried something new. I coated my bullets with a very light coat of Lee Liquid Alox and tried them out.

I now get no leading at all after shooting a couple of hundred rds. even when running the pistols very hot.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Cast bullet and leading
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Murphster
M
J
  • Locked
Cast Bullet Lubrication
Replies
8
Views
558
Poodleshooter
P
G
  • Locked
Lyman 358477 or another for a light bullet
Replies
2
Views
467
qajaq59
Q
C
  • Locked
Plated Bullets
Replies
11
Views
2K
Gewehr98
G
A
  • Locked
Cast bullets in a glock
2
Replies
40
Views
4K
GLOOB
G
Back
Top